63 plate 335i M Sport

[crazy about cars]

The plan was to walk into the BMW dealership to get a valuation of selling my car back to them for cash. However a very nicely specced Estorial Blue 335i caught my eye and I must say I'm very tempted to p/x for this car instead.

I would appreciate some feedback from owners if possible.

1. Reliability - any known common issues with this model? I know there are several issues with the M135i to which I'm told share same engine and drivetrain
2. Economy - can't tell from my test drive but assuming ECO Pro and driving sensibly what should I expect in the real world?
3. Servicing - I was told the interval is 18,000 miles or 2 years (plus no run-in service). Is this true? How much should I expect as servicing costs?
4. Run flat tyres - the car comes with 19" RTFs (Potenzas IIRC).How much would it cost to replace the tyres? How do they wear? Tyre costs are also a big issue for me (E92 M3 and previously R35 GTR). How fast do they wear?
5. Security - does this model have the improved security features?

[Johnthepotter]

can't answer many of your questions but I have a 328i M Sport Touring which I had new a few months ago. In my opinion you should forget about Eco Pro as a way of saving fuel. It no doubt does reduce consumption but it KILLS the experience of driving the car. The engine feels strangled. I just don't use it any more! I am averaging 30 mpg using mainly comfort, but sport whenever I can. I assume the 335 will be thirstier than this ?

[crazy about cars]

Johnthepotter said:

can't answer many of your questions but I have a 328i M Sport Touring which I had new a few months ago. In my opinion you should forget about Eco Pro as a way of saving fuel. It no doubt does reduce consumption but it KILLS the experience of driving the car. The engine feels strangled. I just don't use it any more!

Fair enough Only spent 5 minutes or so on test drive with this mode but does feel that whole car is being restricted.

I'm not expected astronomical MPG improvement but looking at something better than 17mpg average I'm getting at the moment...

[Johnthepotter]

I was editing my response re MPG when your message came through. I am averaging 30mpg - see edited message!

[crazy about cars]

Johnthepotter said:

I was editing my response re MPG when your message came through. I am averaging 30mpg - see edited message!

Yes, seen the edited message now thanks! I was mostly in Sport Pro(?) mode and MPG was around 20. I was driving pretty enthusiastically though :P
Not as sharp as the M3 (which I don't expect it to be) but nicer to drive compared to the '14 S4 saloon I've tested before.

The sales guy was pointing out the low emissions and "efficient dynamics" and say I should be expecting 25-30 as average on my mainly urban commute.

edit: Random thought but I suppose ECO Pro would be nice to have in winter if not running winter tyres?

Edited by crazy about cars on Saturday 6th September 17:08

[Welshbeef]

Surely Eco pro for all business miles? Or to take longer to get to the outlaws?

[crazy about cars]

Welshbeef said:

Surely Eco pro for all business miles? Or to take longer to get to the outlaws?

eh? :P

[Tea Pot One]

My Z4 35iS which albeit is the twin turbo version of the engine is giving 24mpg for me. The new 335i should be significantly better I would think ... well, maybe 27-28mpg if I were driving it.

My car had it's first service at 20K on condition / distance as indicated by the car ! These cars are going longer between services all the time so 18K sounds about right.

My RFT's; 19" on a 330d were £325 each and lasted ages ... about 20K - far longer than normal tyres. I found them OK on the 330d and have 19's on the 35iS. I don't like the cost but they last longer.

Edited by Tea Pot One on Saturday 6th September 19:06

[Jon1967x]

1. Reliability - any known common issues with this model? I know there are several issues with the M135i to which I'm told share same engine and drivetrain

Nothing significant.

1. Economy - can't tell from my test drive but assuming ECO Pro and driving sensibly what should I expect in the real world?

Anything from mid 20s's to 30. On a motorway run mid 30s are possible at legal speed

1. Servicing - I was told the interval is 18,000 miles or 2 years (plus no run-in service). Is this true? How much should I expect as servicing costs?

It might have a service pack so nothing really but if not 300-500 depending on what's needed.

1. Run flat tyres - the car comes with 19" RTFs (Potenzas IIRC).How much would it cost to replace the tyres? How do they wear? Tyre costs are also a big issue for me (E92 M3 and previously R35 GTR). How fast do they wear?

A lot depends on how you drive but maybe 15k to 20k on rears and it's possible to get double out the fronts. Rft are more than regular tyres and size makes a big difference but 800-1000 for a set all round of regular tyres

1. Security - does this model have the improved security features?

No idea

[crazy about cars]

Thanks for all the replies

Just surprised it comes with run flats, I wonder if it is possible to swap them for normal tyres when they are due. I run MPSS and they are brilliant tyres.

Enquired about insurance swap over and find that it's almost the same as my current M3... ah well at least the VED is half of what I'm paying now.

All food for thought...

[DVandrews]

My 11 plate 335i (N55 engine) returns around 22-26MPG with normal round town driving and 30MPG + on a run. I'm pretty sure will have the new security features as mine has had the systems upgraded to protect against key duplication theft and the improved DCT DME firmware. I would expect yours to be better on MPG as it is lighter and has improved MPG over the earlier engines.

Dave

Edited by DVandrews on Sunday 7th September 13:13

[aeropilot]

crazy about cars said:

Just surprised it comes with run flats, I wonder if it is possible to swap them for normal tyres when they are due.

Yes, swapping to non-RFT's is possible, then just buy the BMW Mobility kit to go in the boot.

[Lozw86]

I have run flats on my 63 plate 328i M sport and they are very good. Prior to buying the car I had read all sorts of negative press online about them.. but I honestly have not encountered a problem. With 18" wheels the ride does not seem too firm at all, very comfortable in fact

Tyres - Have done 8k miles with little wear

Reliability - No issues whatsoever so far. Very reliable.

Security features - I believe recent F30 models have had changes made to prevent theft using the OBD port as has been reported with the E9x models

Economy - My 328i is averaging 30mpg. 27 around town, 40 cruising on the motorway at 70

[JNW1]

crazy about cars said:

Thanks for all the replies

Just surprised it comes with run flats, I wonder if it is possible to swap them for normal tyres when they are due. I run MPSS and they are brilliant tyres.

Enquired about insurance swap over and find that it's almost the same as my current M3... ah well at least the VED is half of what I'm paying now.

All food for thought...

Not sure how you're proposing to fund the car but if you're thinking about PCP one other possible piece of food for thought is that a brand new car may not be much more expensive - or conceivably even cheaper - than a used one. I know some of the big discounts on sites like Drive The Deal have disappeared recently but a new car bought with a decent discount and the 4.9% finance was certainly working out cheaper per month for a given level of deposit than a used equivalent. However, obviously none of this is relevant if you're looking at an outright purchase!

[Maracus]

Picking my 328i touring up on Wednesday. I'm hoping for 40 on a run, I can usually get the manufacturers claimed figures, so fingers crossed.

As for discounts and DtD, the BMW sales bloke would have given me a 13% discount as a starting figure and said that DtD are showing cars that aren't available to be ordered. Not sure how true.....

[M3greg]

Having experience RFTs on both E90 and F30 (E90 on 18s, F30 on 19s), the newer chassis suspension really makes a huge difference. On the older model I hated the run flats, but really weren't a problem for me on the new one.

[JNW1]

Maracus said:

As for discounts and DtD, the BMW sales bloke would have given me a 13% discount as a starting figure and said that DtD are showing cars that aren't available to be ordered. Not sure how true.....

Two dealers local to me were prepared to match the level of discount offered by Drive The Deal and it was rather more than 13%; not quite double but not far off! Having said that I know some dealers do try to question whether companies like Broadspeed and Drive The Deal can actually obtain vehicles at the prices advertised but these organisations have been in business for a while and I think the word would soon get around if their advertised prices didn't match reality. If DTD are no longer able to get cars at competitive rates I get the impression they simply remove those makes/models from their website rather than quote prices they can no longer achieve; they did that with Audi earlier in the year and have done that in the last couple of weeks with BMW.

[Maracus]

The discounts for the 328i were around 21/22% when I last looked on DtD.

[crazy about cars]

I did have a think about leasing but not keen to be tied into another debt, plus I'm also looking to reduce monthly outgoings...

Head is telling me I should just sell my current M3 and get a cheap runabout.

Heart is telling me to get the 335i as a replacement car... except for sunroof and sports suspension this car has all the options I want ticked. Even come in my favourite colour on a BMW; Estoril blue.

Edited by crazy about cars on Monday 8th September 08:14

[creepy coupe]

I borrowed a 4 series with 19" Runflats and the ride was very good. I wouldn't have know they were Runflats until I looked. They're worlds away from the nasty crashy ride they gave on my E92.