335xd

[julian64]

Wanted to start a thread for people who had bought a 335d F30 xdrive, to get peoples thoughts and opinions about it.

I recently bought a 2014 model to replace the E39 M5 I had fought to keep for so long. Been in the car for only two weeks.

The two cars are a reasonable performance match even if one of them is using the devil fuel. But they are soooo different to drive. I tried several test drives in E60's and one in a newer M5 but prefered to stay in my E39 till the bitter end.

The 335 D however is something wierdly different. It has the benefit of the lighter body for the sort of country driving I do. The four wheel drive system is a boon off the line and hoping that I will start to enjoy snow days again.

But the steering is muted, and the power delivery is the very opposite of the M5. All low down and withoutfuss where the M5 was all high up and dramatic.

Its taking a bit of getting used to. Still not quite sure whether I'll ever get used to it

[335d]

julian64 said:

Wanted to start a thread for people who had bought a 335d F30 xdrive, to get peoples thoughts and opinions about it.

I recently bought a 2014 model to replace the E39 M5 I had fought to keep for so long. Been in the car for only two weeks.

The two cars are a reasonable performance match even if one of them is using the devil fuel. But they are soooo different to drive. I tried several test drives in E60's and one in a newer M5 but prefered to stay in my E39 till the bitter end.

The 335 D however is something wierdly different. It has the benefit of the lighter body for the sort of country driving I do. The four wheel drive system is a boon off the line and hoping that I will start to enjoy snow days again.

But the steering is muted, and the power delivery is the very opposite of the M5. All low down and withoutfuss where the M5 was all high up and dramatic.

Its taking a bit of getting used to. Still not quite sure whether I'll ever get used to it

I bought a new E39 M5 about 15 years ago, although I have had many (mostly) BMWs in between, I now have an F30 335d.

The suspension on the 335d is a bit of a let down, as with all xDrives they have deleted the M Sport springs. After a few months, I replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones. That transformed both the handling and the steering. Turn in is much sharper and it handles pretty well now. Even F30 owners with M Sport springs have started to replace them with ACS ones and finding a great improvement. There is also almost no loss of ride comfort.

I really like the ability to make rapid progress without fuss, but it is true that the diesel engine will never have the same power delivery as a 5 litre NA petrol.

[StuH]

I went from e39 m5 to 535D - I was happy for a few months and had the 535D chipped so power was pretty much identical - I confirmed this on a spirited drive home from Cornwall alongside an M5! However, it was just dull and lacked drama. The power and economy combination of modern diesels is superb for a daily driver, but if you crave thrills and excitement with driving then you really need to stick with M's. I ended up changing the 535D for an e60 M5 - and that is to date the best all-round car I've owned. If an e39 M5 getting ragged is good fun, doing the same in an e60 M5 takes that up anther notch or two!

[335d]

StuH said:

I went from e39 m5 to 535D - I was happy for a few months and had the 535D chipped so power was pretty much identical - I confirmed this on a spirited drive home from Cornwall alongside an M5! However, it was just dull and lacked drama. The power and economy combination of modern diesels is superb for a daily driver, but if you crave thrills and excitement with driving then you really need to stick with M's. I ended up changing the 535D for an e60 M5 - and that is to date the best all-round car I've owned. If an e39 M5 getting ragged is good fun, doing the same in an e60 M5 takes that up anther notch or two!

M cars are a tough act to follow, in particular the E39 M5 which was in a league of its own at the time. I am not a fan of the current M3/M4 though - dreadful playstation noise and a much less exciting power delivery than the E90 M3. The current M5 is an impressive machine though.

Flooring it In Sport+ I still find my 335d has enough drama to make it enjoyable, just sadly not a match for any generation of the M5s.

[Welshbeef]

335d said:

M cars are a tough act to follow, in particular the E39 M5 which was in a league of its own at the time. I am not a fan of the current M3/M4 though - dreadful playstation noise and a much less exciting power delivery than the E90 M3. The current M5 is an impressive machine though.

Flooring it In Sport+ I still find my 335d has enough drama to make it enjoyable, just sadly not a match for any generation of the M5s.

Do you find sport + that different to sport? Not sure I've tried sport + apart from testing to see if it worked. What is the benefit over Sport?

[gizlaroc]

julian64 said:

But the steering is muted, and the power delivery is the very opposite of the M5. All low down and withoutfuss where the M5 was all high up and dramatic.

Its taking a bit of getting used to. Still not quite sure whether I'll ever get used to it

I'm going to keep my mouth shut!!

[335d]

Welshbeef said:

Do you find sport + that different to sport? Not sure I've tried sport + apart from testing to see if it worked. What is the benefit over Sport?

In my car I have Sport set to chassis only, so Sport weights up the steering and firms up the dampers (adaptive suspension). I have to go to Sport+ in order to sharpen the throttle mapping, hold on to gears longer, and of course it dials back the traction system to allow it to slide a bit. In the 335d (unlike the 535d) it also turns up the sound symposer!

On anything but a bone dry road, flooring it in Sport+ will have the car on the limit of traction and snaking a little up to about 60-70mph. It feels a little quicker than my old E39 M5 to me. The official figures are 4.6 to 60 vs 5.0 for the M5, I think.

Edited by 335d on Tuesday 13th January 21:28

[Welshbeef]

335d said:

In my car I have Sport set to chassis only, so Sport weights up the steering and firms up the dampers (adaptive suspension). I have to go to Sport+ in order to sharpen the throttle mapping, hold on to gears longer, and of course it dials back the traction system to allow it to slide a bit. In the 335d (unlike the 535d) it also turns up the sound symposer!

On anything but a bone dry road, flooring it in Sport+ will have the car on the limit of traction and snaking a little up to about 60-70mph.

I keep sport to be chassis and drivetrain - if I have it in that setting then sport + I'm assuming would only loosen up traction control. Not sure if I really need TC turned off for my needs.

[335d]

Welshbeef said:

I keep sport to be chassis and drivetrain - if I have it in that setting then sport + I'm assuming would only loosen up traction control. Not sure if I really need TC turned off for my needs.

Sport+ only dials back the TC, but it does make the car a little bit of a handful when driven hard. I very rarely turn the TC fully off (10 second button press).

From the factory, I found I needed adaptive dampers on Sport more than I needed the drivetrain in Sport. That has changed now I have changed the springs, but I keep the setting that was to have 2 distinct Sport modes. In a way I could do with an extra setting so I could have both on Sport without dealing back the TC.

[Hedgeman]

I bought a new 335d touring to replace an E61 M5. Heresy possibly to some, but no regrets at all about the move.

The only things I miss are the engine note and top-end fireworks of the V10 on those occasions it was even possible to be in "the mood". Everything else about the 335d make for a more modern and better (and A-B usually quicker) every day car in give or take typical driving conditions.

Gary.

[cerb4.5lee]

julian64 said:

But the steering is muted, and the power delivery is the very opposite of the M5. All low down and withoutfuss where the M5 was all high up and dramatic.

Its taking a bit of getting used to. Still not quite sure whether I'll ever get used to it

I understand what you mean having experienced a E92 M3 and now a 640d and I always used to be disappointed by the M3`s bottom end of the revs but the top end was special whereas now the 640d has all the low end shove I could ever want but it leaves me flat and the steering is also pretty vague.

You will get used to it I would imagine but I cant see it raising too many smiles long term, its a very effective engine but not an especially rewarding one and you have to embrace the fact that the engine offers excellent performance with decent economy thrown in and that's the benefit I think.

Its a classic head over heart engine...

[ZX10R NIN]

julian64 said:

Wanted to start a thread for people who had bought a 335d F30 xdrive, to get peoples thoughts and opinions about it.

I recently bought a 2014 model to replace the E39 M5 I had fought to keep for so long. Been in the car for only two weeks.

The two cars are a reasonable performance match even if one of them is using the devil fuel. But they are soooo different to drive. I tried several test drives in E60's and one in a newer M5 but prefered to stay in my E39 till the bitter end.

The 335 D however is something wierdly different. It has the benefit of the lighter body for the sort of country driving I do. The four wheel drive system is a boon off the line and hoping that I will start to enjoy snow days again.

But the steering is muted, and the power delivery is the very opposite of the M5. All low down and withoutfuss where the M5 was all high up and dramatic.

Its taking a bit of getting used to. Still not quite sure whether I'll ever get used to it

You should have tried the Alpina D3 not quite an M but sharper & more fun than a 335d especially as you can now only get it in 4WD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7yi6Ivgqh4

[335d]

ZX10R NIN said:

You should have tried the Alpina D3 not quite an M but sharper & more fun than a 335d especially as you can now only get it in 4WD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7yi6Ivgqh4

I haven't tried a D3, but from those who have I think there is little doubt that it is a superior car to the 335d. However Alpina don't discount in anything like the same way, so there ends up being around £20k between the cars, which is far too much for a car which has so much in common. If you change the 335d springs to ACS, the tyres to Michelin PSS non run flat, and add an ACS power kit or DMS tune, you have closed the gap between the cars to a very large extent, for about £3-5k. You still have an xDrive car of course but then so are the majority of D3s.

[Welshbeef]

335d said:

I haven't tried a D3, but from those who have I think there is little doubt that it is a superior car to the 335d. However Alpina don't discount in anything like the same way, so there ends up being around £20k between the cars, which is far too much for a car which has so much in common. If you change the 335d springs to ACS, the tyres to Michelin PSS non run flat, and add an ACS power kit or DMS tune, you have closed the gap between the cars to a very large extent, for about £3-5k. You still have an xDrive car of course but then so are the majority of D3s.

Or you buy a 535d with rwd only and DMS it. Nothing wrong with buying a used heavily optioned car you'll save a chunk in purchase price and get the dried your after.

I was going to go for 335d F31 but couldn't accept the cost & 4x4 so went out looking for a c£30k used fully loaded 330d F31 walked away with a. 535d fully loaded instead which is a different league in quality of car interior is worlds apart.

[ZX10R NIN]

335d said:

I haven't tried a D3, but from those who have I think there is little doubt that it is a superior car to the 335d. However Alpina don't discount in anything like the same way, so there ends up being around £20k between the cars, which is far too much for a car which has so much in common. If you change the 335d springs to ACS, the tyres to Michelin PSS non run flat, and add an ACS power kit or DMS tune, you have closed the gap between the cars to a very large extent, for about £3-5k. You still have an xDrive car of course but then so are the majority of D3s.

D3's are RWD only the price difference is around 10-11k, the D3's interior feels a bit more special with the Alcantara & Carbon everywhere, the feel from the steering ride comfort are better than a 335d with the upgrades you mention but I do concede that those upgrades will bring the 335d a lot closer to the D3, but because of all the heavy discounting going on with BMW at the moment the D3 will also be worth more when it comes to resale.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 14th January 08:01

[julian64]

The lack of decent trim is okay, I quiet like the more spartan feel. The four wheel drive is a must for me as I get locked in 2-3 days a year because of snow with the M5 and that really isn't acceptable for my business.

The car has adaptive dampers, and the corners are more the transition to four wheel drive than lack of suspension feel 'I think'.

What the DMS tune difference compared to the BMW approved intake change and remap that gives about 90bhp?

And whats the difference with the AC springs. Is it just springs or springs and dampers?

[335d]

ZX10R NIN said:

D3's are RWD only the price difference is around 10-11k, the D3's interior feels a bit more special with the Alcantara & Carbon everywhere, the feel from the steering ride comfort are better than a 335d with the upgrades you mention but I do concede that those upgrades will bring the 335d a lot closer to the D3, but because of all the heavy discounting going on with BMW at the moment the D3 will also be worth more when it comes to resale.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 14th January 08:01

You can get the D3 with xDrive - see the touring description

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/all-models/d3...

although not in the UK at the moment I believe. A BMW salesperson told me that the majority of D3s that Alpina sell are xDrive. Not sure if that is correct as he was trying to sell an xDrive at the time!

Welshbeef said:

Or you buy a 535d with rwd only and DMS it. Nothing wrong with buying a used heavily optioned car you'll save a chunk in purchase price and get the dried your after.

I was going to go for 335d F31 but couldn't accept the cost & 4x4 so went out looking for a c£30k used fully loaded 330d F31 walked away with a. 535d fully loaded instead which is a different league in quality of car interior is worlds apart.

The interior of the F10 is certainly a few steps above the F30 (apart from the same hippo hide leather plus a few creaky plastics) and the 535d is a great car. If I spent more time on motorways rather than country roads, I would have bought one instead, or perhaps a 740d. I value the handling of the smaller F30 above the refinement of the F10 for my usual A and B roads. I also wanted a change from my previous F10.

julian64 said:

The lack of decent trim is okay, I quiet like the more spartan feel. The four wheel drive is a must for me as I get locked in 2-3 days a year because of snow with the M5 and that really isn't acceptable for my business.

The car has adaptive dampers, and the corners are more the transition to four wheel drive than lack of suspension feel 'I think'.

What the DMS tune difference compared to the BMW approved intake change and remap that gives about 90bhp?

And whats the difference with the AC springs. Is it just springs or springs and dampers?

Not sure what the 'BMW approved intake change' is. There is no Performance Power Kit (intercooler and ECU) available for the 35d engine, just the 20d, 30d and 35i I believe.

The DMS output is about 370bhp according to their own rolling road, so take with a pinch of salt. The ACS power kit is around 360 bhp I think.

The ACS springs I have are just springs, cost £650 fitted and transform the handling, particularly of xDrive or SE cars. ACS do a full RS suspension kit for £2-2.5k, and other full kits such as Bilstein and KW are available. Alpina just change the springs on the D3 and leave the standard BMW adaptive dampers, albeit with slightly modified settings.

[SimNugget]

I bought an F31 335xd in April. It is a very nice car, but in no way excites me. It is lovely to sit in, lovely to look at, fast, safe (4 months of the year are below zero and wet/snow/ice) and the tech is great too.

But I never just go out for a drive in it like I used to in my old Merc C63. Part of the trouble I think is we had 'fun' cars in the family like the C63 estate and a Mini JCW.

Saying that, i have only recently moved to Switzerland with the BMW so I think even the C63 or Mini would frustrate me here - speed is controlled very tightly. I have had more speeding fines in 1 year here than 25 in the UK.

Been seriously considering the ACS springs and tuning box.

But I must also add the car is a real Jack of all trades - fast and economical.

Do I regret buying it? Nope.

[Osinjak]

335d said:

In the 335d (unlike the 535d) it also turns up the sound symposer!

The what?

[julian64]

Well the problem was that there wasn't a replacement for an aging E39. I found the E60 rather marmite, and the new M5 with no where near the feel of the E39. Its trying to be too much of an all rounder and loses just about everywhere apart from poer to the E39. I must add this is only in MHO.

The F30 was a C change in the way I look at cars. The money releases me for possibly another car for the garage, and the F30 does 100% of what the M5 did for commuting and 90% of what it did for hooning.

Confused about the engine upgrade. The BMW Chap said there was a BMW perfomance upgrade for the engine. He said it was approx 3K, and involved a change in the intake and BMW remap that released a further 90bhp.

I'm due to take the car back this thursday so I might ask for more details