330d or LCI 335d xdrive

[silent ninja]

rb5201 said:

Just ordered a 335d. Now I'm worried about the ride height. Didn't notice or think it sat noticbly higher than the 330, maybe a sign I'm getting old! Might have to pop back to local bmw dealership to reassure myself!

Initially, when I viewed a couple of xdrive cars I couldn't put my finger on why they looked slightly different to other cars I'd viewed. Then I noticed a pattern. The wheel gap is there and it does have slight stilts look. It's not massive but is noticeable compared to sports suspension. Apart from the AC Schnitzer springs, the air suspension option fixes this.

[JNW1]

silent ninja said:

Initially, when I viewed a couple of xdrive cars I couldn't put my finger on why they looked slightly different to other cars I'd viewed. Then I noticed a pattern. The wheel gap is there and it does have slight stilts look. It's not massive but is noticeable compared to sports suspension. Apart from the AC Schnitzer springs, the air suspension option fixes this.

What air suspension option is this; can't say I've ever heard of it so is this something that's been added to the options list recently?

The ride height on the X-Drive is different from the S-Drive (a bit higher) and the absence of sports suspension is a negative compared to the RWD cars IMO. Adaptive suspension helps a bit but, as I've said before, even in sport mode it's not ideal for give and take driving on a twisty road; all brings me back to the notion you've really got to want or need X-Drive to make a 335d the wise choice....

[Welshbeef]

JNW1 said:

What air suspension option is this; can't say I've ever heard of it so is this something that's been added to the options list recently?

The ride height on the X-Drive is different from the S-Drive (a bit higher) and the absence of sports suspension is a negative compared to the RWD cars IMO. Adaptive suspension helps a bit but, as I've said before, even in sport mode it's not ideal for give and take driving on a twisty road; all brings me back to the notion you've really got to want or need X-Drive to make a 335d the wise choice....

I got stuck on the flat in a field slightly wet underfoot in the rwd 535d utterly useless. The RS6 had been to the same location in similar conditions no issue whatsoever.

[smashy]

Air suspension bmw google is aftermarket stuff ...my s drive on acs springs looks low parked up against other cars ,i like it

[silent ninja]

JNW1 said:

What air suspension option is this; can't say I've ever heard of it so is this something that's been added to the options list recently?

The ride height on the X-Drive is different from the S-Drive (a bit higher) and the absence of sports suspension is a negative compared to the RWD cars IMO. Adaptive suspension helps a bit but, as I've said before, even in sport mode it's not ideal for give and take driving on a twisty road; all brings me back to the notion you've really got to want or need X-Drive to make a 335d the wise choice....

brain fart, adaptive suspension i meant.

[JNW1]

silent ninja said:

brain fart, adaptive suspension i meant.

My car has adaptive suspension and it doesn't fix the ride height issue! It does help with the handling but from what I've read the after-market offerings from ACS or Birds are really what you need to sort that out.

[JNW1]

Welshbeef said:

I got stuck on the flat in a field slightly wet underfoot in the rwd 535d utterly useless. The RS6 had been to the same location in similar conditions no issue whatsoever.

AWD certainly has its merits, question is whether the traction advantages in certain conditions outweigh the permanent disadvantages (increased weight, inferior fuel consumption and, in the 335d at least, a compromised suspension set-up). X-Drive is certainly great to have when you're (say) pulling out of junctions in the wet but being honest I never found RWD much of a problem and on balance X-Drive wouldn't be a must have for me; can see others may think differently though!

[Welshbeef]

JNW1 said:

Welshbeef said:

I got stuck on the flat in a field slightly wet underfoot in the rwd 535d utterly useless. The RS6 had been to the same location in similar conditions no issue whatsoever.

AWD certainly has its merits, question is whether the traction advantages in certain conditions outweigh the permanent disadvantages (increased weight, inferior fuel consumption and, in the 335d at least, a compromised suspension set-up). X-Drive is certainly great to have when you're (say) pulling out of junctions in the wet but being honest I never found RWD much of a problem and on balance X-Drive wouldn't be a must have for me; can see others may think differently though!

Actually on the road with the exception of snow days I've had no traction issues with the 535d. I think in my 2 years ownership I've only once seen the TC light flashing and that was on said field when I got stuck.

[335d]

rb5201 said:

Just ordered a 335d. Now I'm worried about the ride height. Didn't notice or think it sat noticbly higher than the 330, maybe a sign I'm getting old! Might have to pop back to local bmw dealership to reassure myself!

It is 1 centimetre higher than a 330d sDrive!

[ghibbett]

smashy said:

I think re the driving you mention thats pretty good dont you?....I would just like to know what it would achieve on a long motorway run "keeping up with traffic" on the outside lane of a motorway. Plenty of posts and on how a large petrol achieves great motorway figures but the poster is normally doing 60 mph when he achieves those figures.

Edited by smashy on Tuesday 12th July 18:42

When I test drove a 340i I drove it out of the dealership and home. Journey was about 20 miles, 16 of which were motorway, the rest in town. On the motorway I used cruise control to maintain 80mph. On arrival at home the OBC said 38mpg.

[smashy]

[quote=ghibbett]

When I test drove a 340i I drove it out of the dealership and home. Journey was about 20 miles, 16 of which were motorway, the rest in town. On the motorway I used cruise control to maintain 80mph. On arrival at home the OBC said 38mpg.[/quote

Yes!! thankyou ghibbett just what I was looking for ,not too painful really...I once did 15 miles at 80mph on the M4 one night to see what the reset obc would be in the F30 330d and it came out at 46mpg...for what its worth that same night did another 15 miles at 70mph came out at 56mpg

Thanks for posting

[V5Ade]

Welshbeef said:

Heck the F10 M5 averages 28mpg so maybe those 340i owners like using only 1/2nd gear for all their driving

I wish! 18mpg....

[silent ninja]

335d said:

rb5201 said:

Just ordered a 335d. Now I'm worried about the ride height. Didn't notice or think it sat noticbly higher than the 330, maybe a sign I'm getting old! Might have to pop back to local bmw dealership to reassure myself!

It is 1 centimetre higher than a 330d sDrive!

15mm difference between Xdrive and m sport (springs) suspension as far as I'm aware

Edited by silent ninja on Wednesday 13th July 17:32

[smashy]

Resurecting this thead cannot believe it is 5 years old.

Very sadly and frustratingly never mind financially gutting my f30 30d bought new sep 2014 has to go because of Mare Sad KhanT and his ULEZ london extension 120k of pain free miles not a thing went wrong apart from the green light on the gearstick on 4/ 500 miles a week

Not getting into The Devils Finance that is PCP again so used it has to be. I hope to test drive a 335d xdrive 18 plate the LCI that had the suspension tweaks.Will be really interesting to see how much better the LCI is than my Luxury that on se suspension was a floating blangmange and that was without x drive.As I said on here ACS springs and dampers fixed that.

Shame I am in the used market right now as I said to a salesman you are all having it off sticking around £2k on a mid twenties priced car

My thing is sunroofs and it does really narrow my choices the above has it and hard to find.

Also thinking a 128ti sitting in a main dealer headwise difficult because its a £34500 demo with sunroof but I had negotiated a new one £31500 inc sunroof before realising it may take 5 months to arrive. On babybmw people getting mid late 40s mpg on a motorway cruise.

Seen a lovely red 18 plate 180bhp 2.2 alfa guilia for 21k that would take balls I am a BMW man....buying another car is something I really do not need in my life so angry with this nonsense sort out China and India Instead of crippling me and my family

Edited by smashy on Wednesday 1st September 13:03

[ninjag]

That's odd, has something changed as when I had a 2015 F30 330d X-Drive M-Sport it was classed as Euro 6 and also came up as compliant with the ULEZ, but now when I check Honest John this model is showing as Euro 5?

[rassi]

ninjag said:

That's odd, has something changed as when I had a 2015 F30 330d X-Drive M-Sport it was classed as Euro 6 and also came up as compliant with the ULEZ, but now when I check Honest John this model is showing as Euro 5?

LCI meant change over to Euro 6

[ninjag]

rassi said:

LCI meant change over to Euro 6

I didn't think my 2015 was LCI though?

[rassi]

ninjag said:

rassi said:

LCI meant change over to Euro 6

I didn't think my 2015 was LCI though?

LCI was July 2015 but apparently some engines (eg 335d) were already Euro 6 before the LCI so only a look at the V5 can confirm it

[ninjag]

rassi said:

ninjag said:

rassi said:

LCI meant change over to Euro 6

I didn't think my 2015 was LCI though?

LCI was July 2015 but apparently some engines (eg 335d) were already Euro 6 before the LCI so only a look at the V5 can confirm it

Ah ok that would explain it as mine was a Sep 15. Cheers

[smashy]

Well just had a test drive of an 18 plate 335dxdrive ,with my one and only option that I love ...a sunroof

I was so curious to drive this LCI because my 2014 new 330d luxury had se suspension ,it was like a floating boat and literally on some surfaces like ice road truckers bouncing up and down on the seat.O n the outside lane of a motorway it was like you had no suspension wallowing left and right floating pretty disconcerting to say the least which kept me off the outside lane till the ACS springs .ACS springs and dampers sorted it ,not being xdrive and reading the forums I guessed the 335d may be even worse.

Sat in the car and said to my wife I will know in the next 50 yards if it is worth carrying on. Away we went and I hit the brakes .Amazing the nose did not drop and have me holding on with my bum to the seat to stop going forward, a good start. Then over speed bumps no problem ice road truckers stylee. The frustrating thing only a mile from junction 4 of the M4 and I really wanted to get it on the outside lane M4 closed off but it was obvious this LCI suspension was completely different.

Have to say a lovely ride very comfortable I was amazed.As for the 335d engine compared to mine just relentless linear power as opposed to my lag then woomph. This had a light interior and with the sunroof was so bright ,honestly a lovely car and as I am used to the F30 and controls like getting into an old pair of jeans

I did not buy it I do a shed load of miles 400 plus a week ,no M4 but an 8 mile circuit of Suburbs of west london showed 25 mpg ,when I got back I jumped in my 330d did the same circuit showed 32mpg too much of a payoff for power I will never use ,the 330d is fast enough. I then sat in an Alfa Guilia later on to test drive that.I never turned the engine on my wife and I realised straight away that is was so constricted dark and claustophobic ,horrible. Jag XE anyone? again windows so small so it will be another BMW ,need to make my mind up before ulez extension london oct 25th.But that 335d really was lovely.