Discussion
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 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
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?
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?
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
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
Hmmm ACS springs lower the car by 25mm, adaptive in sport+ is meant to lower the car by 10mm, and I have the aero package with a dirty great front splitter, and rear diffuser which seems a reasonable degree lower than standard bodywork.
Given that, I suspect my advantage of xWD in snow is about to be severely limited by other problems.
Given that, I suspect my advantage of xWD in snow is about to be severely limited by other problems.
Back into BMW yesterday for the ubiquitous battery check after a sudden pancake session.
Meanwhile ask the salesperson about the performance upgrade he mentioned during the initial sale. Apparently he made a mistake and there is no upgrade for the 335, he was thinking of the petrol car?
Didn't ask abuot the 10mm he initailly said, but then I'm starting to think internet forums are a better supply of information than the salespeople
.
BTW anyone using any form of diagnostic equipment for this car? Althoguh the car is obviously under its five year waranty I'd still like to know whats going on, in the same way I used DISv42 and progman for the E39 M5
Meanwhile ask the salesperson about the performance upgrade he mentioned during the initial sale. Apparently he made a mistake and there is no upgrade for the 335, he was thinking of the petrol car?
Didn't ask abuot the 10mm he initailly said, but then I'm starting to think internet forums are a better supply of information than the salespeople
.BTW anyone using any form of diagnostic equipment for this car? Althoguh the car is obviously under its five year waranty I'd still like to know whats going on, in the same way I used DISv42 and progman for the E39 M5
Welshbeef said:
julian64 said:
Back into BMW yesterday for the ubiquitous battery check after a sudden pancake session.
Meanwhile ask the salesperson about the performance upgrade he mentioned during the initial sale. Apparently he made a mistake and there is no upgrade for the 335, he was thinking of the petrol car?
Didn't ask abuot the 10mm he initailly said, but then I'm starting to think internet forums are a better supply of information than the salespeople.
BTW anyone using any form of diagnostic equipment for this car? Althoguh the car is obviously under its five year waranty I'd still like to know whats going on, in the same way I used DISv42 and progman for the E39 M5
5 years... Nope 3 years. Meanwhile ask the salesperson about the performance upgrade he mentioned during the initial sale. Apparently he made a mistake and there is no upgrade for the 335, he was thinking of the petrol car?
Didn't ask abuot the 10mm he initailly said, but then I'm starting to think internet forums are a better supply of information than the salespeople
.BTW anyone using any form of diagnostic equipment for this car? Althoguh the car is obviously under its five year waranty I'd still like to know whats going on, in the same way I used DISv42 and progman for the E39 M5
.335d said:
julian64 said:
Me paperwork says 2019 .
2019 will be the 5 year Service Pack I would have thought. I would be very surprised if the warranty was longer than 3 years..For me its different. I found the F10 M5 boring, and to be honest the E60 M5 to a lesser extent. Every time BMW brings out a new car you feel less and less connected to the road.
I didn't buy the 335 for its ability to thrill. I bought it because it was better then the F10 M5 for what I wanted it for. Namely nippy, B, and country roads. Fuel efficient transport, and effortless commuting.
If I want to feel connected to the road I take out the TVR or a motorcycle. Either of which demonstrates what a numbing experience BMW M cars have become.
The 335 does 95% of what the M cars do at half the cost, leaving plenty of money spare to go and get a thrill seeking experience in a more dramatic car.
To that end the saving from this 335 is a good step toward the lambo fund. an F10 M5 would have shelved the lambo for significantly longer while giving no real benefit to the 335.
This is only in MHO of course as BMW M cars still have a lot of appeal for most, but for me, in BMWs race to make the M car the jack of all trades, they have effectively stopped it being the only car to satisfy an enthusiastic car driver.
I didn't buy the 335 for its ability to thrill. I bought it because it was better then the F10 M5 for what I wanted it for. Namely nippy, B, and country roads. Fuel efficient transport, and effortless commuting.
If I want to feel connected to the road I take out the TVR or a motorcycle. Either of which demonstrates what a numbing experience BMW M cars have become.
The 335 does 95% of what the M cars do at half the cost, leaving plenty of money spare to go and get a thrill seeking experience in a more dramatic car.
To that end the saving from this 335 is a good step toward the lambo fund. an F10 M5 would have shelved the lambo for significantly longer while giving no real benefit to the 335.
This is only in MHO of course as BMW M cars still have a lot of appeal for most, but for me, in BMWs race to make the M car the jack of all trades, they have effectively stopped it being the only car to satisfy an enthusiastic car driver.
Starting to think this suspension thing is somewhat overegged.
Never driven one of these cars with SC springs but the standard springs on my car are fine. I have the adaptive dampers. There is very little body roll, and certainly no comical diving of the front of the car, or wayward nature of the front as suggested by some people on this thread. Its actually very confidence inspiring. When being an idiot in this weather the car seems to be set up for a little understeer which is probably what I would have chosen. The biggest problem for me is learning not to immediately correct oversteer with a handful of steering wheel, and not finding the expected oversteer comming out of wet roundabouts any more.
There certainly is a difference when pushing on with the four wheel drive, but the standard car is actually very good at corners.
Not sure I would want to push a friends car with the SC springer harder than I recently pushed my car in this weather and certainly not disappointed with the handling, so rather confused about some of the posts on here.
I think having significantly strong springs would just make the adaptive dampers less likely to be effective at what they do, and weaker springs would be more likely to dive the nose in prolonged braking. Short sharp braking of course would likely be the domain of the dampers rather than the springs.
So anyone knows the poundage difference between the SC and standard springs?
Never driven one of these cars with SC springs but the standard springs on my car are fine. I have the adaptive dampers. There is very little body roll, and certainly no comical diving of the front of the car, or wayward nature of the front as suggested by some people on this thread. Its actually very confidence inspiring. When being an idiot in this weather the car seems to be set up for a little understeer which is probably what I would have chosen. The biggest problem for me is learning not to immediately correct oversteer with a handful of steering wheel, and not finding the expected oversteer comming out of wet roundabouts any more.
There certainly is a difference when pushing on with the four wheel drive, but the standard car is actually very good at corners.
Not sure I would want to push a friends car with the SC springer harder than I recently pushed my car in this weather and certainly not disappointed with the handling, so rather confused about some of the posts on here.
I think having significantly strong springs would just make the adaptive dampers less likely to be effective at what they do, and weaker springs would be more likely to dive the nose in prolonged braking. Short sharp braking of course would likely be the domain of the dampers rather than the springs.
So anyone knows the poundage difference between the SC and standard springs?
smashy said:
julian ,you have adaptive suspension not standard two different things the adaptive is constantly altering its parameters ive driven one with adaptive could have kicked myself I didnt ordder it,
Oh, me again, then.I suppose the problem is that I have never driven one without. I had two test drives at dealers to be sure of the car, both had adaptive.
I guess the two killer accessories for this car were
1) Adaptive damping
2) Pro Nav
I have to admit though that I have found a third 'never to be without' accessory.
heated steering wheel 
.
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.
.
.
.
.
While I'm on this subject, I would like to impart one further word of wisdom for what its worth.
The worst accessory on the car.
privacy glass on the rear window
Edited by julian64 on Tuesday 20th January 15:51
So just as an update to the thread, been getting about 35mpg in this car with normal driving back and forth to work. 18 miles each way mix of motorways and A/B with some country roads, so a fair mix.
Today used the eco mode with eco tips to mmodify my driving. kept the braking and acceleration on four stars for the whole morning journey in sub zero weather.
At the end of 18 miles I had done 56mpg!!
Might not be much to some but for me thats pretty stunning.
As a comparison, The M5 was getting 23mph travelling like a nun, and the weekly fill up would cost £85-90. This is getting nearly two and a half weeks between fill ups, and costs about £55.
mpg not the be all and end all of motoring but still pretty impressive.
Today used the eco mode with eco tips to mmodify my driving. kept the braking and acceleration on four stars for the whole morning journey in sub zero weather.
At the end of 18 miles I had done 56mpg!!
Might not be much to some but for me thats pretty stunning.
As a comparison, The M5 was getting 23mph travelling like a nun, and the weekly fill up would cost £85-90. This is getting nearly two and a half weeks between fill ups, and costs about £55.
mpg not the be all and end all of motoring but still pretty impressive.
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