F31 335d xDrive - experiences?
Discussion
Hedgeman said:
Overall it's a car to deeply admire, but not to really love. Like many modern cars, it has that slightly detached driving experience.
This is my only fear and a problem I had with my E91. It was superb at what we wanted it for (loooong drives across Europe) but it was bit of a numb experience if I was honest. You could throw it around with ease and it was pretty good at it too but it wasn't much 'fun' really. I managed to test drive a 330d xDrive and it was a lovely place to be - really - but I was bit underwhelmed by the driving experience. Mind you, I didn't really get a chance to throw it around so probably didn't get the full idea.Had an interesting chat with my dealer today. Apparently you won't be able to spec xenons anymore, it's either halogens or LEDs. The wheels in the M Sport plus package have also changed from the 403s to 442M bi-colour Orbit Grey, the ones on the 4 Series.
Edited by Osinjak on Wednesday 17th June 20:02
JNW1 said:
If I was doing a lower annual mileage with a budget in the mid to high £30k's I think I'd be looking at a second-hand C63 estate rather than an F31 335d; in many respects a less well-rounded vehicle but I suspect I'd be happy to live with that in exchange for more character and a much nicer noise!
That was the other option for me. Sadly, my wife is vehemently opposed to it.JNW1 said:
Osinjak said:
That was the other option for me. Sadly, my wife is vehemently opposed to it.
Sometimes it's better to be a dictator than a democrat!! 
Seriously, though, what's the objection to a C63? They don't look especially flash unless you opt for the black drug-dealer alloys and are presumably quite docile unless provoked? From Evo mag:
The outgoing model impressed us so much that we labelled it as ‘the most entertaining drivers’ car in its segment,’ but we did concede that it wasn’t quite as focused and sharp as previous generations. BMW appears to have taken note, because it says that the 2015 car has received further developed dampers, stiffer suspension and more precise steering.
Full article here: http://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/330d-m-sport/7244/bmw-330...
The outgoing model impressed us so much that we labelled it as ‘the most entertaining drivers’ car in its segment,’ but we did concede that it wasn’t quite as focused and sharp as previous generations. BMW appears to have taken note, because it says that the 2015 car has received further developed dampers, stiffer suspension and more precise steering.
Full article here: http://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/330d-m-sport/7244/bmw-330...
I test drove a 330d xDrive a little while ago and I was genuinely surprised at how good the ride was on 19s. Some years ago I test drove a 3 Series convertible M Sport on 19s and I hated it within 20 yards, the ride was just laughably bad and I couldn't believe that anyone would voluntarily spec a car like that. I half expected it to be similar with the 330d but the two could not be further apart if they tried. Anyway, after the 330d test I got back in my E91 335d and immediately noticed how much more focused and tighter it was compared to the xDrive and vowed that if ever I bought an F31 I would spec Adaptive as an absolute must. I don't drive at ten tenths all the time but there are a few roads near where I live that lend themselves to a more spirited drive. Shame there's not an LCI to make a comparison yet.
JNW1 said:
I don't have an issue with the ride comfort of the F31 (I actually think it's very good), for me it's more about whether as a result of being so comfortable it's a bit too soft when you try to go quickly along the twisty bits. Some owners clearly think it's fine while others think it isn't (especially those who don't have adaptive suspension); as DrMark said in his post earlier, I think the only answer is to try cars with and without adaptive and make-up your own mind. Some may be happy with a standard car without adaptive, others may think that's too soft but with adaptive in sport mode its ok, others may think the car needs upgraded springs regardless of whether adaptive is fitted or not!
I actually didn't mind the ride at all and in a lot of ways it was a relief to drive something that wasn't quite so skittish. The main thing I buy my cars for nowadays are for long trips down to SE Europe (Croatia) and we usually do this twice a year, around 3000 miles a time. The E91, as long as it was on smooth roads, was brilliant at this, absolutely in its element. However, I've been compromised by RWD a couple of times hence the xDrive (nothing to do with winter, it was a gravel incline and a muddy farm track). Besides all that, I knew that after the test drive the F31 would be much more comfortable on a long drive and I'm happy to make the compromise. I'm still going to spec Adaptive (it was specced in the 330d I test drove) for those alone moments but also anticipate BMW fettling the LCI. If it's that bad, and I really don't think it will be, I'll think about changing the springs but for now I'm happy.
JNW1 said:
Osinjak said:
Ordered an LCI, think that's all you can order now. Bit frustrating that BMW UK website doesn't let you configure one yet.
Bizarre, I was assuming you couldn't order an LCI on the basis the configurator still has the details for the old model only! Are there many spec changes with the LCI? Assume that mechanically the 335d is unchanged (apart from the mystery suspension tweaks mentioned on this thread!) but have they finally got around to making things like xenons (or even LED's) standard? I found it really irritating that xenons were extra on a car with a list price of over £40k.... Edited by Osinjak on Sunday 28th June 22:40
JNW1 said:
I think 335d's got the GPS gearbox from around August/September build last year. I don't find my F31 either noisy or cramped but I guess that depends on your reference point and I came from an E91/E92; however, compared to those I don't find the F31 to be especially agile either as it feels bigger and heavier (probably because it is!). Therefore, I can see a logic that says if you're going to have something a bit barge like you might as well get the 5 series because as well as being more spacious it also has (IMO) a nicer interior design with a better feel to the quality of the materials.
They're bigger than you think too. I put my old E91 up against an F31 and was genuinely surprised at the difference!JNW1 said:
Really can't get used to that sat-nav screen that's stuck on top of the dashboard like an afterthought; the twin binnacle arrangement in the E9x was far nicer to my eye!
When I first sat in an F31 I pointed at the screen and asked the sales bloke, 'Does that go down?' Obviously it didn't but it looks as if it should. I asked him why it looked so odd and why it was so high up and he said that it was EU-ism in that all screens needed to be eye-level rather than buried somewhere else. Seems plausible enough but they still look weird.Worried about what? By any stretch a 335d is an accomplished performer and is plenty swift enough for rapid progress, there isn't a lot out there that will compare unless you want to spend big money. However, it lacks excitement and isn't the most visceral of experiences that you might get from a C63 for example. You're not going to get in it, drive it five miles and declare it the most horrible car in the world but like any car, it has its compromises that you might not be able to live with but the chances are you will. If you want the best of both worlds, get one with Adaptive Suspension. I have, it gives me firmness when I want it and comfort when I don't.
diehardbenzfan said:
Thanks guys, yes its the LCI, very excited, I'll post what I think of it when I get it! 20 June just won't come soon enough 
I think you'll be more than happy and if you're really not, you can always go the route JNW1 has suggested. For what it's worth I ran an E91 335d M-Sport for five years and in stock form, even LCI, I would say that the F31 is not as focused as the E91. However the E91, as great as it was, was a compromise in that if you hit a rocky road it you absolutely knew about it but it was probably more chuckable than an F31. Then again I don't drive my car at ten tenths all the time and for me the E91 became tiresome. You absolutely can take the F31 for a hoon and in direct comparison with the E91 it does move about more and you can feel the weight shift but it's not dangerous or that unpleasant that it takes the fun away. I find it firm enough in stock form and the Adaptive ticks the right boxes for me as well. I loathe the term 'wallowy' as I think it's just misleading and I often feel that if people are getting that feeling all the time they've probably bought the wrong car. Anyway, let us know how you get on with it!Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff