Friday 10th June 2022

BMW 335i Touring (F31) | PH Fleet

Loving life out in the countryside - Matt's quite happy, too... 

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Sorry folks, it’s been a while! But rest assured the BMW has been kept busy since the last update in, um, January - yikes. It has been ages. The 335i is nearing in on 10k with us already (and it’ll only have been ours a year in August), but with a house move, the birth of my son and his newfound appreciation (already!) for a drive to help him settle to sleep, the miles have been racking up. 

Fortunately, I still love the Touring. Perhaps more than ever, in fact, having slept in it at the hospital, taken baby home for the first time in it, and packed junk in it to move out from London to Oxfordshire. I’ve never really owned a car long enough to have those significant experiences, and it’s great to be able to do these memorable things in a car I’m really fond of. To my eyes it’s still a great looking BMW (even if it’s never as clean now as it should be), I still love the interior, the straight six gurgle when it starts up and the fact it’s so rare - I’m yet to see another 335i Touring out there. (Though I have seen plenty of F31 Tourings in colours more appealing than Mineral Grey.) Some of this fondness will come from familiarity, of course, though I maintain this is actually a really good BMW as well. Which, thank goodness, does fit all the dog and baby paraphernalia in that’s required. Imagine the embarrassment if the family estate hadn’t been big enough. Longer trips away will be another challenge, but we’ll deal with that when the day comes. Certainly I can see why lots of 3 Series Tourings have roofboxes… 

The tyre fiasco seems a long time ago now, but I’m pleased to report the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s have been excellent; quieter, comfier and perhaps a tad grippier than the Continental run flats that were on there. I’m not sure they’ve done anything for the steering, which is seldom a non-M BMW strong point, though they haven’t made the sense of disconnection any worse. The rate the miles are going up I’ll need some new rears soon! Though they can wait until the MOT, tax, and insurance - all due in August - have been paid for, hopefully.  

Speaking of costs, and however perverse it might sound, I’ve been using more super unleaded (there’s a Tesco with Momentum 99 pretty close), and it seems to be making a difference. How much is the desperate hope that so much money is actually doing something and how much is reality I’ll discover with some actual testing, but the car feels perkier, and the trip computer says MPG is up a tad.  

I’ve also been using the 335’s drive modes more, given the roads around where I live now are no longer 20mph streets and the North Circular. Sport works when things are smoother and the heavier steering can sort of complement the firmer suspension but, honestly, it’s used seldom - the additional weight doesn’t bring much benefit to the experience. Eco Pro has probably been more useful, not least because it gets cross above 75mph; without trying, its softer throttle, advice on lifting off and more efficient air-con apparently add another 15 miles to a tank. Which isn’t nothing.  

But it is a bit dull. With proper A- and B-roads to enjoy now the BMW feels much more at home, even if it is still left in Comfort. It doesn’t like rapid direction changes (or successive bumps) instead feeling right at home in longer turns where it’s really nicely balanced. As well as fast enough and just the right sort of size - the old ZF auto still works a treat, too. I know it could be made better to drive, less floaty and more precise, but that’s not going to come cheap. And it’s far from bad, really. With everything else going on right now, any desire to tinker with the BMW has been dulled somewhat.  

One thing that will be sorted by next time, however, is the steering wheel. Only eight months later. I’m on Royal Steering Wheels’ site as we speak, because the leather is gross and really needs sorting. I promise that update will arrive rather sooner than this one did… 

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FACT SHEET

Car: 2014 BMW 335i M Sport Touring (F31)
Run by: Matt
Bought: August 2021
Mileage: 49,071
Purchase price: £19,500
Last month at a glance: Dog wagon becomes a dad wagon

PREVIOUS REPORTS

• Matt's bought a car!
• First job for the BMW? Holiday!
• Wham, BLAM, thank you mam - the 3 Series gets a new stereo
• Braking news - used cars can be wheely expensive
• Michelin Matt gets Michelin mad

[magic Monkey Dust]

I bought the X3 3.0i with straight six but i really would have liked one of these!!. My also does better MPG on Super Unleaded.

[Robertb]

If the existing steering wheel leather finish is not damaged, then 5 minutes with some Colourlock leather cleaner will bring it up like new.

[Pistonheader101]

got this in the 340i guise with mppsk. probably the best all rounder for sub 30k

[Pistonheader101]

Also matt congrats on the little one! thats great news

[MissChief]

I have a 65 plate 428i GC (thread in reader cars, likely still on the first page as I just updated it yesterday) and have also found Sport to be tiresome for long periods and eco pro very dull as well. Comfort works so well it’s stayed there 99% of the time. Also found using Super get me an extra 4mpg over a tank, from 29 on E10 to 33-34 on E5. I think it runs a little smoother too although that may be placebo and my trying to justify the extra!

The ZF 8 speed is superb, hardly even feel the changes. Only tiny thing is coming to a stop, you can’t ease off the brake pedal like in a manual so stops are a little bit more abrupt rather than the gentle stops in a manual. A tiny dislike though!

[Limpet]

On long, boring motorway runs I used to love playing with Eco Pro in my old M140i. As well as the little blue counter that tells you how many miles your driving Miss Daisying has added to the tank range, lifting off the throttle in Eco Pro (in an auto car) causes the revs to drop to idle and the car to coast. This mileage is also counted and relayed back to you. It even scores your driving for Anticipation, Acceleration and something else that I've forgotten, giving you a star rating and with a little graphic of the road surface that smooths out as your score increases.

It is incredible what economy you can coax from a modern turbocharged 3.0 six.

[UmpaLoompa]

MissChief said:

The ZF 8 speed is superb, hardly even feel the changes. Only tiny thing is coming to a stop, you can’t ease off the brake pedal like in a manual so stops are a little bit more abrupt rather than the gentle stops in a manual. A tiny dislike though!

This also winds me up about automatics - takes all the fun out of achieving that unicorn moment where you couldn't feel any change in momentum at all as you came to a stop!

[AndrewGP]

Limpet said:

On long, boring motorway runs I used to love playing with Eco Pro in my old M140i. As well as the little blue counter that tells you how many miles your driving Miss Daisying has added to the tank range, lifting off the throttle in Eco Pro (in an auto car) causes the revs to drop to idle and the car to coast. This mileage is also counted and relayed back to you. It even scores your driving for Anticipation, Acceleration and something else that I've forgotten, giving you a star rating and with a little graphic of the road surface that smooths out as your score increases.

It is incredible what economy you can coax from a modern turbocharged 3.0 six.

Used to love doing this in my 218d on the M4 driving to Heathrow and back, especially the coast function which, with a bit of anticipation and forethought, could really save fuel. Used to be able to coax 67mpg out of it which was incredible!

Nice car Matt, seems well suited to family duties. Recognise the photo location near Blewbury too, not being a million miles away on the edge of West Oxfordshire.

[Motormatt]

I'm a huge fan of the 3 series touring, having owned 2 E91's and an F31 330d. I would have preferred a 335/340i but couldn't quite make it stack financially given I was using it for lots of work miles.

With a roofbox, towbar mounted bike rack and some careful packing I managed to get an unbelievable amount in it for holidays when needed, with 2 kids and a small dog in the back!

Alas all good things come to an end and with the kids getting ever taller and needing to carry even more kit, I finally had to admit defeat and join the SUV crowd with an XC90. Enjoy it while you can Matt!

[Water Fairy]

We recently made a purchase. Needed an allrounder that could tow well. I wanted the 3 series touring but SWMBO doesn't like estates so we bought an F25 X3 M Sport 35d. Yes it feels a bit lofty but performance is good and soo smooth. The 8 speeder is great. Assume it's the ZF same as the 335i?

[Pica-Pica]

UmpaLoompa said:

MissChief said:

The ZF 8 speed is superb, hardly even feel the changes. Only tiny thing is coming to a stop, you can’t ease off the brake pedal like in a manual so stops are a little bit more abrupt rather than the gentle stops in a manual. A tiny dislike though!

This also winds me up about automatics - takes all the fun out of achieving that unicorn moment where you couldn't feel any change in momentum at all as you came to a stop!

Doesn’t happen for me on my 335d ZF8. Stop ahead, has the car behind seen me?, brake to a car’s length crawl then when the driver behind has seen me I creep forward and stop feathering off the brakes, all in D. No abrupt stops whatsoever.

[Firebobby]

Ive used momentum in my m135i for 3 years, I can eek 40mpg at 65mph on a decent run. Knocking about I see 32mpg. Looking back to the 70's my 3.0 Capri all 138bhp of it would struggle to get 20mpg on 5 star Esso!!! Funnily enough I also run my 50 year old Kent engined boat on it. Think it might dissolve on E10!!!

[MissChief]

Pica-Pica said:

UmpaLoompa said:

MissChief said:

The ZF 8 speed is superb, hardly even feel the changes. Only tiny thing is coming to a stop, you can’t ease off the brake pedal like in a manual so stops are a little bit more abrupt rather than the gentle stops in a manual. A tiny dislike though!

This also winds me up about automatics - takes all the fun out of achieving that unicorn moment where you couldn't feel any change in momentum at all as you came to a stop!

Doesn’t happen for me on my 335d ZF8. Stop ahead, has the car behind seen me?, brake to a car’s length crawl then when the driver behind has seen me I creep forward and stop feathering off the brakes, all in D. No abrupt stops whatsoever.

Not always possible to avoid coming to a complete stop as you've suggested.

[anonymous-user]

I recognise a few of those places in the pics, it's not the same without the powerstation mind, although the clumps are lovely as ever (as is the tip/waste center.... lol)

[QuattroDave]

AndrewGP said:

Limpet said:

On long, boring motorway runs I used to love playing with Eco Pro in my old M140i. As well as the little blue counter that tells you how many miles your driving Miss Daisying has added to the tank range, lifting off the throttle in Eco Pro (in an auto car) causes the revs to drop to idle and the car to coast. This mileage is also counted and relayed back to you. It even scores your driving for Anticipation, Acceleration and something else that I've forgotten, giving you a star rating and with a little graphic of the road surface that smooths out as your score increases.

It is incredible what economy you can coax from a modern turbocharged 3.0 six.

Used to love doing this in my 218d on the M4 driving to Heathrow and back, especially the coast function which, with a bit of anticipation and forethought, could really save fuel. Used to be able to coax 67mpg out of it which was incredible!

Nice car Matt, seems well suited to family duties. Recognise the photo location near Blewbury too, not being a million miles away on the edge of West Oxfordshire.

Another ex M140i auto owner here. Engine and gearbox combo was superb. Farty fun when you wanted it but also capable of incredible economy for a 340bhp petrol car. I used to get 54mpg on my M27 work commute! 18k average was 35mpg! I have an F31 330d touring as the family car and that struggles to get to 54mpg!

[b14]

One thing I wouldn't underestimate is the difference some suspension makes on these. I know you say it isn't bad, but honestly the Birds B3 Bilsteins are another world of ride control and set up. I was shocked at the difference after having my F31 340i upgraded.

[J4CKS]

I had a 2015 330d and found the brakes to be a bit 'grabby' when coming to a stop. Turn off auto stop/start and it will go away.
I now have a 2017 440i and the issue has gone altogether. I wonder it they updated the software or something.
Hoping super unleaded might solve my fuel woes.

[Pistonheader101]

J4CKS said:

I had a 2015 330d and found the brakes to be a bit 'grabby' when coming to a stop. Turn off auto stop/start and it will go away.
I now have a 2017 440i and the issue has gone altogether. I wonder it they updated the software or something.
Hoping super unleaded might solve my fuel woes.

just needs adaption

[Wonderman]

"my son and his newfound appreciation (already!) for a drive to help him settle to sleep,"

I learned from ours that if you put them in the car seat on the bedroom floor and gentle rocking with the foot has the same impact and removed 3am bleary eyed risky journeys (was a 320d at the time too).

[SidewaysSi]

Wonderman said:

"my son and his newfound appreciation (already!) for a drive to help him settle to sleep,"

I learned from ours that if you put them in the car seat on the bedroom floor and gentle rocking with the foot has the same impact and removed 3am bleary eyed risky journeys (was a 320d at the time too).

Nah, great excuse for a late night hoon..

"Sorry officer, yes I was driving like a loon but please keep your voice down as I just got the bugger off to sleep"