AC Schnitzer 335d Touring (F31) | PH Auction Block
A straight-six 3 Series wagon is already a great fast estate - this one gets Schnitzer goodies on top
We all like to play the game of choosing one car for every scenario; not least because it’s the car buying predicament most of us face, but also it requires some proper thought and consideration. Nothing demonstrates what a knowledgeable car nerd you are like suggesting something that ticks all the boxes. Or very nearly all of them, at least.
For a few days - until the PH auction ends on March 18th - there’s no need to search for anything else. We have the perfect do-it-all car available to bid on. Because this isn’t just a BMW 335d, which would be an obvious (if slightly predictable) choice; it’s a 335d overhauled to the tune of £10k by AC Schnitzer, with some other upgrades alongside, to really cement its status as one vehicle for every occasion.
You want fast? Of course. While mechanically unchanged bar a transmission reflash, a 335d of this era was still 313hp and 465lb ft strong, and therefore plenty rapid enough for the UK. And that’s of course without any fettling - the mapped 335d thread is legendary for good reason, some of it partly to do with how much headroom is in a BMW diesel.
For usability on top, this 335d is xDrive, as all of them were. But that suitability for every day extends further with the AC Schnitzer car, as it boasts infotainment from a later model, meaning CarPlay and a larger screen. So those you need to ferry around will be happy as well. But we haven’t forgotten about fun, either; while very cool cars, the more powerful F3x 3 and 4 Series weren’t blessed with the best suspension setup in the world, which is where companies like AC Schnitzer came in. Its ACS3 Sport spring and damper kit should deliver a much cleverer ride and handling balance.
Furthermore, for a sprinkle of exclusivity and desirability on top, this particular 335d was once AC Schnitzer’s demo vehicle, which can’t be said about very many old BMWs. Add to that the red leather seats from an M3 and it’s clear this isn’t just another diesel 3 Series. That’s all the car you might ever need; here’s a 335d you’re really going to want.
This Beige Champagne Quartz Metallic beauty has been with the current owner since 2021, with 70,000 miles recorded, a good service history and a fault-free MOT until June. We meant what we said about ticking all the boxes. Certainly nothing like the Schnitzer will be up for sale anytime soon. Expect a good few bids on this one come Tuesday…
I change oil/filters in my 335d at least once a year (10k miles tops) and I'd never allow it to be serviced according to CBS - that thing will tell you your oil is good for 20k miles.
By 70k miles both gearbox and all diffs should have had a fluid change.
I change oil/filters in my 335d at least once a year (10k miles tops) and I'd never allow it to be serviced according to CBS - that thing will tell you your oil is good for 20k miles.
By 70k miles both gearbox and all diffs should have had a fluid change.
I had a 430d for nearly 3 years and that thing properly shifted, it even sounded nice and returned good mpg, I never drove a 35d but I have no doubt this will keep up with M3's considering the suspension is sorted
I change oil/filters in my 335d at least once a year (10k miles tops) and I'd never allow it to be serviced according to CBS - that thing will tell you your oil is good for 20k miles.
By 70k miles both gearbox and all diffs should have had a fluid change.
And the interior, I think that photos often make interiors look weird or at the least dont do them justice in a lot of cases. Are they hard to photograph, is it duff cameras and the filters or whatever ? Suspect that looks fine in person but looks quite weird in the photos, BMW probably wouldnt make it (ok they have some howlers) if it was that bad.
I remember going to see my Merc CLS, pictures made the grey interior look like a cheap 80s leather jacket, in person it makes a lot more sense, you can see the grain, smell the leather and feel the quality.
Thats about the colours and whatever, condition is easier to spot, like those cloth seats with water marks and those that are falling to bits.
It says a lot about what's available that my Aurotrader meandering keep coming back to 3s/4s of this generation; modest size (1.82w - choosing a car that fits comfortably in 2.4m is entirely possible!), practical enough, 6-pot, dynamically okay (and offer lots of opportunities for improvement), 8HP 'box. Sadly it's not a combo that can be widely had anymore
Would like petrol 6' though; same issues as this guy.
I also think the Individual spec, colour combo is really nice and understated with those alloys, I would ditch the skirt decals though. I'm also not convinced on diesel despite the rep these have, I'd much rather go for the petrol option, especially with the B58 340i.
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