F31 335d x drive Touring - perfect daily ?

[peetee7]

s70rmp said:

I'm still looking to replace the F30 to F31 but the one i have seen with the spec I'd be happy with is in a strange colour : pearlescent champagne quartz

not sure its something I could live with long term

One will come along mate, it'll be worth the wait

[peetee7]

Thread Update,
Visit to Sytner Tamworth this morning for oil, oil filter & cabin filter (Service A). I requested to have the same technician as last year. Odometer reading at the time of service was 44,817 - so that’s 8,393 miles since the interim oil change. I supplied my own parts courtesy of Harry Fairbairn BMW - A. Because its cheaper that way B. To satisfy my OCD that the correct parts are being used.

Reminded the service advisor not perform any software updates other than just the iDrive service update - didn’t want to risk the remap being wiped. A side note ... the car can do with a set of rear tyres soon. They will be Michelin Pilot Sport 4 again.

Picture of the car being serviced ...



Suprised to see a 997 Carrera 4S at the BMW workshop ...



Other news - I’ve booked Santa Pod (RWYB) in June. Very interested to see how well the diesel wagon copes down a quarter mile - this makes a change from its usual mundane daily duties such as hauling family, shopping and bulky waste

Tried a quarter mile on the Dragy App earlier this year and managed a 12.81 quarter mile on a 0.70% uphill gradient. Was far from ideal conditions - started snowing and the car was carrying a lot of excess weight. Would be pleased with a low 12 ... let’s see

Draggy pic ...

[peetee7]

SlowStig said:

Just wanted to comment and say I have really been enjoying reading through this topic and following your progress and how you have modified it but to make it more useable (and quicker) without compromising the daily nature of the car.

I even tried to find myself an F31 335d myself earlier this year when I looked for a new car, however my budget would only stretch to a zero option 335d or an optioned up 330d so I ended up with a 330d xDrive instead. Keep the updates coming!

(sadly this is the best picture I have of mine and it isn't even the car)

Thanks for the kind words sounds like a lovely car there - enjoy it. Lovely pic

[peetee7]

Needed to deliver a bath tub ... joys of being a landlord. Had a good friend who was willing to help with a van but thought I’d give the 35d a shot. Was pleasantly surprised …






Earlier today I managed to improve on the Dragy times.


0-60
4.43 – old
4.29 – *new*

Quarter mile
12.81 – old
12.55 – *new*

[peetee7]

F31 330d would be the exact same, only difference being be power i'd imagine

[peetee7]

Thread Update,


Fell down a rabbit hole last week wanting to know the total number of F31 335d’s built in RHD for the UK. Currently this information is proving almost impossible to obtain. I did however manage to find out that only 207 RHD F31 335ds were sold in the UK in Tanzanite Blue. Quite rare for a mass-produced car.

I’ve decided to book the winter wheel set for a refurb - managed to get a good price as they’ll be sent off same time as my E39 M5 wheels. I’ll be going for the OEM black powder coated finish. E39 M5 wheels will be getting the original shadow chrome finish in case you’re wondering

On a separate note - I seem to have the fastest diesel wagon in the UK over a quarter mile according to Dragy at 12.55 seconds. Will see if I can improve on that time at Santa Pod in June. Finding it increasingly difficult to stop thinking about making it a little faster …

This car has proven to be such a great all-rounder for me. I can’t really think of anything else that would tick ALL of the following boxes for me,


All weather performance TICK
Economy TICK
Reliability TICK
Snow ability TICK
Transporting bulky items TICK
Discreet looking TICK
Build quality TICK

The downside of the car is it does look a touch boring though if i had to be critical.

Had a lawn mower in the back today ...

Edited by peetee7 on Monday 3rd May 10:29

[peetee7]

jagfan2 said:

Silicone spray is much better and doesn't smell, use for door/window seals too. Seals should be fine with GT85, but can degrade certain rubbers

Draggy times are VERY impressive, assume not with the bath in the boot :-) mines now clean and enjoying Tanzenite in the sun, looks great, but was looking very sad, also been doing moving duties ;-)



I have developed the dreaded steering rack clunk/rattle - no one want so fit the service kit annoyingly, independent or BMW , tried 10 local indies and 3 main dealers so far, first main dealer wanted to fit a new rack at £3k + labour, 2nd one wanted to change the column for £600, i wnat them to fit the £35 kit. They also both talked me out of doing an interim service, apparently they don't want them to give them money, though perhaps cause its on £125 offer currently!

http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/bmw-f20-f30-eps-...

Edited by jagfan2 on Monday 26th April 09:26

Nice to see it being used properly

I'll take note of the specialist there. Won't be long before mine falls apart

[peetee7]

RonnieHotdogs said:

Lovely car - how are the seats holding up?

I had the same colour seats in my 4GC and the driver's seat right hand side wore really badly.

Could've been the way I was getting in / out of the car.

I've noticed the Individual Opel White Marino Leather is so soft - need to be careful getting in and out the car. My interior can do with a good clean. I'll take some pics of my driver side bolster but I do get the feeling it'll wear quickly

[peetee7]

JWH said:

Largely true if the 330d in the comparison is X Drive. If only RWD not so much, the F series Xdrive cars all run on raised non M Sport spec suspension. A RWD 330d is likely to therefore feel a bit stiffer and marginally more pointy.

Absolutely. Nail on the head

[peetee7]

BlueJ said:

Yours is a great car OP, I had an F31 330d for about 4 years. Another that would meet your criteria would be the S213 E400d.

Thanks. Just looked into the E400d wagon - really good car. They all seem to be half leather not sure how I feel about that. I genuinely think had there have been a Mercedes Benz C400d wagon - don't think i'd be the owner of the F31 35d today.

[peetee7]

Updating the gearbox software to xHP Stage 3 in a few days. Will be doing it myself - updates coming soon

Car park look back pic ...

[peetee7]

Thread Update,

Rear tyres replaced with another set of Michelin PS4’s. Managed an approx 18k miles out of the last set of PS4’s - mighty impressive wear rate considering the excellent grip on both wet and dry roads. This was followed by a hunter 4-wheel alignment. Quite surprised to find the geometry was perfectly within spec with no adjustments required.




Fell down a rabbit hole one evening looking at car trailers on eBay/ Facebook Marketplace. Picked up a 6ft x 4ft car trailer and already putting it to good use. So handy having one, perfect for carrying bulky items to the local tip without getting the car dirty…

[peetee7]

Thread Update,

Couple of updates …

Gearbox software updated from Alpina to xHP Stage 3. It’s taken 2 weeks to fine tune the settings to suit my driving style. I’ve got it so that I have nice early shifts when driving slowly in Comfort with gearbox in D mode. In Sport / Sport + with gearbox in S mode the shifts are really aggressive with the car always in its power band. In both modes the gear changes are faster than the Alpina software. Will get the Dragy out and do a few runs to see if my 0-60 and quarter mile times are any quicker .. though Santa Pod is only 15 days away …

Individual Opal White Merino leather is very soft – noticed the driver side bolster showing signs of slight wear. I started looking at seat covers to preserve the driver’s seat and pulled the trigger on a Northcore seat cover. Will modify the cover slightly one day for it to fit more snug with the seat ...




I’ve booked myself with Unicorn Motor Developments at the end of July to go Stage 2 tune. Should see approximately 400bhp / 800nm torque – with the target of running a 12 second flat or quicker quarter mile. Tuning is a slippery slope.

Anglesey trackday booked with some friends – most likely will be taking the 335d instead of the M3 or M5 … I’m an idiot Anglesey is not until September so plenty of time to get the braided brake lines and uprate the brake fluid. More than likely will be Goodridge Brake Lines with Motul RBF600 brake fluid.

Otherwise car is performing daily duties well – errands, nursery and work. Goes under the radar, just another 3 series on the road. Common as muck!

[peetee7]

SlowStig said:

As a novice around these, what is the difference between the different gearbox maps? I found my 330d (only my second auto, mind) changes really quickly and smoothly for the most part, does the maps cause additional wear on the boxes by changing faster?

Still loving the thread, starting to wish I had got a 335d with those power figures! That's 100bhp more than mine if I chose to remap it and similar running costs, definitely the perfect daily imo.

Thanks for reading, glad you like it

Reason I started looking into gearbox software in the first place was because I always felt the car from factory was holding onto gears a touch longer than necessary. Also when I joined the motorway I felt 8th gear took too long to engage – OCD was being triggered. The Alpina gearbox map resolved both these issues and I was really happy with it. Naturally as I chase the 0-60 and quarter mile numbers I need a fast shifting gearbox and out of all the gearbox software available on the market xHP stage 3 provides the fastest shifts. xHP gearbox software allows the user to adjust parameters such as

1. Torque on launch control
2. Shift points
3. Max rpm ... and so many other features.

To flash the xHP gearbox software I use the MHD WiFi OBD2 Adapter and the xHP Flashtool on my iPhone. Takes minutes.


Picture of the MHD adapter for reference ...

[peetee7]

Out on the nursery run in the undercover cop car troller

[peetee7]

Great time at Santa Pod on Saturday – was scorching hot! Very glad I went a day before the BMW Show as I had the opportunity to line up against some very interesting cars and not just BMW's. My car wasn’t running anywhere near the best time I’ve had of 12.55 but a 12.81 was all I could manage at the famous drag strip. I joined a live stream to catch some of the Sunday BMW Show drag strip action – noticed a Tanzanite Blue G31 340i Touring only managed a 12.91 after several 13+ second runs …

Ready to square off against Ariel Atom




Run against an alleged “700” horsepower XKR. XKR managed to run past just before the finish line. We set off the exact same time





I'm very excited for the Stage 2 tune now.

[peetee7]

Had a go at a top speed run on a private runway with friends to test out the top end of the 35d. The speedo stopped at 160 whilst the Head Up Display stopped reading past 162. The car however felt like it was still pulling and I was slowly reeling in on a friends M4 whilst he was sat on the 167 limiter. I had one passenger on board.

I’d estimate an honest 170mph before I had to slam the anchors. Quite unfortunate I left my Dragy (GPS speed recorder device) at home – would’ve been nice to see what the GPS speed reading was.

[peetee7]

It’s been 4 months since the car has been washed, thought I better give it a quick clean as I had the morning to myself. 2 bucket method always. The wheels are showing some signs of corrosion – will wait for the winter wheels to go on this winter before I send them off for a refurb. Certainty won’t be going for a diamond cut finish – more than likely a powder coat finish in black .. lets see.

I must say Tanzanite does look good when clean. The Santa Pod race number was baked on the rear glass after the recent heat. Took some scrubbing that did.

Even though the car is ticking all boxes so far I do suffer from a medical condition where I find myself unnecessarily looking at potential replacements. Alpina D3/B3/D5/B5 estates and the C7 RS6 Performance.

[peetee7]

SlowStig said:

That's bloody impressive for what's effectively a diesel family estate!

I had a look at the gearbox mapping info and did some research, I have only ever had manuals so never realised how much you can do with an auto box until finding out about yours. Don't think its for me though, I have only had mine 6 months and although it is an excellent all round car, I find its very clinically boring to drive and the xdrive suspension doesn't encourage confidence.

Thanks 170mph tried and tested .. will certainly go a little faster.

I certainly recommend the ACS Springs - treat yourself. The car becomes far more composed.

[peetee7]

s70rmp said:

If you not got confidence in suspension seriously look at the ACS spring kit transforms the car and you’ll have a lot more confidence

I enquired with ACS about the price of dampers to compliment the spring kit which I already have. The dampers and adaptive suspension delete module cost £1777.21 delivered - price doesn't include fitting. Price is quite dear. Would love to hear from any owner who has got them to see if the cost is justified