E91/E92 335d: Noise and comfort at motorway speeds
Discussion
I will be trying to decide between an E91 (Touring) and an E92 (Coupe) 335d, and as I do the vast majority of my driving at higher than average UK motorway speeds (150-160 kph in Belgium and France), I was curious to know if anyone has experience with how the noise levels (wind and tyre noise) may differ between these two models? Both would be in SE on 18" wheels with RFT.
Do the pillarless doors of the E92 contribute to wind noise?
Thanks!
Do the pillarless doors of the E92 contribute to wind noise?
Thanks!
I have the 335d E91 on RFTs and the only time I notice road noise is on UK roads and Autobahns at high speed as both can have unbelievably crap road surfaces. On smooth roads absolutely not an issue (for me anyway, others may disagree) and bro remarked on a trip to Bruges this w/e that sitting in the back was one of the most comfortable places he'd ever been in. Indeed, he spent most of the time asleep the git!
The E91 is pretty good at those speeds, I would take the M-Sport though, more planted at high speeds and actually more comfy on poorer roads surfaces too, once off run flats.
I actually found the Michelin Zero Pressure tyres pretty good on high speed runs, very confidence filling and comfy, not as good as the Pilot Sport 2s, but a pretty good run flat.
I had a 535d before the 335i and can't say that was any more comfy or stable at high speeds, now in a Merc E320cdi Brabrus E Class and that is on a whole other level in that respect, but then not as fun when playing on the twisties.
I actually found the Michelin Zero Pressure tyres pretty good on high speed runs, very confidence filling and comfy, not as good as the Pilot Sport 2s, but a pretty good run flat.
I had a 535d before the 335i and can't say that was any more comfy or stable at high speeds, now in a Merc E320cdi Brabrus E Class and that is on a whole other level in that respect, but then not as fun when playing on the twisties.
rassi said:
Coming from an E39 M5 with double glazing I appreciate it will be hard to better but the E92 pillarless doors kind of worried me - and yes, will also be driving at 120+ mph frequently as I drive through Germany.
I drove through Germany last year (and will doing the same in Sep) at about 120+ for much of the way (even 160 at one point on the clock!) and it was absolutely fine but again, hit a crap road surface and it's bloody noisy. I just turned up my h/k a notch and all was a good in the world. rassi said:
I will be trying to decide between an E91 (Touring) and an E92 (Coupe) 335d, and as I do the vast majority of my driving at higher than average UK motorway speeds (150-160 kph in Belgium and France), I was curious to know if anyone has experience with how the noise levels (wind and tyre noise) may differ between these two models? Both would be in SE on 18" wheels with RFT.
Do the pillarless doors of the E92 contribute to wind noise?
Thanks!
Possibly a bit left field but have you thought about a Jaguar XF? I like my BMW's (so not knocking the E91/E92 335d) but I drove an XF diesel S recently and was very impressed; a standard 3-series can't touch it for all-round chassis competence IMO and the interior in the Jag is a far nicer place to be. I'd probably say the BMW is the better car in the engine department but overall if I was doing lots of motorway miles I know which car I'd rather be in! Do the pillarless doors of the E92 contribute to wind noise?
Thanks!
In some ways it's obviously an unfair comparison as the XF is more a rival for the 5-series or the E-class; however, I've also driven the latest Merc 350 CDi CLS and to be honest I'd take the Jag over one of those as well! As I say, it may be a bit left field and it sounds like you're pretty much settled on a BMW anyway; however, while I'm sure a 335d would be excellent in touring or coupe form, for similar money an XF S would make at least as good a motorway companion IMO.....
JNW1 said:
Possibly a bit left field but have you thought about a Jaguar XF? I like my BMW's (so not knocking the E91/E92 335d) but I drove an XF diesel S recently and was very impressed; a standard 3-series can't touch it for all-round chassis competence IMO and the interior in the Jag is a far nicer place to be. I'd probably say the BMW is the better car in the engine department but overall if I was doing lots of motorway miles I know which car I'd rather be in!
In some ways it's obviously an unfair comparison as the XF is more a rival for the 5-series or the E-class; however, I've also driven the latest Merc 350 CDi CLS and to be honest I'd take the Jag over one of those as well! As I say, it may be a bit left field and it sounds like you're pretty much settled on a BMW anyway; however, while I'm sure a 335d would be excellent in touring or coupe form, for similar money an XF S would make at least as good a motorway companion IMO.....
Thanks for the suggestion! An E61 LCI 535d was also in the running but I simply don't need a car that big and my garage is also a bit tight for a 5 series, let alone an XF. Will see a 335d tomorrow and let you know how I got on with it. In some ways it's obviously an unfair comparison as the XF is more a rival for the 5-series or the E-class; however, I've also driven the latest Merc 350 CDi CLS and to be honest I'd take the Jag over one of those as well! As I say, it may be a bit left field and it sounds like you're pretty much settled on a BMW anyway; however, while I'm sure a 335d would be excellent in touring or coupe form, for similar money an XF S would make at least as good a motorway companion IMO.....
rassi said:
Thanks for the suggestion! An E61 LCI 535d was also in the running but I simply don't need a car that big and my garage is also a bit tight for a 5 series, let alone an XF. Will see a 335d tomorrow and let you know how I got on with it.
I know what you mean about the XF being a big car and I always tend to think it feels a bit silly having all that space if there's only one person in the car most of the time! However, the XF didn't feel a big car to drive and the refinement was excellent; it just flowed along and the way it dimissed lousy road surfaces without being floaty was very impressive. If I was doing a more modest annual mileage I'd be very tempted to try an XK coupe as a grunty V8 with a chassis of similar competence to the XF would be very appealing!Anyway, I'm sure a 335d will do an excellent job for you; if you want to stick with more that size of car perhaps an A5 3 litre diesel or even an E350 CDi coupe would also be worth a look?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Agreed.I have an E92 335D and have just completed an 800 mile round trip to/through/from London>Cornwall>London. It's an effortless mile-muncher, very frugal (well over 400mls on a full tank), and as toxicnerve says, noise is generally tyre roar from poor quality surfaces. Apparently at 90mph it feels like it's just getting into it's stride, so on Euro Motorways and A-Bahn's I imagine it'll be a thoroughly comfortable place to sit at 120mph+ until the fuel gauge chimes in.
Test drove it today and was thoroughly impressed! Very deceptive way of building speed effortlessly, gearbox was super smooth, making the most of the very substantial torque!
Didn't notice any issues with wind noise and made an offer on the car, which I'm awaiting to see will be accepted Monday.
Had a few minor issues of peeling plastic on the drivers interior door pull and on the steering wheel, but this seems to be an E9X issue which can be fixed relatively easily.
Thanks for all the feed-back!
Didn't notice any issues with wind noise and made an offer on the car, which I'm awaiting to see will be accepted Monday.
Had a few minor issues of peeling plastic on the drivers interior door pull and on the steering wheel, but this seems to be an E9X issue which can be fixed relatively easily.
Thanks for all the feed-back!
Edited by rassi on Friday 8th July 19:54
I've got an E61 pre LCI 535d and have just replaced the thermostat - a known weak spot on diesels, and indeed the M5. A hot and steady coolant temp is especially important for cars with a DPF as they have to keep hot for regeneration. A lot of people replace them prematurely.
I shall cruise at those speeds tomorrow and report back.
On a 335d expect 3 mpg or so more with the newer engine.
I shall cruise at those speeds tomorrow and report back.
On a 335d expect 3 mpg or so more with the newer engine.
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