335d - Test Drive Tomorrow
Discussion
The B3 is in at the main dealers for Insp II tomorrow (shock horror, they were only £25 more expensive than my usual Indy!?!! )
Thought I'd use the time constructively, so got a go in an automatic 335d M-Sport Saloon.
Whilst I know I'll despise the M-Sport ride with runflats, it'll be interesting to see how the engine stacks up against the B3. The Alpina lump is long-stroke, and extremely flexible with useable grunt from 2500rpm.
Am I about to be converted to fuel of Satan?
Thought I'd use the time constructively, so got a go in an automatic 335d M-Sport Saloon.
Whilst I know I'll despise the M-Sport ride with runflats, it'll be interesting to see how the engine stacks up against the B3. The Alpina lump is long-stroke, and extremely flexible with useable grunt from 2500rpm.
Am I about to be converted to fuel of Satan?
Dunk76 said:
Am I about to be converted to fuel of Satan?
Who knows?We had a long succession of high revving BMW sixes, including an M3, however the last 5 BMWs have been oil burners with the newest being a 335d M Sport. IMO (and the wifes) the ride is better than our last two e46 Sports which both had the same sized 18" wheels but with non Run Flat Tyres.
The 335d has instant go as soon as you touch the pedal with no lag whatsoever and useable revs to 5 grand. In every day driving it's very easy to drive fast and on top of that is cheapish to run.
It may not be your cup of tea, we're all different, but you can't fail to be impressed by the fact it's a diesel with serious attitude.
Regards
Chris
Edited by Methane Bloke on Tuesday 8th January 09:34
Useable grunt 'til 5000rpm eh?
Hmmm, that's pretty impressive - the Alpina is done and dusted by 6250, topping out at (in my case) 296bhp, with 254lb-ft arriving at 4000rpm odd.
Given 98% of my driving is motorway speeds or stationary in traffic, I think this might be an expensive exercise tomorrow
Hmmm, that's pretty impressive - the Alpina is done and dusted by 6250, topping out at (in my case) 296bhp, with 254lb-ft arriving at 4000rpm odd.
Given 98% of my driving is motorway speeds or stationary in traffic, I think this might be an expensive exercise tomorrow
Well the 335d has 250 ftlbs at 1000 RPM rising to a peak of 427 at 2000 RPM. At 3000 RPM there is 400 ftlbs and even 320 at 4500 RPM. Generally 5000RPM won't be reached unless you use the sport or manual modes, but there's hardly any need to, they hurry along with very little effort. Overtaking is very satisfying.
Regards
Chris
Regards
Chris
me and a friend have just had our (his 535d M sport and mine 335d coupe) cars chipped by DMS - bloomin eddie - the 535d was tripping the traction control at 80 in a straight line - timed the 0-60 at 5.4 and the 0-100 at 12.8 - can't believe just what these cars can do and its a diesel - DMS quote 340ish bhp and just over 500Ib of torque.
Grebo911 said:
me and a friend have just had our (his 535d M sport and mine 335d coupe) cars chipped by DMS - bloomin eddie - the 535d was tripping the traction control at 80 in a straight line - timed the 0-60 at 5.4 and the 0-100 at 12.8 - can't believe just what these cars can do and its a diesel - DMS quote 340ish bhp and just over 500Ib of torque.
Its the best diesel engine around imo.
Well.
I took the B3 for a quick blast this morning, before the drive, just to set my parameters.
So, jumping out of an Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon and into a 335d M-Sport Saloon, I expected to reasonably impressed with it.
In two words - quietly astonishing.
Not the immediate revelation that an M3 is, for example - the 335d played the long game on me. After about half an hour I felt that everything, 335i and M3 included, is just pointless in the everyday world of being a petrolhead sales rep.
Arguably as quick cross country as the B3 - almost certainly have the legs on it in a straight line. Handling sublime. Ride brilliant (which is saying something after hopping out of an Alpina).
Job done.
I took the B3 for a quick blast this morning, before the drive, just to set my parameters.
So, jumping out of an Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon and into a 335d M-Sport Saloon, I expected to reasonably impressed with it.
In two words - quietly astonishing.
Not the immediate revelation that an M3 is, for example - the 335d played the long game on me. After about half an hour I felt that everything, 335i and M3 included, is just pointless in the everyday world of being a petrolhead sales rep.
Arguably as quick cross country as the B3 - almost certainly have the legs on it in a straight line. Handling sublime. Ride brilliant (which is saying something after hopping out of an Alpina).
Job done.
Dunk76 said:
Well.
I took the B3 for a quick blast this morning, before the drive, just to set my parameters.
So, jumping out of an Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon and into a 335d M-Sport Saloon, I expected to reasonably impressed with it.
In two words - quietly astonishing.
Not the immediate revelation that an M3 is, for example - the 335d played the long game on me. After about half an hour I felt that everything, 335i and M3 included, is just pointless in the everyday world of being a petrolhead sales rep.
Arguably as quick cross country as the B3 - almost certainly have the legs on it in a straight line. Handling sublime. Ride brilliant (which is saying something after hopping out of an Alpina).
Job done.
That impressive then? I took the B3 for a quick blast this morning, before the drive, just to set my parameters.
So, jumping out of an Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon and into a 335d M-Sport Saloon, I expected to reasonably impressed with it.
In two words - quietly astonishing.
Not the immediate revelation that an M3 is, for example - the 335d played the long game on me. After about half an hour I felt that everything, 335i and M3 included, is just pointless in the everyday world of being a petrolhead sales rep.
Arguably as quick cross country as the B3 - almost certainly have the legs on it in a straight line. Handling sublime. Ride brilliant (which is saying something after hopping out of an Alpina).
Job done.
I am in the process of trying to persuade my father to take a test drive in one (hopefully we can bag one for a full day).
I was at a BMW day at Thruxton last year and compared the 330 manual to the 335d auto. Now although my GF has a 320d which I've always been impressed by, that 335d was in a class of it's own and is probably the only diesel car I've ever driven which had made me think I could live with it as a daily driver.
I'd probably have the auto box too (can you get manual anyway?) as with all that torque and a narrower rev range i think it makes a lot more sense.
Handling also seemed to be slightly better, which is sometimes the case with diesel-engined variants as the different weight distribution and suspension set up can actully be beneficial.
Very impressive and great VFM.
although my next car is still probably going to be an M3...
I'd probably have the auto box too (can you get manual anyway?) as with all that torque and a narrower rev range i think it makes a lot more sense.
Handling also seemed to be slightly better, which is sometimes the case with diesel-engined variants as the different weight distribution and suspension set up can actully be beneficial.
Very impressive and great VFM.
although my next car is still probably going to be an M3...
Yup
As I said - if you're getting out of an Alpina it's not a knock you over impressive. It won't immediately blow your socks off with it's engine. The poise and delicacy you won't notice. Or anything else. I-Drive and cupholder aside, it's totally devoid of fault or foible - so you don't immediately notice any one aspect of it.
After a bit I found myself thinking what don't I like about it compared with the B3 - Seriously, I couldn't find any area where I preferred the B3 (with the exception of the viceral experience of an Alpina 3.3 at full bore, but then apart from an M3, nothing will offer that).
Whilst not exactly a convert to the fuel of satan, the simple fact remains that for me doing day to day sales rep work and family lugging, with an occassional bit of spirited driving, the 335d is almost without peer.
Bugger.
As I said - if you're getting out of an Alpina it's not a knock you over impressive. It won't immediately blow your socks off with it's engine. The poise and delicacy you won't notice. Or anything else. I-Drive and cupholder aside, it's totally devoid of fault or foible - so you don't immediately notice any one aspect of it.
After a bit I found myself thinking what don't I like about it compared with the B3 - Seriously, I couldn't find any area where I preferred the B3 (with the exception of the viceral experience of an Alpina 3.3 at full bore, but then apart from an M3, nothing will offer that).
Whilst not exactly a convert to the fuel of satan, the simple fact remains that for me doing day to day sales rep work and family lugging, with an occassional bit of spirited driving, the 335d is almost without peer.
Bugger.
Dunk76 said:
Yup
As I said - if you're getting out of an Alpina it's not a knock you over impressive. It won't immediately blow your socks off with it's engine. The poise and delicacy you won't notice. Or anything else. I-Drive and cupholder aside, it's totally devoid of fault or foible - so you don't immediately notice any one aspect of it.
After a bit I found myself thinking what don't I like about it compared with the B3 - Seriously, I couldn't find any area where I preferred the B3 (with the exception of the viceral experience of an Alpina 3.3 at full bore, but then apart from an M3, nothing will offer that).
Whilst not exactly a convert to the fuel of satan, the simple fact remains that for me doing day to day sales rep work and family lugging, with an occassional bit of spirited driving, the 335d is almost without peer.
Bugger.
You better stock up on latex gloves and Yorkie bars now then...As I said - if you're getting out of an Alpina it's not a knock you over impressive. It won't immediately blow your socks off with it's engine. The poise and delicacy you won't notice. Or anything else. I-Drive and cupholder aside, it's totally devoid of fault or foible - so you don't immediately notice any one aspect of it.
After a bit I found myself thinking what don't I like about it compared with the B3 - Seriously, I couldn't find any area where I preferred the B3 (with the exception of the viceral experience of an Alpina 3.3 at full bore, but then apart from an M3, nothing will offer that).
Whilst not exactly a convert to the fuel of satan, the simple fact remains that for me doing day to day sales rep work and family lugging, with an occassional bit of spirited driving, the 335d is almost without peer.
Bugger.
I traded in my Alpina Roadster S in against the E92 335d.
It was a wrench, but I had done less than 5K miles in it last year whilst I was doing 40k + in my Volvo S60.
The 335d covers all bases for me at present.
I've had it fettled by Simon at Emaps to circa 340bhp.
I do miss the feeling of exclusivity that the Alpina provided, had the new B3 been available earlier then I may have considered it, and may still do so in 18 months time. I do wish Alpina would consider a bigger diesel than the D3 that has an auto option, though having spoken with Buchloe this is unlikely.
However, in terms of performance and fitout the 335d ticks all my boxes at present.
It was a wrench, but I had done less than 5K miles in it last year whilst I was doing 40k + in my Volvo S60.
The 335d covers all bases for me at present.
I've had it fettled by Simon at Emaps to circa 340bhp.
I do miss the feeling of exclusivity that the Alpina provided, had the new B3 been available earlier then I may have considered it, and may still do so in 18 months time. I do wish Alpina would consider a bigger diesel than the D3 that has an auto option, though having spoken with Buchloe this is unlikely.
However, in terms of performance and fitout the 335d ticks all my boxes at present.
Dunk76 said:
Well.
I took the B3 for a quick blast this morning, before the drive, just to set my parameters.
So, jumping out of an Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon and into a 335d M-Sport Saloon, I expected to reasonably impressed with it.
In two words - quietly astonishing.
Not the immediate revelation that an M3 is, for example - the 335d played the long game on me. After about half an hour I felt that everything, 335i and M3 included, is just pointless in the everyday world of being a petrolhead sales rep.
Arguably as quick cross country as the B3 - almost certainly have the legs on it in a straight line. Handling sublime. Ride brilliant (which is saying something after hopping out of an Alpina).
Job done.
Are you getting one then?I took the B3 for a quick blast this morning, before the drive, just to set my parameters.
So, jumping out of an Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon and into a 335d M-Sport Saloon, I expected to reasonably impressed with it.
In two words - quietly astonishing.
Not the immediate revelation that an M3 is, for example - the 335d played the long game on me. After about half an hour I felt that everything, 335i and M3 included, is just pointless in the everyday world of being a petrolhead sales rep.
Arguably as quick cross country as the B3 - almost certainly have the legs on it in a straight line. Handling sublime. Ride brilliant (which is saying something after hopping out of an Alpina).
Job done.
flattotheboards said:
Marki said:
I am waitting for my new 320d coupe to be delivered any day now ,, what can DMS do to that or is it a 
because of the warrentee
Dont DMS offer a warranty anyway? because of the warrentee flattotheboards said:
Are you getting one then?
Seems that way, yes.Got a couple of checks to do first - get the demo on my own for the whole day to make sure it's good for the daily grind (i.e. can I spend 3 hrs in the thing without my knees playing up), and also to check the kids don't feel sick in the back (which they do in the B3).
Then finally a quick sanity check against a 335i Saloon...
Just to make sure
Oli.H said:
Marki said:
I am waitting for my new 320d coupe to be delivered any day now ,, what can DMS do to that or is it a because of the warrentee
No one can map the new 320D yet... because of the warrentee Oh and why would you have DMS carry out a Map when Emaps can do it for under half the price!!!!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff