535d
Author
Discussion

docdale

Original Poster:

29 posts

272 months

Wednesday 26th March 2008
quotequote all
Looking to buy a 535d soon.

Does anyone have one of these and if so how have you got on with them. Seem to be really good cars at BMW dealers at present £30k for facelift 06 model with bit extra power, 19inch alloys etc which seems Ok considering specs would be £45-48k new.

How does performance compare with other fast cars, I am coming from an impreza sti ppp and prev boxster s. Will I be disappointed. Had test drive n 335d and felt good but diffuclt to fuly assess after only 30mins driving.

Are there spec etc to look out for?

My other thought is a Merc CLS 500 but again depreciation is a worry. I only do 10k miles a yr so the 20mpg compared with nearer 40mpg not the end of the world if car worth it.

Thanks

Dale

bmwdrivernigel

8,596 posts

253 months

Wednesday 26th March 2008
quotequote all
4 years lurking biggrin

Anyway, I have had a couple of 535d, both saloon and tourer, and enjoyed every minute in them. There is a huge thread on here about them which will give you everything you want to know. Search for 535d and there are actually loads of threads.

Edited by bmwdrivernigel on Wednesday 26th March 13:49

mogul

15,398 posts

279 months

Wednesday 26th March 2008
quotequote all
I have been lucky enough to own the following over the last few years...

3.0d Sport X5
4.8iS X5
Boxster S
996 C2 cab
535d M Sport (2007 with sports auto transmission)

All I have to say is the (DMS'd) 535D is by far the best all round car I've owned.

Nuff said smile

dxb335d

2,905 posts

224 months

Wednesday 26th March 2008
quotequote all
Old man had a new 535d in 05 and i never drove it properly but he nailed it a bit with me as a passenger, was quick but didnt feel half as quick as a 335d.

Two examples of stock cars 1/4mile times.

535d 1/4mile: 14.1@98mph
335d 1/4mile: 13.9@102mph

does not sound alot but thats a significant 2-3 car lengths up to the ton mark.

A re-mapped 335d/535d is probably the ''Best real world car'' of present times.

Re-mapped and a x35d will do mid to low 13 sec passes at over 105mph!

In stock form fast enough to scare previous generations of M/// (E46 M3, E39 M5) once rolling!





Carlos

berry100

991 posts

239 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
you're welcome to try my dms'd 535d currently in the classifieds at sub £30k with a very high spec if your based around the north west, superb car to live with on a day to day basis.

docdale

Original Poster:

29 posts

272 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the info guys.
I have been lucky enough to own some fast cars over the years, lotus exige and elises, and laterly my subaru sti ppp. Althought he BMW is clearly a step up in terms of quality and prestige i don't want to miss out on the enjoyment. I also have been looking at a CLS 500 and the E39 M5.
not sure the merc is sporty enough although quite quick and not sure if I am brave enough to buy a 2000/2001 M5 out of warranty at 70-80k miles and not sure I wan't to have a 'dated' car (even though regarded as special). As a wild card I also have considered an audi rs4 (again 2001 ish) and again although really fast, it is 70-80k miles, expensive to run and fix.

As you can probably tell, very undecided!

davidd

6,713 posts

313 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
Try something with the 35d engine in it, they are most splendid..

D

RedRobert

125 posts

232 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
Yip

I came from an STI Impreza to an RS4 and now driving a 535d. Have to say you won't be dissapointed with the power and grunt. The thing I find is that you don't realise the speed you are doing. Its very comfortable and quite a pleasure to drive.

I do a fair bit of motorway miles and on cruise control you'll get just above 40mpg. Around down its more like 20 mpg or below! I average about 34-35mpg.

It would take a fine car to pull out and pass you from a standing start!!

Good luck

Aeroresh

1,429 posts

261 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
535d all the way.... brilliant all round car.

The ony problem will be when you come to sell:- what to replace it with!

My AC Schnitzer and DMS-d car (Also for sale in the very near future..see profile for details) has returned around 31mpg average in its 2 years with me and been pretty much faultless bar a new sunroof fitted under warranty.

As far as pace goes, there isnt alot that will keep up. Having said that its not the most involving or exciting cars to drive, its more of a "does was it says on the tin" type cars. Brilliant for covering huge mileages at speed without stress but not so good if you want a hoon.

Im looking at a new M3/C63 AMG/ used M6 to replace it for a bit of added excitment and whilst I'll get a marginal increase in performance, both economy and residuals are going to be pants!

Only other option is another 35d but I get bored too easily and have never bought the same car twice even if it means cutting my nose off to spite my face!

As a day to day car I dont think you'll find better.... Get one!

edb49

1,652 posts

234 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.

dxb335d

2,905 posts

224 months

Thursday 27th March 2008
quotequote all
edb49 said:
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.
I think you have a lemon then,

boxter S vs stock 335d standing start a 335d would win, ive seen it at the pod! and seen records of time slips of such cars.. Not alot in it but stock for stock the 335d just pips one.

Re-mapped the boxster would not see which was the 335d went!


Carlos

whoami

13,200 posts

269 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
dxb335d said:
edb49 said:
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.
I think you have a lemon then,

boxter S vs stock 335d standing start a 335d would win, ive seen it at the pod! and seen records of time slips of such cars.. Not alot in it but stock for stock the 335d just pips one.

Re-mapped the boxster would not see which was the 335d went!


Carlos
Do you measure the performance of a car purely by what you've seen "at the pod"?
rolleyes

m12_nathan

5,138 posts

288 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
whoami said:
dxb335d said:
edb49 said:
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.
I think you have a lemon then,

boxter S vs stock 335d standing start a 335d would win, ive seen it at the pod! and seen records of time slips of such cars.. Not alot in it but stock for stock the 335d just pips one.

Re-mapped the boxster would not see which was the 335d went!


Carlos
Do you measure the performance of a car purely by what you've seen "at the pod"?
rolleyes
Yes, read all his other posts about 335d outran millenium falcon at the pod wink

Donut

4,521 posts

280 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
dxb335d said:
edb49 said:
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.
I think you have a lemon then,

boxter S vs stock 335d standing start a 335d would win, ive seen it at the pod! and seen records of time slips of such cars.. Not alot in it but stock for stock the 335d just pips one.

Re-mapped the boxster would not see which was the 335d went!


Carlos
Ed was comparing the 'driving experience' not straight line speed.

and as he pointed out they are chalk and cheese and not really designed to deliver the same 'experience'.

Having said that if you'd of read the post before posting then you'd be aware of that fact.

Hedgeman

737 posts

260 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
dxb335d said:
edb49 said:
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.
I think you have a lemon then,

boxter S vs stock 335d standing start a 335d would win, ive seen it at the pod! and seen records of time slips of such cars.. Not alot in it but stock for stock the 335d just pips one.

Re-mapped the boxster would not see which was the 335d went!


Carlos
I've recently had the pleasure of running both cars at the same time. My own 335d M-Touring and a friend's 2003MY Boxster S (260bhp). Performance wise there isn't much in it, but I felt that the boxster had a slight edge.

A new boxster S with the 3.4 engine will be considerably quicker than a 335d remapped or not...it's 0-100mph time is over 2 seconds better.

All this of course ignores the boxster's utterly sublime handling, which the 335d - whilst probably top of the pack for all-round sporty family cars - simply can't even get close to.

Gary.

whoami

13,200 posts

269 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
Hedgeman said:
dxb335d said:
edb49 said:
I've had a Boxster S and got a 335d now. The 335d is a little bit down on pace compared the the Boxster, but probably with a remap it would be level-pegging.

Driver enjoyment though.... completely different league. If you enjoy planting the pedal and going quick, the 535d will be fine. If you enjoyed all the other nuances of the Boxster, you'll be really disappointed with the 535d.
I think you have a lemon then,

boxter S vs stock 335d standing start a 335d would win, ive seen it at the pod! and seen records of time slips of such cars.. Not alot in it but stock for stock the 335d just pips one.

Re-mapped the boxster would not see which was the 335d went!


Carlos
I've recently had the pleasure of running both cars at the same time. My own 335d M-Touring and a friend's 2003MY Boxster S (260bhp). Performance wise there isn't much in it, but I felt that the boxster had a slight edge.

A new boxster S with the 3.4 engine will be considerably quicker than a 335d remapped or not...it's 0-100mph time is over 2 seconds better.

All this of course ignores the boxster's utterly sublime handling, which the 335d - whilst probably top of the pack for all-round sporty family cars - simply can't even get close to.

Gary.
Yeah, yeah but wait until you get to the pod though........

dxb335d

2,905 posts

224 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
What does the new boxter to 0-100 then 10 secs? i doubt it!

Hedgeman

737 posts

260 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
dxb335d said:
What does the new boxter to 0-100 then 10 secs? i doubt it!
It's 11.5 seconds IIRC from a road test I was reading. Porsche quote 11.8 but they are normally a little conservative. None of the road tests I've read of mapped 335d's have beaten that.

I've no axe to grind with the 335d. It's a fantastic vehicle and simply the best all-round (performance/economy/practicality/handling/quality) car I've ever owned. But it's not a sports car, and when compared in pure sports car terms to the Boxster it can never come anywhere other than a distant second (irrespective of whether you can dig out some dodgy stats on "RemapsRUs mega-power" mapped 335d with a zillion bhp pulling 100mph in 10secs.

Gary.




jjr1

3,041 posts

289 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
Aeroresh said:
535d all the way.... brilliant all round car.

The ony problem will be when you come to sell:- what to replace it with!

My AC Schnitzer and DMS-d car (Also for sale in the very near future..see profile for details) has returned around 31mpg average in its 2 years with me and been pretty much faultless bar a new sunroof fitted under warranty.

As far as pace goes, there isnt alot that will keep up. Having said that its not the most involving or exciting cars to drive, its more of a "does was it says on the tin" type cars. Brilliant for covering huge mileages at speed without stress but not so good if you want a hoon.

Im looking at a new M3/C63 AMG/ used M6 to replace it for a bit of added excitment and whilst I'll get a marginal increase in performance, both economy and residuals are going to be pants!

Only other option is another 35d but I get bored too easily and have never bought the same car twice even if it means cutting my nose off to spite my face!

As a day to day car I dont think you'll find better.... Get one!
Spec and price please?

It looks lovely and I may be tempted.

Aeroresh

1,429 posts

261 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
jjr1 said:
Aeroresh said:
535d all the way.... brilliant all round car.

The ony problem will be when you come to sell:- what to replace it with!

My AC Schnitzer and DMS-d car (Also for sale in the very near future..see profile for details) has returned around 31mpg average in its 2 years with me and been pretty much faultless bar a new sunroof fitted under warranty.

As far as pace goes, there isnt alot that will keep up. Having said that its not the most involving or exciting cars to drive, its more of a "does was it says on the tin" type cars. Brilliant for covering huge mileages at speed without stress but not so good if you want a hoon.

Im looking at a new M3/C63 AMG/ used M6 to replace it for a bit of added excitment and whilst I'll get a marginal increase in performance, both economy and residuals are going to be pants!

Only other option is another 35d but I get bored too easily and have never bought the same car twice even if it means cutting my nose off to spite my face!

As a day to day car I dont think you'll find better.... Get one!
Spec and price please?

It looks lovely and I may be tempted.
Cheers

Car is an '06 model (push button starter) registered end of 05 on a 55 plate

DMSd, AC Schnitzer goodies(rear diffuser, front spoiler splitters, bootlid and roof spoiler, sport mirrors, exhaust back box, 20" Type IVs in Magic Black), Individual champagne leather, Individual Piano Wood trim, Individual Shadowline exterior trim, electric sunroof, media and visibility packs, etc.

35k miles with full main dealer SH

With this spec the car was the best part of £60k new! - Probably looking somewhere around the £29/30k mark and you can be pretty sure you wont see another one like it!

Give me your email address and I can send you some pics, etc

Edited by Aeroresh on Friday 28th March 18:49