F31 335d x drive Touring - perfect daily ?

[peetee7]

Howdy PistonHeads

Long time reader of PistonHeads and always intrigued to catch up on the latest Readers Cars threads. Thought I would introduce my 335d Touring to you all. Picked it up in Feb - pre lockdown.

Backstory
Ever since the launch of the 335d in the E9X model I’ve been enormously fascinated with it. Big power, respectable fuel economy in a very normal looking body shape – what’s not to like about it! Naturally like most - for me the 335d E9X represented E46 M3 performance with respectable fuel economy a ‘do it all’ car. In 2012 I was fortunate enough to be in the position to start looking at picking up a 335d namely in its E90 LCI form.

After an extremely disappointing experience with my local BMW Dealership – who basically had no time to show or sell me a car it left me with a bitter taste. Somehow, I end up buying a Mercedes Benz and after almost 9 years of owning Mercedes Benz cars and clocking up over 150k miles I found myself looking at the 335d again albeit in its Touring form.

… part of me always did regret not buying the 335d but I can’t take away all the great memories I’ve had in the Benz’s. I just had to get one ….









Specification
Some of the headline spec's ..
Tansanit-blau metallic (X10)
Indiv. leather extended/opal-weiss (ZAOW)
S459 Seat Adjustment, Electric, With Memory
S402 Panorama Glass Roof
S494 Seat Heating Driver/Passenger
S688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System
S6CP Preparation Apple CarPlay
S610 Head-Up Display
S688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System
S609 Navigation System Professional
S552 Adaptive LED Headlight
S2VF Adaptive M Chassis
S6AM Real-Time Traffic Information
S6NW Telephony with Wireless Charging



I’ve been disappointed with the handling of the car since purchase and then recently learnt the x-drive comes standard with SE suspension – why !? After much deliberation, searching and discussion with Lorcan and Daniel from AC Schnitzer I’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in ACS Springs. I’m looking forward to having the spring kit fitted to the 335d and for it to finally handle well as every BMW should from factory!



Thanks for reading.

[martin mrt]

I’ve had 2 E91 335ds, great all rounder, they are a bit soulless however.

For someone doing lots of miles, they make fantastic sense, I have fond memories

The F3x steps up the game with more power and the 8 speed box with the x drive, silly quick for a diesel

Beautiful colour combo and great spec you have, the springs will make a huge difference

My ONLY gripe is the 335d lost out on the split twin exhausts of the E91, once debadged only those that knew knew if you catch my drift. A debadged 335d looks no different to a 320d. Appeals to some I guess

[peetee7]

martin mrt said:

I’ve had 2 E91 335ds, great all rounder, they are a bit soulless however.

For someone doing lots of miles, they make fantastic sense, I have fond memories

The F3x steps up the game with more power and the 8 speed box with the x drive, silly quick for a diesel

Beautiful colour combo and great spec you have, the springs will make a huge difference

My ONLY gripe is the 335d lost out on the split twin exhausts of the E91, once debadged only those that knew knew if you catch my drift. A debadged 335d looks no different to a 320d. Appeals to some I guess

I am of the exact same opinion. BMW should have kept the split twin exhausts.

This particular car was de-badged from factory. Immediately after purchase I had Michelin PS4's fitted, alignment on a Hunter machine, major service at BMW along with having the x-drive & 335d badges fitted

I purchased BimmerCode to do some very small coding to make the car more pleasant to live with

1. Folding mirror on lock & unlock
2. Remove auto stop/start
3. Video in motion
4. Open/Close tailgate from key fob and button located on driver side
5. Door handle lights on when reversing

[xcesx]

I bought an F30 335d new in 2015 and kept it just over 3 years. I had the AC springs fitted and the exhaust converted to a twin exit within a month or so of owning it. Springs made it sit, look and feel a lot better and I agree it should have come with the twin exhaust as standard.

It was a really good car. If I go down that route again it would definitely be the touring.

Enjoy

[AlmostUseful]

I regret not buying an F31 335D about 2 years ago, having just come out of a Skoda Superb on a company car scheme I decided I didn’t want an estate any more so bought an F30 335D in Melbourne red, bloody loved it, for about a week...

But it was kinda baggy to drive, and it was only 2 years old with 20,000 miles so knew it wasn’t nackered.
Admittedly the main reason I swapped it for an E class (2.1 diesel, gutted!) was the F30 just wasn’t practical enough, didn’t even have folding seats.

When I bought it there was a black F31 with a Blemish on the bonnet. It was 6 months older an about £1k more expensive, had maybe 45k miles so I plumped first the saloon. Reckon if if just bought the bloody estate I’d still have it!!

Congratulations on your car and well done on getting the suspension sorted - sounds like it’ll be the car I wished I was getting back in 2018!

[peetee7]

Just wanted to update this thread with recent developments.

As mentioned before I’ve not been happy with the handling. It’s always felt very disconnected from the road and the body roll has been excessive on acceleration, braking and changing direction. It was utterly shocking and very none BMW like and to be honest I was starting to question my purchase. How BMW signed this car off for production with such shocking suspension is beyond me.

After much deliberation and discussion with the AC Schnitzer team I decided to pull the trigger and have the ACS springs fitted. I chose to have my springs fitted by Mallory Performance in Leicester who are a premium AC Schnitzer partner - the workshop is ran by enthusiasts. I cannot praise them enough for their efforts and customer service – fantastic bunch and will certainly be using and recommending them in future!

I think the only way to describe the ACS Spring upgrade is that the car now handles as I was expecting it to handle from factory. Secondly the slight lowering has improved the aesthetics of the car and again as it SHOULD have been from factory. There is no bouncing up and down, rolling or nose diving on braking. The steering feels nicely weighted and turn in is precise. Even at higher motorway speeds the car just sits flat and planted. Totally love it now …

Naturally the idiot in me is now planning a Nürburgring trip before TF closes this season for a sub 9 minute BTG attempt.

Edited by peetee7 on Friday 21st August 20:54

[matt1269]

What an excellent colour combination

[Brett748]

Brilliant car.

I’ve ran a mapped F30 330d for just under three years and 30,000+ miles. The fuel economy for the performance is unreal.

I fancy a change now but it’s been a pleasure to have a six cylinder BMW diesel.

[Alfa GTV]

Brett748 said:

Brilliant car.

I’ve ran a mapped F30 330d for just under three years and 30,000+ miles. The fuel economy for the performance is unreal.

I fancy a change now but it’s been a pleasure to have a six cylinder BMW diesel.

Where did you have it remapped? I have a 430D, currently looking at Darkside or Simon @ Emaps.

[Brett748]

Alfa GTV said:

Where did you have it remapped? I have a 430D, currently looking at Darkside or Simon @ Emaps.

GKR Performance in Oswestry. Glen is well known in BMW circles and he did a brilliant job.

Final results were 331 bhp and 678 nm. It’s been perfect for over a year and 12,000 miles. It goes as well as a standard M140i but will do 55mpg at a 75mph cruise.

Perfect match of performance and economy. Albeit a little soulless.

[Pizzaeatingking]

Nice colour, unusual! Even the M Sport setup isn't all that so the SE setup is understandably in need of some work when fitted to a car with that kind of performance.

peetee7 said:

Naturally the idiot in me is now panning a Nürburgring trip before TF closes this season for a sub 9 minute BTG attempt.

Go for it, I'm off again in a couple of weeks, although I've not nowhere near enough experience to be aiming for times it was very enjoyable to take the car round last time.

[vulture1]

How much are the springs?

[Demelitia]

peetee7 said:

I’ve been disappointed with the handling of the car since purchase and then recently learnt the x-drive comes standard with SE suspension – why !? After much deliberation, searching and discussion with Lorcan and Daniel from AC Schnitzer I’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in ACS Springs. I’m looking forward to having the spring kit fitted to the 335d and for it to finally handle well as every BMW should from factory!



Thanks for reading.

Isn’t the reason it comes with the se suspension due to the fact that the Xdrive diffs lower the ground clearance in comparison to standard rear wheel drive models?
If you look from the back you can see them hanging down a decent distance.

Love the colour of the car btw.

[Toaster Pilot]

Had a F31 320d for a bit, sold it due to lockdown / change in employment. Only criticism of it was that despite being an estate, the boot was absolutely useless.

Putting anything even remotely large in the boot involved folding the seats down or at a minimum arsing around removing the load cover and dog guard. Most useless estate I’ve ever encountered!

Utterly competent apart from that and I’m sure a six cylinder version is even better.

[peetee7]

Pizzaeatingking said:

Go for it, I'm off again in a couple of weeks, although I've not nowhere near enough experience to be aiming for times it was very enjoyable to take the car round last time.

That is a great pic & great username!

Funnily enough I originally put a deposit on a Sunset Orange F31 335d Touring Shadow Edition in Feb of this year but had a change of heart as I figured it would be an inconvenience without electric memory seats as the wife does take the car. Such a lovely colour and when I do see the occasional Sunset Orange BMW it does remind me of what I was so close to buying. This was it ..

[peetee7]

vulture1 said:

How much are the springs?

£590 including the VAT. Supply & fit

[Mike1990]

Didn’t realise the they came with SE Suspension in that guise, that would’ve drove me insane!

Fantastic cars though and i’d happily own one!

[peetee7]

Demelitia said:

Isn’t the reason it comes with the se suspension due to the fact that the Xdrive diffs lower the ground clearance in comparison to standard rear wheel drive models?
If you look from the back you can see them hanging down a decent distance.

Love the colour of the car btw.

Would love to know the reason why the X-Drive comes standard with SE suspension. Technical/ non-Technical/ budget constraint ... really don't know

[peetee7]

Thanks everyone

[Pizzaeatingking]

peetee7 said:

That is a great pic & great username!

Funnily enough I originally put a deposit on a Sunset Orange F31 335d Touring Shadow Edition in Feb of this year but had a change of heart as I figured it would be an inconvenience without electric memory seats as the wife does take the car. Such a lovely colour and when I do see the occasional Sunset Orange BMW it does remind me of what I was so close to buying. This was it ..

Thanks!

It's a nice colour, I think because they only started making them late in the life of the F3x there isn't that many about, probably one of the rarer colours that isn't an individual colour. I'm glad I didn't go for Grey/Black as I first planned, I'd already pushed my luck with the spec etc so couldn't stretch to individual paint too!

I always found it a bit odd that they fitted the SE stuff to the 35d. I read somewhere that they done it because with the xDrive fitted it was seen as more of a car used for light offroad work etc, a bit like the Audi allroad kinda think. I'm not sure that's true though, it's always been seen as a sporty model and doesn't have any of the off road styling you'd expect if that was the case. It's be interesting to know why though.