F31 335d x drive Touring - perfect daily ?

[gareth h]

peetee7 said:

matt21 said:

Mentioned earlier that our family has an identical colour scheme and wheels to this, but 330d. Wheels are corroded very badly (2016 39k miles). BMW not interested. How are your wheels?

Thankfully no corrosion/ milking on any of the wheels - quite surprised. Mine is on 37,456 and registered in 01/03/2017. I don't think BMW will be at all interested to replace wheels on cars of this age. Generally good practice to clean the wheels with ph neutral wheel cleaners. My preferred wheel cleaner is ValetPRO Dragon's Breath

Mine corroded too, that’s the problem with diamond cut rims, as soon as the lacquer lifts they start corroding, had mine powder coated bronze which looks quite funky.

[gareth h]

vulture1 said:

Took mine for its first major run with some pretty bloody stiff competition.

Up the west coast of Scotland some roads I know a little. Aside from the mclaren the car kept up and got away from some of the "competiton"

I learned that the gearstick semi up down is useless you need your hands on the wheel but full manual and sport mode using the paddles is very good. I'm used to manual sports cars (e46 m3 noble m12) and knowing that i'm going down from 4th to 3rd itowards a corner etc. However in the 8 speed box this is impossible. The best way to drive it quick is to just drop a gear or pull a gear if you need to there will be one there for you. And being diesel and "on it" it is hard to just tell by engine sound however looking ahead you can just catch the rev needle out the corner of your eye.
After a few miles I was in the zone and while leading managed to drop the porsche 911.

The driving style had to be different to the others though. You had to very much have the car ready for the corner and then once settled power through, Manual sport (gearstick tot he left) stopped the car from its awkward downshifts mid corner which can upset the balance so as long as you paddled down in the correct gear you are set to rocket out the corner.


It was a great run and while i knew the car is not a sports car it can definitely keep up with proper sports cars.

Edited by vulture1 on Saturday 24th October 23:34

A proper geo makes a huge difference to how they drive when pushing on, I’ve had mine for 3 years now, it’s got PS4S and Birds suspension which was disappointing until I discovered that they don’t set geo when they install (I Know!) took it to a local place that sets up a lot of high performance cars / track cars / race cars, and it drove really well after they worked their magic, planted and turned in really nicely, only downside is front tyre wear which is the cost of having a focused set up.

[Court_S]

I’m guessing that you’re not a million miles away from me OP if Sytner Tamworth are your local main dealer...they’re mine too. Not a fan of the sales guys, but Tom in service is a good bloke abs really helpful.

[peetee7]

Court_S said:

I’m guessing that you’re not a million miles away from me OP if Sytner Tamworth are your local main dealer...they’re mine too. Not a fan of the sales guys, but Tom in service is a good bloke abs really helpful.

BMW Tamworth is a 30 minute drive .. through a group of friends I met a guy who happens to be a senior tech there. He is always assigned to the job card - at least it gives me the peace of mind any maintenance is done correctly

[peetee7]

CODING

Some coding enhancements I performed using BIMMERCODE which I forgot to mention. These were done 2 weeks after taking delivery of the car to suite my personal preference,

1. Disable stop/start. Done from eco pro & comfort
2. Automatic mirror folding on key fob lock/ unlock. Includes comfort access
3. Open/Close tailgate from key fob
4. Open/ Close tailgate from driver side footwell
5. Deactivate fog lights from adaptive headlights
6. Video in motion
7. Door LED’s on reverse


NUMBER 1 was the feature I wanted to code out as a priority – frustrated me a lot. NUMBER 5 reminded me of my wife’s Seat Ibiza which we sold many years ago with the left and right fog light switching on when moving the steering from left to right. NUMBER 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 just generally make the car easy to live with

[s70rmp]

Can i ask where you got the Alpina gearbox map done and how much ?

this could be an interesting next option for mine - until i can find a decent F31 or possible move to a C43 estate

[peetee7]

s70rmp said:

Can i ask where you got the Alpina gearbox map done and how much ?

this could be an interesting next option for mine - until i can find a decent F31 or possible move to a C43 estate

In mid 2019 an estate C43 Premium Plus in Brilliant Blue (massive options list identical to my outgoing C250d) caught my attention on the Mercedes Benz Approved Used website. I was really going through an Estate C43/ B9 S4 Avant phase at the time.

Contacted my local dealer to arrange a test drive and I was really up for buying it. It looked absolutely stunning and the interior was equally impressive. After the test drive however, I was really underwhelmed. It genuinely looks a lot faster than it goes and with that fuel economy it didn’t really make sense. Nothing stood out for me during the test drive other than when I dropped the windows and put the car into sport mode it made a fantastic noise. It looks and sounds a lot faster than it goes. It’s not the feeling I want to be getting after spending 47k or so it was up for at the time.

In the real world my F31 35d feels as fast and with the options list I really don’t miss owning the AMG ‘lite’ .. the sad fact is after all these years of owning Mercedes Benz cars and having a long line of them in my immediate family I don’t think they longer offer a car which is suitable for me. Had they offered the C estate with a 400d engine I don’t think I’d be the owner of the F31 335d today.

RE Alpina gearbox flash I contacted a few reputable BMW F series coding, programming, diagnostic specialists and in the end I paid £70 to ZED coding purely as he was most competitive with price. Highly recommended.

[jagfan2]

peetee7 said:

CODING

Some coding enhancements I performed using BIMMERCODE which I forgot to mention. These were done 2 weeks after taking delivery of the car to suite my personal preference,

1. Disable stop/start. Done from eco pro & comfort
2. Automatic mirror folding on key fob lock/ unlock. Includes comfort access
3. Open/Close tailgate from key fob
4. Open/ Close tailgate from driver side footwell
5. Deactivate fog lights from adaptive headlights
6. Video in motion
7. Door LED’s on reverse


NUMBER 1 was the feature I wanted to code out as a priority – frustrated me a lot. NUMBER 5 reminded me of my wife’s Seat Ibiza which we sold many years ago with the left and right fog light switching on when moving the steering from left to right. NUMBER 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 just generally make the car easy to live with

1 - I like stop start - Its quieter and engineer in me appreciates the efficiency. More modern systems (my XF had this) are brake pressure sensitive, so you could light hold and not stop at roundabouts vs hard hold to stop at lights. Get why people don't like it though
2- 4 - they do this anyway - unless mine is coded from dealer, as long as you hold it down/long press.
5 - I like - generally really impressed with adaptive light and main beam for a 7yr old car without LED its pretty clever

Def look at the Alpina map once i have a service (engine and gbox) next summer, and maybe the S1 tune too

[s70rmp]

Interesting comments on the C43 - maybe be before i get obsessed i should see if i can get a test drive now.

I do like he 335d it's a truly incredible drive (with the ACS springs!) - would love the estate version - i should have waited but hey ho

I love the fact it just looks like a 320d until you see the badge at the back

in the street its just a plain bmw 3 series - no extra bits screaming looks a me

I've had people say why not save yourself some money the 330d is all the power you need - but that's people who haven't driven a 35d
i did drive a 330d and it was great but the 335d is better for me.

I'll look into the gearbox remap - cheers for the info

[Escort3500]

jagfan2 said:

peetee7 said:

CODING

Some coding enhancements I performed using BIMMERCODE which I forgot to mention. These were done 2 weeks after taking delivery of the car to suite my personal preference,

1. Disable stop/start. Done from eco pro & comfort
2. Automatic mirror folding on key fob lock/ unlock. Includes comfort access
3. Open/Close tailgate from key fob
4. Open/ Close tailgate from driver side footwell
5. Deactivate fog lights from adaptive headlights
6. Video in motion
7. Door LED’s on reverse


NUMBER 1 was the feature I wanted to code out as a priority – frustrated me a lot. NUMBER 5 reminded me of my wife’s Seat Ibiza which we sold many years ago with the left and right fog light switching on when moving the steering from left to right. NUMBER 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 just generally make the car easy to live with

1 - I like stop start - Its quieter and engineer in me appreciates the efficiency. More modern systems (my XF had this) are brake pressure sensitive, so you could light hold and not stop at roundabouts vs hard hold to stop at lights. Get why people don't like it though
2- 4 - they do this anyway - unless mine is coded from dealer, as long as you hold it down/long press.
5 - I like - generally really impressed with adaptive light and main beam for a 7yr old car without LED its pretty clever

Def look at the Alpina map once i have a service (engine and gbox) next summer, and maybe the S1 tune too

2 is an option and requires factory-fitted electric folding mirrors. If it’s not got this button on the driver’s door pull they’re not fitted

[jagfan2]

Escort3500 said:

2 is an option and requires factory-fitted electric folding mirrors. If it’s not got this button on the driver’s door pull they’re not fitted

Thanks, knew this bit, i checked mine had them before buying, but mine don't fold on short lock press, but do if i press and hold. Guessing the coding does it on short press (obviously only if you have the folding option)?

The mirror dips slightly annoying, dont seem to be able to get it to be no mirror only one or the other ?

[Escort3500]

jagfan2 said:

Escort3500 said:

2 is an option and requires factory-fitted electric folding mirrors. If it’s not got this button on the driver’s door pull they’re not fitted

Thanks, knew this bit, i checked mine had them before buying, but mine don't fold on short lock press, but do if i press and hold. Guessing the coding does it on short press (obviously only if you have the folding option)?

The mirror dips slightly annoying, dont seem to be able to get it to be no mirror only one or the other ?

Mine hasn’t even got he folding mirrors, though it doesn’t particularly bother me. I think the folding ones can be re-coded to fold on a short press of the button.

Edited by Escort3500 on Wednesday 25th November 15:43

[likesachange]

Mine had the Bi Annual wash at the weekend... Took an hour and looks like new!!







I have just advertised it for sale too, See if I can get any bites

[Scottie - NW]

Do these 335d tourings come with either a space saver or a full size spare?

One of these about 4 or 5 years old would be ideal for the daily but having at least a space saver is a must as the roads and locations I go on I get punctures that cans of sealant do not hold.

It amazes me how few cars have these now, last year I sold a small BMW 2 seater Z convertible and even that managed to have a space saver under the boot floor!

[gareth h]

Scottie - NW said:

Do these 335d tourings come with either a space saver or a full size spare?

One of these about 4 or 5 years old would be ideal for the daily but having at least a space saver is a must as the roads and locations I go on I get punctures that cans of sealant do not hold.

It amazes me how few cars have these now, last year I sold a small BMW 2 seater Z convertible and even that managed to have a space saver under the boot floor!

No spare, they are on run flats, but they do affect the ride.

[Escort3500]

gareth h said:

Scottie - NW said:

Do these 335d tourings come with either a space saver or a full size spare?

One of these about 4 or 5 years old would be ideal for the daily but having at least a space saver is a must as the roads and locations I go on I get punctures that cans of sealant do not hold.

It amazes me how few cars have these now, last year I sold a small BMW 2 seater Z convertible and even that managed to have a space saver under the boot floor!

No spare, they are on run flats, but they do affect the ride.

and are noisy

[peetee7]

Scottie - NW said:

Do these 335d tourings come with either a space saver or a full size spare?

One of these about 4 or 5 years old would be ideal for the daily but having at least a space saver is a must as the roads and locations I go on I get punctures that cans of sealant do not hold.

It amazes me how few cars have these now, last year I sold a small BMW 2 seater Z convertible and even that managed to have a space saver under the boot floor!

After replacing the Bridgestone Potenza's with Michelin PS4's I always carry Holts Tyreweld.

Here's the alternative ...

[s70rmp]

never had an issue with the run flats - and just got 2 to replace the rear tyres today 15% on P-Zeros

quiet happy with them and apart from that time in Italy last year and i clipped a pot hole on the motorway and it gashed the side wall !

[stlol]

Anyone tried the XDelete app which removes fwd engagement and makes the xdrive rwd??

[Scottie - NW]

Thanks for the replies, the lack of space saver really is an issue for me, going up Snowdonia region or remote roads and having issues means I do not want to be stuck for hours again waiting for Rescue services as tyre gunk comes out quicker than it goes in!

The space saver on the boot floor is also a problem as this is not compatible with a large dog in there.

My Dad had a similar problem and I didn't want him stranded as he's nearly 80 so I bought a space saver kit for his Mazda and then built a new boot floor around it, with an opening hatch for access to the space saver and even compartments for his tools, then carpeted over it in the original colour carpet to look OEM.

Downside is losing some boot capacity as it moves the floor higher some inches but obvious upsides are ability to use non run flats for ride quality and noise improvements.

Does this look feasible in a 335d Touring boot?