F31 335d xDrive - experiences?
Discussion
I've had one since new, purchased July 2014, an M-Sport Touring in grey with red leather. Options are pano roof, pro nav, M-Sport Plus pack, visibility pack, heated seats, adaptive suspension, head-up display. There may be one or two bits I missed. Options wise I don't regret any of these choices.
I don't do many miles (only about 4k p.a. in this car), but chose the diesel for the 4WD and effortless torque - I have other cars for the petrol head moments. The car is exceptionally competent, extremely quick (on a par with a Porsche 996 C4), has great tech, and is a very comfortable and pleasant place to be for a long journey. The main downside is slightly wallowy handling, even with the adaptive suspension.
It's effortlessly efficient at everything it does. Overall it's a car to deeply admire, but not to really love. Like many modern cars, it has that slightly detached driving experience. But for what it's designed to be, a fast efficient everyday car, BMW have hit the spot brilliantly.
I don't do many miles (only about 4k p.a. in this car), but chose the diesel for the 4WD and effortless torque - I have other cars for the petrol head moments. The car is exceptionally competent, extremely quick (on a par with a Porsche 996 C4), has great tech, and is a very comfortable and pleasant place to be for a long journey. The main downside is slightly wallowy handling, even with the adaptive suspension.
It's effortlessly efficient at everything it does. Overall it's a car to deeply admire, but not to really love. Like many modern cars, it has that slightly detached driving experience. But for what it's designed to be, a fast efficient everyday car, BMW have hit the spot brilliantly.
Hedgeman said:
Overall it's a car to deeply admire, but not to really love. Like many modern cars, it has that slightly detached driving experience.
This is my only fear and a problem I had with my E91. It was superb at what we wanted it for (loooong drives across Europe) but it was bit of a numb experience if I was honest. You could throw it around with ease and it was pretty good at it too but it wasn't much 'fun' really. I managed to test drive a 330d xDrive and it was a lovely place to be - really - but I was bit underwhelmed by the driving experience. Mind you, I didn't really get a chance to throw it around so probably didn't get the full idea.Sorry to hijack your thread...I've an E91 335d also and am in the same boat of wanting to upgrade imminently.I do just under 10k per year and am in a bit of a quandary as to whether to choose a 335i instead of the d-or try another marque.
Reading various forum posts,it appears that there is a bit of a backlash against the 335d-mainly as a result of the ride and people having to upgrade to the acs springs.
I have driven both the s and x drive 330d and I have to say that whilst a little underpowered, I much prefer the feel of the s drive.I have a set of winter wheels and tyres for the E91,which are fantastic on the rare occasion that I've needed them.I feel that an x drive maybe a bit redundant.
To be honest,having had mine remapped for the past few years,I've not had a single issue with putting the power down in any environment.As it has been mentioned before,it's a shame that the suspension issues weren't sorted upon initial release of the 335d.
I've thought about the golf r estate as well as the S3 sportsback and an S4 avant,but I like the F31 and with two largish dogs,I keep coming back to the BMW (the split tailgate is also a real bonus for me).
I'm thinking that maybe a 335i with ppk would be perfect.Maybe!
Reading various forum posts,it appears that there is a bit of a backlash against the 335d-mainly as a result of the ride and people having to upgrade to the acs springs.
I have driven both the s and x drive 330d and I have to say that whilst a little underpowered, I much prefer the feel of the s drive.I have a set of winter wheels and tyres for the E91,which are fantastic on the rare occasion that I've needed them.I feel that an x drive maybe a bit redundant.
To be honest,having had mine remapped for the past few years,I've not had a single issue with putting the power down in any environment.As it has been mentioned before,it's a shame that the suspension issues weren't sorted upon initial release of the 335d.
I've thought about the golf r estate as well as the S3 sportsback and an S4 avant,but I like the F31 and with two largish dogs,I keep coming back to the BMW (the split tailgate is also a real bonus for me).
I'm thinking that maybe a 335i with ppk would be perfect.Maybe!
Billyray911 said:
Sorry to hijack your thread...I've an E91 335d also and am in the same boat of wanting to upgrade imminently.I do just under 10k per year and am in a bit of a quandary as to whether to choose a 335i instead of the d-or try another marque.
Reading various forum posts,it appears that there is a bit of a backlash against the 335d-mainly as a result of the ride and people having to upgrade to the acs springs.
I have driven both the s and x drive 330d and I have to say that whilst a little underpowered, I much prefer the feel of the s drive.
It is true that quite a few of us have paid around £600 to switch the springs to ACS. While the majority doing this have xDrive, increasingly this includes those with sDrive cars. The truth is that the F3x in all its forms lacks the sharpness of the E9x, although it is so far above it in all other respects that many forgive it. Reading various forum posts,it appears that there is a bit of a backlash against the 335d-mainly as a result of the ride and people having to upgrade to the acs springs.
I have driven both the s and x drive 330d and I have to say that whilst a little underpowered, I much prefer the feel of the s drive.
An xDrive with ACS springs handles significantly better than an sDrive on standard springs, so if the standard sDrive is good enough for you, you are unlikely to be disappointed with an xDrive once you have improved the springs.
Hedgeman said:
It's effortlessly efficient at everything it does. Overall it's a car to deeply admire, but not to really love. Like many modern cars, it has that slightly detached driving experience. But for what it's designed to be, a fast efficient everyday car, BMW have hit the spot brilliantly.
I bought mine new in May 2014. For me it's a brilliant car in every respect, fast, comfortable, well equiped and very economical. I have no idea what you mean by 'slightly detached driving experience'? bad company said:
Hedgeman said:
It's effortlessly efficient at everything it does. Overall it's a car to deeply admire, but not to really love. Like many modern cars, it has that slightly detached driving experience. But for what it's designed to be, a fast efficient everyday car, BMW have hit the spot brilliantly.
I bought mine new in May 2014. For me it's a brilliant car in every respect, fast, comfortable, well equiped and very economical. I have no idea what you mean by 'slightly detached driving experience'? Had an interesting chat with my dealer today. Apparently you won't be able to spec xenons anymore, it's either halogens or LEDs. The wheels in the M Sport plus package have also changed from the 403s to 442M bi-colour Orbit Grey, the ones on the 4 Series.
Edited by Osinjak on Wednesday 17th June 20:02
bad company said:
I bought mine new in May 2014. For me it's a brilliant car in every respect, fast, comfortable, well equiped and very economical. I have no idea what you mean by 'slightly detached driving experience'?
JNW1 sums it up well. It's not a car you would take out for the hell of it. It's not a car where you revel in the noise, feel or sensory input from the controls. It's a bit like a Miele washing machine: well built, reliable, economical. You admire its engineering quality, and you rely on it to do a good job, but you don't just sit and look at it through a wash cycle.
Hedgeman said:
bad company said:
I bought mine new in May 2014. For me it's a brilliant car in every respect, fast, comfortable, well equiped and very economical. I have no idea what you mean by 'slightly detached driving experience'?
JNW1 sums it up well. It's not a car you would take out for the hell of it. It's not a car where you revel in the noise, feel or sensory input from the controls. It's a bit like a Miele washing machine: well built, reliable, economical. You admire its engineering quality, and you rely on it to do a good job, but you don't just sit and look at it through a wash cycle.
Sheepshanks said:
smashy said:
...im well overstretched with my f30 30d and think its fantastic...
A lot of that will be sDrive vs xDrive though.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff