335D Advice Please

[icdbdis]

Hello, my first post and asking for advice already...

I've been looking to change car and can't find anything that gets near the 335D, if economy, performance and tax are considered. I think I've made up my mind so it's just a case of what I can afford and what issues to look out for... cue post. Looking for something around £20k.

- My journey to work is less than 20 miles return. Am I going to be forever paying for the EGR valve to be serviced or some similar problem caused by lack of good run on a daily basis?
- Any issues I should look out for on a 2014 onwards model (I haven't even started studying model years and numbers yet)?
- Is there any particular option that I might really miss if I didn't hold out for a car with it (I appreciate that this is subjective but feel free to comment)?

I have more but don't want to use up my quota before I've even got 2 feet through the door. Any advice re this topic would be gratefully received, even if unrelated to the above questions.

Cheers,
IC.

[irish boy]

I was looking for the same car a while back, similar circumstances and budget. A low mile high spec 2014 335i popped up and I haven't looked back. It's consistently returning over 30mpg, warms up a lot quicker (the 335d I tested took an age) and no diesel related worries.

[Smuler]

Unless you need AWD , why go for diesel on that sort of miles is my thought.

You don’t say what body style you want , might be useful as that will influence opinions on options.

If it’s a saloon and you need practicality then split / folding rear seats is key.
I’m not sure what’s standard on the years you’re looking at but heated seats are good / front and rear PDC and electric seats , particularly if more than 1 person will drive.

[icdbdis]

Thanks for responses so far. I will look into the 335i. I think I'm leaning towards the estate; just prefer the shape (with a bit of consideration for the dog thrown in).

[M511]

icdbdis said:

Thanks for responses so far. I will look into the 335i. I think I'm leaning towards the estate; just prefer the shape (with a bit of consideration for the dog thrown in).

I started a thread a few hours ago similar to this, I have a 335d coupe from 2006. I still think its one of the fastest cars I've ever driven, and on the motorway its been hard to think of times where i would want to be in something else. But I do really like the sound of the 335i...

For what its worth, I drive my car 5 miles a day, and once every other weekend I do a longer drive (50-200 miles) for weekend trips away. Never had problems with dpf and egr. In fact you can smell it when its doing its dpf cycle. My exhaust tips are actually cleaner than on a 335i.

Edited by M511 on Friday 19th January 21:57

[chibakun]

335d's seem slightly cheaper than similarly aged Golf R's, have you driven both? Which would you recommend?

[helix402]

Don’t worry about the egr valve.

[icdbdis]

Thanks again.

[Welshbeef]

X35ds are great

Good economy
Fast
And in gear up to say 120mph you’d need a very fast car to overtake you.

Downside
Engine noise
You’d never simply blip the throttle in neural when stationary.
You’d never go for a drive just because
You’d never have the windows down and deliberately rev it out to 6k revs

It’s a tool a very effective tool and frankly an accountants tool.
20mile return commute.... my F10 535d still isn’t up to full operating temp 9miles into the commute so unless you have no mechanical sympathy you’d never drive it hard on the commute.

[Mr Whippy]

Yep the warmup time is a stunner.

In summer it'll hopefully be better.

In winter I've averaged 35mpg on gentle rural runs in the hilly Yorks Dales.

Yet a warm ish day on the motorways and A roads it's up in mid 40s very easily.


So economy isn't great unless you're doing decent runs.

[Whatmore179]

I had a e92 335d m sport touring 2010 model. Had it for 4 years and covered around 60k
What a great car. Does everything you want it to do. Fast very fast, and good economy.
No problems at all over the 4 years of ownership. Cheep servicing also through BMW.
Only sold it on so I could get a M3.
In fact I loved the engine so much we bought a 435d gran coupe recently for the misses.
Steve

[Smuler]

icdbdis said:

Thanks for responses so far. I will look into the 335i. I think I'm leaning towards the estate; just prefer the shape (with a bit of consideration for the dog thrown in).

I don’t think you should throw the dog , in maybe allow it to jump into the boot

Tourings are good , feel surprisingly compact and practical. Look at options on extended storage , think that might include a luggage net. That will catch this dog if you insist on throwing it !

[AB]

Welshbeef said:

X35ds are great

Good economy
Fast
And in gear up to say 120mph you’d need a very fast car to overtake you.

Downside
Engine noise
You’d never simply blip the throttle in neural when stationary.
You’d never go for a drive just because
You’d never have the windows down and deliberately rev it out to 6k revs

It’s a tool a very effective tool and frankly an accountants tool.
20mile return commute.... my F10 535d still isn’t up to full operating temp 9miles into the commute so unless you have no mechanical sympathy you’d never drive it hard on the commute.

I think this sums it up quite well. Had a 35d for a couple of years, not once did I decide to go out for a drive for the sake of it.

Swapped to the 35i and a fruitier exhaust and I quite often do now

That for me made it worth swapping average of about 40mpg for an average of about 30mpg and I probably do 30k miles a year.

At the OP's mileage it wouldn't even be a consideration.

Other things that I prefer the i for over the d, it looks better as it sits lower and the X-Drive dulls the handling somewhat.

Both fantastic engines and cars.

[Mike335i]

As per other posts, I would go i over d in your circumstances. As impressive as the 35d is, there is something more exciting about a great sounding petrol that can rev out.

As for spec, I would make sure you look out for:

Xenon headlights
HK audio
Pro Nav
Sport seats (if not M Sport spec)

Gearbox is subjective so either you'll want a manual and look for one, or you can choose from a plethora or automatics out there.

[icdbdis]

So many great responses in so little time. Thanks. Maybe my consideration for d economy isn't that economic. I don't need xDrive so will think carefully. There again, I like the idea of all that torque (and scope for more) without having to rag the car to get it moving. Not that the i will need much encouragement. Best I test drive a couple.

I don't throw the 40kg dog in, honest. He does manage to jump but he's getting on and an estate boot would be kind.

[AB]

You certainly don't have to 'rag' a 35i to get it moving.

[Mike335i]

AB said:

You certainly don't have to 'rag' a 35i to get it moving.

Agreed, more torque than many diesels from very low down the rev range.

[Welshbeef]

AB said:

You certainly don't have to 'rag' a 35i to get it moving.

Relative to a 35d you do

[Fox-]

You'll get a better 330d for 20k than a 335d so unless you absolutely crave that performance its worth considering.

I was underwhelmed by the difference between the 535d and the 530d so instead opted for a newer 530d over a slightly older 535d.

[cerb4.5lee]

Welshbeef said:

AB said:

You certainly don't have to 'rag' a 35i to get it moving.

Relative to a 35d you do

I'd like a go in a 35i, because I imagine it to be fairly similar to a 35d in terms of low down pick up.