335i Touring from VW R36...
Discussion
Evening all!
My current daily is a Passat R36 estate which is undoubtedly a keeper and an excellent one at that, but I recently had my head turned by yet another impossibly attractive bit of Q car goodness in the shape of an E91 which recently sold nearby.
Annoyingly I didn’t get the opportunity to go for a look at it so I’m here to ask how these things drive. Anybody have one with experiences they’d like to share, good and bad?
The thought of rear wheel drive as well as the possibility of a manual too is becoming all too tempting
My current daily is a Passat R36 estate which is undoubtedly a keeper and an excellent one at that, but I recently had my head turned by yet another impossibly attractive bit of Q car goodness in the shape of an E91 which recently sold nearby.
Annoyingly I didn’t get the opportunity to go for a look at it so I’m here to ask how these things drive. Anybody have one with experiences they’d like to share, good and bad?
The thought of rear wheel drive as well as the possibility of a manual too is becoming all too tempting
FWIW I used to have a 335d E91 that felt positively dangerous in comparison to the inert F31 335d that I bought afterwards. On a spirited drive you really could get the hoop to twitch, it was surprisingly good fun. I imagine with a manual 335i that it would be even more fun, much would depend on your testicular fortitude of course..
Osinjak said:
FWIW I used to have a 335d E91 that felt positively dangerous in comparison to the inert F31 335d that I bought afterwards. On a spirited drive you really could get the hoop to twitch, it was surprisingly good fun. I imagine with a manual 335i that it would be even more fun, much would depend on your testicular fortitude of course..
It’s phrases such as positively dangerous that I was hoping would be thrown about 
I nearly got smoked by a 335d on a Ducati Monster joining a motorway some years ago, was only then had I opened my eyes to the power of diesels and their turbos. Just didn’t open my wallet for one
Teepot said:
It’s phrases such as positively dangerous that I was hoping would be thrown about
I nearly got smoked by a 335d on a Ducati Monster joining a motorway some years ago, was only then had I opened my eyes to the power of diesels and their turbos. Just didn’t open my wallet for one
Aye, it didn't half shift but there wasn't a whole lot of noise about it. I remember chucking it about on some back roads in Norfolk one time, surprised me and my passengers about how twitchy you could get it. At the end of the day though it still felt slightly stupid taking a diesel out for a hoon.I nearly got smoked by a 335d on a Ducati Monster joining a motorway some years ago, was only then had I opened my eyes to the power of diesels and their turbos. Just didn’t open my wallet for one
Not dangerous at all. Mine was the saloon, but I imagine it would be the same as the Touring in most ways.
You can get the back end out and it will squirm if provoked hard, but generally speaking with decent tyres it was pretty planted even in the wet. Ditchfinders will yield different results though! I had Michelin PS4 and latterly Goodyear Eagle F1 5s.
The N54 engine is a peach, really punchy and sounded good, better than the S55 in the M3/M4. Quite economical (30mpg+) if careful. It can be deceptively quick, I only managed 152mph in mine (autobahn) but it was still pulling and it felt like no effort hitting that. Very flexible unit and pulls well from low RPM.
Make sure you get M Sport seats as they are seriously comfy and supportive.
Some downsides are that the gearbox isn't the greatest or slickest, but gets better when it warms up.
Hydraulic steering is weighty, but not actually that feelsome.
Clutch was quite heavy and vague.
I would go manual still, but have an extensive test drive to make sure you can get comfy with it. All these things can be fixed though.
You can get the back end out and it will squirm if provoked hard, but generally speaking with decent tyres it was pretty planted even in the wet. Ditchfinders will yield different results though! I had Michelin PS4 and latterly Goodyear Eagle F1 5s.
The N54 engine is a peach, really punchy and sounded good, better than the S55 in the M3/M4. Quite economical (30mpg+) if careful. It can be deceptively quick, I only managed 152mph in mine (autobahn) but it was still pulling and it felt like no effort hitting that. Very flexible unit and pulls well from low RPM.
Make sure you get M Sport seats as they are seriously comfy and supportive.
Some downsides are that the gearbox isn't the greatest or slickest, but gets better when it warms up.
Hydraulic steering is weighty, but not actually that feelsome.
Clutch was quite heavy and vague.
I would go manual still, but have an extensive test drive to make sure you can get comfy with it. All these things can be fixed though.
Osinjak said:
Aye, it didn't half shift but there wasn't a whole lot of noise about it. I remember chucking it about on some back roads in Norfolk one time, surprised me and my passengers about how twitchy you could get it. At the end of the day though it still felt slightly stupid taking a diesel out for a hoon.
A hoon is a hoon 
ladderino said:
If you're set on manual, I think the 330i would be better suited.
I had an E91 335i auto and given the low down shove never felt that it would be improved by a manual box.
the e91 manuals are quite sought after so hold their value really well. I currently have one and may sell in the new year. I have had it for ten years, its that good I'm not sure I really want to sell. If you can find one, have a try. They are seamless power and a great all-round car that is very easily tuned to over 450 horses if thats your thing. I had an E91 335i auto and given the low down shove never felt that it would be improved by a manual box.
I've owned an E91 335i (N54) E90 335i (N55) and an F31 335i (N55). All manuals.
The E9* are better to drive and seem a bit more planted. The F31 was stymied by the calibration of the gearbox/ECU and NOx emissions targets which meant that it 'rev-hung' between up changes. BMW couldn't resolve, so it went back.
I had an E91 330i, and it was OK, but lacked shove and wringing a car out for every last drop isn't my thing. I want to make decent progress without ragging a car, so the 335i was better in my opinion. The E91 335i is probably one of those that I shouldn't have sold. It was fun and did everything well. It was also an LCI car, so one of approx 19 in the UK.
The E9* are better to drive and seem a bit more planted. The F31 was stymied by the calibration of the gearbox/ECU and NOx emissions targets which meant that it 'rev-hung' between up changes. BMW couldn't resolve, so it went back.
I had an E91 330i, and it was OK, but lacked shove and wringing a car out for every last drop isn't my thing. I want to make decent progress without ragging a car, so the 335i was better in my opinion. The E91 335i is probably one of those that I shouldn't have sold. It was fun and did everything well. It was also an LCI car, so one of approx 19 in the UK.
I have had my 2007 E91 335I M sport manual for nearly 2 1/2 years now. Its simply a wonderful car , the engine is fantastic and pulls from so low down in any gear it is hard to imagine its turboed......Faster than you could really ever want in real world terms. And i have had plenty to compare .
Love it.
Love it.
RFC1 said:
I have had my 2007 E91 335I M sport manual for nearly 2 1/2 years now. Its simply a wonderful car , the engine is fantastic and pulls from so low down in any gear it is hard to imagine its turboed......Faster than you could really ever want in real world terms. And i have had plenty to compare .
Love it.
Good to know, thanks RFC1!Love it.
Mine was an N54 Auto SE, it was an excellent all rounder daily.
Lovely smooth engine with more than enough real world power, made a pretty nice noise too for a turbocharged car. It's one of the very few turbo'd cars I've actually liked!
Bought it for £6.5k and it was a great example, so much car for the money.
Lovely smooth engine with more than enough real world power, made a pretty nice noise too for a turbocharged car. It's one of the very few turbo'd cars I've actually liked!
Bought it for £6.5k and it was a great example, so much car for the money.
Its not an e91, but my manual e90 335i will be for sale in January - has folding rear seats if that helps practicaility wise 
115k full bmw service history etc. Im also in Surrey ... Only getting rid as ive finally found an e91 that i wanted!
As a car, i love them, much prefer the engine/steering on the e90 to my M135i !! Autobox however, M135i is a lot better lol.
115k full bmw service history etc. Im also in Surrey ... Only getting rid as ive finally found an e91 that i wanted!
As a car, i love them, much prefer the engine/steering on the e90 to my M135i !! Autobox however, M135i is a lot better lol.
Edited by Sir_Dave on Wednesday 18th December 08:51
Edited by Sir_Dave on Wednesday 18th December 08:51
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