The tale of the 335i x 2.

[Me Alec]

So, and against my better judgement 5 years ago, I was talked in to buying a '57 plated manual 335i with only 28k on the clock. I fell in love with it after 3 days and by the time that I'd found out how to drive the creature - it was probably all that I'd ever really dreamed of - - overtaking a stream of HGVs and in third gear picking up from 56mph to 110 took but a few seconds.
It was more responsive than a well practiced we and even more willing if that's believable. Life changed, sold my business, decided to curtail the irresponsible aspect to life - no room for the dog - - that sort of stuff, run-flats and SOLID suspension, it really didn't like our Norfolk pot-holed B-roads - - and so decided to be sensible and exchanged it for a Golf GTD - no slug but Jesus how I hate front wheel drive.
Wrecked the Golf - petrol in with the diesel and drove it until I realised what I'd done - - fuel system seriously shagged and the Insurance paid out on a write-off - to my amazement. Bought an equally ghastly Fiat Panda - cheap, carts the dog about, hay for the horses, shopping that sort of stuff, but not a car for lengthy journeys, I soon discovered.
Idly flicking through the P-H For Sale pages - and what did I find? A '58 plated, 48k miles, and being sold by Sytner - and it was silly money. The discussions became protracted, but were brought to a close when the sales guy asked me a simple question - "Why do you think we have this car on our forecourt and why did we not stick it in an auction"?
The answer was simple - the bloody thing really is immaculate - EVERY service has been carried out by BMW Park lane - AND the car comes with a BMW New Car Warranty.
This car also has run-flats but the suspension is notably softer - not quite so drivable - it has a Steptronic gear shift with paddles and stuff, but with no clutch pedal, it isn't the other car. The Launch mode Sport button doesn't really seem to make much difference to the pick up time - AND there's no USB connection point for my 'phone.
What do I think? As a car, it is everything that Sytner said it was - do I enjoy it? Perhaps not quite as the older and more brutal version. Am I enamoured - in short that's a 'No', but I suppose that at 74 years of age, the time may be approaching when I start to apply common sense - - - -
How do I connect an iPhone - does anyone know?
Is there a sensible Satnav option, and one which is fixed and doesn't have wires dangling about all over the place?

[stef1808]

Such a soft spot for this car, it was my first TT engine and first new car. Eventually swapped out just about everything for racing parts and force fed it meth, a 500bhp weapon, sadly it was stolen and that was that.

[quote=Me Alec]This car also has run-flats but the suspension is notably softer
Ditch the run flats when u can and invest in a tyre compressor (from the M3)

The Launch mode Sport button doesn't really seem to make much difference to the pick up time

An ECU tune/piggyback fixes that - it really brings out the engines true potential. Preferred the JB4 interface over the Procede.

How do I connect an iPhone?

Aux to aux cable was my go to option. If you want Bluetooth then something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-H...

Is there a sensible Satnav option

Waze+iPhone


If I could do it again I would say tune+suspension+lsd

Edited by stef1808 on Friday 3rd April 20:45