New 335i M Sport Convertible
New 335i M Sport Convertible
Author
Discussion

bad company

Original Poster:

21,919 posts

295 months

Sunday 27th April 2008
quotequote all
I really fancy one of these but see that the CO2 is 226 which puts in a higher road tax band by 1 measly g\km.

Given the 'driving dynamics' has anybody heard of anybody at Bee Emm doing anything about 'shaving' the g\km. It does seem to make a big difference to the running costs - thanks to Messrs Brown\Darling.hurl

B17NNS

18,506 posts

276 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
Does seem strange that they did'nt make a minor alteration to the map to sneak it under.

I guess it must be something to do with the extra weight or drag CO of the convertible or something.

Coupe and Saloon 218 g/km (manual) 228 g/km (auto)
Touring 222 g/km (manual) 223 g/km (auto)
Convertible 226g/km (manual) 226 g/km (auto)

Also strange that the auto fairs no worse than the manual.

bennno

15,243 posts

298 months

Monday 28th April 2008
quotequote all
get a 135i sport convertable, it looks smarter roof down and has better brakes

it also sneaks under the 225 co2 limit.

steve-p

1,448 posts

311 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
B17NNS said:
Also strange that the auto fairs no worse than the manual.
All 335s are autos aren't they?

B17NNS

18,506 posts

276 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
steve-p said:
All 335s are autos aren't they?
I know the diesel is auto only, but thought the petrol was available manual - I may be wrong.

steve-p

1,448 posts

311 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
B17NNS said:
steve-p said:
All 335s are autos aren't they?
I know the diesel is auto only, but thought the petrol was available manual - I may be wrong.
I'm not sure either, perhaps someone will enlighten us smile

bmwdrivernigel

8,596 posts

253 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
Auto is a £1500 option, then if you want flappy paddle shift its about another £500 on top of that. I would recommend the auto/paddle option, my last one had that and it was brilliant to drive.

AKA8

1,849 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
Did anyone else find this car to be one of the worst engine-chassis matches ever? Don't get me wrong, I really wanted to like it, the engine note on the 335i was amazing, power delivery and auto gearbox were equally as good. But, the handling felt really loose. I have never driven a modern car which felt so unsettled and shaky (no, I have never driven a Saab). It was also heavier than my A8 4.2 which just seems wrong in every way.

The one I had though was before the M Sport came out, so perhaps it wasn't properly sorted. I had big rims and sports suspension, but maybe the non sports lack a certain something.

bad company

Original Poster:

21,919 posts

295 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
Oh well I will probably order the 330i M Sport version. Would have liked those extra 'horses' to play with though!

MK4 Slowride

10,028 posts

237 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
335i does come in manual as I got to drive the top dogs Blue 335i coupe 3 weeks before the car was due to be launched & it was manual. biggrin

bad company

Original Poster:

21,919 posts

295 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
Does anybody here have any idea what discounts\incentives are on offer at the moment? It would be nice to be prepared before I speak to the dealers.

hughjayteens

2,029 posts

297 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
bad company said:
Oh well I will probably order the 330i M Sport version. Would have liked those extra 'horses' to play with though!
Not tempted by a 335d?

bmwdrivernigel

8,596 posts

253 months

Tuesday 29th April 2008
quotequote all
hughjayteens said:
bad company said:
Oh well I will probably order the 330i M Sport version. Would have liked those extra 'horses' to play with though!
Not tempted by a 335d?
You should try one before you dismiss it, one of the best cars I have ever driven.

bad company

Original Poster:

21,919 posts

295 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
I have this inbuilt aversion to diesel. I did have a test drive in 535d once and I must say that it was quick.

The 3 series convertible does not seem to be available as a 335d so it would have to be a 330.scratchchin

eowen

16,699 posts

294 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
To confirm - for some strnage reason, there is no 335d convertible (too much torque for the weaker bodyshell?).

The 335d only comes in auto (too much torque for the clutch?!), the 335i comes in auto and manual.

MK4 Slowride

10,028 posts

237 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
eowen said:
To confirm - for some strnage reason, there is no 335d convertible (too much torque for the weaker bodyshell?).

The 335d only comes in auto (too much torque for the clutch?!), the 335i comes in auto and manual.
Well the M3 Convertible uses the same bodyshell & that's got a 4.0i V8, 420 BHP.

steve-p

1,448 posts

311 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
bad company said:
I have this inbuilt aversion to diesel. I did have a test drive in 535d once and I must say that it was quick.
It is a different experience. All that torque and a low redline makes it a bit like an old school V8 but without the great noise. If I could only have one car then it would be petrol, but I love my manual 330d coupe as a daily driver.

eowen

16,699 posts

294 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
MK4 Slowride said:
eowen said:
To confirm - for some strnage reason, there is no 335d convertible (too much torque for the weaker bodyshell?).

The 335d only comes in auto (too much torque for the clutch?!), the 335i comes in auto and manual.
Well the M3 Convertible uses the same bodyshell & that's got a 4.0i V8, 420 BHP.
Ah, Good point.... Whats the torque?

PJR

2,616 posts

241 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
AKA8 said:
Did anyone else find this car to be one of the worst engine-chassis matches ever? Don't get me wrong, I really wanted to like it, the engine note on the 335i was amazing, power delivery and auto gearbox were equally as good. But, the handling felt really loose. I have never driven a modern car which felt so unsettled and shaky (no, I have never driven a Saab). It was also heavier than my A8 4.2 which just seems wrong in every way.

The one I had though was before the M Sport came out, so perhaps it wasn't properly sorted. I had big rims and sports suspension, but maybe the non sports lack a certain something.
Big rims, sports boingy bits and.. Run flats! This just about explains what you experienced. Its not a good combination usually. Run flats are 'ok' in my experience, but only if you leave off the big wheels and sports suspension. Or.. Have the sporty bits, but do away with the run flat tyres also goes a long way towards sorting out the handling.
Tyre pressures are also often completely wrong from a dealer, and cause alarming handling traits.
Weight: Most modern cars are heavy. BMW is no exception. I guess your A8 is an exception however, as it likely has an aluminium body? Makes a big difference.

As for the emissions and tax.. Its tough luck im afraid.. There is sod all you can do to change it. But I too am surprised BMW didnt tweak it a tad to nudge it under the tax bracket. It would appear thats what they did to get the 118D into the £35 road tax bracket. That scrapes under the 120g/km threshold by 1..

P,

MK4 Slowride

10,028 posts

237 months

Wednesday 30th April 2008
quotequote all
eowen said:
MK4 Slowride said:
eowen said:
To confirm - for some strnage reason, there is no 335d convertible (too much torque for the weaker bodyshell?).

The 335d only comes in auto (too much torque for the clutch?!), the 335i comes in auto and manual.
Well the M3 Convertible uses the same bodyshell & that's got a 4.0i V8, 420 BHP.
Ah, Good point.... Whats the torque?
New M3:

Cylinders/Valve - 8/32
Cubic Capacity (cc) - 3999
Stroke/bore (mm) - 75.2/92
Max Output (kW/hp/rpm) 309/420/8300
Max Torque (Nm/rpm) 400/3900