335i touring or 535d touring..
12 November 2009, 09:25 AM
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12 November 2009, 09:44 AM
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Dream - you MUST go and check out an A4 and a 3 series and not rely on volume figures. The B7 is smaller in the back than an E91 (3 series), I should think the B8 is about the same or maybe a tad bigger. Both are compact estates, not mega load luggers.
Matt -does the S4 lose any boot space due to 4WD or anything?
Matt -does the S4 lose any boot space due to 4WD or anything?
12 November 2009, 10:11 AM
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Dream - you MUST go and check out an A4 and a 3 series and not rely on volume figures. The B7 is smaller in the back than an E91 (3 series), I should think the B8 is about the same or maybe a tad bigger. Both are compact estates, not mega load luggers.
Matt -does the S4 lose any boot space due to 4WD or anything?
Matt -does the S4 lose any boot space due to 4WD or anything?
12 November 2009, 10:39 AM
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Are you thinking new or used (albeit nearly new)?
One thing that swung it for me was the price of a used A4 - the B8s were very pricey and even the B7s were big money. E91s seemed quite reasonable in comparison.
Matt - that's not a bad basic price for the S4. Less than an E91 335d or 335i SE in fact!
One thing that swung it for me was the price of a used A4 - the B8s were very pricey and even the B7s were big money. E91s seemed quite reasonable in comparison.
Matt - that's not a bad basic price for the S4. Less than an E91 335d or 335i SE in fact!
12 November 2009, 10:54 AM
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It will be used, but not sure what the budget is yet as I'm not keen on car loans so want to try and buy something without borrowing any/much money.
Budget will be between £16 and £20k so a 07/08 car maybe, but there is still some indecision on what we do as I currently have the ST which just sits around doing nothing for weeks at a time (it's a 2007 with only 19k miles, I've only done 7k miles in nearly 2 years in it!!) so not sure it makes sense to have a £12k car sitting around and then buy a £20k BMW for the Mrs to use for work - it may make more sense to sell the ST and for me to keep the Civic (worth £8k) and put another £4k in for something more expensive for the Mrs/family car.
Need to make that decision first and we won't be buying until the new year now anyway. We both really like the 3 series touring so that is the first choice at the minute.
Budget will be between £16 and £20k so a 07/08 car maybe, but there is still some indecision on what we do as I currently have the ST which just sits around doing nothing for weeks at a time (it's a 2007 with only 19k miles, I've only done 7k miles in nearly 2 years in it!!) so not sure it makes sense to have a £12k car sitting around and then buy a £20k BMW for the Mrs to use for work - it may make more sense to sell the ST and for me to keep the Civic (worth £8k) and put another £4k in for something more expensive for the Mrs/family car.
Need to make that decision first and we won't be buying until the new year now anyway. We both really like the 3 series touring so that is the first choice at the minute.
12 November 2009, 11:03 AM
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Dream - research LOADS. Then research some more.
You can get plenty for that budget.
Just as a marker - I looked at the 335d when the recession really hit - prices tumbled but the timing wasn't right. Finally decided it was time to change (Astra started getting a bit troublesome) and prices went back up!
So resigned myself to a 330d and had a good look around. Just before I decided on one I did a last check - my 335d came up for such a good price and with such low mileage I thought it must be a 325d mislabelled. Checked it out and it wasn't - it was also SE spec which I was after (most are M Sports - the spoiler grounds on my driveway and the suspension annoys me. The bigger run flats tyres also knock your teeth out - tried one out!). So I bought it blind but Used Approved from Sytner Leicester and had it delivered a week later. They gave me an above book price for the Astra (around £6k - I would have been happy with £5k), fully prepared it, Supagarded it, fully serviced it (with one brand new tyre fitted) all included for £21.8k with 16k miles on the clock. Full leather, massive sunroof and a few other goodies. I've had it checked over by my local dealer and all is 100% fine. I did pay cash which might have helped a bit.
Slightly long winded but the book price has actually risen since we got it - it really was a steal.
So check and check again and realise that BMW are paying bonuses on numbers shifted rather than net profit - and they work on a fixed margin. Someone obviously needed to get shot of ours very quickly (job lost or something!) so we got the benefit.
I'm sure there are plenty of other similar cases out there.
You can get plenty for that budget.
Just as a marker - I looked at the 335d when the recession really hit - prices tumbled but the timing wasn't right. Finally decided it was time to change (Astra started getting a bit troublesome) and prices went back up!
So resigned myself to a 330d and had a good look around. Just before I decided on one I did a last check - my 335d came up for such a good price and with such low mileage I thought it must be a 325d mislabelled. Checked it out and it wasn't - it was also SE spec which I was after (most are M Sports - the spoiler grounds on my driveway and the suspension annoys me. The bigger run flats tyres also knock your teeth out - tried one out!). So I bought it blind but Used Approved from Sytner Leicester and had it delivered a week later. They gave me an above book price for the Astra (around £6k - I would have been happy with £5k), fully prepared it, Supagarded it, fully serviced it (with one brand new tyre fitted) all included for £21.8k with 16k miles on the clock. Full leather, massive sunroof and a few other goodies. I've had it checked over by my local dealer and all is 100% fine. I did pay cash which might have helped a bit.
Slightly long winded but the book price has actually risen since we got it - it really was a steal.
So check and check again and realise that BMW are paying bonuses on numbers shifted rather than net profit - and they work on a fixed margin. Someone obviously needed to get shot of ours very quickly (job lost or something!) so we got the benefit.
I'm sure there are plenty of other similar cases out there.
Last edited by Matteeboy; 12 November 2009 at 11:04 AM.
12 November 2009, 11:09 AM
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Our previous 3 coupe was the M-Sport so I know all about the tramlining issues, stiffer suspension and tyres etc but I do prefer the look of the M-Sport's so I think that is the one we will go for, either in 320, 330 or 335D guise, depending on what we do in the end.
12 November 2009, 11:22 AM
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Dream - I still like the M Sports but the SE suits us best. Got sports suspension so really the difference are just cosmetic. Only thing I'd possibly change is the wheels - there are some elipsoid 18" rims (non M Sport called 162 style) that look the nuts on a black E91. But mine are fine TBH (much nicer than most of BMWs 17" wheels) and the ride with 17" and taller tyres is a lot better. Still putting non RFTs on when I need new tyres - mine still tramline too much.
I like M Sports from the front but the plasticky rear diffuser is a bit off putting (also hides twin exhausts!) from the rear. Sports seats though are nice as is the steering wheel. I also prefer non M Sport wheels - I just find the M Sport rims a bit "fragile" looking and some have had cracking issues with them - mostly just with 19s.
Reckon you can get a very decent 330d - a 335d might be stretching it a bit. Keep an open mind though and possibly grab a bargain. I think searching for too tight a spec often rules out possible great deals.
I like M Sports from the front but the plasticky rear diffuser is a bit off putting (also hides twin exhausts!) from the rear. Sports seats though are nice as is the steering wheel. I also prefer non M Sport wheels - I just find the M Sport rims a bit "fragile" looking and some have had cracking issues with them - mostly just with 19s.
Reckon you can get a very decent 330d - a 335d might be stretching it a bit. Keep an open mind though and possibly grab a bargain. I think searching for too tight a spec often rules out possible great deals.
Last edited by Matteeboy; 12 November 2009 at 11:29 AM.
12 November 2009, 07:15 PM
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It will be used, but not sure what the budget is yet as I'm not keen on car loans so want to try and buy something without borrowing any/much money.
Budget will be between £16 and £20k so a 07/08 car maybe, but there is still some indecision on what we do as I currently have the ST which just sits around doing nothing for weeks at a time (it's a 2007 with only 19k miles, I've only done 7k miles in nearly 2 years in it!!) so not sure it makes sense to have a £12k car sitting around and then buy a £20k BMW for the Mrs to use for work - it may make more sense to sell the ST and for me to keep the Civic (worth £8k) and put another £4k in for something more expensive for the Mrs/family car.
Need to make that decision first and we won't be buying until the new year now anyway. We both really like the 3 series touring so that is the first choice at the minute.
Budget will be between £16 and £20k so a 07/08 car maybe, but there is still some indecision on what we do as I currently have the ST which just sits around doing nothing for weeks at a time (it's a 2007 with only 19k miles, I've only done 7k miles in nearly 2 years in it!!) so not sure it makes sense to have a £12k car sitting around and then buy a £20k BMW for the Mrs to use for work - it may make more sense to sell the ST and for me to keep the Civic (worth £8k) and put another £4k in for something more expensive for the Mrs/family car.
Need to make that decision first and we won't be buying until the new year now anyway. We both really like the 3 series touring so that is the first choice at the minute.
17 November 2009, 02:07 PM
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I appreciate these are fairly different beasts- the similarity being their ability to carry kids / dogs etc, and both being pretty rapid.
I've already found a 335i touring with a nice spec, a little more than I wanted to spend, but I know the owner and the mileage is low.
The 535d would be slightly higher mileage, but also a bit cheaper.
Any thoughts?
I've already found a 335i touring with a nice spec, a little more than I wanted to spend, but I know the owner and the mileage is low.
The 535d would be slightly higher mileage, but also a bit cheaper.
Any thoughts?
We've had our 535d MSport 18 months and am seriously impressed with it.
17 November 2009, 06:25 PM
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So a bigger car is suddently "better" then?
By that strange logic the 335d (and 335i) is "better" than the lighter, sweeter handling, quicker 911.
Ermmm - that doesn't quite work does it?
The 335d and i are better drivers cars - the 535d is very good indeed but the 335d is a superior drive by a handy margin. I know because I drove 1000s of miles in the inlaws 535d Touring and 3000 in my 335d Touring.
End of.
**Edited By The Webteam**
Try and keep it civil please.
By that strange logic the 335d (and 335i) is "better" than the lighter, sweeter handling, quicker 911.
Ermmm - that doesn't quite work does it?
The 335d and i are better drivers cars - the 535d is very good indeed but the 335d is a superior drive by a handy margin. I know because I drove 1000s of miles in the inlaws 535d Touring and 3000 in my 335d Touring.
End of.
**Edited By The Webteam**
Try and keep it civil please.
Last edited by DJ Dunk; 17 November 2009 at 07:14 PM.
17 November 2009, 07:15 PM
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So a bigger car is suddently "better" then?
By that strange logic the 335d (and 335i) is "better" than the lighter, sweeter handling, quicker 911.
Ermmm - that doesn't quite work does it?
The 335d and i are better drivers cars - the 535d is very good indeed but the 335d is a superior drive by a handy margin. I know because I drove 1000s of miles in the inlaws 535d Touring and 3000 in my 335d Touring.
End of.
Except it won't be because Tim here makes Devildog look like a trainee stalker. Apparently spending hours searching for someone's entire internet history is funny and clever. And not at all sad. Mind you he flogs sex toys and knickers for a living and has a fascinating blog all about himself which you can all read and admire should you fancy it.
By that strange logic the 335d (and 335i) is "better" than the lighter, sweeter handling, quicker 911.
Ermmm - that doesn't quite work does it?
The 335d and i are better drivers cars - the 535d is very good indeed but the 335d is a superior drive by a handy margin. I know because I drove 1000s of miles in the inlaws 535d Touring and 3000 in my 335d Touring.
End of.
Except it won't be because Tim here makes Devildog look like a trainee stalker. Apparently spending hours searching for someone's entire internet history is funny and clever. And not at all sad. Mind you he flogs sex toys and knickers for a living and has a fascinating blog all about himself which you can all read and admire should you fancy it.
Try reading what I wrote. Again. Slowly.
17 November 2009, 07:33 PM
#76
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Apparently the 535d is "200 times better" than a 335d you alzheimers suffering goon.
Hey, don't forget to tell your mates how clever you are to get a response.
And don't forget to update your blog - which is so popular that it doesn't have a SINGLE comment.
Anyway back to the OP - any more decisions made? I really hope you go for the 335i...
Hey, don't forget to tell your mates how clever you are to get a response.
And don't forget to update your blog - which is so popular that it doesn't have a SINGLE comment.
Anyway back to the OP - any more decisions made? I really hope you go for the 335i...
17 November 2009, 07:39 PM
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Apparently the 535d is "200 times better" than a 335d you alzheimers suffering goon.
Hey, don't forget to tell your mates how clever you are to get a response.
And don't forget to update your blog - which is so popular that it doesn't have a SINGLE comment.
Anyway back to the OP - any more decisions made? I really hope you go for the 335i...
Hey, don't forget to tell your mates how clever you are to get a response.
And don't forget to update your blog - which is so popular that it doesn't have a SINGLE comment.
Anyway back to the OP - any more decisions made? I really hope you go for the 335i...
What are you rabbiting on about my blog for? Odd.
Last edited by _Tim_; 17 November 2009 at 07:41 PM. Reason: speeling errus
17 November 2009, 07:50 PM
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Bit of a memory lapse old man?
I'm just waiting for him to twig I've got a car 200 better than his (and not the rubbish SE version either).
The kind of people that blog their lives are the sort to spend two hours searching for info on someone so they can laugh at the mention of thw word "cash" twice in one paragraph. Hmm - hilarious.
Time for real life - nice food on the table, one year old boy asleep. You carry on furiously searching for more "hilarious" moments of the internet life I've led which now seems to fascinate you.
Oh and don't forget to tell everyone how successful your butt plug business is - you haven't mentioned it for at least two hours.
I'm just waiting for him to twig I've got a car 200 better than his (and not the rubbish SE version either).
The kind of people that blog their lives are the sort to spend two hours searching for info on someone so they can laugh at the mention of thw word "cash" twice in one paragraph. Hmm - hilarious.
Time for real life - nice food on the table, one year old boy asleep. You carry on furiously searching for more "hilarious" moments of the internet life I've led which now seems to fascinate you.
Oh and don't forget to tell everyone how successful your butt plug business is - you haven't mentioned it for at least two hours.
17 November 2009, 08:03 PM
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What has any of this got to do with the original posters request for opinions on 535d vs 335d?
Other than the fact you have the latter, and possibly a bi-polar disorder to boot.
What an odd place this is.
Other than the fact you have the latter, and possibly a bi-polar disorder to boot.
What an odd place this is.
17 November 2009, 08:48 PM
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17 November 2009, 10:52 PM
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Not wishing to fan any flames here but...
We've had two 3 series BMW's in the past (a 2000 reg and a 54 reg) but when kid #2 came along there just wasn't enough room for me to be comfortable on long journeys with one of the kids sitting behind me (I'm 6'4 and don't like my seat being kicked ), and especially not when they were in a rear facing seat.
It possibly wouldn't be so bad now that they're both in booster seats.
When the last 3 came up for renewal we plumped for a 5 series.
Much comfier but I'll admit the wife thinks it's a bit big for her (5" 2).
Anyway, you don't need a 'big' car.
You can get 2 kids, a wife and a Quinny Zap pushchair with associated baby paraphernalia in a 2WD 911.
We've had two 3 series BMW's in the past (a 2000 reg and a 54 reg) but when kid #2 came along there just wasn't enough room for me to be comfortable on long journeys with one of the kids sitting behind me (I'm 6'4 and don't like my seat being kicked
), and especially not when they were in a rear facing seat.It possibly wouldn't be so bad now that they're both in booster seats.
When the last 3 came up for renewal we plumped for a 5 series.
Much comfier but I'll admit the wife thinks it's a bit big for her (5" 2).
Anyway, you don't need a 'big' car.
You can get 2 kids, a wife and a Quinny Zap pushchair with associated baby paraphernalia in a 2WD 911.
18 November 2009, 09:19 AM
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zip - I think the E91 is a bit bigger than the E46 series Touring. Not much bigger but enough to make it a bit comfier.
S Jobson - I really like the 335i (more than the 535d Touring) too - I also like lots of other cars I didn't buy. The d is easier to live with and run. I also love torque. The 335i is still a cracking motor, but slightly different.
S Jobson - I really like the 335i (more than the 535d Touring) too - I also like lots of other cars I didn't buy. The d is easier to live with and run. I also love torque. The 335i is still a cracking motor, but slightly different.
18 November 2009, 07:05 PM
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I've not looked at this for a while!
Matt, I'm with Zip on this one. At 6ft 1in I'm not that tall but the legroom in the 3-series is not enough for us. Kids need more legroom than adults - firstly for the rear facing seats, then as they get older their legs don't bend where the seat cushion ends so their feet are wedged against the back of the front seat. This is not so important if you use the car for short journeys but we need serious comfort for longer trips to Ireland, Scotland and France.
The other problem we had with the 3 is that the ubiquitous Maclaren buggy will not fit across the boot. A major problem once you have a couple of suitcases and holiday paraphernalia in there. I've kept my Impreza for running around in but we needed a much bigger car for serious use.
If I were shorter or didn't do the long journeys I'd have the 3 everytime.
Matt, I'm with Zip on this one. At 6ft 1in I'm not that tall but the legroom in the 3-series is not enough for us. Kids need more legroom than adults - firstly for the rear facing seats, then as they get older their legs don't bend where the seat cushion ends so their feet are wedged against the back of the front seat. This is not so important if you use the car for short journeys but we need serious comfort for longer trips to Ireland, Scotland and France.
The other problem we had with the 3 is that the ubiquitous Maclaren buggy will not fit across the boot. A major problem once you have a couple of suitcases and holiday paraphernalia in there. I've kept my Impreza for running around in but we needed a much bigger car for serious use.
If I were shorter or didn't do the long journeys I'd have the 3 everytime.
18 November 2009, 07:15 PM
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Not often that being 5'8" is handy - but sometimes it's ideal.
We've got a rear facing seat (from Sweden) in the back - it's tight but it fits. Our buggy fits okay - but I take the wheels off. The dog just about squeezes in around it!
If we have more than one more sprog, we will definitely need a bigger car though. Maybe the 540d will be out by then?
We've got a rear facing seat (from Sweden) in the back - it's tight but it fits. Our buggy fits okay - but I take the wheels off. The dog just about squeezes in around it!
If we have more than one more sprog, we will definitely need a bigger car though. Maybe the 540d will be out by then?
Last edited by Matteeboy; 18 November 2009 at 07:17 PM.
18 November 2009, 08:42 PM
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Not often that being 5'8" is handy - but sometimes it's ideal.
We've got a rear facing seat (from Sweden) in the back - it's tight but it fits. Our buggy fits okay - but I take the wheels off. The dog just about squeezes in around it!
If we have more than one more sprog, we will definitely need a bigger car though. Maybe the 540d will be out by then?
We've got a rear facing seat (from Sweden) in the back - it's tight but it fits. Our buggy fits okay - but I take the wheels off. The dog just about squeezes in around it!
If we have more than one more sprog, we will definitely need a bigger car though. Maybe the 540d will be out by then?
18 November 2009, 08:49 PM
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Jan - the 740d is already out - 540d and 340d should follow soon. Similar to the current 35d unit but slightly better turbos and a bit more bhp and torque. Nothing spectacular but still useful. Still a six pot 3.0 litre twin turbo though - not an 8 pot like previous "40" engines by BMW.
19 November 2009, 12:44 PM
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Matt, you don't need to turn every thread into a slanging match, you were doing OK until the outbursts above. 
Anyway, just to add my 2p back into this. If buying a car as a family car which RRH probably is doing, space is far more important than how much of a drivers car it is. I don't doubt the 335 is a much better "drivers car" than the 535, but when heading off to the lakes on a sunny day with wife, child and grandparent on board it doesn't mean anything, whereas having lots of room does.
Anyway, just to add my 2p back into this. If buying a car as a family car which RRH probably is doing, space is far more important than how much of a drivers car it is. I don't doubt the 335 is a much better "drivers car" than the 535, but when heading off to the lakes on a sunny day with wife, child and grandparent on board it doesn't mean anything, whereas having lots of room does.
19 November 2009, 01:35 PM
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19 November 2009, 02:02 PM
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Jan - the 740d is already out - 540d and 340d should follow soon. Similar to the current 35d unit but slightly better turbos and a bit more bhp and torque. Nothing spectacular but still useful. Still a six pot 3.0 litre twin turbo though - not an 8 pot like previous "40" engines by BMW.
Sounds great, in a lighter car.......nice