335i touring or 535d touring..
20 November 2009, 02:42 PM
#122
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Well some are individuals, the majority come out of the same mold of being living brain donors.lol
Last edited by zero260; 20 November 2009 at 02:45 PM.
20 November 2009, 06:06 PM
#123
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It all comes down to what you are looking for in a car. I have owned both motors and for me the 5 series was a far better all rounder. Being tall myself I felt the 3 series was a little bit to small and the leg room in the back was naff for my passengers when the seats were in my driving position....this was one of the reasons I got rid.
I do 35,000 miles a year and the 5 series soaks it up with ease where as you knew you had done a very long journey in a 3 series....especially if you dont have the best back in the world like me.lol
When it comes down to power obviously the 3 series felt more agile being a smaller and lighter car but it was nothing a nice map to my 5 series couldn't sort out and with it being a diesel the torque was amazing and made up for being that bit heavier. I do recommend going for the M-Sport though as the suspension and interior is a world apart from the models below.
Both cars are great when it comes to power and the way they handle, the fuel economy is excellent and they will go on for ever without any bits falling off overtime. But in my opinion the 5 series has the edge overall. Thats why it is the next series above the 3, the same reason that the 7 is a better car overall than the 5.
N.B. The above views are from my own experience and wont necessarily be the same views that you have........not everyone is the same....thats what makes us individuals.
I do 35,000 miles a year and the 5 series soaks it up with ease where as you knew you had done a very long journey in a 3 series....especially if you dont have the best back in the world like me.lol
When it comes down to power obviously the 3 series felt more agile being a smaller and lighter car but it was nothing a nice map to my 5 series couldn't sort out and with it being a diesel the torque was amazing and made up for being that bit heavier. I do recommend going for the M-Sport though as the suspension and interior is a world apart from the models below.
Both cars are great when it comes to power and the way they handle, the fuel economy is excellent and they will go on for ever without any bits falling off overtime. But in my opinion the 5 series has the edge overall. Thats why it is the next series above the 3, the same reason that the 7 is a better car overall than the 5.
N.B. The above views are from my own experience and wont necessarily be the same views that you have........not everyone is the same....thats what makes us individuals.
I definitely don't think big cars are superior - bigger is heavier and slower. I had a 120d M Sport as a courtesy car recently - yes it's a lot slower than ours but it was a hoot to chuck around. Most of the best "drivers cars" I've driven have been fairly smallish - Elise 111R, last shape MR2, older Focus ST170, Golf R32 (sort of), Ford Puma, Evo FQ360, F355 and even my little Saxo VTR was very very chuckable. The 335d isn't quite as agile as some of those but like all BMWs, the 50/50 balance really does make the car shrink around you. It's still a biggish car - I wouldn't want anything bigger or heavier. Not far off 1700kgs is plenty and speccing every option ever also adds up to even more weight.
Just walked past a 5er saloon and after all this talk of miles of extra space, I had a good gawp in the back (have driven a 535d but not sat in the back) - I think I might be going blind but the rear legroom looked very similar to the 3er. A bit more but 2 inches max. I think if rear legroom is vital you need something horrible like an MPV.
Even that 750i I tested felt a bit like a big hot hatch to drive though. You don't get that with any Audi/Merc/whatever.
Last edited by Matteeboy; 20 November 2009 at 06:10 PM.
20 November 2009, 06:16 PM
#127
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Indeed - you really need to be a racing driver to get the best out of them. Best us mere mortals stick to our "pedestrian" cars and leave the Leons to the big boys.
20 November 2009, 06:41 PM
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A family car is something to transport you and your family (and the bags of ****e that come with them) in comfort and safety. The little details are largely irrelevant. Space equals luxury when it comes to long journeys for everyone except the driver. I would rather drive my Impreza to Scotland but I would probably be bleeding from the ears before I got there if the family were with me.
Personally I'd have a Spec B Legacy and pocket the change.
Personally I'd have a Spec B Legacy and pocket the change.
20 November 2009, 06:45 PM
#130
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If fuel didn't matter, I'd probably go for an RS4 Avant (smaller boot than the E91) or an M5 Touring.
Not sure why but I absolutely love fast estates - RS4/6 Avant, Merc AMG estates, BMWs quick Tourings, etc, etc. Always have done always will do. If an M3 Touring ever came out, I think I'd sell a few relatives for one.
Not sure why but I absolutely love fast estates - RS4/6 Avant, Merc AMG estates, BMWs quick Tourings, etc, etc. Always have done always will do. If an M3 Touring ever came out, I think I'd sell a few relatives for one.
20 November 2009, 06:53 PM
#133
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Matteeboy you can't compare the space in the back of a 5er with that of a 3. It's loads bigger. Not just in inches of legroom but in all dimensions.
We've had 3 baby seats in the back of our 5. No way you'd do that in a 3.
We've had 3 baby seats in the back of our 5. No way you'd do that in a 3.
20 November 2009, 06:58 PM
#134
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20 November 2009, 07:27 PM
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20 November 2009, 07:30 PM
#138
Well if we are all getting "Mattyish " ,I have a bigger ,wider car than both of you,and it only has two seats in the back .!!!
So stick that up you peashooter tail pipes .!!!! Ner .
So stick that up you peashooter tail pipes .!!!! Ner .
20 November 2009, 07:54 PM
#140
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(hactually, one of my cars may even be a bit wider than yours...
)
20 November 2009, 08:12 PM
#141
Well actually lets not Detract from the ongoing battles already started in this thread !!!
M SPORT specced 5 would be my choice to be honest .Looks so much better than the rep mobile 3 series ,including the Touring version .Lad at work has just bought a 3 series tourer and it does feel small and a bit cramped in the back,and the front really .His is only the 2 litre diesel and it goes Ok to be honest ,but the presence of the 5 wins it for me ,especially with a set of decent 19,s on it .Who cares about comfort .??!!!!
Only my opinion of course ,which may well be worth nowt to most .
20 November 2009, 08:54 PM
#143
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Well actually lets not Detract from the ongoing battles already started in this thread !!!
M SPORT specced 5 would be my choice to be honest .Looks so much better than the rep mobile 3 series ,including the Touring version .Lad at work has just bought a 3 series tourer and it does feel small and a bit cramped in the back,and the front really .His is only the 2 litre diesel and it goes Ok to be honest ,but the presence of the 5 wins it for me ,especially with a set of decent 19,s on it .Who cares about comfort .??!!!!
Only my opinion of course ,which may well be worth nowt to most .
M SPORT specced 5 would be my choice to be honest .Looks so much better than the rep mobile 3 series ,including the Touring version .Lad at work has just bought a 3 series tourer and it does feel small and a bit cramped in the back,and the front really .His is only the 2 litre diesel and it goes Ok to be honest ,but the presence of the 5 wins it for me ,especially with a set of decent 19,s on it .Who cares about comfort .??!!!!
Only my opinion of course ,which may well be worth nowt to most .
My missus has an M sport spec 5, with 19's on. In carbon black. And the little rear boot spoiler.
It's only the 2.0d but it's fast enough for her
(and she gets 55 mpg.)Nottingham - Leicester - Edinburgh - Leicester - Nottingham = I tank of fuel ( approx. £65 ) and still had about 30 miles left in the tank.
Excellent.
20 November 2009, 09:06 PM
#144
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I was havin' a laff regards 'mine is wider than yours'.
My missus has an M sport spec 5, with 19's on. In carbon black. And the little rear boot spoiler.
It's only the 2.0d but it's fast enough for her (and she gets 55 mpg.)
Nottingham - Leicester - Edinburgh - Leicester - Nottingham = I tank of fuel ( approx. £65 ) and still had about 30 miles left in the tank.
Excellent.
My missus has an M sport spec 5, with 19's on. In carbon black. And the little rear boot spoiler.
It's only the 2.0d but it's fast enough for her
(and she gets 55 mpg.)Nottingham - Leicester - Edinburgh - Leicester - Nottingham = I tank of fuel ( approx. £65 ) and still had about 30 miles left in the tank.
Excellent.
ps mines is a tourer, its my 2nd one & the legroom is superior in the back compared to the 3 series. My 10 yr old can sit in behind me no bother with room to spare in the 5 but moans when in the back of my mrs 3 (E91). I am 6ft 2".
20 November 2009, 09:28 PM
#145
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I was doing the driving on the Edinburgh run and I wasn't hanging about either.
In fact, I got flashed by a Gatso in Berwick doing 80 in a 60 (just coming off a NSL dual carriageway).
That was in May and I haven't heard anything yet....
So, in essence, superb mpg with decent progress
In fact, I got flashed by a Gatso in Berwick doing 80 in a 60 (just coming off a NSL dual carriageway).
That was in May and I haven't heard anything yet....
So, in essence, superb mpg with decent progress
20 November 2009, 09:51 PM
#146
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I've found our 535d is more economical at higher speeds. For example, a couple of months ago I had to take a short notice trip to my parents house in south-west France, so I had to go on my own (Son's passport hadn't arrived).
I set the cruise to 90mph and barely touched it all the way there - same back with a couple of blasts up to the speed limiter. Overall it did 40mpg over 1200 miles. You can't argue with that as a mile-muncher.
I set the cruise to 90mph and barely touched it all the way there - same back with a couple of blasts up to the speed limiter. Overall it did 40mpg over 1200 miles. You can't argue with that as a mile-muncher.
21 November 2009, 07:10 AM
#147
I've found our 535d is more economical at higher speeds. For example, a couple of months ago I had to take a short notice trip to my parents house in south-west France, so I had to go on my own (Son's passport hadn't arrived).
I set the cruise to 90mph and barely touched it all the way there - same back with a couple of blasts up to the speed limiter. Overall it did 40mpg over 1200 miles. You can't argue with that as a mile-muncher.
I set the cruise to 90mph and barely touched it all the way there - same back with a couple of blasts up to the speed limiter. Overall it did 40mpg over 1200 miles. You can't argue with that as a mile-muncher.
Have to say that is fantastic mpg ,and a perfect car designed for that type of trip .
21 November 2009, 08:31 AM
#148
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I have noticed a huge difference in mpg depending on the roads. Country road driving (mix of A and B roads) - around 30mph quite often.
Motorway driving and dual carriageway most of the way - about 40mpg.
The trick seems to be not letting the 2nd turbo kick in too much. That really kills the mpg.
It's very relaxed at "ahem" 90ish - in fact it's best to stick on cruise control to avoid accidentally overdoing it - such is the ease at which the 35d engine increases your speed - in a 535d OR a 335d!
I'm surprised at how much importance is being placed on room and size. Plenty survive fine with a hatch. Some resort to the dreaded MPV or giant 4x4. The 3 is plenty big enough for us. Don't like big cars - never have, never will do.
Oh the 5er Touring has slightly better aerodynamics than a 3er. There - I'm doing your "work" for you!
Motorway driving and dual carriageway most of the way - about 40mpg.
The trick seems to be not letting the 2nd turbo kick in too much. That really kills the mpg.
It's very relaxed at "ahem" 90ish - in fact it's best to stick on cruise control to avoid accidentally overdoing it - such is the ease at which the 35d engine increases your speed - in a 535d OR a 335d!
I'm surprised at how much importance is being placed on room and size. Plenty survive fine with a hatch. Some resort to the dreaded MPV or giant 4x4. The 3 is plenty big enough for us. Don't like big cars - never have, never will do.
Oh the 5er Touring has slightly better aerodynamics than a 3er. There - I'm doing your "work" for you!
21 November 2009, 12:26 PM
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I have noticed a huge difference in mpg depending on the roads. Country road driving (mix of A and B roads) - around 30mph quite often.
Motorway driving and dual carriageway most of the way - about 40mpg.
The trick seems to be not letting the 2nd turbo kick in too much. That really kills the mpg.
It's very relaxed at "ahem" 90ish - in fact it's best to stick on cruise control to avoid accidentally overdoing it - such is the ease at which the 35d engine increases your speed - in a 535d OR a 335d!
I'm surprised at how much importance is being placed on room and size. Plenty survive fine with a hatch. Some resort to the dreaded MPV or giant 4x4. The 3 is plenty big enough for us. Don't like big cars - never have, never will do.
Oh the 5er Touring has slightly better aerodynamics than a 3er. There - I'm doing your "work" for you!
Motorway driving and dual carriageway most of the way - about 40mpg.
The trick seems to be not letting the 2nd turbo kick in too much. That really kills the mpg.
It's very relaxed at "ahem" 90ish - in fact it's best to stick on cruise control to avoid accidentally overdoing it - such is the ease at which the 35d engine increases your speed - in a 535d OR a 335d!
I'm surprised at how much importance is being placed on room and size. Plenty survive fine with a hatch. Some resort to the dreaded MPV or giant 4x4. The 3 is plenty big enough for us. Don't like big cars - never have, never will do.
Oh the 5er Touring has slightly better aerodynamics than a 3er. There - I'm doing your "work" for you!