I'm looking to get one of the above soonish. Probably the Touring version but seen some coupes going for amazing prices. Small note on practicality - BMW website says the coupe has split 60/40 folding seats - is that true? I do love the look of them but two doors and no big boot could be a no no (need to check one out really).

Trouble is, not sure which one. The extra price of diesel means running costs are probably similar. The 335d has the trump card of mental torque but the 335i engine is a cracker too and obviously has a much bigger rev range - and sounds better.

Anyone tried both? Purchase prices are similar and I've seen a few going VERY cheap - clearly desperation sales!

 

For what it's worth, the diesel is a very complicated engine and expensive to put right if it goes wrong. I've just had a £600+ bill for a service on my 330D (specialist, not main dealer price) because it needed a new injector

Given fuel prices (this week, at least!), right now I'd probably go for the petrol.

 

Hi matt!

I thought your wife had put the block on your spending some of your 6 figure savings on a car?

Never get a coupe where kids are involved unless you or your wife want a bad back.

 

Davy - she's still up for us getting one (it's the right car), it's just a question of when. I could do with the Astra dying (!) - the bloody thing is being all reliable at the moment!

Think it will have to be a Touring - just like the Coupe a lot and loads are available. Tourings are much rarer it seems. Still some near bargains though.

 

Straight six twin-turbo petrol. It's been a successful formula for over 20 years.

 

I've been driving an E92 335D for over 2 years, and had a few long days in the 335i before buying. Not much difference in price new.

It is all down to personal preference with this choice - on paper they have as near as damn it the same performance (pub) figures.

On the road the 335D with its monster torque mated to the superb ZF autobox is rapid to drive in any conditions while giving great economy, but the 335i is a cracking, smooth, higher-revving engine with the option of a manual box. Can't go wrong with either. Test drive them both

D.

 

two doors + small child X child seat = ****

 

I've also toy'd with the idea of a 335d after noticing the price of them has fallen hugely in the last year (as have most used cars saying that, and I took a bit hit selling an Audi recently), but after putting in a few silly offers on ebay I've noticed that there is still a huge price difference between 330d's and 335d's - 335d is probably about 25-30% more expensive, for an identical spec...

IMO a remapped 330d would make more sense, but the worry is you'd always yern for that 335d everytime you saw one!

 

I have the coupe 335i. I tried the 335d but I just couldn't get on with the auto box, even though it does have paddle shifters.

In the end I saw the 335i with the 6 speed box the more rewarding drivers car.

 

Can u guys who own either version give me the low down on MPG in the real world.

What do both engines do when pressing on and cruising at 80 on the motorway ?

Anyone got an idea what sort of mileage you would have to do a year to justify choosing the diesel over the petrol ? Is one more reliable than the other ? If you went 335i, would you think.....should have got an M3 ?

 

It's basic, but should give you some sort of idea between the two in terms of running costs

Petrol vs Diesel | Running costs - Parker's

 

I nearly went for a 335d last year. I tried a 335i and it was a very very quick car. The 335i had the soundtrack that the 335d didnt.

However, after doing all the sums I ended up with a late E46 M3! The M3 and the 335i return similar real world consumption figures in the mid to high 20's. The 335d tends to average early 30's.

Matt

 

My 335d averages mid to low 30's if i am doing mixed motoring. Averaging 39mpg this week as i am doing more motorway stuff. it will get to 42ish mpg if you dont go mad on the loud pedal!

Had mine for a year now and done 20k. Had two new rear tyres (puncture in one) and a service at £185.00 so cant complain yet.

Would i have anything else?? Dont think there is anything in my price range that would be better for what i do with it? Ticks all the boxes for me.

Good luck with your search

jon

 

Both cars sound excellent. Definitely an option in the future

 

Couldn't agree more.

My preference was the D due to the torque and tunability. I've recently bluefinned mine and now have ~330 BHP & 510 Ft Lbs...

With low 30's (dropping to the lowest of 29 when I was 'on it') and touching 40's on cruise it is simply a stunning motor if you get one loaded.

 

Annoyingly prices have crept back up again for both. Will keep my eyes peeled though. Willing to wait for the right one.

 

Another Lotus Carlton fan I see!

380bhp + 420 ft/lb + 180mph + 4 door practicality = ideal family motoring with zero depreciation!

Well until it breaks down or gets nicked of course.

 

BMW Performance is offering a power upgrade for the 335i and 135i................

 

You got a link?
I couldn't see anything in the BMW Performance section...

 

I'll get the link, but it is not in English!
As I got it from the BMW world site, I would assume that it is available to all (or most) countries.
Also you have to dig like hell to find it!

BMW Portugal : Serviço BMW : Peças e Acessórios: Encontrar acessórios

 

The above link does not link to the actual page........as usual.

As quoted:

"Kit Power BMW Performance

O Kit Power BMW Performance para o BMW 335i e BMW 135i aumenta ainda mais a já elevada potência do seu BMW."

The BMW power kit increases the 335i and 135i power even more.......

It is under the 3 series Coupé column, BMW Performance parts, then "ini", and at the bottom it will have the power kit diagram.

 

I think he likes the 2JZGTE more. 800 BHP on stock internals is common.

I'd personally go for the 335i, peak torque at 1300 RPM and peak power at 5800 RPM, plus it is lighter, sounds better and can be tuned to 380 BHP with just a remap. Whilst the N54 is a little different, its normally aspirated cousin does 272 PS. With a remap, 380 BHP is possible.

 

Aha.. found it. The tuning looks very 'modest', with only 20 BHP and 40 Ft Lbs improvement. Not sure what they do to get this....probably a simple flash. But they add some expensive cooling vents and radiators. Bit strange considering the small power increase.

 

Actually I was thinking of the 1G-GTE, but the Carlton is a *much* better example. Shows these Johnny-come-lately's that high torque and high power is nowt new

 

Same thoughts here..........

Think it might be more, especially when combined with the carbon intake.

I'm going to ask this guy I know at the local BMW shop to see what he says.

 

Thing is with the carbon intakes and even the exhaust systems, the gains are still very modest.

Tuning a BM from their own tuning shop and even from 3rd parties is always seems to be modest unless you go for some fancy internals.

Definitely not like a STI, Powerstation or bolt on tuning for the Scoob. The only way to get a serious upgrade is to go with a ECU flash or one of the RR tunes from Evolve or DMS etc... All other aspects don't do much.

There's still plenty of Chassis mods (ARB's and Coilovers) and 6 pot Brembo brake kits to be had mind as well as some really nice carbon astehtics from Speedreligion.net.. definitely got me interested for next year..

Two lustful additions are the Performance seats and the Performace steering wheel....



£1,245 each!!



£627... But shows all the various temps on the centre guage as well as shift change light etc...

 

Matt,

Don't discount a 330D touring if the 335s are getting expensive again.

 

Devil - good point. There were several around with lowish mileage just over the £20k mark. Now they all seem to be over £30k - bu66er.

Keeping my eyes peeled though.

 

Or a 330i 272 PS, lighter still... some prefer it to the 335d or 335i for its throttle response, noise, handling.

 

Have you managed to drive them back to back yet?

As has been mentioned, one thing that always gets to some people where money isn't the main decision making point is that (regardless of the marque) getting the model down from the top of the range will always come back to haunt you when one passes you....