Der 335d Hundewagen

[Ruskie]

A long overdue car upgrade for me this week after a long time without an interesting car. A new arrival in the form of Morris meant the need for a suitable Dog Wagon for day trips, and more then likely some UK/Ireland trips for holidays.

|https://thumbsnap.com/tXxxSEcR[/url]

The criteria was:
-Fast
-Estate
-Discreet as will be used for work

After looking for weeks I was heading down the S4 Avant route, even trying to justify an RS4 Avant as sensible decision. With not much popping up and an ill fated trip to see a cheap stopgap Lexus IS300 that unfortunately (fortunately) shredded its power steering belt on the drive before the test drive. I settled on an F31 Estate and it had to be the 335 xDrive, I wasn’t fussed on colour as long it was tidy.

One popped up not too far away and when I went to see it I knew I would buy it. Super clean and wears its 99k well. Lots of recent bills and FSH. I think the colour contrast well against the black trim. It has Alcantara rather than full leather which I prefer and has the all important HK audio. Pro Nav would of been nice but not essential for me.

|https://thumb-snap.com/6XwcFGLy[/url]

Driving back from the dealer I couldn’t wait to pin the throttle, what a machine. My hooning days are gone, so twisties are less important to me than the ability to pin the accelerator when the mood takes me. It’s clinical, fast and discreet. Hopefully the dog approves!

Plans:
-Official boot liner ordered
-Some new interior mats
-Oil service and gearbox service
-Springs to drop 20mm
-Possibly a one day correction session for the paintwork
-PH stickers

Will stick some more pictures up when I get sorted.

Edited by Ruskie on Saturday 14th May 17:27

Edited by Ruskie on Sunday 15th May 12:52

[oceanview]

Really like that- dog is cracking as well!

I have been watching the classifieds myself. Hope to get one with Adaptive dampers ( and put ACS springs on ). this apparently helps lose the "floaty" feeling you get with the xdrive- and so SE suspension as standard.

I am just trying to get my head around paying in the region of £18.5k for a 2015 model - even with a few grands worth of optional extras!

[Watchthis]

Didn't think alcantara was an option on m sport models?

[Ruskie]

Watchthis said:

Didn't think alcantara was an option on m sport models?

That’s interesting. I will do a VIN read out and see what it says.

[Ruskie]

oceanview said:

Really like that- dog is cracking as well!

I have been watching the classifieds myself. Hope to get one with Adaptive dampers ( and put ACS springs on ). this apparently helps lose the "floaty" feeling you get with the xdrive- and so SE suspension as standard.

I am just trying to get my head around paying in the region of £18.5k for a 2015 model - even with a few grands worth of optional extras!

If you have the patience and can wait then something will pop up. I was treading a tight rope with my old car needing money spending on it so I was keen to move it on.

[Ruskie]

Ruskie said:

Watchthis said:

Didn't think alcantara was an option on m sport models?

That’s interesting. I will do a VIN read out and see what it says.

According to the VIN read out it’s factory fit and has M-Sport Package.

[Watchthis]

I ordered my 3 series in 2015 and as far as I remember it was only leather that was available. I quite like the fabric interior so I'd have likely chosen it. Oh well, either the options changed or I missed it. Either way it's a lovely car

[Court_S]

Looks well that. The F31 is a good looking car.

The 35d engine is mightily impressive especially once on the move. Springs are a good shout from what I’ve read.

[SteBrown91]

Watchthis said:

I ordered my 3 series in 2015 and as far as I remember it was only leather that was available. I quite like the fabric interior so I'd have likely chosen it. Oh well, either the options changed or I missed it. Either way it's a lovely car

Cloth/suede was added as a no cost option (with leather as standard) on the LCI I think - it’s basically the same seats you got in the 1 series M sport if you didn’t pay for leather.

[WTFWT]

I went through exactly the same dilemma to transport my spaniel.

First thing I do was get Simon from Emaps to give it a tickle. For less than £300 it gives the car that big hearted, torque laden lunge down low and above 4Krpm it really hammers on. Highly recommended. MPG has improved slightly too. He’s done 3 of my x35d cars to date and no problems at all.

I’m going either ACS springs or full Birds B3 for the suspension next.

[surveyor]

On the liner, have a thought. We tried one and the dog just slid everywhere..... He was not happy being pinned against the tailgate!

[Ruskie]

WTFWT said:

I went through exactly the same dilemma to transport my spaniel.

First thing I do was get Simon from Emaps to give it a tickle. For less than £300 it gives the car that big hearted, torque laden lunge down low and above 4Krpm it really hammers on. Highly recommended. MPG has improved slightly too. He’s done 3 of my x35d cars to date and no problems at all.

I’m going either ACS springs or full Birds B3 for the suspension next.

Thanks for that, will keep him in mind. Seems very reasonable price wise.

[Ruskie]

surveyor said:

On the liner, have a thought. We tried one and the dog just slid everywhere..... He was not happy being pinned against the tailgate!

I never thought of that! He may need a lead to attach him to the anchor point to stop him mullering the carpets on the back of the seats!

I have ordered the official BMW now so will see how it goes, plus some new mats.

[Ruskie]

Maidan voyage completed! When boot started coming down he tried to jump out and nearly garrotted himself, silly sod.

|https://thumbsnap.com/2BboYrV6[/url]

First look back photo, always a great feeling.

|https://thumbsnap.com/VuWj59mj[/url]

[peetee7]

Lovely to see you are enjoying your 335d wagon. They are great and tick so many boxes.

[Ruskie]

First week with the car complete and I can’t fault it. I was considering lowering but given the state of the roads and speed bumps it wouldn’t be a wise move as I am occasionally catching the front splitter as it is.

Went for black on black PH sticker but it is too subtle. I have two white and one medium remaining so need a rethink.

|https://thumbsnap.com/4UBveHjj[/url]

Got the boot liner from official BMW on eBay with a 15% discount. With a nice dog rug on it will hopefully protect bootcarpet from the worst of the dog.

|https://thumbsnap.com/Sa9JxduL[/url]

Finally, I had a nice delivery of detailing stuff. I’m no expert but I like it as a way of zoning out and relaxing so looking forward to giving some new stuff a go.

[G111MDS]

Really nice Touring 😊

[Pica-Pica]

Ruskie said:

Got the boot liner from official BMW on eBay with a 15% discount. With a nice dog rug on it will hopefully protect bootcarpet from the worst of the dog.

|https://thumbsnap.com/Sa9JxduL[/url]

That looks useful, I am currently using an old skip-bag that I found, as I’m collecting a lot of stuff like bagged lime plaster.

[Ruskie]

Pica-Pica said:

Ruskie said:

Got the boot liner from official BMW on eBay with a 15% discount. With a nice dog rug on it will hopefully protect bootcarpet from the worst of the dog.

|https://thumbsnap.com/Sa9JxduL[/url]

That looks useful, I am currently using an old skip-bag that I found, as I’m collecting a lot of stuff like bagged lime plaster.

I can’t fault it for £70 delivered. It’s a nice fit without been too tight so you can’t lift it to get to the storage underneath. It will always have some resale value as well after.

[chrismc1977]

My brother went for an Alpina box reflash on his F30 35d- & highly recommends it. Kickdown delete, earlier upshifts, faster shifts in sport etc etc. Really compliments the remap

I’m about to do an XHP flash on my e91 30d followed by a remap for ~300hp/450lbs.ft. None too shabby with only 2 driven wheels