335d M Sport Saloon - opinions?
Discussion
So I'm thinking of getting out of my E46 M3 (Convertible) and into a new 335d M Sport Saloon.
Convertible rattles a lot, warranty has recently expired so don't wanna wait to the next service to find out what it'll cost and I'm doing more and more miles for work (12-15k) so a diesel might be cheaper to run.
However, I'm a little concerned as to how it compares to my current M3. Anyone driven both?
Also, I'm looking at some of the websites like autoebid (and 2 others) which seem to offer a big discount on this car, has anyone used such sites to buy cars?
If I did get the 335d I'm tempted to get a DMS remap, would this invalidate my warranty?
Convertible rattles a lot, warranty has recently expired so don't wanna wait to the next service to find out what it'll cost and I'm doing more and more miles for work (12-15k) so a diesel might be cheaper to run.
However, I'm a little concerned as to how it compares to my current M3. Anyone driven both?
Also, I'm looking at some of the websites like autoebid (and 2 others) which seem to offer a big discount on this car, has anyone used such sites to buy cars?
If I did get the 335d I'm tempted to get a DMS remap, would this invalidate my warranty?
My MD is going from a V10 M5 to one of these soon...he hasn't even driven the 335d as as he feels that no matter how good it is it will be a let down after that v10. He had the 535d before that so he is no stranger to the derv. The M5 is just a way too expensive proposition when yhe does 30k pa at 14mpg!! (and back tyres every 12k miles!)
That said the 335 will be fantastic in standard form and even better after a DMS: £850 for +50bhp (up to 335 with 507 torque) + 5-10% better fuel economy, 3 year warranty, and is untraceable (quoting DMS)At £850.00 it isn't cheap but that power figure isn't far off your m3 and I reckon it will seriously trouble an M3 and in 'real world' cut and thrust driving will leave an M3 standing.
The thing is these 335d are very expensive for 3 series...something like 41k for the sport spec, bi zenons, adaptive lights, harmon kardon sound, upgrade sat nav, front heaters and privacy glass.
Also have to remember that M cars have limited slip difs, tuned suspension, better brakes etc and are focused for hard driving where your run of the mill 3 series is set up for motorway bashing and posing relatively speaking.
That said the 335 will be fantastic in standard form and even better after a DMS: £850 for +50bhp (up to 335 with 507 torque) + 5-10% better fuel economy, 3 year warranty, and is untraceable (quoting DMS)At £850.00 it isn't cheap but that power figure isn't far off your m3 and I reckon it will seriously trouble an M3 and in 'real world' cut and thrust driving will leave an M3 standing.
The thing is these 335d are very expensive for 3 series...something like 41k for the sport spec, bi zenons, adaptive lights, harmon kardon sound, upgrade sat nav, front heaters and privacy glass.
Also have to remember that M cars have limited slip difs, tuned suspension, better brakes etc and are focused for hard driving where your run of the mill 3 series is set up for motorway bashing and posing relatively speaking.
I can wait for an M5 to come down in price BUT, I really don't like the way BMW treat their M car customers. Their extended warranty change was annoucned just before I needed to renew and the prospect of a £250 per-claim excess really put me off. The £1k/year premium I could live with, its an expensive car and £1k isn't that much in comparison - but a per-claim excess?
And the other thing is BMW dealers are not so great at finding faults and fixing them the first time round, I don't fancy having to also argue about whether something is a new claim or an old claim that wasn't corrected properly the first time around.
Dino, you mentioned Harman Kardon for the 3 series - I checked the options list and it isn't on there. I can only see LOGIC7, as I like my music is this worth the money?
And the other thing is BMW dealers are not so great at finding faults and fixing them the first time round, I don't fancy having to also argue about whether something is a new claim or an old claim that wasn't corrected properly the first time around.
Dino, you mentioned Harman Kardon for the 3 series - I checked the options list and it isn't on there. I can only see LOGIC7, as I like my music is this worth the money?
It must be Logic 7 then. It used to be Harmon Kardon upgrade on the older cars. I have experienced the upgrade sound in the M5 and 535d and it is fantastic-lots of quality bass, great clarity and real 'projection' of the sound. I'm no sound guru but I know a crap set-up from decent one.
In comparison the standard set up my e46 330 is rubbish (my R reg Honda Prelude had more and better quality bass from the standard set up!!).
I think BMW make the standard one crap on purpose so you have to upgrade!!
In comparison the standard set up my e46 330 is rubbish (my R reg Honda Prelude had more and better quality bass from the standard set up!!).
I think BMW make the standard one crap on purpose so you have to upgrade!!
Jared_m said:
I can wait for an M5 to come down in price BUT, I really don't like the way BMW treat their M car customers. Their extended warranty change was annoucned just before I needed to renew and the prospect of a £250 per-claim excess really put me off. The £1k/year premium I could live with, its an expensive car and £1k isn't that much in comparison - but a per-claim excess?
And the other thing is BMW dealers are not so great at finding faults and fixing them the first time round, I don't fancy having to also argue about whether something is a new claim or an old claim that wasn't corrected properly the first time around.
Dino, you mentioned Harman Kardon for the 3 series - I checked the options list and it isn't on there. I can only see LOGIC7, as I like my music is this worth the money?
And the other thing is BMW dealers are not so great at finding faults and fixing them the first time round, I don't fancy having to also argue about whether something is a new claim or an old claim that wasn't corrected properly the first time around.
Dino, you mentioned Harman Kardon for the 3 series - I checked the options list and it isn't on there. I can only see LOGIC7, as I like my music is this worth the money?
Was looking at M5's last Saturday. I specifically asked the dealer about the warranty situation on the cars & was told that to extend it was, in his words 'no more than £750 per year'. He didn't mention anything about an excess per claim.
Must admit to being tempted by an M5 after christmas although are hearing loads of horror stories at the moment about gearbox problems, etc.
As for dealers correcting problems the first time around. I think this is far from being a BMW thing. Porsche are similar & as for TVR
If they hadn't made the Sport package available on every model the idea of spending 40 grand on a stock E90 wouldn't be such an issue because you could easily differentiate it from lesser models - but when you see reps running up and down in their 318d M Sports and yours looks no different it isn't exactly a good selling point.
I'd much rather go for the 535d (still quite common but nothing like E90 levels).
I'd much rather go for the 535d (still quite common but nothing like E90 levels).
Hobo said:
Was looking at M5's last Saturday. I specifically asked the dealer about the warranty situation on the cars & was told that to extend it was, in his words 'no more than £750 per year'. He didn't mention anything about an excess per claim.
Either the stealer is lying or doesn't have a clue:
From post in bm3w said:
Any M car inc Alpina under 60 000 miles = £1050/year
Any M car inc Alpina between 60 001 – 100 000 miles = £1868/year
Over 100 000 miles - get lost!!!
All have an excess of £250 per visit
Non M cars are £608 & £672 respectively.
Any M car inc Alpina between 60 001 – 100 000 miles = £1868/year
Over 100 000 miles - get lost!!!
All have an excess of £250 per visit
Non M cars are £608 & £672 respectively.
BMW changed their policies a while back and promised a review after 6 months, here is their 'review':
www.bm3w.co.uk/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=Care&Number=462492&Main=462414
Edited by Jared_m on Wednesday 18th October 13:01
Dino D said:
I reckon it will seriously trouble an M3 and in 'real world' cut and thrust driving will leave an M3 standing.
The thing is these 335d are very expensive for 3 series...something like 41k for the sport spec, bi zenons, adaptive lights, harmon kardon sound, upgrade sat nav, front heaters and privacy glass.
The thing is these 335d are very expensive for 3 series...something like 41k for the sport spec, bi zenons, adaptive lights, harmon kardon sound, upgrade sat nav, front heaters and privacy glass.
where is this "real world" everyone keeps going on about where diesels become rocket ships and various sportscars become slower than slow things? Is fuel cheaper there too?
Smartie said:
where is this "real world" everyone keeps going on about where diesels become rocket ships and various sportscars become slower than slow things? Is fuel cheaper there too?
On the M4 Eastbound near the M25 when a 535d truly left me standing at 50mph in my e46 330i. Very embarrasing indeed (ok my car isn't a sports car but you get the picture.
Over here a TT 3.2 was whipped by a 330d (not that a TT is real sports car but its closish!)
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=23&t=317605&h=0
For the ultimate diesel vs petrol thread you want to see the 535d get compared with V10 M5s and the like: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=154610&f=72&h=0
My md's new v10 M5 has completed 28k miles, a trackday and lots of hard driving including a couple of launch controls and eaten through a couple of rear tyres. He's had no issues and it only needed an oil service at 18k miles.
Is it only fair that MCars have higher warranty prices. The M5 is no 530 in drag-it has serious hardware under there and is certainley more complex than the usual repmobiles. Why should the sedate 530d driver suffer higher warranty costs?
Is it only fair that MCars have higher warranty prices. The M5 is no 530 in drag-it has serious hardware under there and is certainley more complex than the usual repmobiles. Why should the sedate 530d driver suffer higher warranty costs?
Dino D said:
Smartie said:
where is this "real world" everyone keeps going on about where diesels become rocket ships and various sportscars become slower than slow things? Is fuel cheaper there too?
On the M4 Eastbound near the M25 when a 535d truly left me standing at 50mph in my e46 330i. Very embarrasing indeed (ok my car isn't a sports car but you get the picture.
Over here a TT 3.2 was whipped by a 330d (not that a TT is real sports car but its closish!)
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=23&t=317605&h=0
For the ultimate diesel vs petrol thread you want to see the 535d get compared with V10 M5s and the like: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=154610&f=72&h=0
so a 272hp automatic car, beat a 220hp car and now diesels are faster than M3's?
Still dont get it, sorry!
Diesel cars sometimes get the upperhand on a sportscar just cos they're auto and the fast car is in the wrong gear and/or not bothered/concentrating! Still don't make the diesel faster. I once overtook a Ferrari on my TZR125 y'know!
Smartie said:
Diesel cars sometimes get the upperhand on a sportscar just cos they're auto and the fast car is in the wrong gear and/or not bothered/concentrating! Still don't make the diesel faster. I once overtook a Ferrari on my TZR125 y'know!
Agree with 100% but a 335bhp 507 torque 335d will certainly be a match for a e46 M3, especially on the road where you might not have the room to really wring the M3 out.
I know where you coming from and wasn't a believer either but there are fast diesels out ther. DMS claim 5.5sec 0-6 for their 535d. Thats fast for any big saloon (except M5, AMG etc etc)
Ok, I'll concede the 535d may be similar performance to an M3 (BMW quote 5.2 to sixty for a standard M3 - still faster than a remaped 535d!), but that isn't what you said!
Leave it standing? C'mon!
I know which I'd rather play out in on a Sunday afternoon too (and I won't have stinky hands after I've filled it with fuel!)
Dino D said:
and in 'real world' cut and thrust driving will leave an M3 standing.
Leave it standing? C'mon!
I know which I'd rather play out in on a Sunday afternoon too (and I won't have stinky hands after I've filled it with fuel!)
I just spoke to DMS (really knowledgeable and helpful guys). They haven't got a 0-60 time for the remapped 335d but they expect it to be around 5 seconds.
I know a 335d won't ever compare to an M5 or an M3, but I'm hoping they'll be more reliable and cheaper to run while at the same time getting as close to the excitement as possible.
I've spec'd mine to the top on autoebid and it came to just under £37k, now I have to wait and see if anyone supplies.
I know a 335d won't ever compare to an M5 or an M3, but I'm hoping they'll be more reliable and cheaper to run while at the same time getting as close to the excitement as possible.
I've spec'd mine to the top on autoebid and it came to just under £37k, now I have to wait and see if anyone supplies.
Smartie said:
Ok, I'll concede the 535d may be similar performance to an M3 (BMW quote 5.2 to sixty for a standard M3 - still faster than a remaped 535d!), but that isn't what you said!
Leave it standing? C'mon!
I know which I'd rather play out in on a Sunday afternoon too (and I won't have stinky hands after I've filled it with fuel!)
Dino D said:
and in 'real world' cut and thrust driving will leave an M3 standing.
Leave it standing? C'mon!
I know which I'd rather play out in on a Sunday afternoon too (and I won't have stinky hands after I've filled it with fuel!)
OK. Leaving it standing might have been a bit strong...but in 'real world' driving when the M3 is not sitting in 3rd on the powerband these hyper diesels could leave it standing, for example on the motorway in top gear at 6-70-mph etc.
Something like a 335d with 330bhp and 500torque will have the legs to keep that gap open (assuming the motorway is clear of course which ain't gonna happen here!!)
We could debate for ages on in-gear times and cutand thrust scenarios (see the 535d thread that covers the topic fully) but the fact is we both know which one will get used more on Sunday afternoon regardless of figures!!!
I have a 335D M Sport Touring, having previously had a Z4 M Roadster. The 335 torque and therefore acceleration are awesome, but the auto box takes away some of the fun (for me). I also had a 335i Coupe for a week prior to the diesel and that is a superb car. If you want what feels like M3 beating performance then I would go with the petrol engined car, it is more involving as a drivers car.
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