F30 335d experience

[Parker1991]

Hi all, new to this thread

I am just wondering what people's experience are with the f30 335d 2017 as I am looking to buy one soon but am wondering on reliability ect and how anyone has got on with there's

I have also considered golf r, audi a6 bi turbo but think the 335d is best all-rounder in my opinion

Any advice would be much appreciated 👍👍

[KPB1973]

Parker1991 said:

Hi all, new to this thread

I am just wondering what people's experience are with the f30 335d 2017 as I am looking to buy one soon but am wondering on reliability ect and how anyone has got on with there's

I have also considered golf r, audi a6 bi turbo but think the 335d is best all-rounder in my opinion

Any advice would be much appreciated ????

Lots of poke, does really good MPG on a run (45mpg+) but not the most exciting of powertrains in my experience. That engine is turbine smooth in its power delivery but I found mine a little one-dimensional. It does great numbers, but not great soul.

If you're not doing long runs, the benefits of running one are quite minimal vs a nice petrol - especially as a Golf R 7.5 with the 7sp will do 40mph+ on a motorway.

No reliability issues in my ownership.

I think F30s are very spec dependant. ProNav and HK would be a minimum for me. Mine had 19in wheels and the ride was v poor. The leap in quality in an F10 535d is quite significant, or likewise the equivalent 640d GC if you can stretch that far.

[DiscoSINGH]

Does it have to be a diesel? Consider the B58 40i engine.

Ran a 440i with a B58 engine years ago I found it rather economical.

[Parker1991]

Thanks for that,

Tbh I am not sure if I 100% need a diesel as although I would do 12000-14000 per year some are short journeys, and depending I where I am working 20 mile- 50 miles round trip in one day which isn't that far also no motorway driving so maby you are right and I wouldn't see the full benefits?

I think it's just the bmw difference whereas with the golf r 7.5 although a great car is same engine used in s3/skoda/CUPRA ECT, also that torque on the 335d is hard to ignore, yes pro nav and hc a must

[DiscoSINGH]

Parker1991 said:

Thanks for that,

Tbh I am not sure if I 100% need a diesel as although I would do 12000-14000 per year some are short journeys, and depending I where I am working 20 mile- 50 miles round trip in one day which isn't that far also no motorway driving so maby you are right and I wouldn't see the full benefits?

I think it's just the bmw difference whereas with the golf r 7.5 although a great car is same engine used in s3/skoda/CUPRA ECT, also that torque on the 335d is hard to ignore, yes pro nav and hc a must

12-14k a year doesn't justify a diesel (not in my eyes anyway).

Also look at a 4 series instead of a 3 series, in my experience the 4 series were better equipped than the 3 series (can always go for a grancoupe if you need 4 doors).

[julian64]

I think the 335xd is pretty much unbeatable in function.

I've had the same one for nine years.

Its a very practical car in many respects

Its good at towing with the Xdrive, and feels as stable as a much heavier car when doing so.

Its very economical. I have never seen as low as 45mpg on a run. My wife took my car up to Sheffield to pick up our son from university. and had it on 62mpg when she returned. I tend to get about 45-50 but the car is fairly abused in my hands.

Speed, its very quick, but lots of rubbish gets talked about speed on these forums. In real life its about as quick as you'd ever need
It would easily beat my old E39 M5 off the line. In fact it seems to beat any car off the line which isn't electric and doesn't have four wheel drive.

I came away from test drives in an M3 and M4 thinking nice car but feels a bit gutless mid range, and not worth the jump in price.
in fact its the longest I've ever owned a car because I've not really found anything better, and strangely its also the first diesel I've ever owned.

However I'd better qualify the above with the following. I find the latest series of BMW M cars little or no fun. There is no reasonable engine sound, and they don't feel that fast anymore. I don't use the 335xd for fun driving because I don't find any modern car I drive fun, and I don't like flappy paddles

So my comments above are based on it being a practical jack of all trades. You can pick them up for very little money and then spend the rest on an actual fun car which isn't reliable.

[JaseB]

To counter that, does all the boring stuff pretty well, economy, comfort etc but find a fun B road and get on the paddles and I find mine really quite engaging, I do have the AC Schnitzer suspension fitted, maybe that makes the difference.

[Parker1991]

DiscoSINGH said:

12-14k a year doesn't justify a diesel (not in my eyes anyway).

Also look at a 4 series instead of a 3 series, in my experience the 4 series were better equipped than the 3 series (can always go for a grancoupe if you need 4 doors).

Yeah I know what you mean,

Yeah they are nice also and yeah would habe to be gran coupe tho

[Parker1991]

julian64 said:

I think the 335xd is pretty much unbeatable in function.

I've had the same one for nine years.

Its a very practical car in many respects

Its good at towing with the Xdrive, and feels as stable as a much heavier car when doing so.

Its very economical. I have never seen as low as 45mpg on a run. My wife took my car up to Sheffield to pick up our son from university. and had it on 62mpg when she returned. I tend to get about 45-50 but the car is fairly abused in my hands.

Speed, its very quick, but lots of rubbish gets talked about speed on these forums. In real life its about as quick as you'd ever need
It would easily beat my old E39 M5 off the line. In fact it seems to beat any car off the line which isn't electric and doesn't have four wheel drive.

I came away from test drives in an M3 and M4 thinking nice car but feels a bit gutless mid range, and not worth the jump in price.
in fact its the longest I've ever owned a car because I've not really found anything better, and strangely its also the first diesel I've ever owned.

However I'd better qualify the above with the following. I find the latest series of BMW M cars little or no fun. There is no reasonable engine sound, and they don't feel that fast anymore. I don't use the 335xd for fun driving because I don't find any modern car I drive fun, and I don't like flappy paddles

So my comments above are based on it being a practical jack of all trades. You can pick them up for very little money and then spend the rest on an actual fun car which isn't reliable.

Thanks for that, appreciate all the feedback,
I was also wondering about these stories of swirl flaps failing/issues, anything I need to look out for when buying? Also what's best millage to buy a 7 year old one
50000- 70000? Or lowest millage possible?

Thanks

[Parker1991]

Thanks for that,

appreciate all the feedback, this all helps

I was also wondering about these stories of swirl flaps failing/issues, anything I need to look out for when buying? Also what's best millage to buy a 7 year old one
50000- 70000? Or lowest millage possible?

Thanks

[aturnick54]

Parker1991 said:

Thanks for that,

appreciate all the feedback, this all helps

I was also wondering about these stories of swirl flaps failing/issues, anything I need to look out for when buying? Also what's best millage to buy a 7 year old one
50000- 70000? Or lowest millage possible?

Thanks

Swirl flaps are not known for breaking on these engines like they did on the older M57 engine. Just get the intake manifold cleaned out and swirl flap will work fine then and engine feel smoother.

[AliMc99]

I had a 2014 M Sport touring from
new for about 3 years. Echo many of the OP comments above, specifically:
1. Great all rounder esp engine/gearbox combo
2. Unlike all the other engines in the range the MSport 335d comes with SE suspension which wallows like a boat.
3. I had AC schnitzer springs fitted (£500) which transformed the handling
4. Standard spec is stingy- eg standard headlights are halogen! Various option packs available which bundled popular equipment
5. Ride on 19’’ run flats could be a bit tough (with lots of tyre noise). Fixed by switching to Non run flat Michelin Pilot Sport. Mine had adaptive damping (£500 option) which improved the ride a bit
5. 4wd drive system saps MPG (vs 2wd 330d)
6. Apparently facelift ‘LCI’ version has slightly
Improved ride/handling
7. There was/ is a recall on the EGR valve (risks car catching fire in extreme circumstances- which has effected 330d police cars)
8. I think swirl flap problems mostly affect previous shape versions (e46, e90) but not certain on this point
9. Point to point faster than 335 petrol but not a ‘nice’ to drive
10. 4 series equiv has much higher standard spec and in 5 door Grand Coupe format surprisingly practical- certainly vs saloon. Saloon likely to be cheaper though.

[Ruskie]

I would aim for Pro Nav, HK and a shadow edition model at 2017 onwards. It’s a great all rounder. Grip and pace. Lacks soul as others have said but sounds like a good tool for what you want it for.

[Pica-Pica]

Go for it.
I have had my F30 LCI ‘66 plate 335dx for 6 years now. Great power-train. LCI cars do not wallow like a boat. It’s a cliché, but it is ‘all the power you’ll ever need’. As for the ‘don’t need a diesel for those miles’ talk, ignore. If you like the immense torque (and the not insignificant 313ps power), then low annual mileage is not an issue, if you have the occasional long run. Relaxed on long drives, and great over switch back hills in sport or manual paddles/lever use.
Make sure it has folding rear seats (I suspect they are standard) and HK sound and Pro Nav.
I changed my 19” wheels with Pirelli Pzero to 18” Goodyear EfficientGrip to improve speed bump and general comfort and noise.
It should have had 2 EGR recalls, other than that, no issues. You should see 44+ mpg, and on a long steady run, in the 50s. 520 miles from a tank, or 600+ on a long steady run.
Mine is a keeper, for sure.

[Parker1991]

Thanks for all the replies this is exactly what I needed I have a good idea of spec and price range however unfortunately the gran coupe would be slightly over budget but the saloon with pro nav, hk and shadow if I can stretch there

I suppose the last thing is in everyone's opinion what would be the best millage to get one of these at considering a 7 year old one, I know service history and if its been looked after ect but generally what would be best? Lowest possible?

Thanks 👍

[Pica-Pica]

Parker1991 said:

Thanks for all the replies this is exactly what I needed I have a good idea of spec and price range however unfortunately the gran coupe would be slightly over budget but the saloon with pro nav, hk and shadow if I can stretch there

I suppose the last thing is in everyone's opinion what would be the best millage to get one of these at considering a 7 year old one, I know service history and if its been looked after ect but generally what would be best? Lowest possible?

Thanks ??

You must get an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse= facelift). That will ensure that it is both Euro6 and ULEZ compliant, it will also have the suspension updated that improves the ride, it will not need Adblu either.
Mileage would not be an issue, I would go by number of owners, spec level, and service history.

[aturnick54]

Pica-Pica said:

You must get an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse= facelift). That will ensure that it is both Euro6 and ULEZ compliant, it will also have the suspension updated that improves the ride, it will not need Adblu either.
Mileage would not be an issue, I would go by number of owners, spec level, and service history.

I thought LCI introduced Adblue? At least on the 4 series it did.

[RTPT]

Pica-Pica said:

You must get an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse= facelift). That will ensure that it is both Euro6 and ULEZ compliant, it will also have the suspension updated that improves the ride, it will not need Adblu either.
Mileage would not be an issue, I would go by number of owners, spec level, and service history.

I believe all F3x 335d's are ULEZ & Euro6?

[JaseB]

aturnick54 said:

Pica-Pica said:

You must get an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse= facelift). That will ensure that it is both Euro6 and ULEZ compliant, it will also have the suspension updated that improves the ride, it will not need Adblu either.
Mileage would not be an issue, I would go by number of owners, spec level, and service history.

I thought LCI introduced Adblue? At least on the 4 series it did.

Not on my 66 plate for sure.

[Pica-Pica]

JaseB said:

aturnick54 said:

Pica-Pica said:

You must get an LCI (Life Cycle Impulse= facelift). That will ensure that it is both Euro6 and ULEZ compliant, it will also have the suspension updated that improves the ride, it will not need Adblu either.
Mileage would not be an issue, I would go by number of owners, spec level, and service history.

I thought LCI introduced Adblue? At least on the 4 series it did.

Not on my 66 plate for sure.

And no Adblu on my ‘66 plate F30 335d