[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by workshybum

Someone pointed out on here that the only thing ECO is good for, is getting some traction in the snow due to the (complete lack of) throttle response.

I did.

But a little bit of a double edged sword.

While the throttle response is very easy to modulate, the down side is when you come off the throttle the gearbox engages sail mode, you don't get the engine braking. And have to rely on your brakes. In slippy conditions I'd prefer using gentle engine braking which I can adjust by my throttle (on my rear wheels) than solely on the brakes which are very much front biased.

D.

[Foxall]

Thanks guys for all your responses! I'm quite surprised at some of the feedback and I'm not looking forward to Wednesday so much now lol.
I'm not sure what it is about the 335i but I just don't fancy it, I think with it being the same engine I'd expect it to be the same as my 1 series and it may disappoint due to the heavier car and slightly less powerful engine? Maybe I should drive one and see how I get on.
As for my M135i I got an exceptional deal at the time and actually find myself £400 up after doing a quote with we want any car and having been over for an appraisal they were happy to honour their quote. I'm made up with that considering I put In ZERO deposit on my current car as I had to pay 2k to get out of my s3.
I guess I will see how I get on when I drive the 335d and will report back ��
I

[MWA]

Keep away from the 335d if you want the proper feel of a BMW, if you do want a proper BMW then may I suggest the 335i all the way.

BTW make sure you get folding rear seats if you intend on using the isofix, if you don't then the isofix would be an absolute nightmare to reach

[JD6]

Originally Posted by MWA

Keep away from the 335d if you want the proper feel of a BMW, if you do want a proper BMW then may I suggest the 335i all the way.

If you want the BMW to feel how it should then neither the 335d or 335i or any other F3* will do that from the factory. You really need to change at least the springs on both, and probably the tyres as well to non runflats from the sound of it.

Personally if I was buying again right now, it would be the 335d or 340i LCI. The current 335i is bound to disappoint after a slightly more powerful, slightly lighter car.

[F30AM]

Or,
Get the Golf R Estate (meh looking) or the Audi S3 Sportback (meh looking again). Both have more room (as does the nice looking 5 door Golf R hatch) than the aesthetically challenged and cramped M135i. The latter has a great engine but it's all over the place in damp and snowy conditions. Besides the Golf and Audi have jewel-like interiors, especially the Audi.

With the above VAG cars you get 4WD, a fab 296bhp Petrol Engine and immense ride and handling. And you don't have to fiddle with the tyres or suspension to get superb ride and handling. Standard xDrive F30 cars are very roll-y poll-y. BMW sDrives are so, so much better. Nearly 'true' BMWs, if it was not for the run-flat tyres.

Or,
Wait for the new Audi A4.

0r,
If you wish to stick with BMW, there's nothing like a 330d sDrive M Sport for ride, handling, economy and performance. The 335i is a bit of a gas guzzler but has that peachy 3 litre straight six, just like your M135i. Go Diesel and enjoy the torque and the mandatory rattle!

But,
Forget the Mercedes C Class. They are rubbish in the ride and handling departments unless you go the mental top-of-the range AMG one. Great interiors, though.

So,
In a nutshell, it is BMW or VAG.

[Pablo68]

Originally Posted by JD6

If you want the BMW to feel how it should then neither the 335d or 335i or any other F3* will do that from the factory. You really need to change at least the springs on both, and probably the tyres as well to non runflats from the sound of it.

Personally if I was buying again right now, it would be the 335d or 340i LCI. The current 335i is bound to disappoint after a slightly more powerful, slightly lighter car.

I'm not sure what you mean by dissapoint?

I tried (and nearly bought) an M135i, but got the 335i instead so I'll try to explain the main differences and why:

M135i: Fairly manic, completely grin inducing but a bit wearing on long journeys. It has only one persona...drive it like you stole it.

335i: More relaxed and less manic, especially in comfort and on long journeys, but in Sport+/Manual it is every bit as much fun as the M135i and not noticeably slower.

I personally felt the 3er had the ability to throw some relaxing tunes on the H+K chill out when you wanted whereas in the 135i you just couldn't.... I guess it was more suited to a middle aged tearaway than a boy racer

But trust me, if you do find yourself in a "competitive" position with someone in an M135i you won't be embarrassed by them

[Steven1077]

I don't find the M135i manic in comfort, I drive it like a 90 year old most of the time, but it's a bit more skittish for sure, as you say the 335i is not much slower but I think the mppk would make it closer, having owned a 335d and now an M135i if I wanted a 3 series again I'd buy the 335i, but I don't do many miles so don't care about mpg

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Pablo68

I'm not sure what you mean by dissapoint?

I will try and explain what I meant by disappoint.

I appreciate that considered in isolation, the 335i is a good car, but doing a switch where you add 70kg and drop 20hp doesn't seem like a recipe for a move the OP will be happy with. Given that BMW are just about to bring out the 340i, which should have a better power to weight ratio than the M135i, waiting for that would seem like the obvious choice to me.

He might have been fine with a 335i for the reasons you have given, but the 340i is a safer bet in my view.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

I did choose xDrive - because I got stuck so many times in other cars in bad weather.

Actually I chose a 330 and got talked into a 335 by the dealer!

I chose a 330d xdrive and got talked into a335d on here !!!

Personally I'm still running in and am loving the 335d experience.

Don't tell me I'm the only one .................

[workshybum]

Originally Posted by Kal27

I chose a 330d xdrive and got talked into a335d on here !!!

Personally I'm still running in and am loving the 335d experience.

Don't tell me I'm the only one .................

Nope, loving mine too, but I do miss the sound of a nice petrol engine. Ironically it's only the fact that the 335d performs so well that makes me miss the sound of a performance engine. I was never too bothered in the 320d.

I'm probably one of the few people that doesn't hate the ASD too, but that's a whole other topic

[Pablo68]

Originally Posted by JD6

I will try and explain what I meant by disappoint.

I appreciate that considered in isolation, the 335i is a good car, but doing a switch where you add 70kg and drop 20hp doesn't seem like a recipe for a move the OP will be happy with. Given that BMW are just about to bring out the 340i, which should have a better power to weight ratio than the M135i, waiting for that would seem like the obvious choice to me.

He might have been fine with a 335i for the reasons you have given, but the 340i is a safer bet in my view.

Fair enough. It's a different beast that's for sure even if it does have the same engine, and it will never be a sports car.

I'm sure it will be, but the discounts on the 335i should be pretty good and a £1200 MPPK and bob's yer uncle same HP. I know if I were looking right now I would want a big lump off a 335i to make me take it over the 340i though.

[Tengocity]

I live mine too, though I have needed to do a few things to it first. Work shall continue, but more because I'm looking for something closer to some sort of M car than a run of the mill M sport.

[Foxall]

Do we know yet how far away the 340i is and what sort of power it will be? This is something I was unaware of yet could tick all the boxes?
Regarding discounts, using coast2coast to give me some sort of idea they are saying 32.5k for 335d m sport with pro nav and 31.5k for a 335i auto with pro nav, there are of course other options I'd want but that is just a quick comparison, so not a lot in it price wise, would the discounts still be there with the 340i I wonder?

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Kal27

I chose a 330d xdrive and got talked into a335d on here !!!

Personally I'm still running in and am loving the 335d experience.

Don't tell me I'm the only one .................

I'm with you on that. 9 months on and I still think it is a great car - one I'm very glad that I bought, and will probably keep for a good few years.

[dopper99]

Same old theme here where lots of diesel drivers are again recommending the 335i. But if it's the car to get, why didn't they buy one?
Why don't more people own a 335i if it's as good as people say it is in this thread? Is it purely the fuel cost issue?

[workshybum]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Same old theme here where lots of diesel drivers are again recommending the 335i. But if it's the car to get, why didn't they buy one?
Why don't more people own a 335i if it's as good as people say it is in this thread? Is it purely the fuel cost issue?

I opted for the 335d mainly because:

A) It is more economical.
B) I wanted XDrive.
C) The figures said it was quicker than the 335i (as standard).

I love the torque of a diesel and the traction from the XDrive on wet/greasy roads is very impressive. The above things being equal, I'd probably have gone for the 335i, but for my needs right now the 335d just has the edge.

[Kal101]

Correct if I'm wrong but doesn't the 335d have more torque than an m3 ( the God of all fast saloons)

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Same old theme here where lots of diesel drivers are again recommending the 335i. But if it's the car to get, why didn't they buy one?
Why don't more people own a 335i if it's as good as people say it is in this thread? Is it purely the fuel cost issue?

My circumstances are different to the op hence the opinion.

My desire for performance and requirement for high miles means Id still choose diesel.

[dungaboy]

I choose the 335d because I have a derv tank at home and the fuel is free, not the same for petrol unfortunately
Also if I could have a petrol I would wait for the M2 but I need the extra space for family so that rules it out

OP drive the 335i and 335d ,it's your money and no-one but you has to live with your choice

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Kal27

Correct if I'm wrong but doesn't the 335d have more torque than an m3 ( the God of all fast saloons)

Do you mean F80 M3? If so then yes a 335d has more torque at the engine............but less torque at the wheels. Quite a bit less.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Do you mean F80 M3? If so then yes a 335d has more torque at the engine............but less torque at the wheels. Quite a bit less.

That's the one. Absolutely fantastic car. Managed to blag a test drive when I was looking at upgrading. Frightening pick up and amazing handling.

Lovely soundtrack even though it did sound bit artificial

Guess the 335d must loose some torque along the way due to the xdrive and also pays a weight penalty. But as an everyday alternative not a bad choice.

[Consett Mag]

Originally Posted by Foxall

I'm interested if anyone has done the same or similar move that I am looking at? Two completely different types of car I know, but the 335d really does look like an amazing all rounder that I now require!
Any feedback welcomed

It wasn't that near at all to the change you're looking at, but I swapped a Mini Cooper SD for a Touring 330d.

My Mini went round corners without slowing down and felt nippy as hell in and out of traffic. Bottom end power started at 1500rpm.

My 330d doesn't behave like that, though has about 130bhp more power. I, like many, was put off the 335d due to the 4WD and many complain about the soft springs not helping handling.

A 330d, 335d or 335i will take your daughter and a whole load of her toys to wherever you like in comfort. On the runs the oil burners will do 45-50mpg if you don't hammer it past the traffic cameras. That may be of no interest.

But I miss my Mini. You will miss your M135i. But life is often about compromises.

Enjoy your evaluations.