335d xdrive

BMWSKI · 08-13-2013, 05:29 AM

Hi Everyone.
I'm a newbie here but considering moving from MERC to BMW and going for the new 335d xdrive.
Apparently, even though it's the M sport model I'm after, the sales guy said that it doesn't come with sports suspension. He offered me the adaptive suspension (for a cost obviously!) but I'm not sure what it is or what difference it would make to the ride...Can anyone shed some light please? I hear that the ride height will increase slightly too.
I drove the 330d sdrive which I liked but I've only driven it once.
I'm a bit confused!
Cheers.

sunscreemer · 08-13-2013, 06:00 AM

I'm scared at the responses this will get....!

gtsussex · 08-13-2013, 06:06 AM

Ride height isn't any different between adaptive and non-adaptive - they use the same springs which are 10mm longer than the regular M Sport setup.

If you're going for the 335d, I really would strongly suggest you look at adaptive. The standard setup is quite wallowy and compromised and with the bigger engines and more weight over the front, they really need the better controlled damping. How BMW offer the 335d without adaptive is beyond me.

There aren't that many of us that have driven xdrive adaptive and non-adaptive back to back but so far we all agree that whilst the difference on the sdrive M Sport is marginal (some like, some not bothered), the difference on the xdrive M Sport is huge.

For me, it's the first option I would categorically recommend on certainly the 330d/335d xDrives.

BMWSKI · 08-13-2013, 06:08 AM

Thank you gtsussex

Palmnuts · 08-13-2013, 01:32 PM

I've gone for adaptive....for £500 it's not worth the risk not to given the choice of control it will give. I doubt it will still be as firm as an M-Sport but if I'm honest, I didn't find the 330d Luxury that I test drove wallowy in any way. It wasn't rock solid (compared to say my previous e92 335i) but it was certainly sharper and had better body control than our Sport-spec E350CDI coupe.

What concerns me most is the potential stratospheric ride height

Hence I'm ultra-keen to see some pictures of the 335d that one of the other chaps is taking delivery of today.

BMWSKI · 08-13-2013, 01:50 PM

I'm with you on the ride height Andrew. If the photos turn out to be too high then I may go for a standard 330d s-drive...
Cant wait to hear his review tomorrow

NISFAN · 08-13-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

I'm with you on the ride height Andrew. If the photos turn out to be too high then I may go for a standard 330d s-drive...
Cant wait to hear his review tomorrow

Another member has measured both, difference is 20mm. M Sport sDrive vs M Sport xDrive.

bwrlane · 08-13-2013, 02:10 PM

I don't have an xdrive but have read these pages quite a lot recently. My understanding is that without xdrive, the benefits of adaptive are controversial, although there does seem to be a strong majority in favour.

By contrast, with xdrive the position seems to be quite uncontroversial: an xdrive without adaptive handles like a pudding, and adaptive is really a must have.

Palmnuts · 08-13-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Another member has measured both, difference is 20mm. M Sport sDrive vs M Sport xDrive.

Are we sure on the 20mm as that is considerable?

These pictures are of supposedly standard 335i xDrive M Sports (admittedly all from the States) but they don't look that high:

BMWSKI · 08-13-2013, 02:14 PM

wow 20mm!

NISFAN · 08-13-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

Are we sure on the 20mm as that is considerable?

These pictures are of supposedly standard 335i xDrive M Sports (admittedly all from the States) but they don't look that high:

They are high, I parked next to one, big difference. If I were buying an xDrive, new dampers and Springs (aftermarket only option) would be first option, but no big deal the BMW suspension on 3 series is not great anyway. I'm going PSS9/10 so anyone wanting sDrive M Sport, give me a shout.

Palmnuts · 08-13-2013, 02:23 PM

Not that I'd have any specific urge to do this, but are the standard M-Sport springs not retrofittable? I guess they must be if aftermarket one's go on without issue.

Whats the reason for xDrives sitting higher? Theres no technical reason for it is there (I assume BMW think people ordering 4wd want a higher ride height)?

davyk31 · 08-13-2013, 02:27 PM

10mm was mentioned on here as the difference, seems to have doubled!

NISFAN · 08-13-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

Not that I'd have any specific urge to do this, but are the standard M-Sport springs not retrofittable? I guess they must be if aftermarket one's go on without issue.

Whats the reason for xDrives sitting higher? Theres no technical reason for it is there (I assume BMW think people ordering 4wd want a higher ride height)?

No reported issues with swapping springs, there is an xDrive suspension lowering thread in the main section, mainly Canadian cars.

NISFAN · 08-13-2013, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyk31

10mm was mentioned on here as the difference, seems to have doubled!

10mm is the official difference, but anyone who see's the two side by side will spot the difference as being more than 10mm, you would hardly notice 10mm. The ED cars are 10mm lower than SE always have been, but it is very difficult to notice it.

gtsussex · 08-13-2013, 02:33 PM

Had a 330d xDrive for 2 days on loan and appearance didn't unduly bother me so ain't bothered.

BMWSKI · 08-13-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Had a 330d xDrive for 2 days on loan and appearance didn't unduly bother me so ain't bothered.

What size wheels were they? maybe 19" rims help but I want to go for 18's...

NISFAN · 08-13-2013, 02:46 PM

Here is a thread with xDrive pics 330d M Sport UK, not massive, but there....

F30 xDrive delivered

gtsussex · 08-13-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

What size wheels were they? maybe 19" rims help but I want to go for 18's...

That one had 19's.

davyk31 · 08-14-2013, 02:10 AM

I would put up with a little extra ride height to get the 335d performance and a bonus if it helps grip in poor conditions.

SGLL66 · 08-14-2013, 06:22 AM

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335d M that I took delivery of yesterday. Ride height is fine, cannot tell really. Adaptive is required otherwise the ride will make you sea sick!!!

BMWSKI · 08-14-2013, 02:34 PM

Nice!

08-13-2013, 05:29 AM	#1
BMWSKI Lieutenant Colonel 167 Rep 1,919 Posts Drives: E63 AMG Saloon :) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bucks iTrader: (0)	335d xdrive - adaptive or not??? Hi Everyone. I'm a newbie here but considering moving from MERC to BMW and going for the new 335d xdrive. Apparently, even though it's the M sport model I'm after, the sales guy said that it doesn't come with sports suspension. He offered me the adaptive suspension (for a cost obviously!) but I'm not sure what it is or what difference it would make to the ride...Can anyone shed some light please? I hear that the ride height will increase slightly too. I drove the 330d sdrive which I liked but I've only driven it once. I'm a bit confused! Cheers.
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08-13-2013, 06:00 AM	#2
sunscreemer Captain 35 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 320i xDrive M Sport Saloon Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	I'm scared at the responses this will get....!
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08-13-2013, 06:06 AM	#3
gtsussex Brigadier General 1854 Rep 3,983 Posts Drives: SMB M3 CP with lots of carbon Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex iTrader: (0)	Ride height isn't any different between adaptive and non-adaptive - they use the same springs which are 10mm longer than the regular M Sport setup. If you're going for the 335d, I really would strongly suggest you look at adaptive. The standard setup is quite wallowy and compromised and with the bigger engines and more weight over the front, they really need the better controlled damping. How BMW offer the 335d without adaptive is beyond me. There aren't that many of us that have driven xdrive adaptive and non-adaptive back to back but so far we all agree that whilst the difference on the sdrive M Sport is marginal (some like, some not bothered), the difference on the xdrive M Sport is huge. For me, it's the first option I would categorically recommend on certainly the 330d/335d xDrives. __________________ San Marino Blue M3 Competition Package with Carbon tat, ACS RS suspension, uprated brakes, 'modded' exhaust and a weeny bit more power courtesy of JF Automotive; M235i Convertible with ACS Sports Suspension; Disco 5 HSE Lux
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08-13-2013, 06:08 AM	#4
BMWSKI Lieutenant Colonel 167 Rep 1,919 Posts Drives: E63 AMG Saloon :) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bucks iTrader: (0)	Thank you gtsussex
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08-13-2013, 01:32 PM	#5
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,957 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	I've gone for adaptive....for £500 it's not worth the risk not to given the choice of control it will give. I doubt it will still be as firm as an M-Sport but if I'm honest, I didn't find the 330d Luxury that I test drove wallowy in any way. It wasn't rock solid (compared to say my previous e92 335i) but it was certainly sharper and had better body control than our Sport-spec E350CDI coupe. What concerns me most is the potential stratospheric ride height Hence I'm ultra-keen to see some pictures of the 335d that one of the other chaps is taking delivery of today.
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08-13-2013, 01:50 PM	#6
BMWSKI Lieutenant Colonel 167 Rep 1,919 Posts Drives: E63 AMG Saloon :) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bucks iTrader: (0)	I'm with you on the ride height Andrew. If the photos turn out to be too high then I may go for a standard 330d s-drive... Cant wait to hear his review tomorrow
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08-13-2013, 02:10 PM	#8
bwrlane Lieutenant 154 Rep 590 Posts Drives: 340i F31 MPPSK Join Date: May 2013 Location: Reading, UK iTrader: (0)	I don't have an xdrive but have read these pages quite a lot recently. My understanding is that without xdrive, the benefits of adaptive are controversial, although there does seem to be a strong majority in favour. By contrast, with xdrive the position seems to be quite uncontroversial: an xdrive without adaptive handles like a pudding, and adaptive is really a must have.
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08-13-2013, 02:14 PM	#10
BMWSKI Lieutenant Colonel 167 Rep 1,919 Posts Drives: E63 AMG Saloon :) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bucks iTrader: (0)	wow 20mm!
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08-13-2013, 02:23 PM	#12
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,957 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	Not that I'd have any specific urge to do this, but are the standard M-Sport springs not retrofittable? I guess they must be if aftermarket one's go on without issue. Whats the reason for xDrives sitting higher? Theres no technical reason for it is there (I assume BMW think people ordering 4wd want a higher ride height)?
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08-13-2013, 02:27 PM	#13
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	10mm was mentioned on here as the difference, seems to have doubled!
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08-13-2013, 02:33 PM	#16
gtsussex Brigadier General 1854 Rep 3,983 Posts Drives: SMB M3 CP with lots of carbon Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex iTrader: (0)	Had a 330d xDrive for 2 days on loan and appearance didn't unduly bother me so ain't bothered.
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08-13-2013, 02:46 PM	#18
NISFAN Major General 3487 Rep 9,709 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK iTrader: (0)	Here is a thread with xDrive pics 330d M Sport UK, not massive, but there.... F30 xDrive delivered
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08-14-2013, 02:10 AM	#20
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	I would put up with a little extra ride height to get the 335d performance and a bonus if it helps grip in poor conditions.
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08-14-2013, 06:22 AM	#21
SGLL66 Private First Class 54 Rep 160 Posts Drives: Cayenne GTS, 911 GTS & M4 GTS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	335d M that I took delivery of yesterday. Ride height is fine, cannot tell really. Adaptive is required otherwise the ride will make you sea sick!!!
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08-14-2013, 02:34 PM	#22
BMWSKI Lieutenant Colonel 167 Rep 1,919 Posts Drives: E63 AMG Saloon :) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bucks iTrader: (0)	Nice!
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