Leaving Audi behind...

Spin140

Spin140

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well Guys I had a BMW 335i Coupe M Sport for the day on saturday and very much to my surprise it totally blew me away, not instantly but after a couple of hours of enjoying myself it all started to make sense. The acceleration was ferocious, handling and balance amazing and surprisingly comfortable on 19" Run Flats. Build quality is a step below Audi but only in terms of plastics/lthr used and I'm sure something one would become accustomed to.

Fuel consumption for a 306bhp twin turbo V6 petrol on the day was ave 21.3 mpg according to DIS but I was extended well into the rev range chasing that glorious sound, the overall mpg for the car showed 23.8 - not bad for a demo car.

The auto/manual paddle set up works superbly and I actually decided i would prefer this over the manual, this came as a shock to me as a die hard manual fan.

On the way back to the dealership I really 'gelled' with the car and started to try and justify buying one, I had already arranged to test drive a 335D yes D back to back just for comparison. On paper the 335 is 0.4secs slower to 62 but has 580NM of torque available from 1750rpm and throughout the range due to its twin turbo set up, I had expected it to feel heavier, slower and sound awful - how wrong can you be !!!

The sound was impressive and very undiesel like, not in the same league as the petrol of course but on par with my current TT, handling was no different but overall despite the 'paper' figures the car felt like a 335i remapped - the torque is so grin inducing :)

The mpg was 30+ !

I entered the BMW dealership on the morning expecting to just go and have some fun and then arrange delivery of my TTS - I left with a desire to have a Diesel with flappy paddle - How life and opinions can change so rapidly ?!?

Last night the figures got to where I wanted to be and I can get in a £40K car for TTS money - madness.


I'll stick around on the froum as we still have a VAG product on fleet at home and what else would I do at work all day ??

Ordered a 335D Coupe M Sport, 19" alloys and a few toys :)
 
Good for you matey,

I'm resisiting the urge to go for a test drive as I actually want one and know I will not leave the dealership without signing on the dotted line!

Although I haven't considered the 335D... Perhaps I should.

J.
 
Sounds like an amazing car - take the badges off and you've got a stealth M3!

Autocar have a test of the TT-S against a Cayman and something else next week, and judging by some magazines reactions to early drives in the TT-S I don't think you're going to be disappointed.
 
I'm amazed I've bought a diesel but it really is that good, blew me away.

If you do get any ideas J drop me a mail as the discount was very agreeable.
 
Turn coat! only joking mate , 3 series are a bit on the large side for me , but there strong cars with good reviews too boot.

leon
 
diesel! *spits*

Seriously though, cracking motor... in both petrol and diesel. Would be interested myself in one.

As your moving brands tho I'll give you some insider info from a former b.m.'er... its not a DIS, it the OBC/iDrive! :yum:
 
Nice, very nice.
How much are your 19" runflats?
I had to replace one of my 19" non-runflats (Alpina ditch them) the other day (puncture).
The price was the same as the width (£235 for a 235/35).
Ouch...
 
Awesome engine that. Cant imagine having that much torque!

What colour have you gone for? Any interesting toys? Whats the lead time?

Is the flappy paddle gearbox BMWs double clutch system or is that still only on the M3 at the moment?

Enjoy.
 
bowfer said:
Nice, very nice.
How much are your 19" runflats?
I had to replace one of my 19" non-runflats (Alpina ditch them) the other day (puncture).
The price was the same as the width (£235 for a 235/35).
Ouch...
Click to expand...

I would hate to think how much the run flats will cost and hopefully on my annual mileage (6,000pa) it will be a while yet.

The plan is to run the car myself for 18mths/2years then hand it to the wife as her opt out company car replacement as the jetta she uses will be coming up for 4 years old then so the BMW will then be funded by her allowance - most sensible thing I've done in years and I still get to own a pretty nice motor!!
 
Matt said:
Awesome engine that. Cant imagine having that much torque!

What colour have you gone for? Any interesting toys? Whats the lead time?

Is the flappy paddle gearbox BMWs double clutch system or is that still only on the M3 at the moment?

Enjoy.
Click to expand...

I thought cars only came in one colour so I chose Black !!
The 335D comes highly specced as standard but I did spec 19" M Sport alloys rather than 18" at a very reasonable extra £465 and upgraded to Madame Whiplash red leather.(£1,025)

The car also has the sun protection glass B pillar back, I never specced sat nav as I'm a fan of portable nav units as I'm too tight to spend £2,000 when I already know my way to work LOL !!

The auto is not the same as the M3 but very good anyway with mulitiple up or down shifts possible with an almost manual feel to it, I loved it, others may not but if thats the case you can't have a 335D as they don't do them in manual format.

Car due early next week as I picked one from stock hence the heavy negotiation which was only completed last night at 5pm.
 
bowfer said:
Nice, very nice.
How much are your 19" runflats?
I had to replace one of my 19" non-runflats (Alpina ditch them) the other day (puncture).
The price was the same as the width (£235 for a 235/35).
Ouch...
Click to expand...

Is your missis now buried under the patio after she made you remove the spare from the boot? :)
 
MMMM black with Madame Whiplash.... my colours of choice too for that car.

BOOOUUDDOOIRRR!!
 
Looking at you car history you are no doubt a petrol head.

What was the main factor that made you go for 335D and not petrol?
(Im assuming its not mpg as you only cover 6K p/a)

Cheers
Paul
 
PaulAr said:
Looking at you car history you are no doubt a petrol head.

What was the main factor that made you go for 335D and not petrol?
(Im assuming its not mpg as you only cover 6K p/a)

Cheers
Paul
Click to expand...

I was amazed at how petrol like the 335D felt to drive with its willingness to rev and broad power band, it pulls like a train but thankfully does not sound like one, the MPG wasn't a major factor although an added bonus plus forecasted residuals are much stronger on v6 diesels plus the 335 only emmits 177g of CO2 which equates to cheap road tax but I guess the main reason was the fact that I can hand it over to the Mrs in 18/24mths to use as her company car transport which leaves me free to pursue one of the second hand cheap V6 petrols I expect to be around by then with the introduction of excessive road tax.



What surprises me is that in no way does this car change feel like a compromise its a definite step up, how often in life does practical = fun ?
 
Crikey I nearly forgot, the other thing I really liked was the rear acessibility for my 20 month old and her car seat, the seat slides forward electronically and isofix points are standard, couple that with large door openings and its pretty effective Daddy Coupe Hee Hee :)
 
consilio said:
Is your missis now buried under the patio after she made you remove the spare from the boot? :)
Click to expand...

Thankfully, it was a slow puncture.
Don't get me started, coz the whole spare/puncture thing is stressing me out.
We're due to go to Brighton in a week or so, with two kids.
Now, I'm sure the mousse/compressor thing works well, provided the tyre is in a condition to hold it.
But can you imagine if the tyre is ******?
No spare?
Not even a space saver?
Tyres that hardly anyone has in stock, so they have to be ordered?

I tell you, it's not something I used to consider, when buying a car.
Next time, the puncture situation will be one of the first things I ask about.
I will not go for a car without either runflats or a spare again.
 
Cootie said:
So how long do you think you'll resist before getting it remapped??;)
Click to expand...


Well apprently the 335D makes impressive gains once remapped but with the absence of quattro and me being newly re-aquainted with RWD I aim to get used to the car and how it behaves but then again......
 
Spin140 said:
Well apprently the 335D makes impressive gains once remapped but with the absence of quattro and me being newly re-aquainted with RWD I aim to get used to the car and how it behaves but then again......
Click to expand...

BMW's TC seems to work very well.
On full setting, it grabs any wheelspin shennanigans in a very unobtrusive way.
No jerking at all.
In halfway mode, you get the chance to get a wee bit of opposite lock on.
In off mode, be prepared.:laugh:
 
bowfer said:
Thankfully, it was a slow puncture.
Don't get me started, coz the whole spare/puncture thing is stressing me out.
We're due to go to Brighton in a week or so, with two kids.
Now, I'm sure the mousse/compressor thing works well, provided the tyre is in a condition to hold it.
But can you imagine if the tyre is ******?
No spare?
Not even a space saver?
Tyres that hardly anyone has in stock, so they have to be ordered?

I tell you, it's not something I used to consider, when buying a car.
Next time, the puncture situation will be one of the first things I ask about.
I will not go for a car without either runflats or a spare again.
Click to expand...

Must admit I find this a bit of a concern especially with my sept Nurburg trip, I have no spare in the TT either but it tends to be something in the back of my mind, definetly not one of the best ideas car manufacturers have come up with:(
 
Hmmm not something I worry about, I've ditched the run flats in mine and haven't got a spare or a can of tyre weld in the boot...


J.
 
If it helps, Spin140, there are plenty of Alpina owners say that a Porsche spacesaver kit (wheel and jack) works well.
Too expensive an option for me to consider, unfortunately (couple of hundred quid).
If you want, I can dig out the info off the Alpina register.
 
Spin140 said:
well Guys I had a BMW 335i Coupe M Sport for the day on saturday and very much to my surprise it totally blew me away, not instantly but after a couple of hours of enjoying myself it all started to make sense. The acceleration was ferocious, handling and balance amazing and surprisingly comfortable on 19" Run Flats. Build quality is a step below Audi but only in terms of plastics/lthr used and I'm sure something one would become accustomed to.

Fuel consumption for a 306bhp twin turbo V6 petrol on the day was ave 21.3 mpg according to DIS but I was extended well into the rev range chasing that glorious sound, the overall mpg for the car showed 23.8 - not bad for a demo car.

The auto/manual paddle set up works superbly and I actually decided i would prefer this over the manual, this came as a shock to me as a die hard manual fan.

On the way back to the dealership I really 'gelled' with the car and started to try and justify buying one, I had already arranged to test drive a 335D yes D back to back just for comparison. On paper the 335 is 0.4secs slower to 62 but has 580NM of torque available from 1750rpm and throughout the range due to its twin turbo set up, I had expected it to feel heavier, slower and sound awful - how wrong can you be !!!

The sound was impressive and very undiesel like, not in the same league as the petrol of course but on par with my current TT, handling was no different but overall despite the 'paper' figures the car felt like a 335i remapped - the torque is so grin inducing :)

The mpg was 30+ !

I entered the BMW dealership on the morning expecting to just go and have some fun and then arrange delivery of my TTS - I left with a desire to have a Diesel with flappy paddle - How life and opinions can change so rapidly ?!?

Last night the figures got to where I wanted to be and I can get in a £40K car for TTS money - madness.


I'll stick around on the froum as we still have a VAG product on fleet at home and what else would I do at work all day ??

Ordered a 335D Coupe M Sport, 19" alloys and a few toys :)
Click to expand...

Arrgh!! NO NO NO. :sign_unfair: Sorry rant over!
I just made my mind up not to change my S3 for 335 coupe M sport, then I read your post!!
Keep us informed how you get on with the BM. Hope it treats you well and vice versa. I might still do a U turn with my decision :eyebrows:
 
Spin140 said:
I was amazed at how petrol like the 335D felt to drive with its willingness to rev and broad power band, it pulls like a train but thankfully does not sound like one, the MPG wasn't a major factor although an added bonus plus forecasted residuals are much stronger on v6 diesels plus the 335 only emmits 177g of CO2 which equates to cheap road tax but I guess the main reason was the fact that I can hand it over to the Mrs in 18/24mths to use as her company car transport which leaves me free to pursue one of the second hand cheap V6 petrols I expect to be around by then with the introduction of excessive road tax.



What surprises me is that in no way does this car change feel like a compromise its a definite step up, how often in life does practical = fun ?
Click to expand...

Cheers.

Amazing how the "Great British Motoring Rip-off" is having such a real effect on car selection even within the enthusiast community.

That said, diesels are so much better these days that any `comprimises` are becoming fewer and less significant very quickly.
Those that would have to be dragged kicking and screaming into a derv not that long ago are willingling buying them in their thousands.

Its interesting that you still plan to go back to petrol once you have handed the 335D across to the wife.

Im still a stubborn die hard petrol head but thats mainly because, IMO, diesel doesnt translate into a hot hatch as well as petrol, and hot hatches are still my choice of transport for now.

Makes you wonder where petrol cars will be in 5 years ????

Good luck with the new car.

Paul
 
Spin, see below photos of Porsche spacesave fitted to an Alpina B3, which uses the same brakes as a 335i (allegedly).
You need H+R spacers, which are £115 a pair.

725_hradaptor_2.jpg


725_porschessaver_1.jpg


725_ssaverboot_1.jpg
 
Spin140 said:
I was amazed at how petrol like the 335D felt to drive with its willingness to rev and broad power band, it pulls like a train but thankfully does not sound like one, the MPG wasn't a major factor although an added bonus plus forecasted residuals are much stronger on v6 diesels plus the 335 only emmits 177g of CO2 which equates to cheap road tax but I guess the main reason was the fact that I can hand it over to the Mrs in 18/24mths to use as her company car transport which leaves me free to pursue one of the second hand cheap V6 petrols I expect to be around by then with the introduction of excessive road tax.



What surprises me is that in no way does this car change feel like a compromise its a definite step up, how often in life does practical = fun ?
Click to expand...

I came from a re-mapped 335D touring, before my S3, and although they are very quick, they do it with no effort and very little driver involvement, hence why I changed. I believe you have a second car, don't you, and this should fill the void of driver involvement.

When you get it I would stongly recommend a remap - £350 from Emaps, approx 350BHP and 520 ft/lbs of torque = 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and 0-100 in well under 12 - Amazing from a diesel. And I would also recomend ditching the runflats, handles better, smoother ride, and a lot cheaper - I did this from day 1, and was pleased I did.

I found that I could keep up with all sorts of exotica, and blowing most away, due to the amount of torque, always available.

As a motorway cruiser, I found it almost unbeatable.

So to summerise, if you are after something to give you out and out driving thrills, the 335D isnt the car, however it is a laugh a minute car, due to just how fast and capable it is, and all at a possible 40+mpg!!!! - Mine never went above 29mpg, but I did hammer it everywhere in the 8000 miles I had it

Enjoy

Oh and they are a straight six, not a V6.

My old car;

bmw1.jpg


bmw3.jpg


bmw8.jpg
 
Oh and when you press and hold the traction control button, it takes it off completely, and makes the car a great roundabout power slider!!!!!
 
Spin140 said:
I thought cars only came in one colour so I chose Black !!
The 335D comes highly specced as standard but I did spec 19" M Sport alloys rather than 18" at a very reasonable extra £465 and upgraded to Madame Whiplash red leather.(£1,025)
Click to expand...

Good choice on the 19s - makes all the difference on the Coupe IMO :sm4:
 
Had a sit in one in the dealership a few weeks ago, have to say i like them but didn't have a test drive as i'm not looking for a change yet but may have bought one anyway! I occaisonally have a look on the BMW used locator which may be telling me something. Interseting what you say about the flappy paddle gearbox as it was putting me off there not being a manual version. I'd also be interested in the sound track which again could be a make or break for me. Had a mate with me at the time of looking and he also commented that my S3 had a better interior, also said i must be mad for looking at the M sport but hey ho whatever rocks my boat. Anyway, great car and enjoy mate.

PS: any chance of taking me for a run some time ......... please say NO! :drool:
 
Kris said:
Interseting what you say about the flappy paddle gearbox as it was putting me off there not being a manual version. :drool:
Click to expand...

Please note - This is a standard slushbox, with torque convertor, and paddles on the wheel, by no means is it a paddle shift DSG box, or SMG or anything remotely sportly. This was a real let down for me after two DSG equipped cars. You may love it, but I didn't. I even enquired about getting the Alpina software(from the B3 Bi Turbo) uploaded but no one seemed to be able to help, and I asked everywhere.

Just my tuppence.....
 
bowfer said:
Spin, see below photos of Porsche spacesave fitted to an Alpina B3, which uses the same brakes as a 335i (allegedly).
You need H+R spacers, which are £115 a pair.

(/QUOTE]

Thanks Bowfer really useful and a good option as it appears to take up little room, I'll probably try looking for a second hand suitable spare wheel first and see how I get on.
Click to expand...
 
Oli.H said:
I came from a re-mapped 335D touring, before my S3, and although they are very quick, they do it with no effort and very little driver involvement, hence why I changed. I believe you have a second car, don't you, and this should fill the void of driver involvement.

When you get it I would stongly recommend a remap - £350 from Emaps, approx 350BHP and 520 ft/lbs of torque = 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and 0-100 in well under 12 - Amazing from a diesel. And I would also recomend ditching the runflats, handles better, smoother ride, and a lot cheaper - I did this from day 1, and was pleased I did.

I found that I could keep up with all sorts of exotica, and blowing most away, due to the amount of torque, always available.

As a motorway cruiser, I found it almost unbeatable.

So to summerise, if you are after something to give you out and out driving thrills, the 335D isnt the car, however it is a laugh a minute car, due to just how fast and capable it is, and all at a possible 40+mpg!!!! - Mine never went above 29mpg, but I did hammer it everywhere in the 8000 miles I had it

Enjoy

Oh and they are a straight six, not a V6.

My old car;
Click to expand...

Cheers for all the advise Oli but no offence the Tourer may have the same engine etc but there is no way I would consider one of these as a bit too grown up looking for me.


Having come from an S3 which I though was brilliant I feel qualified to say I'm sure I will be more than happy with the 335D C, yes they are very different cars but to be fair I've been there done that (may do it again!!) and I was looking for an alternative coupe to the TTs, imo the BMW fits the bill.

Spin :)
 
Oli.H said:
Please note - This is a standard slushbox, with torque convertor, and paddles on the wheel, by no means is it a paddle shift DSG box, or SMG or anything remotely sportly. This was a real let down for me after two DSG equipped cars. You may love it, but I didn't. I even enquired about getting the Alpina software(from the B3 Bi Turbo) uploaded but no one seemed to be able to help, and I asked everywhere.

Just my tuppence.....
Click to expand...

Your opinion and your right to express it of course but I actually preferred it to the step-tronic I tried in the TTS, my overall preference would be a manual but as not available the 'slush box' is more than capable of smile inducing behaviour in my own humble opinion and you sir can eat my smoke !! :)
 
Spin140 said:
Your opinion and your right to express it of course but I actually preferred it to the step-tronic I tried in the TTS, my overall preference would be a manual but as not available the 'slush box' is more than capable of smile inducing behaviour in my own humble opinion and you sir can eat my smoke !! :)
Click to expand...


Ha ha, and if you map it, I will certainly eat your smoke, as it will leave an S3 for dead, and I'll await your comments on the gearbox after 10,000 miles

I'm sure you'll enjoy it either way.

Oh and go to www.e90post.com, which is a very helpful forum for these cars - make sure you go to the uk section
 
Oli, do you think a mapped S3 would be slower than a mapped 335d then? I thought the standard S3 demo I had was very quick.....
 
nicks3 said:
Oli, do you think a mapped S3 would be slower than a mapped 335d then? I thought the standard S3 demo I had was very quick.....
Click to expand...

I meant a standard S3, is your 335d mapped?? You should know,with the BMW, they are just relentless, with zero lag!! A mapped S3 will be close, but I still think the 335D will win, in a straight line, chuck some bends in and it'll all be different - Don't get me wrong, it will be ****** close, but you'd have the drive the S3 better to get the most out of it, whereas in the BMW, just put your foot down and hold on....literally
 
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