Follow up to the what car?

I had originally set out with my heart set on a porsche cayman s. I loved the look of the car but it was top of budget for a nice one and I had read far far to many horror stories as regards the engines just letting go.
I then looked at 370z older 3.2 boxters, I even looked at a nissan duke gtr thing... the test drive was less than exciting.

A friend just bought a 335d so I took that out for a spin and loved everything about it, apart from the noise. Yes they get better MPG and they are probably a little quicker but after having a oil burner for a few months its a very good car... but I dont look forward to driving it!

Its been time to clear the drive for some time, so all the panda's are now gone including the older 4x4, the Rx8 is gone. I even sold the camper that wasn't getting use...

And I settled on.....




BMW 335i Took some time to get the spec and miles I wanted, opted for the DCT as I wanted a happy mix of not having to use a clutch but still being able to have a little fun.

2007-2010 is a bad set of years on these, if you know anything about the n54 although its an awesome tuning platform there are well known issues with waste gate rattle, injectors, Turbos letting go (at this age they do) high pressure fuel pumps... I suppose any platform has issues. The one thing though that I cant suffer, the one thing that put me off...

Was the flappy paddles on the steering wheel, pre 2010/11 push to do down, pull go to up (on both sides) post 2010/11 right paddle 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and left to go 7,6,5,4,3,2,1

So I bagged a early n55 (which still has issues)

Had it for a few days and can say I am in love, Never had a BMW, they look dull, and like I should be on my way to a sales meeting talking about quarterly performance...

As a driving car though, as a place to sit its really very very good. I can drive it like miss dazy is taking a sunday stroll and its happy. Its relaxed and laid back, the stereo and the updated idrive is very good. The phone integration works well, it supports bluetooth media streaming so I can listen to my podcast or spotify. The maps are....ok the traffic integration is not bad. Around town the gearbox just works. It does its thing and its hard to know its there.

On a b road, it's a little quick, the box is awesome and put it in sports manual and it does what you want it to do, exceptionally quickly. Sports mode opens up a flap in the exhaust so it sounds a little more performance like. It does however from a handling perspective feel heavy.... because it is and that really stops you from being to much of an idiot.

All in all, happy, no real annoyances on the car and feel better for just having the one car

Nice one Sam.

As you said they're a little dull to look at but the 335 is a fantastic car to drive. Chap at work drives his around in Sports mode all the time

Well done

Congrats on the new car. I had a 335i coupe a few years back.

Like you say, it's a very nice place to be. Probably my favourite interior of any car I've owned. I bought a brand new M135i in 2013 after my 2008 335i and it felt like a huge step down in interior quality.

I don't know if you're into modding at all but I'd recommend a remap or a JB4. My car Dyno'd at 375bhp with the JB4 and it really does unleash the beast. I'd also recommend you change from the standard runflats to standard tyres if your car has them. They're like concrete boots with them having no give. They also cause the alloys to crack.

Just spotted this Sam, great choice! Does this mean you only have 1 car now?

We have a car each, and a car that im putting back together when I get some time... me and sellyspeed gearboxes don't do well it would seem
Its been nice to clear the decs and it was getting a little silly, after all.. how many cars can you drive at the same time!

Focus is placed elsewhere at the moment. Im sure normal service will resume in 12 months time.
Dan, when I have time and the budget to replace all the runflats, I will. Its a hard pill to swallow as they are all nearly new on there at the moment.

Update,

6 months in, and it works still, Im really looking forwards to perhaps getting out out on a track this year to see what it can really do. It spends almost all of its time parked up

All in all, its been a mixed bag, having lived with it for a while now there are things I love, things I dislike, and things I hate.

Love,
I love the power, you get used to it still though, and its frankly to quick. The way it puts the power down with the DCT, before you know it often you are going to fast
The sound, with the pops and bangs (MHD)
None sport mode, most of the time I like to waft. Its very relaxing
Understated looks
It just bloody works...

Like,
The DCT box is a hoot to use, around town though when coming to a stop its simply not as smooth as say the zf8. Id still go with the DCT, but I wish it was as good as the zf8 in traffic
The Audio from a factory install is VERY good
The cabin space and setup, its not to showy, I do wish I had the new new IDRIVE system though and not willing to go xtron route

Hate,
19s on runflats
UK roads
Pothols
clearly my spine.... replacing the runflats at the moment (not a cheep fun experience) so ill update on the ride improvement. I find myself however if I know I have to go across country lanes, the panda gets used. I have a special face I now pull when expecting to see a flat or a bent wheel
BMW culture. As with everything there is good and bad, but im not a massive fan on the BMW forums and the audience they seem to attract. If I were to explain it, an italian car event is a summer afternoon with tea and scones at a country manor, a BMW event people put on funny t-shirts and its at a place called santapod...

Will it stay another 6 months though.... thats the real question

Good little review Sam. Over the past few years 3-4 335i’s have passed through various people in the office I work in. They all switched the run flats to normal tyres with big improvements in ride quality.

Any photos of the t shirts?

Replace the run flats! Huge improvement.
You think its fast now? Get a remap (evolve)
Agree with BMW forums.

Also agree it's to fast for road use. Never thought Id say that.