[F32Fleet]

Hello from across the pond. I'm curious to hear your opinions about the 335d w/out the sport package?

The RFT's continue to be a sore spot with BMW in the U.S., and to be honest after driving my wife's CLK350 my E90 330 w/sport is downright harsh.

Thank you in advance.

[dxb335d]

Without sport package? our system is different to yours.

Our SE models come with sport suspension and seats. Only difference to the Msport is plastic bits and some interior changes.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Without sport package? our system is different to yours.

Our SE models come with sport suspension and seats. Only difference to the Msport is plastic bits and some interior changes.

In the U.S. it's seats, firmer (sport) suspension, different rims, and cosmetic (exterior & steering wheel). In the U.S. the sport pkg was only $1,200 but with our inheriting BMWUK's CEO the options package went up to $2,150 which is about the same price as our "premium pkg".

[beemerbird]

I had an E90 330i M sport then changed to an E92 335d SE obviously with sports suspension etc as Carl has mentioned. Tbh, the ride with the E92 felt more comfortable than the E90 M sport even taking into account both were fitted with RFT's (18" wheels) and sports suspension.

It appears that RFT technology is improving, so assuming you also reep the benefits of this then maybe ride comfort will improve.

Wouldn't like to guess at the handling on the 'big D' were it not fitted with sports suspension tbh. But then BMW know they have to set up UK cars for European roads ie. lots of lovely bends.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

I had an E90 330i M sport then changed to an E92 335d SE obviously with sports suspension etc as Carl has mentioned. Tbh, the ride with the E92 felt more comfortable than the E90 M sport even taking into account both were fitted with RFT's (18" wheels) and sports suspension.

It appears that RFT technology is improving, so assuming you also reep the benefits of this then maybe ride comfort will improve.

Wouldn't like to guess at the handling on the 'big D' were it not fitted with sports suspension tbh. But then BMW know they have to set up UK cars for European roads ie. lots of lovely bends.

Does anyone in the UK buy the non-SE car? I've always thought the motorways were less than perfect (ie, more like U.S.).

We get the 17 x 8.0 Multi Spoke (Style 284) light alloy wheels, 225/45 run-flat1 all-season tires.

[dxb335d]

pretty shit if you guys dont get the sport suspension on any 335d.

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by Socom

Does anyone in the UK buy the non-SE car? I've always thought the motorways were less than perfect (ie, more like U.S.).

We get the 17 x 8.0 Multi Spoke (Style 284) light alloy wheels, 225/45 run-flat1 all-season tires.

Yes, but it's the M sport with the different steering wheel, M sport logos and different front and rear bumpers or the Highline version but all fitted with sports suspension on the 335i/d. Lol, yes some of our motorway surfaces are less than perfect but it's predominately the country, twisty roads that 'challenge' the fillings in your teeth, oh and through some towns and cities. France is the best for smooth motorways.

Standard wheels are V spoke style 188 8/8 5Jx17 with 2 different types of 18" and 19" as an optional extra. The M sport version gets 18" M sport wheels as standard with the option of 19" as an upgrade.

[dxb335d]

We can't help you really. All our 335d drive and handle the same.

[leetennis]

M sports have a harder ride, they have M sport suspension not the same as the SE model

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by leetennis

M sports have a harder ride, they have M sport suspension not the same as the SE model

Except the E92 335D, which as Carl states, has sports and lowered suspension as standard regardless of it being designated SE or MSport.

Only differences between E92 335D variants are purely cosmetic.

D.

[Nickleback]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Except the E92 335D, which as Carl states, has sports and lowered suspension as standard regardless of it being designated SE or MSport.

Only differences between E92 335D variants are purely cosmetic.

D.

& re-sale price !

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Without sport package? our system is different to yours.

Our SE models come with sport suspension and seats. Only difference to the Msport is plastic bits and some interior changes.

Only the coupe & cab SE comes with sport suspension I believe,

E90 and E91 the SE has optional sport suspension.

So many people here buy the m sport (for the looks) but then moan its too hard (like shite mags such as autoexpress etc), thus newer models are 'softened' up to pander to these buyers (majority i'm afraid).

Too compare a 3 year old E9x against an new one shows that clearly.

335diesel has a SE E91 with non sports suspension i think??

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by leetennis

M sports have a harder ride, they have M sport suspension not the same as the SE model

You knowledge is wrong. 335's do have the same sport suspension my friend.

[willhollin]

"M Sport" and "Sport" suspension aren't the same thing are they?

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

...the E92 felt more comfortable than the E90 M sport even taking into account both were fitted with RFT's (18" wheels) and sports suspension

I agree completely with Helen here. My '56' plate 335i SE Coupe (with sports suspension) on 19s was much more compliant than my current '06' plate 330d M Sport Saloon on 18s.

I was completely staggered by this (bought the car blind) as the 330d has smaller alloys. Since switched to non-RFTs which has marginally improved things.

I'd certainly be one who would delete the M Sport suspension if ordering from new again (you've been able to do this on the X3 for years). Love the looks of an M Sport but hate the ride (even on non-RFTs). That said if I could be guaranteed the ride of my old E92 I'd select M Sport though - it's difficult to be sure when ordering as different tyres also contribute to the difference as do little BMW tweaks over time.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by willhollin

"M Sport" and "Sport" suspension aren't the same thing are they?

335's have exactly the same suspension as Msport 335's mate.

Regardless of what its called on car forums.

The same spring rate, damping rate, springs and dampers are used. (335d SE & 335d Msport, slightly different for 335i SE and 335iMsport which share same also)

[Em135eye]

Doughboy - from what I've learned, the SE (mine) gets "sports suspension" from the factory - this is a bit firmer than bog standard. The M Sport is another notch up on firmness - this is the same for the E90 and E93 AFAIK. M Sport suspension is a few hundred quid option on an SE - Not sure if "lower" model SEs (smaller engines) gets the "in between" suspension like mine though.

The E92 SE is slightly different - it has a couple of M Sport type bits as standard - the sports seats, the fatter rear tyres and possibly M Sport suspension?

I have to say that the ride/handling balance of mine is exactly how I want it. Yes I'll change tyre make (Conti or Michelin) next time but that's more down to personal preference than any major issues.

[doughboy]

335d, defo the 335 coupes have pukka m sport as standard, but the other models not sure. If you look on real oem and go to the dampers section it tells you what dampers are fitted with what options and you can see if the same ones are used or not.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...35&hg=31&fg=10

You can see here there is only 1 alternative damper on the Euro 335i tourer, that is for, amongst others 'm sport S704A option' as well as all the other agricultural versions. This is a change in policy, if you go back to 2006 you will see, standard dampers, m sport dampers and otherdampers for poor road etc, now you have only standard and uprated.


rogerxp,

In 06 model year all E9x used the same dampers for m sport (checked this on real oem) this was a hard kit, but i loved it, my 06 330i m sport was a dream to drive. Springs were car and option specfic (due to weight and location of options)

Don't forget an E92 is 75kg heavier than the same E90 and a 335i is 50kg heavier still than any 330, so your 335i coupe would be 125kg heavier than the E90 330d (like two 10 stone passengers), making the damping feel more forgiving.

By about 2007, BMW had gone separate ways with M sport dampers with different dampers for E90, E91 and E92, probanly in an attempt to pacify customers.

Now of course to futher highlight the softening of m sport, we have the performance suspension kits for those people that originaly liked the old m sport. Again the performance kits consist of ONE type of damper for all E9x models, oh just like the old m sport then....

[beemerbird]

Good points doughboy re. the '06 suspension set up as per my '06 330i M sport.

Car was very nice to drive etc but at times I found the suspension a bit too firm. Some of our shite roads don't help though.

[leetennis]

Good info,

I got the brochure for the sedan here (LCI) and m sport suspension only comes with m sport models, its not standard on any other model except m sport.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by leetennis

Good info,

I got the brochure for the sedan here (LCI) and m sport suspension only comes with m sport models, its not standard on any other model except m sport.

Yes that is true, the coupe however has M suspension regardless of SE or Msport in 335 guise.

[F32Fleet]

This really sucks because in the U.S. the 335d is optioned to have the 'sport suspension' when you chose the sport package. This wasn't always the case whereas everyone had a sport suspension and the sport package was simply staggered tires, 155mph limiter, sport seats/steering, and exterior cosmetic changes.