[danik]

Dear Forum Members.

I am a 335D owner and took my car for a recall issue with particulate filter. I was given a 335I sport package loaner. My first impression is WOW. The car seems to be quicker and peppy in lower gears. In addition I get more of a feeling that the 335I just wants to go and go. I love my 335D however the feeling I get from a 335I is that it is a sport car and 335D is more of a cruiser. I also like the engine noise and the handling(no sport package on my 335d). The one advantage I see with my car is resale value and gas milage. The AVG I got from 335I is around 17 i drove it hard a couple times. The 335D is giving me 28. Anyway the 335I is really a beast and a fun car to drive. Be carefull out there.

Daniel.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by danik

Dear Forum Members.

I am a 335D owner and took my car for a recall issue with particulate filter. I was given a 335I sport package loaner. My first impression is WOW. The car seems to be quicker and peppy in lower gears. In addition I get more of a feeling that the 335I just wants to go and go. I love my 335D however the feeling I get from a 335I is that it is a sport car and 335D is more of a cruiser. I also like the engine noise and the handling(no sport package on my 335d). The one advantage I see with my car is resale value and gas milage. The AVG I got from 335I is around 17 i drove it hard a couple times. The 335D is giving me 28. Anyway the 335I is really a beast and a fun car to drive. Be carefull out there.

Daniel.

Well, diesels revs slower than gasoline so you can expect the 335i to be faster. I can imagine how different the extra 200 lbs and stock suspension of the 335d compares to the sport 335i. The mag Bimmer was the only mag disappointed with the stock suspension of the 335d which led me to believe that only guys who drive their cars at 7/10's all the time would really miss it.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by danik

Dear Forum Members.

I am a 335D owner and took my car for a recall issue with particulate filter. I was given a 335I sport package loaner. My first impression is WOW. The car seems to be quicker and peppy in lower gears. In addition I get more of a feeling that the 335I just wants to go and go. I love my 335D however the feeling I get from a 335I is that it is a sport car and 335D is more of a cruiser. I also like the engine noise and the handling(no sport package on my 335d). The one advantage I see with my car is resale value and gas milage. The AVG I got from 335I is around 17 i drove it hard a couple times. The 335D is giving me 28. Anyway the 335I is really a beast and a fun car to drive. Be carefull out there.

Daniel.

I have driven a 335d and here in europe at least they feel similar in performance. Evolve motorsport in the UK have a switchable box that takes the 335d to 350hp and 700NM torque if youre interested (keeps the fuel economy, lets you put the car back to stock in minutes and turns it into a monster!)there are loads of people running this in the UK and i have yet to hear a bad word about it.

Heres the link:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254282

[RambleJ]

Originally Posted by ss134

I have driven a 335d and here in europe at least they feel similar in performance. Evolve motorsport in the UK have a switchable box that takes the 335d to 350hp and 700NM torque if youre interested (keeps the fuel economy, lets you put the car back to stock in minutes and turns it into a monster!)there are loads of people running this in the UK and i have yet to hear a bad word about it.

Heres the link:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254282

Unfortunately that specific tune does not work with the North American ECU's.

[Estoril Sport]

I test drove a 335D and a 335i on the same day for me the 335i sounded much better for a start, I was slightly disappointed with the 335D I thought with the extra torque it would make a big difference but it didn't, but as the car is heaver this make a difference.

If you can justify the extra fuel and tax costs of the 335i go for it

Around town I am getting 17 /20 mpg

[PJPHughes]

I'm swapping from a '08 335i convertible to a '10 335d next week (the car is at the port! Montego blue, saddle, loaded except active steering and cruise and auto headlights). I got in the 335d (no sport pack) to test drive it in August and fell in love with the torque immediately. In LA, my E93 is averaging 14mpg around town, which is pretty bad in my book. Oil is creeping up again and soon we'll be back at high $3's per gallon here, and diesel is now cheaper than regular unleaded. Who knows whether it will stay that way, but...I am after power and economy, and I really think the 335d is the best car out there for this. I road trip to San Fran for work a lot too, so this will be a great car for that.

I personally love the bass like growl from the diesel engine and find it to be remarkably sporty for a diesel.

I'm looking forward to the new iDrive, no more fuel pump issues (mine was replaced at 4K miles along with a software upgrade and the car doesn't seem as fast now), and to be honest, a roof over my head, 4 doors and a usable trunk. It's my first diesel car too. I also looked at the Jetta TDI wagon but no leather and a crappy nav/stereo were kind of turn offs. Although the new 2010 wagons look nice with all the upgrades. Still leatherette though.

Is it next week yet??

[anowlan]

My 3y lease is up on my 335i. When the EcoCredit was announced I ordered a 335d. I've never driven one. While I love the 335i, I'm on my 3rd HPFP, the mileage is about 21MPG over 38K miles. I'm looking forward to: similar but not identical performance, better stereo, heated steering wheel, iDrive, better than 30MPG, and reduced operating expenses. And the Chestnut leather. I can totally understand why people love the 335i. I do. But I think a vehicle that can give you 90% of that performance with a 30% reduction in operating expenses, greater fuel range and (hopefully) greater reliability is pretty appealing. Especially when a nearly fully-loaded example comes in at very close to a merely well-equipped 335i with the EcoCredit. The ability to order the M3 Upgraded stereo through BMW Individual helped seal the deal.

[Craig@SupremePower]

nice... thanx for sharing your impressions!

[Cookiemonster]

Just had my fifth fuel pump installed. The 335D looks good. I am just waiting to see if a tune will be around anytime soon for the US version. If yes then a 335D might be my next car

[ss134]

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Just had my fifth fuel pump installed. The 335D looks good. I am just waiting to see if a tune will be around anytime soon for the US version. If yes then a 335D might be my next car

these things are monsters when tuned - check out this video
stock 335i v tuned 335d

and vs E46 M3

[kcgman]

Originally Posted by danik

Dear Forum Members.

I am a 335D owner and took my car for a recall issue with particulate filter. I was given a 335I sport package loaner. My first impression is WOW. The car seems to be quicker and peppy in lower gears. In addition I get more of a feeling that the 335I just wants to go and go. I love my 335D however the feeling I get from a 335I is that it is a sport car and 335D is more of a cruiser. I also like the engine noise and the handling(no sport package on my 335d). The one advantage I see with my car is resale value and gas milage. The AVG I got from 335I is around 17 i drove it hard a couple times. The 335D is giving me 28. Anyway the 335I is really a beast and a fun car to drive. Be carefull out there.

Daniel.

Both are great cars, and I agree that the 335i has the better engine sound. Not sure I agree about the other things. The aspect I enjoy so much is grabbing that 335d torque while in traffic. The acceleration while in motion feels better with the 335d versus the 335i. Granted it could be perception on my part, but this link seems to bear it out that case. It provides a pretty comprehensive comparison of the i and d with and without mods.

http://vivekk.bimmerpost.com//pics/BMW%20final.pdf

[Insider]

It's true the diesel engine produces more torque, however, the tall gearing that the engine has to work with kills the torque to the point where the average torque to the wheels is less than the 335i. Hence the slower acceleration. Except, maybe, at the very lowest RPM's.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by Estoril Sport

I test drove a 335D and a 335i on the same day for me the 335i sounded much better for a start.

I have heard some truly awesome sounding ricers going about 60 (although it sounds like they are going 100) as I silently pass them in my 335d. If you prefer the note of the 335i and you can afford to upgrade the stereo system (I do have about a hundred pounds of subwoofers and amps in my 335d), just add some amps and a sub to your trunk and play a recording of a 351 boss engine screaming at a race track while you are driving around in your 335d. Of course the added weight will make your car a bit slower and less efficient, but I bet note will be better than a 335i. I will stick to playing music on my stereo and passing "better-sounding" cars silently, but that is just me.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by Insider

It's true the diesel engine produces more torque, however, the tall gearing that the engine has to work with kills the torque to the point where the average torque to the wheels is less than the 335i. Hence the slower acceleration. Except, maybe, at the very lowest RPM's.

What ?

I suppose that theory means the 30-50 or 50-70 in top figures will also suffer ...

Oh, hang on. That is where it excels. Without dropping a gear. Too much initial torque causes problems when trying to get Rolling Road readings on a 335D.

In Europe, the 335D and 335i are near identical in acceleration. Proven time and time again.

I'm going out on a limb here and guessing you haven't driven a 335D yet ?

D.

[Insider]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

What ?

I suppose that theory means the 30-50 or 50-70 in top figures will also suffer ...

Oh, hang on. That is where it excels. Without dropping a gear. Too much initial torque causes problems when trying to get Rolling Road readings on a 335D.

In Europe, the 335D and 335i are near identical in acceleration. Proven time and time again.

I'm going out on a limb here and guessing you haven't driven a 335D yet ?

D.

Hi Dave,

Yes I have driven the 335D. Great car. If the torque is 40% greater, why is the acceleration similar? Do you think that has something to do with the taller gearing of the 335d?

[bavarian19]

I would get a 335D if I did a lot of highway driving. Unfortunately, I could never justify not having a manual transmission.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by Insider

Hi Dave,

Yes I have driven the 335D. Great car. If the torque is 40% greater, why is the acceleration similar? Do you think that has something to do with the taller gearing of the 335d?

Not to the extent that it "kills the torque" in any way. Same way as the gearing of a 335i compared to a 330i doesn't kill the torque. Gearing is optimised for power/rev range in both cars. The 335D gearing takes advantage of the smaller rev range - otherwise you'd be busy wheelspinning around changing gears all the time.

Torque is immediately apparent in the 335D. In top gear, acceleration times are better than a 335i at normal driving speeds.

Standing start, brutal, full-bore 0-60 times are for talking about over a pint. I don't drive like that

D.

[coolchu001]

I've had two loaners (135i w/ ZSP, and 335i xdrive) since I've gotten my 335d. I have to say, the 135i is one hell of a car to drive, the rev happy engine is completely different than that of the 335d. The acceleration seems much smoother since you don't feel as much of the torque as you would in the diesel. The 335i xdrive is somewhat similar to the 135i, but the acceleration didn't seem as snappy as the 135i. It doesn't peel out or slip as much as the 135i due to the xdrive. I've also noticed that both of the loaners have a louder exhaust tone (which I like more than my 335d), but I think the engine noise is louder on the freeway. I've read somewhere that the US spec diesel has extra plating for sound isolation from the cabin. Anyhow, the biggest difference is the feeling you get when you step on the pedal. The gasoline versions just goes, whereas in the diesel you feel like you are being pushed back when going at the same time. The highway passing speed is also faster in the diesel since the torque is readily available at the cruising RPM. It seems as though the diesels require a lot less effort to do the same work (probably just because of the lower red-line). The torque makes it seem like its a faster car when its not :-P. Also, the MPG is usually 10+ more on the diesel than the gasoline versions in combined driving conditions.

I have the 335i xdrive loaner for a week now (waiting on a valve part for my 335d from Germany (I miss my car ><). I have to say I choose the diesel over the 135i and the 335i I was given as loaners.

[F104]

thought to compare things a bit more scientific. Can't upload the .xls, but started from a 335i engine torque curve, calculated it to wheel torque in 5th gear , then calculated what 335d torque would be at that same wheel speed and 5th gear, and put it in a graph (sorry data is in Nm's and estimated from very basic curves out of an (old) European BMW brochure). So this shows wheel torque VS wheel rpm.

Note: Published torque curves on turbocharged (in general diesel) engines do not match acceleration curves. As both are sequential turbo charged engines i did not even attempt to factor this in, but I'm sure the 335d suffers a bit more more from this than the 335i as boost pressures are higher.

My conclusion:these engines are pretty similar and yet different. If you have driven petrol and diesel you'll know exactly where the difference is, and to me the graph confirms this

[RussRamz]

Originally Posted by RambleJ

Unfortunately that specific tune does not work with the North American ECU's.

Yes it does

[Dackz]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I would get a 335D if I did a lot of highway driving. Unfortunately, I could never justify not having a manual transmission.

Same here, if this were offered in a manual and coupe I would consider a possible trade, but its not. To each their own though.

I do love the diesel influence though. My friends thought I was nuts telling them about how good they were in MPG and performance, then the Jetta TDI came out and then the 335d, then we took a trip to Europe and a majority of the cars seemed to be the turbo diesel's from all brands and they realized that the diesel really is great. Now if we could only get more cars over here.

As per MPG, per the computer on the car with mixed city/highway I am getting 25.7mpg. I drive a pretty good lead foot, and everytime I get on the Interstate its floored up to 80. This winter gas I fear is taking it down a tad, only 23.8mpg last tank. Im thrilled with the MPG's of the car, my last car got about the same with 100 less HP. Of course, I would love the extra 10 I would get with diesel but alas, for reasons above, just wont happen till that happens.

[ucla1995]

Originally Posted by kcgman

Both are great cars, and I agree that the 335i has the better engine sound. Not sure I agree about the other things. The aspect I enjoy so much is grabbing that 335d torque while in traffic. The acceleration while in motion feels better with the 335d versus the 335i. Granted it could be perception on my part, but this link seems to bear it out that case. It provides a pretty comprehensive comparison of the i and d with and without mods.

http://vivekk.bimmerpost.com//pics/BMW%20final.pdf

The stock UK 335d (which the article in the link was testing) is 20hp more than the version that we get here. So these results are worthless for us Americans. Although the torque figures are exactly the same.