[Dave_3]

As regards PS2 RFTs you might also want to read Dario's experience. He reckoned the wet weather grip was way better than the Bridgestones.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168648

I will be fitting Michelin PS2 ZP (RFTs) next time round.

D.

[Oil Burner]

can't speak for the 335d as only have a lowly 330d however when i was selecting this car was goign to get a mual, all others I test drove were (boxster, cayman, SLK, 350Z) but dealer could only loan me an auto at the time. Loved the testdrive, but still thought I would end up in manual, but when I borrowed an E90 with the manual box, decided that actually i thought the auto was better.

Since last August have put 19,000 mile on the clock, and yes i do still miss having a manual for ultimate control, but the DS mode udally gets me over that, and when I am stuck in one on the far to regular jams on the M4/M25 then having a stop/go car is much more relaxing.

just my thoughts..........

[spirocheter]

OK, so I was probably expressing a slightly pessimistic view when I wrote the initial thread here.... but how many people, once they've chosen their stead, flagrantly deny anything else can hold a candle to their whip!

I must say, I had some hesitation over buying the 335d with the auto box in the first place, though this was tempered by everything I had read regarding the awesome torque.... my old e46 was so well endowed in this respect, I wished to take things to the next level.

I can quite certainly say for its chosen purpose, it suits me needs very well and is proving to be a very classy car to live with. Finally, I'm very pleased with my purchase (though probably would have been similarly pleased if I'd gone for the 335i / manual).

Perhaps initially my driving style was not well mated to the 'box, or else my expectations were unrealistic, that I expressed a slightly critical view. It may have been prudent to have given it some time before expressing my thoughts, though I don't like to hype anything I've bought too much to enhance my ego.

I truly love (almost) all BMWs and can see a reason to buy most different variants (though obviously prefer the higher powered varieties).

I appreciate all your comments and thoughts and the warm welcome I have received to the forum. I expect to live with the standard car for a few more thousand miles, before considering the 'upgrade' to a remapped version. Part of the fun, after all, is in the art of procrastinating over such things!

The most immediate thing I shall investigate, is the effect on tyre pressure on ride and handling (in my E46, I found even 1-2lbs of pressure made a significant difference). Usually dealers and tyre fitters, are quite approximate with their tyre inflations... and horror of horrors, I've not checked mine yet.... been too busy paying for the car!