[tomface]

Im am really looking into getting a bmw 335d ... I am curious if any of the people on this forum have one? and could give me there feeling on it? I am stuck right now deciding between these cars:

bmw 335d
audi s4
bmw m3
audi s5

I love that the 335d and the new s4's get good mpg as i have quite a long commute to work and I love going on road trips.... I also am like most of you probably and I love power and speed... so having a s5 or a m3 would be a dream too... what do you all think? thanks!

[Addicted2Torque]

Tom,

There is a dedicated forumn to diesel BMW's on Bi...fest.com you may want to check out. I can tell you that I was looking hard at the S5 and a little bit at the S4 before making the decision to buy the 335d. No other car had the combination of sport and efficiency that the 335d has. With the sport or m-sport package the 335d leans towards more sporting handling than either of the Audi's. I didn't consider the M3, but I believe you will find the d to be just as fun for a daily driver and still leave you smiling at the pump! It is simply an amazing car that is gaining more fans every day.

[RON1X]

I think the M3 is a bit detached from all of the other options you are considering. Further, the S5 is a coupe, so deciding on whether you want 4 doors or 2 would be the next limiting choice. With that, the 335D would take the cake for me, but the new S4 is a great car, I've driven it and really liked it. However, to compete with the sportiness of the S4, I would definitely think you have to have the sport package on the 335. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices though. Doubt that helps you to much, but would maybe help you limit your choices...

[Alan l.]

The S4 and 335d/i is so closely matched that you really need to take them on a extended test drive to decide each car's strength and weakness's matters to you the most.

Audi's interiors although looks better at first glance....i find the feel of it lacking compared to BMW.

[F32Fleet]

As a daily driver the 335d is fantastic but it all depends on what YOU want out of car.

If you're going to buy (not lease) a car, and are serious about taking the car to the track a couple of times a year I would opt for a 6 spd M3 or Audi (If they offer a manual) just because the manual gearbox is easier to maintain and should be more durable down the road.

[Trojan4evr]

OP, my brother was trying to decide between 335is and S4 and to be honest I think S4 is too much bang for buck compared to 335d.
full option S4 is ~56k while with that price 335d is not found easily

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by Addicted2Torque

Tom,

There is a dedicated forumn to diesel BMW's on Bi...fest.com you may want to check out. I can tell you that I was looking hard at the S5 and a little bit at the S4 before making the decision to buy the 335d. No other car had the combination of sport and efficiency that the 335d has. With the sport or m-sport package the 335d leans towards more sporting handling than either of the Audi's. I didn't consider the M3, but I believe you will find the d to be just as fun for a daily driver and still leave you smiling at the pump! It is simply an amazing car that is gaining more fans every day.

I couldnt have said it better..

the d rocks -- surprised me that there was no lack of handling/feedback and without a doubt a hefty stump puller from a standing start... it so freaky that you hardly have to push the car over 3k to get up some real hustle.. cruising at 1300 to 1800 rpm is too sweet ....

[addicted2drums]

I would go with the M3.

[itsbrokeagain]

Don't forget that the S5 is grossly overrated. On the dyno it barely eked out 250hp....little lame for a supercharged car...

A 335d would be a blast to drive. The torque would absolutely kill everything out there lol...

[lacartus]

Originally Posted by Matt@Camber-Toe

Don't forget that the S5 is grossly overrated. On the dyno it barely eked out 250hp....little lame for a supercharged car...

I've heard of the 2010 S5 with the V8 putting down weak numbers, but not the 2011 S5/2010-11 S4 with the supercharged 6?
http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/0.../s5/index.html
The supercharged 6 is *underrated* from what I've heard (link shows multiple dynos at 300+ awhp)

OP: If you're concerned about mileage forget the M3, it gets awful mileage -- I averaged 15 MPG in mixed driving (2009 M3 6MT) that typically nets over 20 MPG in my 335. Unless you plan to track your car a lot, then I'd probably get the M3 (or a nice late-model e46 M3 and an A3 TDI for commuting)

[DieselDiner]

Originally Posted by tomface

Im am really looking into getting a bmw 335d ... I am curious if any of the people on this forum have one? and could give me there feeling on it? I am stuck right now deciding between these cars:

bmw 335d
audi s4
bmw m3
audi s5

I love that the 335d and the new s4's get good mpg as i have quite a long commute to work and I love going on road trips.... I also am like most of you probably and I love power and speed... so having a s5 or a m3 would be a dream too... what do you all think? thanks!

I really like the styling of the S5, but IMO this comes down to the M3 versus the 335D. Since you mention good mpg/long commute/road trips... in that context, the "D" is the better choice for your stated needs. I love the E90 M, would love to have one, but the D gives you fuel economy that can't be expected from the M. The M driver doesn't give 2 sh*ts about mpg.

[BMW Junkie]

Originally Posted by Trojan4evr

OP, my brother was trying to decide between 335is and S4 and to be honest I think S4 is too much bang for buck compared to 335d.
full option S4 is ~56k while with that price 335d is not found easily

I just purchased my '11 335d (nearly all options besides Logic 7 and forward park distance control) 6 weeks ago. Absolutely love it! MSRP was around $56k. However, because it's a diesel, BMW gives $4500 off right away. In addition, you also get a $900 credit on your taxes. Not write-off, $ for $ credit. So all said and done, my car came out around $51k before even talking numbers with the dealer, which gave me $2500 off (they wanted to maintain 2% over invoice). In case you're not keeping a tally, mine cost $48,500 before taxes/licensing. Add in the savings in gas, and the car is an absolute steal.

My buddy has a manual E46 M3 (not sure if it's modded) and we had a little fun yesterday and the 335d (auto and stock) didn't lose an inch of ground.

The only complaint I have about the 'd' so far is that there's no performance upgrades out there yet (that I've seen at least). I imagine this car is going to gain a HUGE following once they arrive and show the car's true potential.

[mdbrit]

We have a 2008 MT M3 and a 335d. 15mpg in the M3, 28 in the 335d. Those are driving mix city/highway 50/50.
Half the time the 335d feels more powerful as the torque is always there. The M3 shines when you get the speed and the revs up, but it's so easy in the 335d you feel like you're having to work harder to do the same in the M3. Don't get me wrong, we love our M3, but it's going to get traded way before the D.

Oh - and there are some 335d (US spec) upgrades available now also

[Trojan4evr]

Originally Posted by RI335d

The only complaint I have about the 'd' so far is that there's no performance upgrades out there yet (that I've seen at least). I imagine this car is going to gain a HUGE following once they arrive and show the car's true potential.

BMS is working on theirs. take a look at their forum.

[E92Fan]

If you come over to the UK Forum, you'll find LOADS of people who have the 335d. And there are even some members who have owned the exact cars the OP is considering -

335d --> Audi S5 ---> Cayman S --> Audi RS5 (on order)


Plus, there's loads of information on remaps for the 335d, including the newest encrypted ECU. There's over five years worth of mapping experience with the 335d in the UK, and we've got cars over here producing 350bhp and 530lbft torque.

The newest ECU was the trickiest to crack, but several tuning companies here have the solution now.

[FrankiE90]

E92Fan, tuning for the 335D is for euro spec'd bimmers.
such a cock tease for US owners....

[mdbrit]

US 335d/x5d tuning. :-)

http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_JBD_...ance_chip.html

[BMW Junkie]

Originally Posted by mdbrit

US 335d/x5d tuning. :-)

http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_JBD_...ance_chip.html

Hmm, it's still in Beta form. Think I'll wait to see what the consensus is.

[mdbrit]

I wouldn't touch a new car for at least a year, make sure everything is ok with it. Then you can 'refresh' it with an upgrade and enjoy it all over again.
I absolutely love my 335d. Best car/engine out there I believe.

[RoundelM3]

I drove a 335d last week and was totally amazed. It's got all the performance and handling you'd expect plus it doesn't smell or rattle like other diesels - and there's no cloud of black smoke when you get on it. It's quiet and refined...I'm seriously considering one for a 2nd car when they show up in CPO. Unless, of course, my wife really pushes for the 1-series convertible.