335 Diesel Loaner Car

[Titanium Silver]

Got a 335 diesel loaner from the dealership. In Colorado, they normally give you 328i AWD loaners or gas 335s with AWD. This is a rear wheel drive diesel with Blizzaks (LM22). I have to say, this thing has some crazy torque.

When you floor it, the tires just break loose on almost any road surface. I am not a huge diesel fan, but I am pleasantly surprised by how hard this thing pulls. Not to mention, it gets around 26 mpg even with spirited driving. On the highway it easily gets mid 30s mpg.

Although I will miss the NA motor on the new M3, I can't imagine how much torque the thing will have with the current 335 D coming in at 425 ft lbs. It's going to be crazy in the F30.

I'm not trying to start a 335 vs M3 discussion, but anyone else drive one of these? I just wanted to hear your opinions.

[DivideBYZero]

The best thing about turbo diesels is the torque. My wife's 120d has almost as much torque as an E46 M3...

[serranot]

I drove one in 2010 and was on my way to the dealership to buy it the next weekend when the sales guy called and told me it was sold.

I am thankful that that chain of events led to my buying my M3, but I also know that the 335d has nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps not as powerful as either the 335 or M3, but it has that crazy torque and mileage.

[paradocs98]

I also had one as a service loaner last year--what a blast to drive! It's like the best-kept secret in the service loaner fleet. Definitely fun for leaving stoplights and getting through traffic. I think in the long run, though, I would miss the high-rpm, racy performance of an M3. There's something not too satisfying about a 4-5000rpm redline.

Maybe a 335d for daily commuting and a stripped-out E92 M3 for track use? The 335d could probably serve as your tow vehicle.

[mkoesel]

Since we got a Jetta TDI wagon, I have really warmed up to diesels. The economy is great.

But I have to say this: the car has a 140hp, and guess what? It feels like it. It is no quicker than a Focus with a 150hp N/A naturally aspirated 4 cylinder gasoline engine. I don't care about torque, because power@speed is what determines acceleration. So when I drive the Jetta, I shift@red just like when I drive the M3. If I don't then the thing is an utter dog. Sure the torque sensation feels cool or whatever, but that doesn't really appeal to me when I am just trying to get to speed quickly. I don't care about seat-o-pants metrics.

Yes, I realize I am talking about a four-banger. But the point here is that the whole diesel=torque=performance is sort of over blown in my personal opinion. I also used to have a 335i which is no diesel obviously, but here too, it performed just like any other 300hp car. It did feel different than a 3.5L V6 N/A engine, yes. But again, I don't care.

I think the 335d has about 260hp, right? And at that, you'll find it no faster than a 330i (which I realize is not available in the US today). Better economy? Yes, although only marginally so since we get the old M57 engine in the US which is much less efficient than the newer N57.

[kiwistu]

120d, 335d, 535d or x5d best cars/SUV ever for a non M car person. I reckon.

I had a 335d for 2 years and it was simply brilliant, as a stepping stone...had a M3 for just over a year since, I am finally content! At least one friend got a 335d msport wagon as a result, and its cool.

Cheers
stu

[immiketoo]

Diesel rocks. I want a Quattro diesel A3 for a runabout, but they don't send them here

[SchnellM3]

I had a 335D as a loner as well and came away extremely impressed. I was pretty skeptical about it at first and even asked for a different car, but wow I really enjoyed it. I think for someone who wants a nice car that maybe retired and looking for a nice get around town car its a great fit with the gas mileage it gets.

[TheRealOrosie]

I too got a 335d at my last service....and it made me miss the torque in my Dinan Stage 2 335i...sort of.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of low end grunt that diesel had.

[docbolo]

Used to drive 330 and had a loaner 335d. Felt OK but it kind of sucks with the auto tranny - in that regard my 330 felt more fun to drive with 6MT. I feel that the 335d would be even more fun than the 335 with manual. Also it sounds like a FedEx truck with the typical clatter sound of the diesel.

Needless to say I was relieved to get my m3 back.

[Moxie]

^^ Not that much noise with a 335d. As most everyone already said, it's a nice all around car. It has deceivingly quick accelaration allowing you to merge easy into the autobahn left lane, slipping in & out of traffic.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

I also had one as a service loaner last year--what a blast to drive! It's like the best-kept secret in the service loaner fleet. Definitely fun for leaving stoplights and getting through traffic. I think in the long run, though, I would miss the high-rpm, racy performance of an M3. There's something not too satisfying about a 4-5000rpm redline.

Maybe a 335d for daily commuting and a stripped-out E92 M3 for track use? The 335d could probably serve as your tow vehicle.

Love this

[Mr.MichaelM3]

I got a 335d for a week. I LOVED THAT CAR! gobs of low end tq. Especially from a dig. The car picks up QUICK! I would love one. DO they make tunes for that car?

[Park2670]

I love driving my 335d everyday. I have even been averaging over 32 mpg each tank. The power is plenty for me as a daily driver. I do hope to pick up a used M3 or even Z4M for a weekend car though to have a higher reving manual car again.

[Richbot]

I had a loaner too and liked it but not more than a 335i. As cool as all that torque is, the 335i is quicker, faster, better handling, etc. But I'm glad there's a group of people dedicated to these, maybe it's the start of more Diesel choices from BMW. Where I thought the motor really made sense was in the X5 35iwhateverd I had. Perfect match.

If fuel prices really start to bounce I predict 335d resale values bouncing right along with them, there isn't a better sports sedan out there for economy/performance balance, even if it is still an automatic. For me it's no manual, no care.

There are several tunes available for these, they're north of 300whp and well north of 450 ft lbs at the wheels with just the tune...

[Kaylin032]

I own one of each. The 335d is my daily driver, and it's marvelous for that role. With a JBD at 100%, the torque is insane and I generally get 36+ mpg in combined city/highway driving. The handling is decent but the M3 is clearly superior for that. It is an exceptional all-around daily driver that is fast, fun, and economical. I plan to keep it for at least 200,000 miles, and possibly 300k.

However! The M3 is faster, sexier (2 door convertible), louder (I love my Eisenmann race muffler), and has superior handling. Although economical for a V8, it guzzles about twice as much gas as the diesel. My M3 has been limited to the role of my weekend fun car because it is the most expensive car I have owned, and I regard it as something special.

When I drive the M3, I consider selling the diesel. When I drive the diesel, I consider selling the M3. I think the bottom line is that each one is essentially perfect for different roles. Each probably has the flexibility to cover the other, but if I didn't have both I'd probably be missing out on something.



K

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by Kaylin032

I own one of each. The 335d is my daily driver, and it's marvelous for that role. The handling is decent but the M3 is clearly superior for that. It is an exceptional all-around daily driver that is fast, fun, and economical. I plan to keep it for at least 200,000 miles, and possibly 300k.

However! The M3 is faster, sexier , louder (I love my Eisenmann Sport muffler), and has superior handling. Although economical for a V8, it guzzles about twice as much gas as the diesel. My M3 is the most expensive car I have owned, and I regard it as something special.

When I drive the M3, I consider selling the diesel. When I drive the diesel, I consider selling the M3. I think the bottom line is that each one is essentially perfect for different roles. Each probably has the flexibility to cover the other, but if I didn't have both I'd probably be missing out on something.



K

Well said.

[mdosu]

i drove a 335d for a few hours as well. A very fun car. You can flog it and still get like 30 mpgs. That's just insane. The only downside to the car is the cheaper leather.

[Park2670]

Originally Posted by mdosu

i drove a 335d for a few hours as well. A very fun car. You can flog it and still get like 30 mpgs. That's just insane. The only downside to the car is the cheaper leather.

Yea. If I could have novillo it would be amazing