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AWD sedan - update: BMW 335i xdrive purchased

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So 3 month update. Still really enjoying the car.

The engine/transmission really work well together. Suspension is great except when on some of the TERRIBLE roads we have in the city...Denver city roads do not match German suspension.

The gas mileage has been decent...around 25mpg with mixed driving. I know I could do better, but it is hard to drive this car gently...it just begs to be driven hard.

After more time with the steering, it is definitely a step down from the E90 and E46. You notice it the most when going through a bumpy corner...the feel is definitely more artificial in that scenario. Still not as big a deal as reviewers seem to make out of it. My friend has an Infiniti Q50 that I drove last weekend...and my 335i steering was a clear step above IMHO.

More companies need to make cars with inline 6 engines. Just love these things. Glad to hear Daimler is bringing them back in their model lineup.
 
PricklyPete said:
So 3 month update. Still really enjoying the car.

The engine/transmission really work well together. Suspension is great except when on some of the TERRIBLE roads we have in the city...Denver city roads do not match German suspension.

The gas mileage has been decent...around 25mpg with mixed driving. I know I could do better, but it is hard to drive this car gently...it just begs to be driven hard.

After more time with the steering, it is definitely a step down from the E90 and E46. You notice it the most when going through a bumpy corner...the feel is definitely more artificial in that scenario. Still not as big a deal as reviewers seem to make out of it. My friend has an Infiniti Q50 that I drove last weekend...and my 335i steering was a clear step above IMHO.

More companies need to make cars with inline 6 engines. Just love these things. Glad to hear Daimler is bringing them back in their model lineup.
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The Q50 has an optional steer by wire system that is literally the champion of numbest steering feel ever.
 
In fairness to bmw, reducing NVH at the cost of feel is industry practice these days. It's just bit more egregious for the bavarians because they somewhat lived up to the "ultimate driving machines" much as the cars allowed.

Also a complete shame for the G/Q series since they used to be pretty decent driving cars.
 
PricklyPete said:
Thanks and good luck with your GF. I tried to teach my wife how to drive stick a decade ago on my Toyota Tacoma at the time...it did not go well.
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LOL! Just read this. Tried to teach the wife how to drive stick two decades ago. She was almost in tears after about 20 minutes - big wide open mall parking lot. She would get nervous and brake for no apparent reason. I tried being as gentle as possible. After two attempts, I consigned myself to a life of driving automatics 🙁
 
Ajay said:
LOL! Just read this. Tried to teach the wife how to drive stick two decades ago. She was almost in tears after about 20 minutes - big wide open mall parking lot. She would get nervous and brake for no apparent reason. I tried being as gentle as possible. After two attempts, I consigned myself to a life of driving automatics 🙁
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My brother tried to teach me.

No tears, but I am apparently a slow learner.
 
Ajay said:
LOL! Just read this. Tried to teach the wife how to drive stick two decades ago. She was almost in tears after about 20 minutes - big wide open mall parking lot. She would get nervous and brake for no apparent reason. I tried being as gentle as possible. After two attempts, I consigned myself to a life of driving automatics 🙁
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We got out of the parking lot stage...but the first light on a hill was where it all broke down. Light turned green and of course she stalled several times. I tried to remain calm and tell her it was normal, but some jackass in a car behind us started beeping incessantly and took off/swerved around us aggressively while beeping the whole time (mind you, I had my hand outside the window waiving them along the whole time). This was at a sleepy intersection in a very upscale part of St. Louis. My wife pretty much gave up at that moment never to try again.
 
PricklyPete said:
We got out of the parking lot stage...but the first light on a hill was where it all broke down. Light turned green and of course she stalled several times. I tried to remain calm and tell her it was normal, but some jackass in a car behind us started beeping incessantly and took off/swerved around us aggressively while beeping the whole time (mind you, I had my hand outside the window waiving them along the whole time). This was at a sleepy intersection in a very upscale part of St. Louis. My wife pretty much gave up at that moment never to try again.
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That's a bummer, so many people become total assholes when they get behind the wheel. I wish traffic cops could ticket drivers for "being a public asshole" 😛
 
dave_the_nerd said:
My brother tried to teach me.

No tears, but I am apparently a slow learner.
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My dad gave me the run down and then said go practice (alone).
Fortunately for me I was extremely stubborn and didn't like to fail - he knew that. It took me an hour to figure out how to rock a car with a stick back and forth to get out of the muddy , spare, parking space I was in. Then I just drove around back roads for a couple of days before hitting the main roads.
 
Ajay said:
That's a bummer, so many people become total assholes when they get behind the wheel. I wish traffic cops could ticket drivers for "being a public asshole" 😛
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They basically can. Reckless/distracted driving, "driving without due care and attention" and so on.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
They basically can. Reckless/distracted driving, "driving without due care and attention" and so on.
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Unfortunately it rarely happens for many reasons. The jackasserry I see on my short 10 mile commute everyday (major highway) is ridiculous.

Back when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for a couple years and had to drive to Miami from time to time...dear god the driving there was off the charts bad. It may not be the worst traffic in the country, but definitely the worst mix of drivers I've seen.
 
Late to this thread, not sure if you already decided but I'm seeing late model (2015/2016) Volvo V60 wagons, well equipped, going for $23-25k with low miles. AWD can be had in that range.

It's a mature platform for sure, only facelifted once since 2011 but still a good looking car. I bet the new model out next year will push used prices further down though, so can't speak to it holding value.
 
UNCjigga said:
Late to this thread, not sure if you already decided but I'm seeing late model (2015/2016) Volvo V60 wagons, well equipped, going for $23-25k with low miles. AWD can be had in that range.

It's a mature platform for sure, only facelifted once since 2011 but still a good looking car. I bet the new model out next year will push used prices further down though, so can't speak to it holding value.
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Thanks for the heads up. I did briefly look at AWD Volvos wagons, but they seemed to be pushing my original budget in this area (wagons tend to sell well in this region, so getting a d al on them is rare). If I had reset my search at the price point I eventually purchased at, I probably could have found a V60, 328i wagon, or even A4 Allroad. Ended up falling in love with the 335i engine and I'm really not regretting the decision as nice/functional a hatchback/wagon would be.
 
UNCjigga said:
Late to this thread, not sure if you already decided but I'm seeing late model (2015/2016) Volvo V60 wagons, well equipped, going for $23-25k with low miles. AWD can be had in that range.

It's a mature platform for sure, only facelifted once since 2011 but still a good looking car. I bet the new model out next year will push used prices further down though, so can't speak to it holding value.
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They also have AWD sedans. I think I might die before I would own a wagon 😱
 
PricklyPete said:
Thanks for the heads up. I did briefly look at AWD Volvos wagons, but they seemed to be pushing my original budget in this area (wagons tend to sell well in this region, so getting a d al on them is rare). If I had reset my search at the price point I eventually purchased at, I probably could have found a V60, 328i wagon, or even A4 Allroad. Ended up falling in love with the 335i engine and I'm really not regretting the decision as nice/functional a hatchback/wagon would be.
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Yeah, can't really find any faults with the N55 engine. Would love a Gran Turismo 3 (or better yet the 4) myself but those cars are rare.
 
UNCjigga said:
Yeah, can't really find any faults with the N55 engine. Would love a Gran Turismo 3 (or better yet the 4) myself but those cars are rare.
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New models have the N58 now. Damn fine engines from what I've read. Surprised they aren't V6's, BMW probably has to perform some majic to get rid of the secondary harmonics (vibrations). I love to own one someday, or at least be close enough to merit taking one for a spin 🙂
 
Ajay said:
New models have the N58 now. Damn fine engines from what I've read. Surprised they aren't V6's, BMW probably has to perform some majic to get rid of the secondary harmonics (vibrations). I love to own one someday, or at least be close enough to merit taking one for a spin 🙂
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They're both straight 6s -- naturally balanced to first and second order 😉

edit: reading about it more, I am not sure how accurate the second part of that statement is. Gotta get back to work so no time to verify, but this is interesting reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_balance
 
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So I took my wife's Q7 in for a service and got an A3 2.0T Quattro S-Line loaner for a day. Obviously not a direct competitor to my 335i, but I naturally did that anyway.

- I just like Audi interiors better. Cleaner, nicer materials, and more ergonomic (simpler) in my mind.

- the 2.0T and DSG are really mature and working well these days...but the N55 and ZF 8-spd are better in most driving IMHO.

- The A3 does not have enough glass. Has that "Camaro" feel like you are in a tub. The 335i and A4 (last gen...haven't been in a new one yet) are much better on these fronts.

- Sport suspension on the A3 was better composed in a lot of cases than the sports suspension in the BMW...but seemed to be taken off its game a bit sooner on rough pavement. Both are good though.

- 335i felt spacious after getting out of A3. Glad I did not go in that direction size wise now that we have 3 kids. While I was driving the loaner, my wife had no problem hauling around our 3 kids in car seats in the 335i. Never could have done that in the A3. Haven't sat in the new A4, but interested how it compares size wise to the last gen A4 that we owned.

Side note, BMW's are ridiculously overpriced when bought new. My wife's 2014 Q7 TDI Premium Plus was $62k MSRP. My 2014 335i xdrive sport line was 52k MSRP. The Q7 is a LOT more car than the 19% increase would indicate.
 
So 9 months in the car has been flawless. Still puts a smile to my face each day.

The engine is just a peach. Very responsive (esp. in Sport, Sport+ modes). So smooth and never seems to run out of steam.

Decided to get the M Performance Pack installed. Cost about $1600 for an extra 35hp (douche power to reference another thread). Over 10% increase to 335hp. Comfort mode (which unfortunately you have to switch out of each time) has also been improved with better response...but Sport and Sport+ are really where you can feel the difference. Just instant power to get you in trouble whenever you want.

It is not a life changing increase, but the car really pulls. This car feels (and is) significantly faster than my E46 M3 ever did/was. Not as visceral (the S54 engine noise will be missed forever), but this more than takes care of any speed desire I have.

The intake was modified slightly as part of the install and is a bit more noticeable under hard acceleration. Also, the car now seems to have some crackle/burble during overrun/at stop...so maybe some new programming on the exhaust flaps.

Great upgrade for me. I know there are way more impressive tunes out there (for less money in a lot of cases)...but this is BMW approved and still keeps my warranty intact.
 
what does the performance pack actually consist of? for $1600 I'd prefer to know exactly what they did, even if the work is covered under BMW warranty. i can get behind anything with a I6 though, some of the best motors around imo.
 
35hp is pretty decent for just a tune and intake, if that's what it actually makes now. not sure it's worth 1600 but if it makes a bit more power, and it translates well to actual whp, then why not I suppose. 91 or 93 octane is what I'm guessing they mapped for...?

most cars don't benefit from an intake and a panel filter would suffice but on boosted motors a good intake can really help.
 
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