335d Xdrive v 535d v 435d 2015+

drunkmonkey

What’s your pick of those 3?

Currently have a 530 F10 and thinking the 335 is nearly the same space inside but the 435 has a better boot.
Also watched one review on you tube and they said get the wagon not the saloon in the 335. (Have 3 kids but mine isn’t the kiddy car)
Then there’s the 535 which im not seeing as a new car might as well dyno my own and save my money. Nothing wrong with mine just thinking of jumping up 5/6 years.

Completely confused. I’m steering towards a 335 facelift. Or is there something else I should consider.
Importing so budget about 30k all in.

Wailin

For me I would chose the 435d GC, looks so much better than the 3 series...I take you're talking about an M sport?

You're right about going from the 530d to 535d. Better off remapping your own and saving. You might be surprised about the interior of the 3/4 series though. Well down on the quality of the 5er and they won't be as refined on the road.

The G30 doesn't come in 535d guise but the 530d is almost as quick with the car being lighter.

carsfan2

3/4 series are definitely step down in interior quality and refinement against the 5.
The x drive cars are on standard se suspension even on m sport models so sit higher and don’t handle as well.
Lot of guys on the enthusiast forums get AC schnitzer springs to address this.
Unless you just want to move up the years, I can’t see the 535d being much more than the 530d you have.

bazz26

It really depends what your after. The F30/F36 are a much sharper/sportier drive than the F10 unless you find an F10 with the optional adaptive suspension but the F10 is a nicer place to sit in and is way more refined.

I have an F10 and hope to move to a F36 either later this year or next year but it will be for a non xdrive version due to the xdrive suspension setup. I know I'll lose the comfort and finish of the F10 but happy to live with the trade off as I find the F10 to be bit of a barge for my needs these days, great cruiser and mile muncher though.

JoeA3

With the right spec, the interior of the F36 is a really nice place to be. The whole car looks and feels (with it's "coupe" styling) a more special car than the 3'er or the 5 series imo.

bazz26

I agree Joe, I've sat in a few F36 GC now and while the cabin is cosier than the F10's it doesn't feel a million miles from the F10s. Even the old style manual handbrake becomes invisible with the auto box. I think the problem with the 3 Series is that the more basic smaller floating infotainment screen and missing standard kit on the 4 Series make a huge difference.

drunkmonkey

bazz26 wrote: »

It really depends what your after. The F30/F36 are a much sharper/sportier drive than the F10 unless you find an F10 with the optional adaptive suspension but the F10 is a nicer place to sit in and is way more refined.

I have an F10 and hope to move to a F36 either later this year or next year but it will be for a non xdrive version due to the xdrive suspension setup. I know I'll lose the comfort and finish of the F10 but happy to live with the trade off as I find the F10 to be bit of a barge for my needs these days, great cruiser and mile muncher though.

I have the adaptive suspension in my F10 riding on staggered 18mport rims to make matters worse. Can’t really fault it for handling.

I just thought the 335d would be a lot more nimbler, had a wrx years ago and think it would similar to drive but not as loud.
I haven’t driven one though.

drunkmonkey

Why is there a manual handbrake in the auto xdrives, can you turn off the 4 wheel drive to do donouts or something?

Theboinkmaster

there's no way the 4 series is nicer cabin than 5 - f10 interior is FAR superior and luxurious.

Wailin

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

there's no way the 4 series is nicer cabin than 5 - f10 interior is FAR superior and luxurious.

Yep, completely agree...no comparison. And why should there be? Different class of cars, the bigger car will always have a more premium feel inside:


535d

carsfan2

Bazz, when I look at the picture of your 5 series interior it’s unlike any I’ve ever seen.

Personally , I’ve had both 3 and 5 series and there is a big difference in the quality.
That said 3/4 series is fine just not in same league. You need to test drive the cars and make your own mind up as to what suits.

drunkmonkey

I think Bazz better come back before he’s divorced.

Wailin

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I think Bazz better come back before he’s divorced.

:pac::pac:

carsfan2

Maybe he went for the cloth interior?

bazz26

Jesus lads, not sure what you were seeing other than a photo of my car's interior but my system has been infected with some sort of malware the last few days. Think I'll stick to posting from the tablet for a while until I reimage my system.

drunkmonkey

He genuinely doesn’t know : ), and here’s all us waiting to see the front bumper.

James Bond Junior

PM sent.

We have a 4er in the family fleet and its just not a car I ever warmed to. Cramped, harsh and awful to be a passenger in. And I am the biggest BMW fanboi going.

Nonoperational

Is it just me or is the manual handbrake a real turn off?

JoeA3

Nonoperational wrote: »

Is it just me or is the manual handbrake a real turn off?

I came from a couple of MK7 Golf’s so I was used to the auto handbrake but honestly it’s no big deal. I tend not to use it at all other than when parking up for the night. The auto has a Park/Hold feature similar to that in the Golf’s DSG.

Can’t agree at all on the comment above re comfort. I dunno maybe it’s all relative but coming from a fast Golf hatch, the 4 is positively limo-like. If anything I find the ride a bit too wafty for my liking but again it’s all perception and what you are used to.

carsfan2

I have no problem with the manual handbrake in general use although I think it looks old fashioned. Rarely use it due to the auto gearbox.
If you want a car to have fun on back roads and cross country drives then none of them are really great. They are all quick, efficient mile munchers.
You will not do much better than what you have for that purpose unless you want a car that is slightly physically smaller. However the trade off is that the 3/4 is definitely less refined and interior quality not at the same level.
Think of it as the fact the 5 and 7 series are built to a higher basic price point than the 1,2,3,4 series which share a lot of materials and subsequently do feel a little cheaper.

Heres Johnny

I test drove a few 3 series f30 recently and when I got back in my e60 to drive home I felt the difference in space and premium feel, and that's a generation older. So I think I'm stuck in 5 series, they really are hard to beat.

Only thing that would tempt me into 3 series is the 330e but because of the engine/battery not the interior. Then I'll be into a 530e as soon as I feel they are good value used.

Theboinkmaster

Nonoperational wrote: »

Is it just me or is the manual handbrake a real turn off?

No I agree, after driving a 5 series and 6 series, going back to manual handbrake is turn off for me. Really ruins the centre console.

With the price of the 4 series they shouldn't have one.

MarkN

Heres Johnny wrote: »

I test drove a few 3 series f30 recently and when I got back in my e60 to drive home I felt the difference in space and premium feel, and that's a generation older. So I think I'm stuck in 5 series, they really are hard to beat.

Only thing that would tempt me into 3 series is the 330e but because of the engine/battery not the interior. Then I'll be into a 530e as soon as I feel they are good value used.

How do you think the 530e will work out in the long run? With technology moving so fast, as much as a 530e would appeal to me, if the range on it makes it really out of date in 3/4 years then how will residuals hold up I wonder.

carsfan2

I have been keeping my eye out for used 530e but they are thin on the ground.
I have read on other forums that production of the 330e is to finish in June and is to stop temporarily on the 530e. I don't know if this is going to mean an engine upgrade or what for the 530e but part of the issue is that cars have to be reclassified for the new WLTP emissions tests. Apparently, as they mimic the real world more closely than the current tests, plug in hybrids like these will no longer get the incredible low emissions or mpg results they get with the current regime.
This may bring the prices up and if the emissions are no longer low then the grants may disappear.
I am thinking of going back to diesel and either 520 or 530 g30 myself at this stage.

For the OP, I have thought about it again and reckon you would regret going from a 5 series down to a 3/4 series. In January 2013 I went from a 520d to a brand new 330d. I was back in a 520d in November...
It was a very costly 11 months

drunkmonkey

Yea from reading everyone’s comments not seeing any reason to change.

It was just the power and handling of the 335 was drawing me to it. Looks like a great point to point car on paper. Some great value in the UK on them.

Might hold on and see what comes in the next few years, The new Mercedes CLS looks great but out of budget at the moment and it’ll take a few years for the new Panamera with 3 seats in the back to come into the money.

Heres Johnny

MarkN wrote: »

How do you think the 530e will work out in the long run? With technology moving so fast, as much as a 530e would appeal to me, if the range on it makes it really out of date in 3/4 years then how will residuals hold up I wonder.

Honestly, I don't know. I post here quite a bit about being careful with residuals, we see what brexit has done to values. A recession could equally decimate values. Or a tax regime change. And technological shifts as you mentioned. Or all the above!!
I'd be talking about a few years away now, I'd be happy to try out an already well depreciated 330e in nice spec for a couple of years then a well depreciated 530e.

Just think it's a nice car but there's a few things I'd like to try out first and probably will, a 640d GC would be on my list too I read all your posts on the 640d you have and saw one this morning, it was lovely.
Again though, I'll let someone else take the shine off it for me first.

drunkmonkey

I don't see anything worth considering with the 330e or 530e.

VRT for a 2015 640d is about 11k + 28k for a nice one. Still 12mts to brexit and if sterling takes a hammering, it'll be priced well.

Wailin

Speaking of 640d's I pulled up next to one at traffic lights on the Chapelizod bypass last week. He started revving and took off like a bat out of hell as soon as the lights went green. Not sure if he was looking for a drag race or just his driving style but he drove like a complete cock in a 60km zone....wasn't you MarkN?!

drunkmonkey

Wailin wrote: »

Speaking of 640d's I pulled up next to one at traffic lights on the Chapelizod bypass last week. He started revving and took off like a bat out of hell as soon as the lights went green.

See this is where a remapped 335d comes in. You'll leave him for dust in the first corner.

bazz26

Slightly off topic lads but has anyone lived with the Carbon Black paint? It looks very well when shining but I get the feeling it's high maintenance and scratches if you look at it.

Wailin

Had it on my F11 Bazz. Probably my favourite colour in the M Sport package. It's stunning when sealed and the weather is good. But when it's grey and miserable and the car is dirty it can look quiet dull. I suppose you could say that about most of the darker colours like grey etc.

As regards scratches and marks, I do think they were a little more noticeable compared to the dark grey I have now, but nothing drastic to be fair. Not sure how well it looks on the 4 series if that's what you're looking at but I'd imagine it would be with the sun protection glass and bigger wheels.

Edit: It does require plenty of maintenance alright, and can be a pain if you hand wash like me.

bazz26

There are a few 430ds and 530ds that caught my eye, the few around for sale seem to be mostly carbon black. Hard enough to keep a car clean where I live and even though I hate looking at a dirty car I wouldn't be out washing it every weekend. Spotted a nice 15 reg F10 530d M Sport for sale in carbon black with the oyster interior which is tempting.

carsfan2

Would second Wailin on the carbon black.
Fella I know had f10 in carbon. Looked stunning in the sun when clean with the blue hue coming through the black but in the winter could look very dull.
When he sold it at three years, it was covered in swirls that were very noticeable.
You thinking of making a change?

drunkmonkey

Mines the Black Sapphire Metallic could certainly do with a lift. I’ll wait until the weather improves. Asked a detailer said he’d need it for a few days.

Comfort access sets it off at night if it’s nice and shiny.

bazz26

Nothing solid at present but always on the lookout. Hard to find something that ticks all boxes but once you get the itch to change, it's usually hard to shake it. I'd like to get a big torquey diesel before they become extinct.

drunkmonkey

You have until March 2019...

Would love if the 5 series came in the estorial blue, another reason drawing me to the 335

bazz26

I've seen a few non M5 F10s in Estoril Blue. I think it was offered on the Individual colour options list, expensive option so rare.

drunkmonkey

Found an Orange, can't find an estoril blue in a 5 series, there's a Monte Carlo Blue in the M5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201711301689329?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=1500&sort=sponsored&model=5%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2010&colour=Orange&make=BMW&postcode=bt153jx&page=1

James Bond Junior

I had a e90 3 series about 5 years ago in Carbon Black. Hard enough to keep clean and showed scratches easy enough. Nice colour though once you are prepared to mind it.

MarkN

Wailin wrote: »

Speaking of 640d's I pulled up next to one at traffic lights on the Chapelizod bypass last week. He started revving and took off like a bat out of hell as soon as the lights went green. Not sure if he was looking for a drag race or just his driving style but he drove like a complete cock in a 60km zone....wasn't you MarkN?!

Out of all the 640s in Dublin, you reckon the one that was acting the maggot was me?! It wasn’t anyway but there’s a few out there like.

Carbon black is lovely when clean, horrendous for swirls though. Space grey all day long, would be my first choice in the 6 series but that said, I do love carbon with oyster leather.

Best all rounder for me would be the 5 series anyway, sure a remapped 335d is quick but it’ll get tiresome just having a quick car that doesn’t do the other things a bigger car will.

bazz26

Joe Duffy had one below for sale a year back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYHublX_nYo

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

Joe Duffy had one below for sale a year back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYHublX_nYo

Is that not tanzanite blue?

Disclaimer: didn't bother pressing play.

bazz26

@ JBJ, Don't think so, tanzanite blue is darker, closer to navy afaik.

@MarkN, I'm on my second F10 and both Space Grey. So I need to get away from grey next time but looking at swirl marks everyday is not something I want either.

Colm Quinn in Athlone has a lovely 420d Gran Coupe in Imola Red. Always admired the older E46 coupes in Imola Red.

carsfan2

bazz26 wrote: »

@ JBJ, Don't think so, tanzanite blue is darker, closer to navy afaik.

@MarkN, I'm on my second F10 and both Space Grey. So I need to get away from grey next time but looking at swirl marks everyday is not something I want either.

Colm Quinn in Athlone has a lovely 420d Gran Coupe in Imola Red. Always admired the older E46 coupes in Imola Red.

Would you go for a third f10?

bazz26

Probably not, I'd say when I change I'll go for something a little different this time. F36 fits that for me but so does the current E Class. I think I just wouldn't warm to the Merc though and the G30 is just too new and expensive.

James Bond Junior

carsfan2 wrote: »

Would you go for a third f10?

No he is going to buy the luxury spec 420d I offered him!!!!! Who needs M sport!?!?!

bazz26

lol.

drunkmonkey

bazz26 wrote: »

Joe Duffy had one below for sale a year back:

Someone should have went to jail for that, only thing right is the colour.

Only found one in the UK in the same colour and it's an M5, 21k VRT though:eek:
https://www.derbyprestigecars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-m5-4-4-dct-4dr-derby-201710160339734

bazz26

Seems to be a fairly standard colour on the M5.

Wailin

MarkN wrote: »

Out of all the 640s in Dublin, you reckon the one that was acting the maggot was me?! It wasn’t anyway but there’s a few out there like.

No not at all! Yours is black from what I remember, this was Mediterranean blue. Just joking actually.

Would have thought that was pretty obvious.

Wailin

bazz26 wrote: »

Spotted a nice 15 reg F10 530d M Sport for sale in carbon black with the oyster interior which is tempting.

Is that the one in Quinns or Stuarts? Some price difference between the two! Low miles on the one in Quinns but better spec on the other one.