[BeemaSam]

Hey all,

I've been a happy owner of a 1997 BMW 328iS for over 10 years now, but I'm looking to upgrade and keep this car on the side since it's still fun to drive after all these years.

I'm giving a serious look at a CPO 2011 BMW 335D with 49k miles with M package and Nav for $30k. The hp/torque is amazing, and fuel economy is 23/36. I was wondering what you guys think of the $30k pricetag, and of this car/engine in general. The 2012 335i (gas) has about the same fuel economy as the 2011 335d (diesel), so I'm kind of torn with my decision.

Diesel is a little cheaper here in California, and I've heard diesel engines last for a long time.

Thanks in advance,
-Beema Sam

[jumpmanballerz]

I am actually interested in both models as well so I will follow this thread closely. Is manual transmission important to you? I also assume the 2012 335i is a bit more expensive than the D.

[BeemaSam]

My 328iS is a manual and I love it, but if this purchase is an automatic it won't be a deal-breaker. I'm actually leaning on automatic anyways, since this will be more of a daily commuter for me. It does suck that diesels only come in automatic though.

It's a tough decision though since the 335i engine does sound a lot more natural and pleasing than the lawnmower sound of the 335d, but then again we've had a few diesels in the family and I wouldn't mind it too much =)

[jumpmanballerz]

I had a 07 335xi and later test drove a 335d and to be honest I don't remember too much of a sound difference or the d being annoying to me. Have you driven the d before ?

[BeemaSam]

Yep, I test-drove it over the weekend

[rgee27]

I was interested in the 335d when I was looking in April. Up here in NorCal there weren't too many available. None that were CPO. Then I did my research here on the forum and was scared off in purchasing one because of a carbon build up problem with the diesel engine. Sometimes asking here on the forum can be a mixed blessing. Horror stories can be found so it was a tough decision. I ended up with a 2011 335i e90 CPO that included the extended maintenance extension plan PLUS it also included the wheel /tire protection package. One thing that all show know is that those extended packages that are purchased by the original owner are carried over to the new owner of the car. Those extra cost policies stay with the car / vin#.. Good luck.

[Sweattdogg]

I would not hesitate, unless a manual is a deal breaker. The autobox on the 335d kind of sucks, but the mileage is great.

[Cliffj]

My 2011 335d M-sport is my 7th 3-series. All my previous cars were manuals, but w/the D, there is no option. It has been a great car. Bought it w/17K as a dealer demo, and now has 86K. First time I've ever bought a dealer demo, took a chance, and it has paid off. Car is a dream to drive and haven't regretted trading in my trouble free 08 335i 6M w/ 85K. I never had any of the common issues such as HPFP out of the 335i, so I was a not looking to get rid of a problem. I felt the diesel would be a perfect commuter and it has. Haven't had any issues out of the 335d except I-drive screen going black (fixed under warranty). No CBU or DPF problems to date. I would not hesitate to by a CPO 335d.

Since you have driven the "d", you know. All the power is at low RPM. Not much use in running it past 4500 rpm, but you don't need to. Just TORQUE off the line that produces great acceleration. I don't track my cars, just the daily commute of 75 mi round trip, 60/40 mix of hwy/stop&go, but I would bet a paycheck that with both stock, the 335d is easily as fast as the 08 335i. I don't feel I have lost one bit of performance with the d.

DEF is pretty cheap at Wally world, any auto parts store or the cheapest is at the pumps of truck stops. Also, if you want to buy bottles, it is FAR cheaper at a VW dealer, and is the same bottle and same DEF as the BMW dealer. Just labeled differently. I buy a bottle because it has a special adapter that attaches to the DEF port(s) in the BMW, then modify the bottle for reuse with the cheaper sources of DEF. Plenty of videos online about how to fill the DEF. It is not difficult, but BMW could have made it even easier.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by BeemaSam

...
I'm giving a serious look at a CPO 2011 BMW 335D with 49k miles with M package and Nav for $30k. The hp/torque is amazing, and fuel economy is 23/36. I was wondering what you guys think of the $30k pricetag, and of this car/engine in general. The 2012 335i (gas) has about the same fuel economy as the 2011 335d (diesel), so I'm kind of torn with my decision.

Diesel is a little cheaper here in California, and I've heard diesel engines last for a long time.

Check out the diesel forum - lots of discussions there regarding reliability. http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=377
The engines and transmissions seem to be bullet-proof. Concerns are the SCR/DEF system, and the apparent Carbon Build-Up problems (CBU) that seem to be mostly related to the EGR. BMW has had to come up with a SIB to clean up CBU when it occurs - we're all having a good-old time and sometimes bitter discussion about this.

Nevertheless, everyone loves the cars but everyone (including me) are worried about owning them out of warranty. Extended/CPO warranties are quite possibly a good thing on this car. You're in CA and have a 7/70K emissions warranty - but it doesn't cover CBU.

The 335d will get 5 mpg better than a 335i (even the F30) - for instance I get 6-8 mpg better than my son's E92 335i with MT. In perfect circumstances I and others approach 40+.

[stevers314]

As a 335d owner, I can say the MPG estimates are accurate when you drive it like a normal human being. I romp on mine all the time and still average about 26 with mixed driving.

CBU is a constant fear but can be avoided/remediated.

I do suggest you thoroughly test drive the car and make sure you are happy with the power delivery. The low end grunt is really amazing, but some times i wish i could wind the snot out of it like a gasser.

edit: I see the fuelly thing in my sig shows a 29.2 average. Should note i do make frequent long haul trips and squeeze about 35mpg out while still driving like a fucktard on the highway.

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by Sweattdogg

I would not hesitate, unless a manual is a deal breaker. The autobox on the 335d kind of sucks, but the mileage is great.

+1 on the slushbox as I pray someone would come up with an Alpina flash for the 335d. Most of the time I'm driving in manual shift mode so that eases the pain. The throttle reset adaptation once in a while helps though.

I'm getting the mileage as advertised but nothing way above my expectations. I'm definitely getting better mileage than both of my friends' N54 & N55 335i will ever get. I'm just a little torn when they have their sweet exhaust note and high-revving ability.

So other than the CBU issue that can be resolved by throwing some money at the car, I would recommend it as a worthy upgrade to a 328is.

[usna2k]

If it's CPO, I wouldn't sweat the CBU too much. The SIB (SI B11 03 14) states "Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program." I'm not saying it won't rear its ugly head - it might, but at least with CPO the cleaning should be covered.

[bvanlieu]

Price seems in reason for CPO: thats going to be listed higher. My pretty loaded 2011 msport was purchased with 32K on clock last year non-CPO for a few K more, so I venture you should be able to get it down 1-2K. Folks with wholesale info say D's are taking nose dives into low 20's. May be regional as D's are not as popular out here in the east but places like CA may value the MPG of a diesel commuter.

Massive torque, 33mpg with 80/20 HWY mix so far for me. I have a 3rd party extended warranty to 100K to deal with BMW related issues. CBU may happen. If BMW has a < 1000 process to clean it up I think it goes a long way to helping us feel better about long term use of the car.

I'd like to keep it for a while, run it way over 100K myself. For what I use it for, its quite choice.

- b

[BeemaSam]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. I read more about the carbon build-up and it's got me a little worried, since I'm planning to keep this thing well past its 100k CPO warranty. Also, the performance of the 335d is unbelievable, but since the fuel economy isn't all that impressive compared to the 2012+ 335i, I'm still torn and will probably throw out a lower $29k figure and see what happens.

-Sam