CTC Review: 2009 BMW 335i xDrive

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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I want to say that spring is here, but I also really don't want to jinx it.  The weekend was filled with warm and inviting weather, where sunshine and dry roads await -- I am itching for those warm-pavement days where there is sufficient grip to pull enough lateral g-forces to rub the numbers off the sides of the tires.  Maybe spring isn't quite here yet, but this week I do get the chance to drive something a little sporting -- it seems like it has been too long.More...

[ovr50]

Notwithstanding all the good things about driving this car in nice weather, hopefully you will get to experience the handling of the xDrive in some adverse weather conditions. Maybe you could arrange for a one day snow storm to check out how well BMW has done their job with the xDrive system. 

[Watchdog]

I'm interested in how the ride feels. My friend considered one but he indicated on the test drive it crashed over bumps and was not very compliant. This was consistent with what he'd read on some BMW forums. Apparently the suspension on the RWD model is much better. I'd like to hear some comparisons in that regard if you're able to offer any.

[mmret]

James can you comment on the xi vs. i + Sport Package from previous experience?

As I understand the AWD bits mean the sport suspension doesn't fit (which is why the Sport Pkg on xi models costs less), plus the xi rides a shade higher. I can't believe that any 3 series would handle poorly but the question is how much do you have to push to be able to feel the difference?

[tpl]

James can you comment on the xi vs. i + Sport Package from previous experience?

As I understand the AWD bits mean the sport suspension doesn't fit (which is why the Sport Pkg on xi models costs less), plus the xi rides a shade higher. I can't believe that any 3 series would handle poorly but the question is how much do you have to push to be able to feel the difference?

Because of the way the front wheels are driven the front end has to be higher than the 2wd car and so the rear is lifted to keep everything level.  The front differential is mounted on one side of the oil pan with the (IIRC) left drive shaft going to the wheel, the right drive shaft goes through the oil pan to a bearing mounted on the RH side and then to the right wheel. Keeps the drive shafts equal length. 'Cos there is a crankshaft rotating away there is no way the shaft that goes through the ol pan can be raised.
For the E46 xi like the one I had, Dinan did a lowered suspension for the xi.  Expensive ($4k installed in Canada) which  I am sure it worked really well but it did have the front cv joints running further out of line all the time which i think would reduce their life somewhat.  BMW chose not to do that... and quite right too.

[Ahmed Attar]

I recently bought a VW passat R36 version and it is a brilliant car...it has the same power and performance figures shown above as the 335 for less money and and more car....Das Auto (-:

[bluelines]

I have a 2006 330i with sports package. The issue with the ride is, in my opinion, mostly to do with BMW's insistence on using run-flat tires. Frankly the ride quality of my (non-AWD) 330 is appalling, particularly now that I'm navigating the worst roads in Canada (Toronto's) after moving here from Vancouver... It's a little better with my 17" winter wheels and tires (which are still run-flats) but not much.

I've also driven a 330xi (not a 335xi, but the suspension is I believe identical) and wouldn't say that the ride is worse than the rwd version.

My understanding is that the 335xi suspension is somewhere in between the non-sport package 335i and the sport package 335i in terms of its firmness, but again I think the ride quality issues are more to do with tires than anything else.

Interestingly, when BMW launched the E92 335i in European markets, almost all of the press cars had 17" wheels, with speculation being that BMW wanted to minimize criticism of the car's ride.

PS: The car in the pictures on the CD article has the same 17" winter wheels as my 330i, not the sport package's standard 18" wheels.

[ovr50]

I generally agree with the comments of bluelines above. I have no direct experience with the 3 Series, but I have been driving my 535xi for the past 15 months. I have also driven the RWD 5 Series as a comparison. Again, I think a great deal of the ride "feel" comes down to tires. I have RFTs on mine, and I have driven both a RWD non-RFT car, and a RWD RFT car. I think the bigger difference is between the tires.

I know on BMW forums there is a lot of complaining about the RFTs and many owners dislike them. They do provide a stiffer ride, as their sidewalls are much harder, out of necessity. Having said that, the ride on my 535 with RFTs is far from "bone jarring". I rather like the firmness of it.

As to whether the RWD or the AWD car is the better handler, I say - it depends. Given equal tires on both, the RWD car is likely the better handler in the dry, the AWD better in the wet/snow. Again, the shades of difference are slim. For most day-to-day driving, either BMW will provide a driving experience in excess of most other sedans today. For those that "track" their cars (a smaller number, I suggest, than reading forums would indicate..!!  ) , the RWD car will likely be the car of choice. But, for the mainstream, I don't think there is so much difference that one could make the distinction unless they are very sophisicated in driving dynamics and feel.

Many ppl on forums like to present themselves as "sports-oriented" and "track drivers", when, in fact, they are wannabes driving to and from work. For a daily driver that needs to go in ALL weather conditions, the AWD is the superior set up. And the slight extra weight and very slight additional ride height is a minor issue in comparing the AWD car to the RWD (unless, again, one is tracking the car).

Just my opinion based on my own experiences, and reviewing BMW forums over the past several years. YMMV. 

[initial_D]

^^ 

There are two 5-series that my family members own, one is a 528xi, the other a non-awd, the tires makes a huge difference. The ride height not really noticeable, as in the older 325xi / 325ix cars. Unless go flat-out in small radius & tight corners, even that is very very difference in feel.

[initial_D]

I recently bought a VW passat R36 version and it is a brilliant car...it has the same power and performance figures shown above as the 335 for less money and and more car....Das Auto (-:

What is more car? Bigger trunk? Heavier gross weight? longer / wider / taller ? The buckets seats hold larger volume and more seat surface? The maker's alphabets numbers are higher in the order?

[bluelines]

Totally agree with you, ovr50. I recently test drove a 530xi wagon (used, obviously) and the ride quality was far, far better than my 330i. Just the right balance between firmness and comfort, even with run-flats. I also couldn't believe how much quieter and more refined it felt than the 3.

I'm also with you on the forum wannabes. I know lots of people who love cars, but not one who "tracks" his vehicle. Most of those claiming they can appreciate the nuances of how a car handles at its limits are doing nothing more than commuting and occasionally racing some other idiot away from a stoplight...

[Daniel Beaulieu]

I'd be curious to compare how a "budget-priced" 323i (around 35k$ w/o metallic paint) would compare on our real roads and "commuter tracks".  More compliant tires & suspension, lighter engine, better packaging for '09 makes this one pretty interesting on the value front.

[ovr50]

I'd be curious to compare how a "budget-priced" 323i (around 35k$ w/o metallic paint) would compare on our real roads and "commuter tracks".  More compliant tires & suspension, lighter engine, better packaging for '09 makes this one pretty interesting on the value front.

Yes, particularly with a std tranny. S/Be good value there.

[tortoise]

I had the chance to drive my father-in-laws 2006 330 ix for an hour this weekend.  He had 17" RFT winters on.  What a wonderful car.  Powerful, smooth, tight - all the things that make a BMW a BMW.  I'd say the ride was on the harsher side of smooth but by no means filling-removingly stiff.  Of course, my perspective is the P5 and they aren't exactly smooth cars over bumps.   He did commen that the ride is stiffer than he'd like (certainly stiffer than his X3) and were he to buy winter tires again he probably wouldn't go with the RFT's.

[airbalancer]

Why is there all this chit chat  about  E-46, and 5 series they are not an E-90

AN E-60 is just so much better then E-90 you can not compare them together but I guess they both have propellers on the hood
E-90 is a nice little car, that with X drive would make a nice around car

[Bullet Blue]

I can echo the comments by Ovr et al. on the Run flats and ride quality. My 128i has them, coupled with the sport suspension and larger wheels (18 inches) the ride is not exactly comfortable at times. To me though, it's a small price to pay for the rewards 


A friend of mine has a 03 325xi and I was fairly impressed with the handling on dry pavement, but it wasn't quite the same as the RWD of my car. DSC usually ads peace of mind on wet roads. That said, his never struggles in snow.

[ovr50]

Why is there all this chit chat  about  E-46, and 5 series they are not an E-90

AN E-60 is just so much better then E-90 you can not compare them together but I guess they both have propellers on the hood
E-90 is a nice little car, that with X drive would make a nice around car

Other than my post (I'm the guilty party), posts have been about the E90, not the E60. I was only referring to my experiences in the E60 of xDrive vs no xDrive. I have no experiences with the current 3 Series, in fact, I have never owned a 3 Series in the 12 I have had.  

[Oz]

I recently bought a VW passat R36 version and it is a brilliant car...it has the same power and performance figures shown above as the 335 for less money and and more car....Das Auto (-:

Horsecrap.. 

The 5.something 0-60 is also underestimated. Think more in terms of high 4 seconds.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=117669

Not to mention the fact that the 335 is a great handler  that other cars benchmark to (driven one on a track, including my own 328).. Enjoy your VW, its a great car, but it aint a 335.

[airbalancer]

Why is there all this chit chat  about  E-46, and 5 series they are not an E-90

AN E-60 is just so much better then E-90 you can not compare them together but I guess they both have propellers on the hood
E-90 is a nice little car, that with X drive would make a nice around car

Other than my post (I'm the guilty party), posts have been about the E90, not the E60. I was only referring to my experiences in the E60 of xDrive vs no xDrive. I have no experiences with the current 3 Series, in fact, I have never owned a 3 Series in the 12 I have had.  

Probably my mistake, there a couple of post re 2006, and I thought 2006 it was still E-46 model

[bluelines]

@airbalancer: The E90 was introduced at the end of 2005 as a 2006 model. The two-door (E92) did not arrive until late '06 / early '07 as a 2007 model. In my post I was referring to my 2006 330i, which is an E90, not an E46.