a4 -> x5d -> ??

equ · 12-09-2013, 04:58 PM

I'm in the process of getting a '11 335i xdrive.

The perseveration went on mostly internal. 328iX, Golf R and Subaru WRX were runners up.

Firstly, it became clear to me that the 06 330xi suspension that I hated has been banished. I initially felt it on test drives, 09 iX's were better than my atrocious 06 xi (see "Pothole Explosions" thread on bimmerfest) but not completely cured. The 11 iX felt almost completely fixed. I then confirmed this in realoem.com as the axle suspension parts show a 2007 update and a 03/2010 update. 'Fil may remember my surprise and repeated questioning regarding his '11 iX ride... Still not a lowered sports suspension but very usable day to day. I have not driven an f30, but I hated, hated the f10 steering feel. That, combined with every review I read, led me to believe that there is not much that I'm missing.

An efficient f30 328iX may have swayed me, but no stick no deal. Same for the upcoming 328dX. Not to mention $50k+ prices. The f30 335iX is the only bmw awd with a stick. It carries over the engine from a 2011 335 and loses the good hydraulic steering, so not terribly compelling especially at sky high prices.

I have given a deposit to a private seller, it should finalize in about a week. It's a fairly loaded, low mileage, well kept, Lemans Blue M-Sport. Unfortunately the right CPO car was not findable. Likewise, it is missing one option I would like, HK sound (how he could miss that while being on a drunken binge of options, I have no idea).

Nick M3 · 12-09-2013, 05:09 PM

Did you try the Countryman? JST's experience notwithstanding, it seems like they have improved the clutch a lot and they seem like pretty decent vehicles now.

lemming · 12-09-2013, 05:15 PM

good choice.

they did, it seems, re-tune the suspension and that engine is a jewel.

wdc330i · 12-09-2013, 05:21 PM

lemming · 12-09-2013, 05:34 PM

wait.

did i read that correctly?

the F30 328 xDrive does not come in manual? i did not know that.

Jeff_DML · 12-09-2013, 05:35 PM

sounds like good reasoning. I understand AWD for you guys living back east or I guess anywhere other than the west coast

lemming · 12-09-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

sounds like good reasoning. I understand AWD for you guys living back east or I guess anywhere other than the west coast

others' experiences may vary, but even on modern snow tires in a car with a 'real' limited slip differential, it's still dicey in RWD only on some snow days.

when the plows cannot keep up with the snow and it builds up at intersections. that's where you get stuck.

robg · 12-09-2013, 06:05 PM

As a current leaser of a 2011 335i (rwd though) I can confirm no pothole explosions and the n55 is a great engine. Nice!

Wow-didn't notice that bmw removed the manual from the 328 xdrives. That plus the steering seem good enough reasons to avoid them.

IndyMike · 12-09-2013, 06:12 PM

Props equ. I've also got an '11 and the suspension is a perfect balance between sport and comfort. Even the RFT's aren't too sucky, which I begrudgingly must admit.

And you finally got the right color of blue!

lemming · 12-09-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robg

As a current leaser of a 2011 335i (rwd though) I can confirm no pothole explosions and the n55 is a great engine. Nice!

Wow-didn't notice that bmw removed the manual from the 328 xdrives. That plus the steering seem good enough reasons to avoid them.

has history shown yet that N55 design is more durable than the N54 design?

N54 design seems especially....non robust.

12-09-2013, 04:58 PM	#1
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	a4 -> x5d -> ?? I'm in the process of getting a '11 335i xdrive. The perseveration went on mostly internal. 328iX, Golf R and Subaru WRX were runners up. Firstly, it became clear to me that the 06 330xi suspension that I hated has been banished. I initially felt it on test drives, 09 iX's were better than my atrocious 06 xi (see "Pothole Explosions" thread on bimmerfest) but not completely cured. The 11 iX felt almost completely fixed. I then confirmed this in realoem.com as the axle suspension parts show a 2007 update and a 03/2010 update. 'Fil may remember my surprise and repeated questioning regarding his '11 iX ride... Still not a lowered sports suspension but very usable day to day. I have not driven an f30, but I hated, hated the f10 steering feel. That, combined with every review I read, led me to believe that there is not much that I'm missing. An efficient f30 328iX may have swayed me, but no stick no deal. Same for the upcoming 328dX. Not to mention $50k+ prices. The f30 335iX is the only bmw awd with a stick. It carries over the engine from a 2011 335 and loses the good hydraulic steering, so not terribly compelling especially at sky high prices. I have given a deposit to a private seller, it should finalize in about a week. It's a fairly loaded, low mileage, well kept, Lemans Blue M-Sport. Unfortunately the right CPO car was not findable. Likewise, it is missing one option I would like, HK sound (how he could miss that while being on a drunken binge of options, I have no idea).

12-09-2013, 05:09 PM	#2
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	Did you try the Countryman? JST's experience notwithstanding, it seems like they have improved the clutch a lot and they seem like pretty decent vehicles now. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

12-09-2013, 05:15 PM	#3
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,612	good choice. they did, it seems, re-tune the suspension and that engine is a jewel. __________________

12-09-2013, 05:34 PM	#5
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,612	wait. did i read that correctly? the F30 328 xDrive does not come in manual? i did not know that. __________________

12-09-2013, 06:05 PM	#8
robg Carmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,244	a4 -> x5d -> ?? As a current leaser of a 2011 335i (rwd though) I can confirm no pothole explosions and the n55 is a great engine. Nice! Wow-didn't notice that bmw removed the manual from the 328 xdrives. That plus the steering seem good enough reasons to avoid them.

12-09-2013, 05:21 PM	#4
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,299

12-09-2013, 05:35 PM	#6
Jeff_DML Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: T4R,GTI Location: San Diego Posts: 8,565	sounds like good reasoning. I understand AWD for you guys living back east or I guess anywhere other than the west coast

12-09-2013, 06:12 PM	#9
IndyMike Elected by grace Join Date: Feb 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 11 1 M; 11 328iT; 22 M240ix Location: Brickyard Posts: 1,962	Props equ. I've also got an '11 and the suspension is a perfect balance between sport and comfort. Even the RFT's aren't too sucky, which I begrudgingly must admit. And you finally got the right color of blue! __________________ The path to God is clear.......and it takes us to the cross.