BMW 335d Six-Month Test Report and Review
THE 335D DRIVING EXPERIENCE
We continue to marvel over the driving experience of the 335d. At the heart of this experience is what BMW calls Sequential Twin Turbo Technology, more commonly referred to as twin turbos. The small turbocharger is optimized for quick throttle response at low engine speeds, where it develops boost and extra power, responding to even the slightest movement of the accelerator. As the engine speed increases,
the second, larger turbocharger comes online as well and both turbos work together. At higher engine speeds, boost comes exclusively from the larger turbo, which is where the maximum torque of 425 pound-feet at 1750 rpm comes from.
Despite its power, the 335d is cleaner, exhaust-wise, than most cars on the road. BMW utilizes urea (AdBlue in BMW speak) injection in the exhaust to reduce nitrous-oxide emissions. This system works in conjunction with a diesel particulate filter that allowed the 335d to meet emissions requirements in all 50 states. In terms of carbon dioxide, the 335d emits 174 g/km versus the 335i’s 202 g/km. BMW includes urea refills in the BMW Ultimate Service program that provides free maintenance for the first four years of ownership or 50,000 miles. It’s important to note that the 335d has sacrificed very little in terms of storage space despite the additional diesel and emissions technology.
Speaking of diesel fuel, unlike in Austria and Germany, not every filling station in the U.S. has it
(the percentage varies by region but my experience tells me that about 60% of stations I’ve seen have it). This hasn’t proven to be a problem, however, as BMW Online will not only identify nearby stations with diesel but provide current pricing and turn-by-turn directions.
Ownership for the first six months has been trouble free. The only time the car had to visit the BMW workshop was when we mounted winter tires and wheels this past January. The 2010 flat tire monitor sensors (we found out) are incompatible with earlier sensors, so this resulted in an error message that was quickly diagnosed. We opted to run with the older sensors and ignore the error message for a few months since the winter tires had already been mounted and balanced on the wheels.
Other than that, the only other maintenance was to swap tires. The Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero winter performance tires came off the car in April and on came the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires that the car was delivered with. The PS2s were almost brand new as we ran the car on Goodyear Ultra Grip 
winter tires in Germany and immediately fitted the Pirellis upon the car’s arrival in the States.
Car enthusiasts are noticing the BMW 335d and sales are up appreciably. In the first six months of 2010, 41% of buyers chose the 335d versus the 335i with sales of 1544 units. In April and again in June 2010, the BMW 335d outsold the 335i by a ratio of 6 to 5 and 7 to 5 respectively.
Driving the 335d has been a very satisfying and entertaining exercise over the past six months. Despite the vast number of incredible cars I have driven since getting the 335d (an average of one per week, ranging from the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 to the Audi A3 TDI to the Honda Fit), nothing puts a smile on my face the way this one does.
Correction: 16 August 2010
An earlier version of this article mistakenly stated that the BMW 335d delivered “over 50% better fuel economy.” The BMW 335d actually delivered over 33% better fuel economy.
RELATED ARTICLES
- BMW 335d Three-Month Test Report and Review
- Shipping the 335d to the U.S.
- The BMW 335d: Can A Diesel Be The Ultimate Driving Machine?
- Building the 335d: A Tour of BMW’s Munich Factory
- Popular Mechanics Names BMW 335d «Best Luxury Vehicle» for 2010
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Thanks for the article. Do you have any idea when the 5 series diesel will be available for order in the US? My current lease is up in March and I would love to get a 530/535D…..and pick it up in Munich!
The 5er Series diesel has not yet been announced for the U.S. so it’s impossible to say when it will be available for ordering.
Thanks for the article. I’m very happy with my 335d also and it is nice to hear that there seem to be very few problems with it.
I sure wish that BMW would offer a diesel variant with 4 cylinders. The Audi A3 TDI is so in-demand that there is a 3 month lead time for ordering and there aren’t even any at our local dealerships to see – let alone test drive!
@Dave S. Yeah it is a pity that for the US not more diesel engines are available. Probably also due to the low dollar, the cost/benefit is relatively low at this moment.
I drive a BMW 123d. The same mechanics as the 335d (two turbo’s) but downsized to 4 cilinder engine. 204 HP and around 300 pounds/f. (7 sec. from 0-62 and max. speed of 240 km/h.) and 5 liters/100 km this is the real deal. But even here in Europe this engine is only in the 1 series and X1 series available.
I’ve had my “d” for just over a year and I *love* it.Having driven the new F10 a month or so ago the news about a diesel version arriving here next year has me planning a visit to a dealer as soon as one can be ordered.The power and economy of my current “d” combined with the luxury of the new F10 is something I have no intention of missing!!
I am interested in this car, despite a manual transmission being unavailable, but I have strong reserves about the RWD handling the rough Canadian winters.
How would it react in an average of 100 inches of snow per winter?
John,
I live in Stowe, Vermont, we get quite a bit of snow here too. With snow tires on all 4 wheels last winter, I had only 1 problem (getting up my 10% grade driveway after rain had fallen on snow and frozen, one time only) for the whole winter. The Bimmer is so well balanced that even though the front wheels aren’t powered it is very well behaved on snow in hilly terrain. You aren’t going to plow snow with it, and you do have to pay some attention to ground clearance in deep stuff. Otherwise, handling in snow is not an issue. And I don’t even have the best traction snow tires you can get, which I’m sure would make a difference.
I’ve been looking for quite some time for a car for my wife, and the 335d seems to have everything and more than she needs. I’m attracted to the 335d because I’m planning on driving it as well and can’t resist what I’ve read about the torque and handling. I think the car looks great as well, and when you add the fuel economy to the mix (pun intended), this car seems to have it all. Teh best price I’ve seen is about 9k off list, half of that coming from BMW’s Eco credit. Any comments on pricing, packages, etc, would be appreciated. My car will not be driven in snow — we are in the southeast. Thanks for your informative report! Justin
To Justin, please let me know where you are getting 9K off of MSRP I am looking to purchase now. Thanks!
I have also been privlidged to own and drive the 335d while being stationed here in Germany. I love the fact that the 335d can throw you in the back seat with that massive 425ft pounds of torque but still manage to fly pass refueling stations leaving the “d” and the driver with an undeniable smile. ENDURING POWER is what I like to call it. GREAT ARTICLE!
I think BMW has the right idea offering the diesel in the less expensive 3 series than mercedes more expensive E class. sell to the masses.
There was no mistake, the 335d DID return 50% better fuel economy, based on the US mile-per-gallon system of measurement. The 335d traveled 39 miles for every gallon versus the 335i’s 26 miles; 39/26 = 1.5, or 50% farther than the 335i. Using the European method, which measures fuel burned over a set distance, the 335d uses 33% less fuel.
Both numbers are saying the same thing, but without clarifying which method you used, the number becomes misleading. This article is meant for a US audience, and for people in the US, “33% better fuel economy” means traveling 33% farther per gallon of fuel, which is false. The 335d actually travels 50% farther per gallon of fuel. Whoever “corrected” the article was trying to make it seem like the 335d is less fuel efficient than it is.
Bring on the clean diesels!! For those looking at the Audi A3 TDI, checkout the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Exact same engine, same platform, and the 2010+ VW Sportwagen actually has a nicer dash/instrument panel layout. Oh, and the VW sportwagen TDI also has more room in the back.
Strange that a diesel car is still something exotic in your US. In Holland, or Europe for that matter, there is no (affordable and still extreme speed) life without diesel cars possible. Can somebody tell me why this is the case? Rgds your flying diesel dutchman.
I just ordered a 335d and absolutely love the luxury,power,sport combined with responsible fuel economy. In the US which is where I live, diesels are misunderstood. Most americans think of the old diesels that would leave a bloom of stinky exhaust. Those days are gone, but the perception still lives. In my opinion, the us needs to be re introduced to the new diesel technology. I am going to do my part and do some show and tell via a BMW 335d.
Having owned a Golf TDI for the past 9 months, I’m a diesel convert, averaging around 40mpg and enjoying the torque. Last month I ordered a 335d and am looking forward to picking it up soon. It may not be as fast as an M3 or 335i, but during my road tests, it sure felt better in everyday driving. I drive a lot and between the Golf and 335d, my fuel bill will be less than half than it was in 2009. Will that compensate for the extra cost of the diesel? No, but it comes close and I’d rather not send so much to the oil producers!