BMW 335d 12-Month Report and Review
As if on cue, the BMW 335d’s odometer hit 10,000 km (6214 miles) on December 23, 2010, 
the one year anniversary of its delivery at the BMW Welt.
Since its start in Munich, the 335d has visited a lot of places, including Lindau, Berchtesgaden, Roßfeld, Graz, New York, Philadelphia, the Poconos, and New England. It’s even been on Lime Rock Park’s track.
It also continues to provide as much Freude am Fahren as it did on day one. Having now spent 12 months behind the wheel, I have found the 335d to be a unique offering, one that combines certain traits that typically aren’t found all in the same vehicle. These are sports car-like acceleration and handling, superb fuel economy, excellent ergonomics and passenger comfort, and Teutonic attention to detail.
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The 425 pound-feet of torque propel the car 
forward like a rocket ship; indeed, there’s simply no other way to describe the feeling of the raw power this car has. It handles as if it’s on rails, whether at 250 km/h (155 mph) on the Autobahn or at a slower tempo on a winding mountain road.
Fuel economy has been exemplary. For highway driving, the car has consistently averaged 6.2 l/100 km (37.9 mpg). As contributing editor Paul Riegler noted on an 800 km (498 mile) drive from New York to Washington and back, “No need to stop for refueling.”
The best sustained fuel economy we’ve recorded was 40 mpg (5.9 l/100 km), although we’ve seen as high as 42 mpg (5.6 l/100 km) for brief periods of time.
On a recent drive to New England, the 335d used only 6.4 l/10 km (36.8 mpg) in mostly highway
driving with an average speed of 99.3 km/h (62 mph). The return trip, at the slightly faster speed of 100.7 km/h (63 mph) used only 6.3 l/100 km. In total, the 335d consumed a mere 25.27 liters (6.68 gallons) of diesel fuel, making the total cost of fuel for the journey under $20.
Earlier in the year, it used 6.0 l/100 km (39.2 mpg) on a drive from Philadelphia to New York at an average speed of 105 km/h (65 mph). Driving conditions such as traffic can greatly impact average fuel economy and the drive from New York to Philly saw fuel usage of 6.8 l/100 km at an average speed of 106 km/h (66 mph).
Driving from Munich to Lindau to Berchtesgaden to Roßfeld to Graz and back to Munich, the 335d used 6.3 l/100 km (37 mpg)
In the city, fuel usage has been roughly 9.5 l/100 km (24.75 mpg). The EPA rated the 335d at 23 mpg (10.2 l/100 km) for city driving and 36 mpg (6.5 l/100 km) on the highway.
By means of comparison, a similarly equipped BMW 335i (petrol version) is rated at 17 mpg (13.8 l/100 km) in the city and 28 mpg (8.4 l/100 km) on the highway. It’s worth noting that these numbers make the BMW 335d the most fuel efficient car ever sold by BMW NA.
Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the BMW 335d
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10K in one year? You guys aren’t driving enough! The average American drives twice that distance in a year. Although your service visit will be free, I’d like to know what the actual cost would be for the oil change, safety inspection, and additional urea injection fluid.
Do you typically put the gear selector in D or DS? Mine gets great fuel mileage but I’m less enamored with the automatic transmission. Mine does not have the sport package.
We took delivery of an identical car in August. The car is white,wife driving it, we have almost 7,000 on it and love every bit of it. Bring that diesel on a 5er and we are taking another trip to Munich. We average 28 mpg combined. We also got as 43 mpg on highway. Is a great, fantastic, superb driving machine.
Just purchased a 335d M Sport. Thrilled with the torque, loads of fun, averaging 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Wish BMW would introduce the same engine in a sport wagon, a much more logical choice over the sedan.
I have over 21k miles on mine and I am getting 40 plus M.P.G. in steady highway driving at around 70 M.P.H. (It is a non-sport pkg. with just Nav. and a few other options) I am a 25 year client advisor with BMW in New York and it was really interesting to see the car during it’s first service as I actually watched the programing updates as they were accurring.( the car looked as though it was pocessed with all the guages and the headlights moving around)
My first long trip was from Mahopac New York to Hamilton Ontario and after 520 miles I still had a quarter of tank left. I have never let it go past the low fuel warning however,I think that the 580 mile range is a reality.
BTW ,Lime Rock Park is my home track, I hope you enjoyed it John!
A top BMW car!!
I drive 5000 Kilometer per mounth with my great Rover 25 Diesel Sport Coupe! I start in 2000 with it. And today the Odometer sign 261327 Kilometer
We own a 2011 X5d and really love it. Get 24 mpg in the city and 28 plus, sometimes 30mpg on the highway. It is one awesome vehicle. We took delivery at The Spartanburg Performance Delivery Center. We enjoyed it so much we are paying to go back again next month. My other car is a VW Jetta TDI, another awesome diesel vehicle. We always get 44 to 48 mpg with it. BMW…..I need a diesel 5 or 7 series, please.
Put 10K on my ’11 335d in the last 3 months. avg about 34 mpg while enjoying it’s ability to accelerate. Love the power, comfort, and handling. Currently parked in the garage though. Car with sport package tires is scary with ice and snow on the road. Wish X-drive (AWD) was an option on this car. Looking forward to getting reaquainted this spring.
Jayo,
You really need to put four skinny snow tires on your 335 and you will enjoy driving it in the snow. (Bridgestone Blizzaks or Pirelli Winter 190s to mane a few good choices)
Todd,
The 335d must be an easy sell, you can’t help but be totally enthusiastic about this car. Over the past 37 years, I’ve enjoyed a range of BMW’s, however the 335d takes the cake. The almost electric acceleration puts a grin on my face every time a hit the gas. Can you tell me if there are any plan by BMW to sell a Touring version of the 335d in the USA?
Thanks,
Matt
My 2011 335d just hit 1000 miles and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. This car is my Daily Driver, 60 mile round trip commute. I am very pleased with both the performance and mileage. This is probably my 10th BMW and may prove to be one of my favorites. My wife has even commented that it has hard to believe it has a diesel engine, almost no noise and absolutely no diesel smell or dirty exhaust emissions. Awesome job, BMW! Looking forward to reading your final report, Jonathan, when you turn your car in at the end of your lease.
Just hit 36,000 miles on my almost 2 year old 335d. As other’s, I love the way this car drives and it’s performance to economy ratio is unmatched…what’s not to love? The most amusing part of owning this car is when people ask “why a diesel?” It amazes me the ignorance. People just can’t let go of the past. I own another late model BMW and it’s a shame how poorly BMW as a company treats it’s customers…to a point where I may not buy another.
The 335d is the best car I have ever had. I traded my Porsche cayenne s for this little car after spending 98 dollars average for fuel. I though I will miss the power from the v8 my suv had but my god I was wrong. Not only it is faster but it moves in ways few other cars do. This sedan is spot on. It is fun, it handles and it is economical to the point that the lease payment plus the cost of diesel is less than what I was paying just for gas in my cayenne. For once it feels great to trade down from such excellent SUV to this simply awesome bimmer. I would love to see other makes offer diesel vehicles, maybe that way we can stop giving away our country to those terrorist in the midle east and in south America by way of consuming less fuel and keeping more of our money.
It’s just a huge, huge shame this car is not available with a manual transmission. Really a shame.
Ordered my new 335d on Feb. 28, 2011. M package, the works! not much if anything left off. Took delivery April 29. 390 miles so far and I am loving this car. Traded a 2007 335i, which I liked a lot. I am still breaking in the new one so I haven’t stomped it too hard yet, but when I get on it a little it’s OMG! The M package is very nice. I feel like I have a very rare car. Ive owned several 3 series 98′ 328i 5 speed stick, 2007 335i and now this diesel. The diesel wins hands down. The power rush is unlike the 335i, the force of the torque from the diesel is awsome. The fuel mileage was 31 mpg on first fill up at just under a 1/2 tank. I drive ~80 on tollway to work ~32 miles each way. The car is a dream to drive, now if I can only keep my wife from stealing the keys!!!
When we needed a replacement car for my wife’s 2001 Honda Accord V-6 EX, I talked her into test driving a 335d. But I had a plan. I took her to look at the other offerings first. I saved the best for last and kept my fingers crossed. No worries…as soon as she drove the 335d, it was a done deal. Now she looks for every reason under the sun to drive. And she was a die-hard diesel hater for years. But when I purchased a 2008 MB E320 BlueTec, she started to come around. When she drove the 335d, that’s all it took. The Mercedes E320 and BMW 335d have different missions but you just can’t around the fact that the 335d just plain puts a grin on your face everytime. It has to be one of the best all around cars available today. Good looks, powerful engine, comfortable, handles like nobody’s business, great fuel mileage, and a blast to drive. What’s not to love.
I have had my 2010 335d for 16 months and 46,000 miles. No issues other than i drive so much i have to fill up on the diesel addittivive (urea) between scheduled services. Awesome car. I have calculated that i have saved $1800.00 on feul (compared to a 335i). 4 years and 120,000miles – i will have saved about $5000.00 and the car will have a better re-sell. What a deal.
What’s not to like about the 335d? The $40,000 plus price tag, non-availability of X-Drive as an option, and those run flat tires. Come on BMW get with the program! How about a 320xd (i.e., 4 cylinder clean diesel with all wheel drive) with optional non-run flat tires and a full size spare.