[Beancounter_74]

Thinking of moving on my 520d F10 for an F31 335d xdrive as I could do with the touring space and 4 wheel drive and fancy a little more umph.

Been offered a cracking deal by my dealer to get me into a '15 plate and seriously tempted - Anyone made a similar move?

[The Beast]

I was looking at a 335d x drive before buying the 5 Series, loved the looks but having come from an X5 I felt really cramped in the cabin. Specifically the width of it (and I'm not a particularly large person, I guess when you get used to the space you miss it when it's not there!), also not a great fan of the cabin architecture as it was very similar to the 1 Series my wife used to have. Just didn't feel special enough to justify the price....

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by Beancounter_74

Thinking of moving on my 520d F10 for an F31 335d xdrive as I could do with the touring space and 4 wheel drive and fancy a little more umph.

Been offered a cracking deal by my dealer to get me into a '15 plate and seriously tempted - Anyone made a similar move?

Be very sure.... The F3x does not have the same luxury feel as the F1x. Quite different cars. The F3x has a very plasticky feel to the interiors. You might miss the refinement of the F10... and yes, you will love the drive of the 335 (no doubt).

The twin turbo x35 engine is wonderfully sweet...

I have both a E92 330 and the F10 535 - and in terms of driving capabilities, the 330 is still tops... but I love the 535 for its smoothness and luxuries refinements.

[SpeedTrip]

How long has the F3x series got till its superseded ?

Beware you dont get told in 2 years time - "Sorry Sir, theres a new model out now..... residuals on your F31 are well down ..."

Mind you, thats prob gonna be me with this LCI F11 in 2016 !

[jimboss]

Be prepared for a big step down in refinement and quality of materials. The wind and road noise is very intrusive IMO. I'm planning to step up to a 5 at the end of the year for that very reason. The 3 series LCI is coming later this year BTW.

[Beancounter_74]

Thanks guys, some good input there.

I agree about the cabin space, but I need a tourer now as a saloon just doesn't work for me. Obviously the F11 is a candidate, but it just doesn't float my boat.

I'd be able to get a fairly heavily specced F31, so in terms of luxuries, I'd actually be adding to existing, which I'm sure will help against the smaller space.

Going to take another look tomorrow, but to be honest I think my heads already mad the decision. Just need to make sure I eek out every drop from the dealer now

[nordberg]

Conversely, I'm considering going from a F31 to a F21.

I don't find my F31 to anywhere near as roomy as I'd imagined it would be. The rear bench is quite frankly pathetic and if you have young kids in kiddie seats, forget about a passenger in the middle. Sure, with the seats down, it makes a good van to do a tip run, but overall it's a bit too compact to be practical IMHO.

[Balster]

I had a F31 as a service car whilst my f10 was at the dealers.

1) Nowhere near as refined as mine
2) Low market feel
3) Rubbish gearbox
4) Very cramped on the inside
5) Did not feel as well put together
6) Low rent plastics
...in fact the plastics felt like a Jag XF!!!
7) Every other car seems to be a 3 series

On the plus side it the fuel economy is miles better and my wife liked the smaller sized car.

[Piers]

I agree with all the comments above. I am intrigued by the deal tho if you are happy to share

[nordberg]

Originally Posted by Balster

I had a F31 as a service car whilst my f10 was at the dealers.

1) Nowhere near as refined as mine
2) Low market feel
3) Rubbish gearbox
4) Very cramped on the inside
5) Did not feel as well put together
6) Low rent plastics
...in fact the plastics felt like a Jag XF!!!
7) Every other car seems to be a 3 series

On the plus side it the fuel economy is miles better and my wife liked the smaller sized car.

Of course in the 335d, you'll be getting one of the best gearboxes on the planet...

[The Beast]

Look if it's what you've got your heart set on go for it

If you were going 520 to 320 I would say you were crazy, but 520 to 335 is another scenario all together especially if you load it up. What you give up in interior quality and size will probably balance itself out in terms of equipment, power and handling!

I wouldn't switch my 530d for one unless it was an M3/4, it's just about personal preference/ppriorities...

[gspannu]

Originally Posted by The Beast

Look if it's what you've got your heart set on go for it

If you were going 520 to 320 I would say you were crazy, but 520 to 335 is another scenario all together especially if you load it up. What you give up in interior quality and size will probably balance itself out in terms of equipment, power and handling!

I wouldn't switch my 530d for one unless it was an M3/4, it's just about personal preference/ppriorities...

Agree... I wouldn't switch my 535 for anything !

[MMY]

It's ultimately a personal choice but after two E39s, two E60s and two F10s I bought a F30 330d - and got rid of it after 15 months. Power and handling were of course great but it was just not a nice place to be, wind noise, cheap plastics etc as other posters mentioned. Even my dealer advised against the Three and admitted it was lacking in refinement. BMW sell twice as many Fives as Threes in Ireland by the way, the pricing is such that a 320d with the same spec as the 520d is almost identical. Happy to back in a F10 even if I do miss the extra poke of the six cylinder. If BMW could explain why there's a €5000 premium to go from 320 to 330 but €15000 to go from 520 to 530, I'd be in the bigger engine!

[Beancounter_74]

Yes, take on board all the above comments

.............but as has been said, 520d to 320d, no way, but a 520d to 335d.............. a VERY different proposition.

The engine mated to the 8 speed box is a peach and with xdrive, it feels glued to the road.

@ Piers - Deal sees just shy of £11k off the build list price (specced at £48k) which is 'not a bad starting point'.........but it also clears the finance on my 520d, which currently stands me underwater at circa £5,500 (based on the average of 5 dealer trade in valuations), this is because I've got 30,000 miles on a car that's 14 months............. into a 8,000 miles p.a contract (sadly circumstances changed shortly after I bought the car ). All in all, I get a great engine, more practical tourer and can walk from the negative equity.

Test drove one again at the weekend and decided I can definitely live with the shortcomings (of which the comment about quality are a little over the top ) as the engine/handling are fantastic......so have ordered one in Mineral Grey. Expected delivery mid-late March .
I've got all the toys I have on my F10, plus adaptive lights and professional media, HK audio and M performance brakes plus a few other bits. Sadly won't have the LCD display though

I'm sure I'll be back in an F10 sometime as I've thoroughly enjoyed it, but this is an itch I fancied scratching

Now need to find out if my winter tyres (Genuine 17" BMW alloys and tyres) fit the F31, if not, I'll pop them up on here.

[Pottsy]

They would have fitted, but with the M performance brakes, you need to go up to 18".

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Beancounter_74

Now need to find out if my winter tyres (Genuine 17" BMW alloys and tyres) fit the F31, if not, I'll pop them up on here.

They won't mate - that's why I sold 'em to you when I got my F31

[Beancounter_74]

OK thanks Ian

[Beancounter_74]

Originally Posted by Beancounter_74

Yes, take on board all the above comments

.............but as has been said, 520d to 320d, no way, but a 520d to 335d.............. a VERY different proposition.

The engine mated to the 8 speed box is a peach and with xdrive, it feels glued to the road.

@ Piers - Deal sees just shy of 11k off the build list price (specced at 48k) which is 'not a bad starting point'.........but it also clears the finance on my 520d, which currently stands me underwater at circa 5,500 (based on the average of 5 dealer trade in valuations), this is because I've got 30,000 miles on a car that's 14 months............. into a 8,000 miles p.a contract (sadly circumstances changed shortly after I bought the car ). All in all, I get a great engine, more practical tourer and can walk from the negative equity.

Test drove one again at the weekend and decided I can definitely live with the shortcomings (of which the comment about quality are a little over the top ) as the engine/handling are fantastic......so have ordered one in Mineral Grey. Expected delivery mid-late March .
I've got all the toys I have on my F10, plus adaptive lights and professional media, HK audio and M performance brakes plus a few other bits. Sadly won't have the LCD display though

I'm sure I'll be back in an F10 sometime as I've thoroughly enjoyed it, but this is an itch I fancied scratching

Now need to find out if my winter tyres (Genuine 17" BMW alloys and tyres) fit the F31, if not, I'll pop them up on here.

Popped into the dealer this afternoon. Ended up amending my spec by adding adaptive suspension, ACC and changing the black leather to Coral.

Full spec:

F31 335d xDrive Msport
Mineral Grey
Coral Leather

M + Package
Visibility Package
Professional Media Package
Interior Comfort pack
Service inclusive.

Adaptive suspension
ACC with stop/go
Electric tow bar
Folding mirrors
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel

Can't wait now

[Beancounter_74]

Quick update.....it arrived yesterday.

First impressions, I love it.

I know there are a fair few people on here that think it's a step down, but believe me the interior quality is exactly the same, just for me in a slightly smaller, but more useable (touring) package........may help that I have got from around 180 to 313 ponies under the bonnet too.

Anyway, link to thread here

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1116087

And as ever, comments welcome

[xenon]

I agree - I've been from two new F10s to a new F31 - interior quality is exactly the same as far as I'm concerned. It does need more sound insulation though.

[Beancounter_74]

I have my music too loud Ian to worry about the sound

[SpeedTrip]

So who's gonna be first with an M135i ?