[Em135eye]

It's so easy to get hung up on the negative things about our cars - cracked alloys, suspension too soft/firm, rattles, hifi not sounding like a stadium concert system, paint not having a shine so deep you can gaze into the future through it, etc, etc.

So how about a thread about the joy (nicking BMWs current slightly cringey ad campaign) of having an E9* - moments all too rare when you wouldn't want to be in anything else. Moments when you took the long way home, or went out just for a drive. Drives that were in pure E9* country, when it didn't matter what your car was worth, what options it had - but it all just came together.

I'm often nipping out for the sake of it now - three miles away and the roads are perfect for the car - sweeping A roads with a few fast B roads in between. The car is a little too big for the really twisty back roads (and it gets too dirty!!) but the majority of roads here are superb.

Went out for a drive last night for the hell of it. Dusk so roads were quiet but visibility was great - you can also see cars coming the other way (lights on).
Got to a very long hill with an overtaking lane the whole way up - probably a mile of fast, safe A road. The overtaking lane starts just after a 30mph limit - so it's real "floor it" territory.

Two superbikes approached - no idea what models but they were fat tyred, big bore exhausted beasties that must have been doing 50-60 in the 30 zone and one nipped past me.

I was just approaching the derestricted zone behind between the two bikes and for a laugh, floored it. I expected total obliteration but to my surprise, I kept up with the lead bike. Speeds got very high - I won't say how high - and we approached a sweeping bend near the top of the hill - the bike lent very low as it cornered but couldn't hold onto the speed. I was close but safely behind and the bike could not shake me. Meanwhile the bike behind was a dot in the mirror. We carried on for fiveish miles - the bike having a huge advantage on the straights but that soon disappeared on the bends - he also couldn't power out of corners nearly as early as the BMW or with anything like the torque available.

Now I know how fast the top end bikes like an R1 are but I'd say these weren't as quick as those and also the bikers just ran out of bottle on the bends - my car just took them in it's stride with plenty of grip left in reserve.

Eventually a slow car spoiled the fun and they nipped past it but the 335d really showed what it was made of - beautiful handling, monster torque to fling you out of bends and decent brakes to keep the confidence high.

This has been one of many recent drives I've absolutely loved.

So any of you have positive stories to tell? This is a snipe/insult/patronise/SE vs M Sport/diesel vs petrol free thread...

[creepy coupe]

Yes it can be all to easy to criticise sometimes, I recently drove to the Alps and have to say the 335i was fantastic, through the night it was quiet, smooth, refined along the Autoroute, then well balanced, agile and lot’s of fun up and around the Alps.

The Nav was faultless and a godsend, the boot swallowed up all our gear and it returned 32 MPG over the whole 1500 mile trip.

Even the Missus commented on what a nice place to be the cabin was, she even managed to get some shut eye for the first time ever in a car, she liked the DCT so much, she just traded her car for an auto SLK.

[Em135eye]

Creepy - it took a lot of persuading (we both hold the purse strings equally!) but mine is also chuffed to bits with it. Never heard her talk about a car so much!

Must take mine abroad soon. And to the Highlands.

[creepy coupe]

We're lucky 335d, we live about 8 minuets from Eurotunnel, so popping over the France used to be a frequent thing for us, however with the strength of the Euro at the mo, it isn't such a bonus and stocking up with wines isn't the bargain it once was.

I still love the roads over there though, as I'm old enough to remember when it was like that over here and finding a stretch with very few cars on it was such a "joy"

I bet you can’t wait for the winter and all the grockals (spelling) going home, so you can stretch your legs?

[Em135eye]

They've nearly all gone now - Grockles is the Devon term, we call then Emmets (meaning ants!). We have our roads back again!

Drove in France a few times when I had the Golf (R32) and loved it - but was living and working in the Docklands at the time so it wasn't far away!

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

They've nearly all gone now - Grockles is the Devon term, we call then Emmets (meaning ants!). We have our roads back again!

Drove in France a few times when I had the Golf (R32) and loved it - but was living and working in the Docklands at the time so it wasn't far away!

Which version R32 did you have?

[Em135eye]

Mk 4 - bought it three months old with 4k on the clock.
Black, full leather (ahem - or leatherette...!), 3 door, v6364 OEM ECU upgrade released a few more horses and stop a very common hesitation issue at 2,500rpm. Really liked it.



Forced to sell it when we moved to Bristol - no off street parking + car with nice alloys + Bristol scumbags = nightmare

[creepy coupe]

Nice motor.

[gerbil_b]

Definately come to highlands, its where i am from and the roads are amazing. I love the BM because at 21 most other people i know have saxos, clios, 106s and they just dont understand what its like to have the grip and the enjoyment i have in the E90. Nothing makes me smile more than pulling out of a junction behind a french chav box and them flooring it then after about 10 meters they realise they have no chance of pulling away, you then overtake and laugh at the burberry cap wearing idiot!

[Em135eye]

Gerbil - I've hired (average) cars up there when I've flown up. Each time I've wished I was in something more fun!

[gerbil_b]

Well if you ever get the chace, get a proper car and travel to the western isles!!!! I live there now and the roads are even better!!!

[beemerbird]

You after some PR work from BMW.

[willhollin]

Are you sure the bikes actually saw your car?

[Steve A]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Are you sure the bikes actually saw your car?

this is even more far fetched than carls stories

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Steve A

this is even more far fetched than carls stories

C'mon Steve. Some of those 125cc bikes are pretty quick.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Steve A

this is even more far fetched than carls stories

My stories are not far fetched. All factual and 110%. Fortunately there has always backed up by having people with me. For non believers.

Usually people who dont believe what others tell them, is due to them being liars themselves.


Also who remembers how i got my stone chips?

[zltm089]

well....if you forget the bmw stealerships' attitude to customers, their mechanics who don't know how to fix things, and the engine warning lights....

then yes, the 335i /335 d are powerful and wonderful machines!...

An Audi rs4/ s4 (not sure which one, as I was going to fast to check my rear view properly) tried it with me last time....

Think we do get "value for money" with 335i/ 335d....whereas you'll need more money to get a car with similar BHP and handling....


u can grab a 335i for like £20k and I can't think of any other car which will be in that price range and provide the same level of performance and looks!

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

My stories are not far fetched. All factual and 110%.

I totally agree Carl, this one had me in stitches!!