[dixy2k]

As my car is in the shop again, I got a loaner and it happens to be the 535d.

I gathered a few impressions about the car driving it for a little over 300 miles so far.

Cruising at 85 MPH the engine turns 1760 RPM.
Apparently way more economical than our e90 d.

Start/Stop is a hit and miss. It works randomly.

EGT is apparently higher than our cars. 660F-730F in D mode, in DS (higher RPM) EGT goes down by about 100F.

Steering feels numb. Lack of input from the road and the cars needs constant correction to keep it inside the lane. It just feels weird.

Sun visor does not adjust to cover the gap between the B pillar and the end of the visor. Other brands can do it, even Chevrolet Cruze has that feature.

Speedometer (analog) is more accurate when compared to GPS and the digital readout on Torque app.

Cabin fan is annoying (to me) it turns itself on every time you start the engine. There is no way I can turn that feature off. I had the new 3 and 4 series before and the same thing happened. I don't like that.

Navigation is almost just as bad as in our cars. Can't find an address, routing follows a strange pattern. I have used a Garmin a few times and that little thing can beat the pants off any BMW navigation currently sold.

Of course wheelbase help in comfort. I like the weight of the car too.


Number 1 and 2 listed above, in my opinion will give the future owners lots of headaches. I cannot see how CBU can be avoided. Bad designed combined with low RPM driving all the time and possible engine stop during a regeneration while at a stop sign is a recipe for disaster. Just my 2 cents.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by dixy2k

Cruising at 85 MPH the engine turns 1760 RPM.
Apparently way more economical than our e90 d.

this is how the 335D should have been designed. With 6 speeds it really isnt an issue to have the 6th be super long, its not a performance gear so it might as well be an economy gear.

Originally Posted by dixy2k

Steering feels numb. Lack of input from the road and the cars needs constant correction to keep it inside the lane. It just feels weird.

electric steering just plain blows from a feel/performance standpoint. I dont think there is any other way to put it. Sadly, it is the way of the future.

Originally Posted by dixy2k

Number 1 and 2 listed above, in my opinion will give the future owners lots of headaches. I cannot see how CBU can be avoided. Bad designed combined with low RPM driving all the time and possible engine stop during a regeneration while at a stop sign is a recipe for disaster. Just my 2 cents.

Im going to disagree on it being a design issue. With a powerful diesel engine the highway gearing should be long and super economical. If it leads to carbon buildup the engine should be designed as best it can to prevent buildup, putting in shorter gears and making it rev unnecessarily is not the answer IMO. Also, im fairly certain the start/stop feature automatically disables during a regen.

[mact3333]

I gotta say, our car with sports suspension has very good steering feel...not that far off of M3...Ive had 5 series loaners and can't stand that car...feels like I am driving a Cadillac...car(5 series) is just too huge and heavy now.

[joe_planet]

Nice review. I always thought the built in nav was just fine and like it.
I have never driven a 5 series, too bad the steering sucks. I do have a ford f350 6.7 diesel truck and nobody is having any CBU issues with them to my knowledge. It has egr and urea injection.

[dixy2k]

A couple more things to add.

The speakers are not matched to the acoustics of the car. I find myself turning up the volume at 50% just so I can hear the music and understand what they are saying, and it is simply too loud at that point, I don't like listening to loud music. My car somehow manages the sound better. Maybe because of the smaller volume inside.

In 500 miles this car has not had a regen yet. At least I cannot tell if it had one. I had my tablet with me most of the time.

[m80theWolf]

Which dealership did you go to? I've been stuck with x1's my last 2 visits...

[dixy2k]

Norwalk. I've had 320i, 328i, 428i and this 535d so far.

[sergiy'd]

interesting, i am under the impression that BMW is working hard to sell overlooking what they are selling

The //M badge is thrown around like it means nothing these days

[Puerto Rican 335d]

Harmon Kardon my friends is the only way to go i have it on my car

[dixy2k]

I got a regen on it today at 501 miles. It lasted for more than 10 mile. I had to get off the freeway, so I am not sure if I stopped it or it just ended when I got off.
On the torque app I don't get a rear out of the EGR valve on this car.
The EGT was around 1060F for most of the time, with occasional spikes up to 1120F.
Coolant temp 188-190.
Both temp are lower than on my car.

There was no warning on this car either.

[daveN007]

Originally Posted by mact3333

I gotta say, our car with sports suspension has very good steering feel...not that far off of M3...Ive had 5 series loaners and can't stand that car...feels like I am driving a Cadillac...car(5 series) is just too huge and heavy now.

I agree. I had a nicely option 528i and it was "OK". Definitely rode "bigger and smoother". My M-Sport 335d felt more raw and connected. In a good way.

8 speed transmission makes good use of the tiny engine in the 528i and fuel economy is great.
I could live with the 528I but I wouldn't be passionate about it.

I think that with BMW, the way you option the car makes all of the difference in the world.

[Hoooper]

unless you can option out the electric steering there is still going to be something missing. I bet sometime in the future, maybe 5 years, electric steering will be able to have the right feedback and weight to make you feel connected again. Ive driven a couple of the electric steering cars though and they all feel just so numb its very disappointing.

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by dixy2k

Norwalk. I've had 320i, 328i, 428i and this 535d so far.

Nice. I work in cerritos, so I can really go to either. I dropped off my car today at Long Beach BMW for a whining belt and got a 328d for the next couple of days. Above posters are right, that 8 speed transmission definitely brings out the best in these smaller 4 cyls. It's also one of the few times that sport mode has made a noticeable impact on the transmission. Sharper throttle, holds gears longer and at higher revs, even in the d. I was pretty disappointed in the 328d until I put it in full sport. Really fun, and I'm getting 44 mpg in mostly highway, some city.

Had to edit this in: steering is a real let down, and the lack of the sport package is noticeable - I'd need the sport package for the seats alone. Totally flat and unsupportive in base models.

[swimmbackwards]

I'd love to try out a 535d - heck anything other than the 320i I've been stuck in.

Curious on the size of the 5 series. I find the f30 3 series to have significantly more room in the back than the e90. The f30 seems to be close in interior space as the 5 series but the 5 seems to be much larger on the outside. Your thoughts?

[Chief Orman]

Dealer gave me a 328d loaner. It got amazing mileage and drove like a very nice Camry. Totally depressing.

[mact3333]

Originally Posted by daveN007

I agree. I had a nicely option 528i and it was "OK". Definitely rode "bigger and smoother". My M-Sport 335d felt more raw and connected. In a good way.

8 speed transmission makes good use of the tiny engine in the 528i and fuel economy is great.
I could live with the 528I but I wouldn't be passionate about it.

I think that with BMW, the way you option the car makes all of the difference in the world.

I know people won't believe me, but the steering feel on my M Sport 335d almost feels better and more connected(and raw) when compared to my previous e46 and e92 M3's...now the e30 and e36 might be a different story.

I thought the e92 M3 steering felt abit numb and disconnected(until I put coil kit on it that is)...the 335D steering feel allows me to feel pebbles on the ground and my fingers feel very connected to the asphalt.

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by mact3333

I know people won't believe me, but the steering feel on my M Sport 335d almost feels better and more connected(and raw) when compared to my previous e46 and e92 M3's...now the e30 and e36 might be a different story.

I thought the e92 M3 steering felt abit numb and disconnected(until I put coil kit on it that is)...the 335D steering feel allows me to feel pebbles on the ground and my fingers feel very connected to the asphalt.

The 335d is my first bmw, and the steering and overall feel just seems "correct." I don't know about feeling pebbles, but it's a world above anything being made in 2014. I'm worried I may have set the bar too high with my e90... Probably going to be awhile before anything new measures up.

[dixy2k]

Originally Posted by m80theWolf

Nice. I work in cerritos, so I can really go to either. I dropped off my car today at Long Beach BMW for a whining belt and got a 328d for the next couple of days. Above posters are right, that 8 speed transmission definitely brings out the best in these smaller 4 cyls. It's also one of the few times that sport mode has made a noticeable impact on the transmission. Sharper throttle, holds gears longer and at higher revs, even in the d. I was pretty disappointed in the 328d until I put it in full sport. Really fun, and I'm getting 44 mpg in mostly highway, some city.

Had to edit this in: steering is a real let down, and the lack of the sport package is noticeable - I'd need the sport package for the seats alone. Totally flat and unsupportive in base models.

I had a few "Enterprise" loaners too. Forgot to mention earlier.

[dixy2k]

Originally Posted by swimmbackwards

I'd love to try out a 535d - heck anything other than the 320i I've been stuck in.

Curious on the size of the 5 series. I find the f30 3 series to have significantly more room in the back than the e90. The f30 seems to be close in interior space as the 5 series but the 5 seems to be much larger on the outside. Your thoughts?

Way bigger on the inside. Especially for the rear seats and trunk.
In the same class as the MB E series.

[mact3333]

Originally Posted by m80theWolf

The 335d is my first bmw, and the steering and overall feel just seems "correct." I don't know about feeling pebbles, but it's a world above anything being made in 2014. I'm worried I may have set the bar too high with my e90... Probably going to be awhile before anything new measures up.

But it has to be a sports pkg car...I drove the non-sports pkg 335D and it was way too soft and loose for my liking.

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by mact3333

But it has to be a sports pkg car...I drove the non-sports pkg 335D and it was way too soft and loose for my liking.

Mine has the sport package - for me, it's a goldilocks perfect firmness for daily driving.

I'm pretty sure if I have this f30 328d too long, I'll notice the pebbles when I get back into my e90 335d.

[m80theWolf]

Originally Posted by dixy2k

As my car is in the shop again, I got a loaner and it happens to be the 535d.

I gathered a few impressions about the car driving it for a little over 300 miles so far.

OP - you didn't say much about the power delivery. It's single turbo now, right? Does the butt dyno say quicker or slower than a 335d?