Billysgoat
The ANTI-BLING!
Looking at one hard to replace this POS Jetta, from what I have read they seem to be fairly reliable once the EGR is made into a good EGR. Drove one today, I might have giggled a little bit.
BMW 335D, thoughts?
- Thread starter Billysgoat
- Start date
95cummins5.9
Old man ***** gossiper
That engine have a electric water pump? My buddies left us stranded this spring. It was 8k mile over the coolant system inspection it didn't get and boom overheat and limp mode.. beside that his is a 6speed. Runs great.
DDually
Still spooling..
In on this. Ive looked at them. They have carbon build up problems (i think) as well as high pressure fuel pump problems. I researched for a bit but i was turned off by people complaining about them. Could have been beemer owners b!tching about stuff though. Another thing i didnt like is that the larger displacement, older versions didnt come with AWD.
Bodacious
Comp Diesel Sponsor
I have two of the M-57 diesels torn apart. The new N-57 engine is a completely different animal. Timing chain is on the rear of the engine kinda different with three turbos.
We wanted to pull the trigger on an '11 335D.
This stuff
...has kept our money in our pockets.
I have two of each of just about everything for the M57. CP4.2's, injectors, rails,...etc all for sale. everything except the long block as we are going mechanical injection.
I can see using the engine for something. The rest of the car is just a 'look at the size of my wallet' kinda car. Well, I guess the engines are sorta that way as well. lol
We wanted to pull the trigger on an '11 335D.
This stuff
...has kept our money in our pockets.
I have two of each of just about everything for the M57. CP4.2's, injectors, rails,...etc all for sale. everything except the long block as we are going mechanical injection.
I can see using the engine for something. The rest of the car is just a 'look at the size of my wallet' kinda car. Well, I guess the engines are sorta that way as well. lol
Bodacious
Comp Diesel Sponsor
The M57 has a belt driven water pump. You may have been riding in a newer model with the N57.
The earlier versions of the M-57 had cast iron blocks. My two 11's are all aluminum.
Chris Tobin
New member
I looked at them quite a bit when we were initially thinking about getting rid of our TDI... I was torn between a CPO Chevy Cruze diesel and a high mile BMW 335d. When I found the Cruze with only 4,100 miles and CPO warranty it won out.
The BMW is a much more enjoyable car to drive than either the Cruze or TDI for sure!!!
If money were no object I would be in an M-Sport 334d for sure!!! But with the cost of the car and expensive potential repairs on a high mileage car I opted to go with the safety net of the CPO Chevy with almost 44,000 miles left on the warranty!
One of the big issues for the early (2009-2011) BMW 335d that I have heard about is the carbon buildup, much like other emission equipped diesels with heavy EGR... I am confident you could handle the service, but I think the manifold is plastic and typically just replaced rather than cleaned like the aluminum VW ones you've done in the past.
Bodacious
Comp Diesel Sponsor
Intakes are composite and from what I've read on Bimmerfest, most dIY'ers opt to clean them. Two intake ports result in amazing intake volume without the swirl flaps.
I'm pretty sure the swirl flaps must be left in if you plan to use the common rail injection?????
The EGR can be deleted and the crankcase vented to atmosphere just like the more popular diesels.
One of my engines has a programmer plugged in to the harness if anyone would be interested in a programmer.
I lack the ambition to become involved with the common rail injection. I would, however, love to see someone stack a couple cp3's on the 183 cu. in. engine with supporting turbo's just to see if it will make as much HP as my A-pump engines.
I'm pretty sure the swirl flaps must be left in if you plan to use the common rail injection?????
The EGR can be deleted and the crankcase vented to atmosphere just like the more popular diesels.
One of my engines has a programmer plugged in to the harness if anyone would be interested in a programmer.
I lack the ambition to become involved with the common rail injection. I would, however, love to see someone stack a couple cp3's on the 183 cu. in. engine with supporting turbo's just to see if it will make as much HP as my A-pump engines.
Billysgoat
The ANTI-BLING!
From my reading the intakes can be walnut hull blasted for cleaning, that would happen before I even really start driving the car most likely. What I have seen/read they don't push these engines that hard as the trans can only handle about 550ftlbs. I am not that worried about performance upgrades as this would be a DD. Finding a lot of them in the 50k miles range for sale, most likely coming out of warranty and getting the boot. As I plan to put 200k+ on the car long term repairs and maintenance are definitely a concern. I have not looked that hard into that aspect yet, still giggling over the drive experience LOL
Mooner1
New member
Hadn't really been all that aware of this car until you posted this up. As I was searching for used ones on Auto Trader there was an article about how they are anamazing used car buy, and one of the best do it all/all around cars BMW ever made. I thought it interesting though that mpg is listed at "only" 36/23. I bet/hope the mileage numbers could be improved upon significantly with deletes and tuning? I'd love to put the wife in one for her 100+ mi per day commute. She loves her Jetta TDI and the 45-47mpg it gets is hard to argue with.
Billysgoat
The ANTI-BLING!
From my reading 40-42 seems to be about tops for mileage (on average), you are moving a heavier car with a larger engine so the mileage just won't be the same. I'm in the same boat as your wife, 42 miles from my door to work. The other option I have been looking at is a Mazda 6, salesman who calls on me says he is getting a solid 36-38 driving 75+. It is not nearly as fun to drive though!
Chris Tobin
New member
Billy, if it is between a Mazda and the BMW 335d, I would go with the 335d for sure!!!
If it is all about mileage, fix and keep your ALH VW TDI, but if it is about joy of driving go for the Bimmer!!!:snoop:
CookCR
New member
I looked at the BMW 328D and 335D but couldn't get around all the horror stories I read online about their issues and the cost to fix them. I drive 70 miles each way for work and thought it would be a fun ride, they drive great but I didn't want to pay to get it fixed if something happened. Is your Jetta a gas or TDI?
Billysgoat
The ANTI-BLING!
It's about both, if I am going to spend that much time in the car, might as well enjoy it.
The cars have been out for a while now, lots of high mileage units that aren't having to many issues. The upside is there is a lot of aftermarket support for the repair side, the downside is parts are not cheap.
The 11 Jetta I have now is TDI, love the motor, hate the chassis. Another option is sportwagon or Golf, but I am worried about the "fix" they will come out with.
CookCR
New member
Hmm, what type of issues are you having and how many miles are on it? I had a 12' and it was honestly the best car I've ever had. I put 92K on in just under three years and the only issues I had were a headlight bulb that went out 3 times. It was in two hard rear end accidents as well, and even after it was repaired no issues.
Billysgoat
The ANTI-BLING!
The ride is not that great, too stiff for the lack of sporty, the seats are not as comfy as I would like, lots of road noise and clunks, and the windshield wipers are flat out dangerous. Mechanically the car has been sound, nothing but routine maintenance for almost 40k miles. Just turned over 106k today so no complaints on the quality.