[AWBimmer]

2016 will be a year of transformation for me I'm thinking (not that the previous years haven't!). I've had my 335D car for coming up to 4 years and have undergone considerable changes. I've LOVED driving and owning this car every day too.

Rightly or wrongly, I fancy a change. I'm not going to rush into selling but make calculated decisions.

Been scratching my head recently at what car to get next but every car I think of to replace it with, just doesn't cut the mustard. I always come back with a reason as to why it isn't as good as the 335d (remapped). My budget is under £20k as I still plan to mod the next one and keep it.

Since owning a 335D, I cannot go backward in terms of engine. I've only really ever owned diesels so my sensible side says stick to them, but my dark side is looking at naughtier cars but I get scared with their associated costs!

Some cars I've been looking at:

• BMW X6 35D (similar performance but heavier, also more practical. Different and I can see this working somehow with the mods lined up)
• Audi S3 (will only be the 260bhp version)
• BMW 335i (Not too different from the 335d but tuning potential is incredible)
• E90 335d (Very unimaginative but 4 door will be much better)
• BMW M3 (Probably a little bit out of my budget but still, a V8 and a strong contender)
• C63 AMG (Probably most sought after but, very expensive)
• A5 3.0 tdi (I just know that there's a 335d out there that will kill it - Mob17 AHEM!)
• E55 W211 AMG (big metal, underdog, juicy but letal and pretty much unparalleled road presence)
• S5 (Similar bhp to a remapped 335d but a lot less torque and economy)

As said, I'm not in any rush so many might object to the change but I'm still head scratching!

Does anybody else have any suggestions?

[Cero ceto]

Alpine version of the 335D, very rare and supercar performance?

[AWBimmer]

Originally Posted by SSIIJAR

Alpine version of the 335D, very rare and supercar performance?

Alpina D3? Hmmm... 345bhp and 700NM. Sounds beefy lol!

[Dace64]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Alpina D3? Hmmm... 345bhp and 700NM. Sounds beefy lol!

Isn't that the same power as a mapped 335D?

[AWBimmer]

Originally Posted by Dace64

Isn't that the same power as a mapped 335D?

Sorry - my mistake. Alpina D3 3.0 Bi-Turbo is 360BHP - stock. So once mapped, It'll be pretty lethal I'm guessing.

[smuler]

Is your only mod/s to address performance, if so what about adding LSD or upgrading suspension? Sounds like you too happy with car to let it go

[Sparky68]

Well the blazing omission from that list is a 535D

[litany]

F13 640d = e92 335d on steroids

[AWBimmer]

F13 640D would love to but exceeds budget significantly.

535d is yes a decent option.

[holmefield]

It would have to be An F10 535D for me, what are they 313bhp standard, beautiful inside a 535D will be well spec'd with loads of toys, & i recon a Good remap will see north of 360/370bhp...

[jackstrath]

What's the tri turbo engine? 550d? To me the 335d is the monster diesel in the 3, so Imo logical step is the 5 series with its monster Diesel engine lol , although no idea how much they go for

[jackstrath]

Ignor me , never realised we didn't get them in the uk

[RajB]

There is the X6 50d which has the triple tubs.

It's a really difficult one bro. I do like the F10 for sure and with some choice more would look stunning and go superbly.

Me personally would have to go petrol. Diesel is good etc but having had a few highly tuned ones I'm glad to be back in the petrol models tbh. The sound alone is worth it every time.

It also depends on your driving style and the general driving you do as that for me dictates the engine really.

Having owned the E60 M5 for example I found like the M3's need to be revved to really get the best from the engine but when you commute is more town driving then the engine is wasted.

You have to drive a number of them to really help decide which suits you best engine wise. Then look to the car itself in terms of practical requirements etc.

[AWBimmer]

Raj - very well put there.

My brother owns an X5 ///50D and it's monstrous. 380BHP stock and I've driven it for a few hours. Loved it but coming from an E92, it felt 'lumpy'. If I were to do a 4x4, it would be an X6 or Q7 maybe, appreciate looks of an X6 can be challenging but it's a nice step into the world of SUVs etc.

I've also been driving around my bro-in-law's V8 SC Range Rover and that, felt RAPID! It pinned me back into my seat and was nothing short of excellence, but then a Range right now is an overkill.

My commute will vary on clients/projects but for the forseeable future, I have 19miles of town and B roads - each way. Traffic is a 'mare for atleast 3 miles in total with stop start / bumper to bumper.

It's really challenging to shortlist contenders knowing how well the 335D has performed. Till date, she's not let me down when coming up against rivals including M3s but that might just have been pot luck.

I've seen a couple of very nice 535Ds. Ideally I'm looking for a 4 door for convenience reasons.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Raj - very well put there.

My brother owns the X5 ///50D and it's monstrous. 380BHP stock and I've driven it for a few hours. Loved it but coming from an E92, it felt 'lump'. If I were to do a 4x4, it would be an X6 or Q7 maybe, appreciate looks of the X6 can be challenging but it's a nice step into the world of SUVs etc.

I've also been driving around my bro-in-law's V8 SC Range Rover and that, felt RAPID! It pinned me back into my seat and was nothing short of excellence, but then a Range right now is an overkill.

My commute will vary on clients/projects but for the forseeable future, I have 19miles of town and B roads - each way. Traffic is a Mare for atleast 3 miles in total with stop start / bumper to bumper.

It's really challenging to shortlist contenders knowing how well the 335D has performed. Till date, she's not let me down when coming up against rivals including M3s but that might just have been pot luck.

I've seen a couple of very nice 535Ds. Ideally I'm looking for a 4 door for convenience reasons.

The X6 certainly handles better than the X5 equivalent. The Q7 is barge/bus by comparison and definite no for me personally.

I've had the RR SC too and again although rapid in a straight line (it doesn't do corners) and like the C63 will bankrupt you on fuel (and this coming from a person with the 335 and the 4.8 V8 X5). I remember driving down the motorway in the RR and literally watching the fuel gauge go down LOL.

For practicality and still good fuel consumption I'd have to really consider the F10 535i not d. You aren't doing anywhere near enough mileage to warrant the diesel personally and the noise alone with the right exhaust would clinch it.

[AWBimmer]

I'm doing 19/20 miles each way, so call it 40 miles a day. That has stepped up significantly from the 19miles round trip I did all motorway before I took the new project on - and this role will not change for the foreseeable future - atleast I can't imagine it to change.

So considering I'm now doing 40miles a day, town driving / B roads and can't get really open up on the roads, are you still advising to go for the petrol variant?

Sam

[RajB]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

I'm doing 19/20 miles each way, so call it 40 miles a day. That has stepped up significantly from the 19miles round trip I did all motorway before I took the new project on - and this role will not change for the foreseeable future - atleast I can't imagine it to change.

So considering I'm now doing 40miles a day, town driving / B roads and can't get really open up on the roads, are you still advising to go for the petrol variant?

Sam

They say that to warrant a diesel you need to be doing upward of 15k miles a year or something like that hence even at 40miles a day you'd be under that by some margin. It normally factors in the increased purchase price etc to come to that figure. Again it's very subjective as some will still prefer to buy the diesel and pay more for fuel but as they get better mpg it suits them and over rules the other costs.

[AWBimmer]

Originally Posted by RajB

They say that to warrant a diesel you need to be doing upward of 15k miles a year or something like that hence even at 40miles a day you'd be under that by some margin. It normally factors in the increased purchase price etc to come to that figure. Again it's very subjective as some will still prefer to buy the diesel and pay more for fuel but as they get better mpg it suits them and over rules the other costs.

Totally see where you're coming from Raj.

I have 40k mileage in 3.5years of owning this. Bought it on 43k and now has 83k mileage.

[cb]

CL500
Maserati quattroporte
Continental GT
M6
Porsche 911 996 or 997
CLS 55AMG
S500/S600
A8 4.2 TDI
BMW 750i/740d

Just some ideas...

[imy]

I think you would be hard pressed to find a c63 for under £20k but that would be my choice. The E55 is also a very good option and is rated by alot higher than the E63.
CLS55 or 63? They look raw.

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

2016 will be a year of transformation for me I'm thinking (not that the previous years haven't!). I've had my 335D car for coming up to 4 years and have undergone considerable changes. I've LOVED driving and owning this car every day too.

Rightly or wrongly, I fancy a change. I'm not going to rush into selling but make calculated decisions.

Been scratching my head recently at what car to get next but every car I think of to replace it with, just doesn't cut the mustard. I always come back with a reason as to why it isn't as good as the 335d (remapped). My budget is under £20k as I still plan to mod the next one and keep it.

Since owning a 335D, I cannot go backward in terms of engine. I've only really ever owned diesels so my sensible side says stick to them, but my dark side is looking at naughtier cars but I get scared with their associated costs!

Some cars I've been looking at:

• BMW X6 35D (similar performance but heavier, also more practical. Different and I can see this working somehow with the mods lined up)
• Audi S3 (will only be the 260bhp version)
• BMW 335i (Not too different from the 335d but tuning potential is incredible)
• E90 335d (Very unimaginative but 4 door will be much better)
• BMW M3 (Probably a little bit out of my budget but still, a V8 and a strong contender)
• C63 AMG (Probably most sought after but, very expensive)
• A5 3.0 tdi (I just know that there's a 335d out there that will kill it - Mob17 AHEM!)
• E55 W211 AMG (big metal, underdog, juicy but letal and pretty much unparalleled road presence)
• S5 (Similar bhp to a remapped 335d but a lot less torque and economy)

As said, I'm not in any rush so many might object to the change but I'm still head scratching!

Does anybody else have any suggestions?

A lot of that list is pointless moving for IMO. The diesels on that list are just going to be the same as what you already have. I am in a similar situation!

I think it really depends on what you are looking for? Do you want more power, or better handling or better in car features?

My opinions on a few of those choices.
The e55 will make you think you are having a dinner party at your nans house. Unless you can cope with dated interiors and going back in time 10 years, I'd avoid it. Also I expect a maintenance nightmare.
C63 is very juicy on fuel. Fast and loud, but not much of a handler. I find the exhaust note boring as time goes on, brutish but no really quality or feedback from it high up, not like an M3.
335i, affordable, but not much faster or different inside that your 335d. Not worth buying unless you're going to get 450hp+, but expect wallet empyting times on modding.
S5? How long are Audi going to sell this boring old shape for? Dated looking and destroyed by a 335i easily.

Basically if you want any kind of handling and a great exhaust note, you end up left with the M3.

I'm in a similar situation to you. Where do I go next from the 335i. I've considered nice E46 M3's, but they aren't really much more powerful, so i'd probably want a super charger. The e92 M3 is nice too but and I have found a perfect example, but its £30k.

Else where I've toyed with the idea of SL55/63. Great power, but with a price and age and very few examples. Definitely on the list, just not yet.
650i both new and old - I love the sound of the 4.8 V8, but its not really going to be much different to the 335i in power terms, but is much heavier and humongous. The newer ones are around £25k, but you'd want the 450hp models which are still over £30k
E6x M6 - Solve the 650i power issue, but its heavy and some of the costs are scary!
Jag XK/XKR - similar to M6. Loads of power, but a bit of a boat. Jag gearboxes are also back in the 90s compared to BMW.
M135i/235i - Meh.
And then there is the world of Porsche, but that gets pricey quickly too.

I guess the problem is, mapped 335s are just too good when it comes to value for money.

[imy]

Originally Posted by djgandy

A lot of that list is pointless moving for IMO. The diesels on that list are just going to be the same as what you already have. I am in a similar situation!

I think it really depends on what you are looking for? Do you want more power, or better handling or better in car features?

My opinions on a few of those choices.
The e55 will make you think you are having a dinner party at your nans house. Unless you can cope with dated interiors and going back in time 10 years, I'd avoid it. Also I expect a maintenance nightmare.
C63 is very juicy on fuel. Fast and loud, but not much of a handler. I find the exhaust note boring as time goes on, brutish but no really quality or feedback from it high up, not like an M3.
335i, affordable, but not much faster or different inside that your 335d. Not worth buying unless you're going to get 450hp+, but expect wallet empyting times on modding.
S5? How long are Audi going to sell this boring old shape for? Dated looking and destroyed by a 335i easily.

Basically if you want any kind of handling and a great exhaust note, you end up left with the M3.

I'm in a similar situation to you. Where do I go next from the 335i. I've considered nice E46 M3's, but they aren't really much more powerful, so i'd probably want a super charger. The e92 M3 is nice too but and I have found a perfect example, but its £30k.

Else where I've toyed with the idea of SL55/63. Great power, but with a price and age and very few examples. Definitely on the list, just not yet.
650i both new and old - I love the sound of the 4.8 V8, but its not really going to be much different to the 335i in power terms, but is much heavier and humongous. The newer ones are around £25k, but you'd want the 450hp models which are still over £30k
E6x M6 - Solve the 650i power issue, but its heavy and some of the costs are scary!
Jag XK/XKR - similar to M6. Loads of power, but a bit of a boat. Jag gearboxes are also back in the 90s compared to BMW.
M135i/235i - Meh.
And then there is the world of Porsche, but that gets pricey quickly too.

I guess the problem is, mapped 335s are just too good when it comes to value for money.

Your own list doesnt really provide that much more inspiration than his own original list or other people ideas.
but then it will always come down to individual preference wont it?