2009 BMW 335d Sedan: German luxury in a diesel package

By Mike Blake, Carlisle Events

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Looking every bit the part of an elegant sedan, the 2009 BMW 335d has added diesel to the mix with a new 3.0-liter inline-6 Advanced diesel engine that promises excellent fuel economy without sacrificing the expected BMW power, speed and response.

The 335d is the poster child for BMW’s freshening of its 3-Series vehicles, a classification BMW began some 33 years ago. According to the manufacturer, the 2009 3-Series has undergone some 2500 changes, but most of those go unnoticed by drivers, passengers and those who watch this sporty luxury sedan drive by. The hood has a more energetic profile, the grille is broader, the bumpers, folding side mirrors, intake, headlights and taillights are new, the front track has been increased slightly and minute detail and cosmetic changes have been enacted, but most of the additions have been made inside.

Measuring an athletic 178.8 inches long, 71.5 inches wide and a low and wind-resistant 55.9 inches high on a 108.7-inch wheelbase, the vehicle’s lightweight construction
utilizes aluminum components, highly efficient and weight-optimized brakes as well as an energy-saving electro-mechanical steering system.

The centerpiece is the 3.0-liter diesel engine, which is manufactured with an aluminum engine block, 24-valve overhead cam with sequential turbo technology. Mated to a 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, the set-up is EPA rated at 23mpg in city driving and 35mpg on the highway. During a round trip test run from West-Central Pennsylvania, down the I-81 and I-70 corridors to BWI Airport, the front-engined rear-wheel-drive diesel delivered a 37mpg highway average; and a full week of mixed-use testing in the same region yielded an average of 34.5mpg on diesel fuel, which is about 10mpg better than we’d get in the straight-gas 335i.

The green-friendly engine’s environmental performance shows a Global Warming score of 7 (the average new vehicle score is about 4.5 – the higher the better with cleanest at 10); and its Smog Score is at 4, where average is 5 and cleanest is 10. Classified as a clean diesel, it qualifies for a $900 federal tax credit, and that helps offset the extra charge for the system, which adds about $2500 to the bill for a traditional 335i. Add to that, your fuel savings, and the diesel purchase could be a much better buy than the straight gas-engined Bimmer.

Another thing about this turbo-diesel engine is that it gives you more torque and horsepower than its gas-using sibling, while its times are a click slower but very close. Horsepower is rated at a solid 265 horses and torque measures an astounding 425 lbs.-ft. … that’s enough muscle to tow a good-sized boat and it also translates to speed and response. The manufacturer claims a zero-to-60mph run in 6 seconds flat. My tests didn’t quite hit that, but my 3800-lb. test ride did manage a 6.2 run, and a quarter-mile down the track in 14.2.

The all-wheel drive seemed to inhibit acceleration at low speed, but the 335d shows off tight steering, autocross cornering abilities and provides a stable, confident ride with alert replies to all the car is asked to do.

Inside, the i-drive in-cabin electronics system diminishes an otherwise wonderful driving experience. While the i-drive system has been tweaked and is friendlier than before, it is still not an easy-to-pilot format. The navigation system is not intuitive, does not readily find points of interest and takes a learning curve to use effectively. Once active it does provide excellent prompts, but it can become confused and when the driver takes a better course than the navigator, it insists that you get back to the original course, even if it is now a longer route.

Perhaps, non-intuitive is what best describes the interior, though luxurious also applies. The Beige Dakota leather interior plays well off the Platinum Bonze Metallic exterior and the light burl walnut cabin trim. Functional interior items include rain-sensing windshield wipers and on-board computer (i-drive driven) with vehicle monitoring system.

Roomy, the lavish cabin offers seating for five and measures headroom of 39 inches in front and 38 in row two; shoulder room is 55 inches front and rear and leg room is 41.5 and 34.6.

In terms of safety, the 335d scored well but not overwhelmingly well with 5 out of 5 stars in side crash tests, but only 4 out of 5 in frontal crashes and rollovers. Other safety inclusions are driver and front passenger airbag supplemental restraint system, seat-mounted side impact airbags, front and rear head protection system, coded driveway protection

The basic 335d starts at $43,900, but my test vehicle had lots of add-ons to bring the bottom line to $55,445. Platinum Bronze Metallic paint adds $550; Premium package consisting of lumbar support, BMW assist, autodimming mirrors and universal garage door openers adds $2650; 18-inch wheels, sport steering wheel, seats and suspension add $2250; heated front seats add $500; fold down rear seats are $475; park distance control costs $700; iPod and USB adapter is $400; the difficult navigation system adds $2100; satellite radio with a 1-year subscription costs $595 and destination charges put an additional $825 on the price tag.


Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

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