Used 2011 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews
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My first, but definitely not last, BMW
Picked up my first BMW a week ago. I got the 2011 328i (X-Drive, w/Nav). Coming from an Acura TSX, I don't know how I have been driving any other car. This car begs to be driven and it begs even more to hug corners. After my lease is up I am definitely getting another BMW - truly the Ultimate Driving Machine. Drive one and you'll understand why they picked that slogan. I barely feel the car accelerate. The interior is well organized and very well thought out. Although, I'm not a fan of the driver's cup holder, but that's just being nit-picky. There isn't much storage room on the front as the glove box is small and the center console is also small. Again, these are minor to me.
Falling out of love
I have a 2011 335xi, I was so in love with this car when I got it but since the warranty has expired, I am falling out of love. My left headlight is drooping, my steering wheel is squeaking, and my fuel mileage is dropping-14mpg in the city! And the car is warm, I think the temp sensor or something is going bad. My car died on me in the middle of a busy road when the water pump died, then 2 months later it started to smoke-resulting from 2 engine gasket seals that needed to be replaced. I wish I had purchased an extended warranty, these repairs were over $2500 dollars.
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- 335i xDrive CoupeMSRP: $9,985195 mi away
- 335i SedanMSRP: $6,99517 mi away
- 328i SedanMSRP: $5,99517 mi away
Bought it for wife!
Purchased pre-owned 1 year ago - wife really likes car and sometimes lets me drive it - a little nicer than my Element - great looking and has performed well on very long road trips to midwest - 75K when purchased - have been told by non-BMW owners that maintenance costs will be high - so far so good - will replace run flats when they wear out - I think it will ride better - could use some better cupholders too, but no big deal
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Bent rod, needs a new engine
I've been a member of the BMWCCA for more than ten years now. This is my 7th three series. M package, rear wheel drive manual 6speed, Power Kit so 320 HP. Noticed and felt engine noise since 68k miles. thought it might be the flywheel and clutch. Replaced at $3,000. Not the issue Dealership did a compression test, said it needs a new engine. $18,000! BMW will cover 50% because it's out of warranty. I provided all oil change docs. BMW wanted to see oil changes at least every 15k. I averaged every 7,500 miles. Never auto crossed or tracked. Commuter car, 42 year old father of four. Not laying down patches or beating on the car. My take, don't buy a turbo model. Too much stress on the engine components. Never own one of these out of warranty, you're asking for trouble. Fuel pump was replaced under warranty (common issue), water pump was on my dime. Hardly reliable, worst car I've ever owned. Beast on the highway? at 4.3 0-60 yes. Sad to say it, I'm a Bimmer guy through and through but that's it for me. BMW corporate said they wouldn't make a repair coverage decision until they knew for sure what the problem was. I wanted the dealership to drop the oil pan to definitively diagnose the issue so I could tell BMW NA what was wrong. After the compression test all of a sudden the dealership clammed up like it was a cover up? The dealership would not go any further. They told the manufacturer that it needed a new engine without ever dropping the oil pan and taking a peek. Didn't make sense. I still want to have an independent garage take a look so maybe I can get some video or pics and post them. Forget about BMW customer service. I got someone on the line outsourced from India. If you must buy a BMW again never own one out of warranty! Unless your buying a fixer upper for a couple of grand. I traded it in on a new Silverado burying the negative equity of the Bimmer into the truck payment. Tough pill to swollow Good luck!
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335D 2011
My first diesel, and my second BMW. I traded my 530XI for the 335D. Got the sports package, and all the bells and whistles. Drives really well, I am expecting to get a few speeding tickets with this car:) Great car however seems to have one simple flaw, the speedometer is off by 3 Km/H, not much however may have to see the dealer for a fix. I highly recommend this car to anyone, especially if you are on the green track and wont to feel good about not polluting the environment. It's way better than a hybrid, GREAT performance from a reputed mfg. Unfortunately 335D comes at a price, but I can assure you it's all worth it.
Five years and still going
Bought this when I was five years younger and it still is a good car. A couple of repairs all under warranty, nothing major. My roof is 99% water proof, only once or twice a few drops of water noted. I use Hoffman car wash, they do not recommend power wash i.e. the brushless type. Back seat is useable for kids and the occasional adult, need to push the front seats forward for the adults. Fueling, use the newer slim pumps, or you will stand there a long time to fuel to max because the auto shut off kicks in frequently. Still get lots of looks when the top is down!
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Great to Look At
Read the Carfax. Under 50000 miles this 328i 3 series convertible hard top, needed a fuel pump and console. The most uncomfortable seat on trips over say 4 hours for what it is. The design is beautiful but if it is going to have these issues under 50,000 miles forget it. I have to say, I will go back to the Honda/Acura. Bumper to bumper warranties up to 100,000 miles. AT 70000 miles the radio went out which is connected to all the alarms. Brakes were at 5 mm and the dash icon came on and dealer says it will not go out until all is fixed. $4000.00 dollars and they have had my car over 7 days. BMW dealer in Mobile Al says they got a "bad radio" and had to send for another. No loaner cars available to get to work. I will never go back to this dealer. On the recall I received notice from BMW that parts were in for those Takata air bags and the gal making appointments was reading from a script that they didn't have parts. I wound up going to Mississippi to get it fixed Needing repairs so early on the vehicle and having to deal with poorly managed dealership has made my taste for BMW bitter.
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Diesel Exhaust Tech not ready for prime time
I've driven this '11 335d for nearly 5 years and 100k miles. I love the car but not when the service engine soon light turns on. Usually, it's a fault related to the SCR (diesel exhaust fluid) system issue. Having purchased the 100k BMW warranty, the repairs were covered, except for replacement of the catalytic converter which the dealer stated was not covered. I have to pay $500 labor and the dealer is providing the part. This is not an inexpensive car to own/maintain and I'd likely not buy another BMW diesel even though there's a lot to like about driving one.
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Not all 3-series are the same. 335i is king
The 3-series varies immensely according to which model you get and extras you purchase. I have a 335i xdrive with sports package that includes sports bucket seats, steptronic shifting paddles on the steering wheel, thicker steering wheel, tightened suspension. Other features are garage door opener, shadowline, sunroof, drop down rear seats, xenon head lights. First impressions from styling is always up to to driver but I feel the clean look has a mature look to it. It has the a classy look with a monster of an engine that you would never know by the look. Interior the car has clean lines with quality materials. The wood accent is nice. The feel of the dash is good and gives of no glare which is great for driving. The layout of the cluster does take a little to get use to. The radio is sometimes confused for the heat and Ac. The directionals get a little to get use to as well as the cruise. Radio is good quality not great but the interaction with my cell phone works well. Comfort is bar none to any other. The sports seat hug you, in turns and are very comfortable on long drives. Like every car today you get a hundred different positions you can choose. The sports steering wheel is fat and so easy to hold. When sitting in the drivers seat you feel very comfortable. Rear seats are ample for two adults, tight with three. I run with two car seats and plenty of room. The trunk is deceivingly large but I suggest the pull down rear seats for runs to the hardware store. Very happy with the space in such a tight sports sedan. Engine and handling, there's a reason they say it's the ultimate driving experience. The inline six is smooth and powerful. It's smooth with the six gear transmission when you are driving other and want to take it easy. If you want to get on it, it has enough power to scare you and break a few laws. When in sports mode the gears are held a little longer and you can control shifting with the paddle shifters. I seldomly use the shifters while in sports mode but while on the highway in regular mode I will shift down to pass or change lanes. Once you get off the gas the car automatically shifts back into a higher gear. As far as handling the car is smooth on highways a little bumpy in the city due to the tightened suspension but if you get it into the mountains it is solid at high speeds around the corners. At times you'll surprise yourself how fast you take the corners with while feeling in total control. Reliability is a crap shoot, I've heard horror stories but the service by BMW is excellent. I drive an hour to Austin just to use them because they are worth the drive. Luckily I've had nothing but a few misfires. The car is 5 years old and turns heads were ever I go. It's tight, fast and comfortable. Every time I get into my car I smile and every time I get out I smile. My past cars have been Jeep Wrangler, VW golf, Nissan 300z, Hyndai Santa Fe, Infiniti FX35, Infiniti G35, BMW 328i and Acura MDX this is by far the best car I've ever owned maybe the best I've driven next to a Porsche 911. It's also 60k less than the Porsche and can fit my girls in the back. My wife feels like the car is too powerful and she doesn't feel comfortable driving it. She prefers the 328i which is more tame and is peppy if you want it. With the 335i the power is always there so you need to be aware when driving.
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First Time BMW Owner
As a first time owner of a BMW, the car has great performance and handling. If you are looking for a car that has best in class handling this car is for you. I test drove the competition, Lexus, Mercedes, Infinity and Audi nothing compares to the BMW. It has a quiet interior and no rattles or other annoying noises. If you have kids which I do the back seats have enough room and comfort for a day trip. I selected Premium Package, cold weather package and Xenon adaptive headlights. I passed on the Navigation system, it is not worth the extra 2k in my opinion. I think there are plenty of navigation choices with today's smartphones.
another great 3 series
I bought this car as certified pre-owned. Only way to go as i paid 28K for a 46K vehicle. This is NOT a sports car but a fabulous driving vehicle. Plenty of power and very comfortable. Decent fuel mileage on the highway but not so much around town. I am not tired of driving this vehicle.
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Lots of fun. But often not working?
First let me say, this car is the most fun you can have. Even on the days you drive the speed limit! Equally capable cruising the highway or city driving. I get around 30/mpg highway. Exterior is a head- Turner and I get lots of compliments around town. Nice interior with great improvements to idrive/navigation. Cup holders are still horrible. But if you buy a BMW for the functionality of the cup holders, you are wrong! I really just have one major complaint. I've driven less than 3500 miles and my baby is already in the shop! It appears the mysterious fuel pump "gremlins" continue to plague the 335! Frustrating isn't even the word! Makes me think I should have got a c63 instead?
Perfection.
I've owned my M Sport package equipped 335d since November, 2010, and have found it to be nothing short of automotive excellence. From the fit and finish to the ample power and stellar handling, to its robust infotainment system and numerous amenities, the 335d does it all. While it was at the upper end of my price range, over 9000 miles later, it's been worth every cent. No other car provides the combination of power, fuel economy, and luxury of the 335d. Many manufacturers have fielded numerous examples boasting two of the three, but only BMW achieves the perfect balance of all three.
This IS a nice car
This is our first BMW and it is an awesome auto. I chose the 328i XDrive wagon over the A4 Avant Quatro because of the handling. The Avant was a bit front heavy and the BMW is more well balanced. The fit and finish is way above average. The smell of the saddle leather interior transports me immediately to new car owner reverie. The X Drive gives me a confidence in wet weather handling unlike any car I have owned. We have studded tire troughs worn in the highway we drive regularly. When it rains, which it does all the time from November to July, the troughs fill with water. With the X Drive I hardly know that they are there. The engineers and designers really came out with a winner.
Long Term Ownership review - 4 + years
I bought this car with 18,000 miles on it in August 2013. It currently has 107,000 on it in January 2018. The acceleration is really good! Cost of ownership is terrible, still owe $9,000 on the principal loan and it's starting to fall apart. Things that broke: 4 ignition coils (2 separate occasions), costing me about $25 / coil per time (DIY repair), 2 complete sets of tires. Currently the car has these problems: 2 bad rear wheel bearings, a failed DISA valve (engine rattle on acceleration) , serpentine belt tensioner pulley is slightly squeaking, rear upper control arm bushing is worn, and oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets are leaking. The DISA valve is a known issue and a problem solver repair kit exists on Ebay for $80 (a new DISA valve costs about $250, and it will break down like the original). I'll be replacing the valve and wheel bearings as soon as the cold weather breaks. I love the way the car looks and handles so I'll be keeping it after it's paid off.
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The most fun you can have with four wheels
This is almost the perfect driving machine. It is the first car since my new 1970 modified Corvette I actually take out for a drive just for the fun of it. This car is engineering perfection. Easy to drive under any conditions and easy to live with on a day by day basis. Gets unbelievable gas mileage for what it is: 19.2, all city, break-in, stop and go dirving; 24, combined, varying rpm 2000 to 4000 for break-in. Seats are more comfortable by a long shot than those in my 2008 550i. Heater/ air conditioner works much better that 550i. No I-drive, a vast improvement. The drive by wire is a vast improvement over the 550i which always reminded me control was a request, not an order.
Fun but better can be had at this price
The front seats are comfortable. The rear lacks leg room and just OK for 2. Extremely uncomfortable for 3. Great engine. Reliability could be better. Interior materials are cheap and constantly need repair. Exterior rubber trim dry rots quickly, especially those around the windows. Other, better luxury cars are available in this price range.
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Almost perfect, but ...
Great car, my first BMW, but glaring points when compared to comparable and less comparable sedans. 1. Cup holders are awful! This is a nut that everyone else cracked a decade ago and in the 3 series the front seat cup holders are poorly placed and of limited use. 2. Car alarm. Should be standard, not an option. 3. Key fob makes it too easy to push the trunk button when removing from ignition. Negatives are done, here's the positives. I've owned 5 different cars over the last 10 years, SUV to sportster convertible. I've never seen a perfect car. The BMW 3 series is about as close as I think you can get for this size sedan. Great ride, engine, fun, MPG, luxury, etc. Very happy with my car!
Great old school BMW
I have 150,000 miles on this car now. Bought it as a 22,000 mile CPO in 2013. It is the 328 xdrive, with the inline 6 base engine and hydraulic steering, and no IDrive. It came with run flats and without suspension tuning to compensate. So I installed non-run flats. Problem solved. It has been a very good car. Lots of long road trips and commuting through good weather and bad. The only thing I would have done different is change the fluids more often than recommended. Transfer case went out at about 138,000 miles. The only other major issue was the AC compressor. There were other minor issues, but nothing of consequence. Otherwise, it has been a phenomenal car.
2011 3 Series Rocks
Car is awesome all around. From performance to design, I love it. I think that the new BMW's design is lacking compared to the 2011. My nav is built into dash, everything flows, just clean lines. Performance is awesome, super fast and great handling. I have owned car for 5 years now and zero repairs, just routine care, nothing else. I would recommend this to anyone. I also got the extended warranty so I pay zero for maintenance. I would go with older BMW over new just due to design, I think the new ones look ugly compared to past years. Resale is great, my car holds value better than most.
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BMW = BIG MONEY WASTER
I have had my 2011 bmw 328i for about 2 years, within the last 4 months I have dumped over $4k into repairs.. one leak, after another, after another. my radiator went out at 80k miles, valve cover assembly replaced, oil pan gasket leak, and more. This car has been nothing but problems, and everything (shocker) is not covered on my warranty... after research online and reading forums, a lot of others have had these issues. BEWARE once you hit 80k miles!! your bank account will hate you.
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At 140K miles
Run flat tires and the carbon build up in the exhaust manifold and diesel particulate filter and a front wheel bearing are the only problems thus far. The torque that the engine puts out keeps the car feeling fun. No electrical or other problems with the car. The exhaust manifold was replace under warranty at 80k. I am about to pull out and have the diesel particular filter cooked at 140k. The right front wheel bearing was replaced at 140k. The car has held such little value though and I am told that it values between 6-7k. It was purchased used in 2013 with 34 thousand miles.
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Great ride but too much maintenance
The 328i drives beautifully - tight steering and hugs the road. Requires too much maintenance. Buy with a BMW maintenance and warranty plan or have a spare car and extra funds for repairs.
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Why wouldn't everyone love exactly this kind of car!
First diesel, 2nd Euro delivery 26MAY2010, 3rd Beemer. Break on price from BMW and dealer reduced price by $9K to $37K. Mine has luxury package, fold down rear seat, standard wheels. Exhilarating propulsion, fabulous handling, 30mpg city & highway @ 80 mph on trips (but pricey fuel), comfortable, no gremlins, & no complaints. I think that folks who won't consider buying a diesel powered car have never driven one! The 335d, to me, is an uptown diesel well-worth the $42K (including taxes, registration, delivery) to put it on the roads in Europe and California. Try it! You'll love it.
It died on me
I loved my 2011 335i x-drive from the moment I saw it; black out side, red inside, manual transmission, fun to drive up the canyon to my house. Bought is at 60k 10 months ago. Until two weeks ago; ticking noise in the morning, car died in the afternoon. Towed to BMW rap; new engine needed, will cost 25k. Hoping it can be re-built, but this is about the same cost I owe on it, so I can't even get rid of the car. BMWs are fun and beautiful when they work, but the maintenance is a serious risk to your solvency, or at least to mine.
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DANG, DIESEL!
This is my second BMW and let's just say I'll never stray from the brand. I sold my '06 330i 6-speed manuel and bought the 335d. This is a great everyday car for anyone who loves to drive. Don't get it if you like driving a Lexus. Boring! This car can fly! Push you back in your seat fly! There's slight lag when you push the accelerator compared to my 330i but when it pulls, hold on tight! Great gas mileage (about 27 city / almost 40 highway). Love the iDrive system. Crystal clear screen w/no glare. Fold down seat a nice plus. Standard sound system sounds great. Sport pkg a must - adds sleeker profile, sport seats, sport steering wheel, etc... highly recommend!
328i M package
I just got a 328i coupe with M- package. First BMW. I was considering an A5 and I used to drive a CLK. Overall I'm very happy with the car. Of course, the 335 packs a bigger punch, but the 328 has great kick off the line and the handling with the M steering/suspension is superb! The interior is very chic. The navigation is very up to date (traffic, different views, etc.). Media system is also great. I can't stand the lag that audi's have! I'd take the performance of this car over an S5 even. The speakers could be better. Overall, this car is beautiful, handles amazingly, has good performance and just feels great driving it. If you can negotiate a good deal, BMW is hard to beat!
Outstanding car
The 3 series is BMW's entry level vehicle and we bought it 4 years old with a remaining bumper-to-bumper warranty with included maintenace. My wife, now son, love it. We had one problem with air conditioning, which would have been expensive to fix out-of-pocket, but it was covered. My experience is that keeping the fluids clean will render a great expericne with the 328i.
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Needs Service
I am 76 years old, have owned many new cars and this is by far the worst car I have ever owned. It is constantly in need of service. Purchased used with 19k miles. At 45k the carbon build up removal cost at $ 2500 was considered "normal". The particulate filter $ 3000 was considered "normal maintenance". The defective DEF tank, $ 1600, not normal and the list goes on and on. Dumped this car at 120k and never a BMW again!
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Cool 328i M Sport 3 year update
3 year/35k miles update. I have kept my promise to hold on to the car for 3 years. It has 95k miles and lately has given me a few issues that made me considered selling or trading it in. In the last 5k miles I've replaced a leaky radiator and a leaky oil filter housing (Not cheap). The front rotors are warped and need replacing. When I floor it, sometimes it goes on limp mode; a self preservation measure which usually goes away when I restart the car. (Yes, I've changed the spark plugs) Overall a good ownership experience yet I don't feel like keeping it past 100k. Other than what I've mentioned above, the car has aged gracefully and still looks beautiful and all the intruments, functions work properly. 1 year/15k miles update. Still loving the car. Haven't had a single issue with it. It's mostly driven by my wife but on weekends I do the driving on usually 300 miles round trips. Everything still works as it should. A few months ago the driver's side front door wasn't unlocking with the remote. It happened for a few days and voila! It went away on its own. (?) I definitely recommend this car for someone who likes the 3 series driving dynamics but wants to save a buck by buying used. I'm not in love with the navy but I never use it as I rather use my phone. The premium sound system is amazing, specially when playing from the hard drive. The HD radio is annoying as it bounces in and out of it. I'm probably going to keep it for another year and see how it holds up by then. The 3 series is a "buyers car". BMW sells so many of them that they flood the used car market at a fraction of their original MSRP. I found an excellent conditioned M Sport package still under CPO warranty for 2 more years and/or 40k miles for less than half of it's original MSRP, had 59k miles on the odometer but otherwise a near perfect car. In addition to the M Sport package, it also has the convenience and premium packages, so it is almost top of the line.
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2011 328i Xdrive
Replaced my 2010 BMW 5 Series. Was concerned about the smaller vehicle. The 5 Series is a great car, the 3 series is an amazing driver's car. Had several 3 series through the 90s all fun to drive. BMW still finds a way to cut costs; small and annoying things. Turn signal in 2010 5 series had a three blink feature with one-touch, not in the 3, just a feature I became accustom to. No folding rear seat, apparently an option. No rear camera; strange miss from a company that claims active and passive safety. Al-in-all just a blast to drive. Comfortable, gas mileage not too good. Been getting 24MPG highway.
Great Car!
335 convertible is a wonderful automobile, fantastic performance and truly amazingly fuel efficient. It is far more comfortable than expected, the idrive with navigation and upgraded stereo is supurb, 8 mgs storage, its a very fine automobile that attracts little attention, which is what I wanted. Fit and finish are superior. BMW's European delivery is a fantastic way to drive the car the way it was meant to be driven, the car is tight and flawless at 120 mph on the autobahn. Car can also handle the potholes of Michigan in style.
great car
Just had to report that our 2010 328 convertible averaged 32 MPG driving up and down through the mountains of West Virginia. In addition to being great in every other way, It's an economy car! Who Knew? I will be thrilled if the 2012 X5 I have on the way pleasantly surprises us with this kind of gas mileage.
head bolt failure
BMW knows about the problem with the two aluminum head bolts that fail but will not assist customers when failure is out of warranty. Also quality of materials used in the interior is cheap. Leather does not hold up and plastic trim on doors actually melts.
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Awesome car
Second BMW 328i xdrive. Love the way it handles, the sound of the 6 cylinder, comfy seats. It does everything and does it well. I just hope they keep the 3 series spirit in the redesign. Also i have noticed some de-contenting of equipment: seat back packets, covered ash tray, unfinished bin in the trunk, no ski bag, no flashlight in glovebox. Little things, but still for the price you pay...
Great fun to drive
I really love this car. It handles is like a groove in the road. I do have a few complaints. First, the throttle response sucks (at least when new). Auto trans starts in 2nd and there seems to be a lag getting up to speed when driving normally. Punching it will start in 1st, but there is still a slight delay then up to speed quickly. Dealer said the trans will "learn" based on driving habits. Surprisingly, he seems to be right and it has gotten better or I have gotten used to it. The aux connection is in the center console but no place for the cord to exit. Stock stereo on my 1998 Maxima probably sounds better. Can't read stereo with polarized sun glasses.
Fun car, fear costly maintenance down the road
The 335i was a super fun car to drive. Although the 2011 got the slightly less tunable/powerful N55, it still had lots of grunt, even before mods. I loved the power, sound, and capability of the car. The 6MT was superb, and track time was great. Interior and exterior were well appointed. Having previously owned a G35S and thinking that the German cars were just too costly, I was very pleased to learn that the driving experience was much much better in the Bimmer. I was concerned with the cost of maintenance after warranty so I sold it to get a larger car for kids. I will own another 3 series (sedan) at some point. Costly. Took a bath on the sale price. ugh.
WOW
I replaced my 2008 328i with a 2011 335d, which I picked up five days ago. When it comes to raw power, this car makes my old 328i seem like a Pirus. The manual says to keep the RPM below 3500 during the first 1200 miles, but this car wants to take off. It doesn't take much of a push on the accelerator to kick in the turbo and pop you head back, and your up to 80!
The Ultimate Driving Machine
After driving this car I'll never buy anything but a BMW. I see why it's called the ultimate driving machine. This car is such a joy to drive, it's good on gas and has more features than every previous car I've ever owned put together. Every week I would find a new feature I didn't know it had. The salesman should learn more about them, he knew nothing. I could sell this car to anyone that can afford the payment.
Nicest car I've ever driven
I chose this car for my husband and I wish I had chosen it for myself. This car is the perfect combination of performance and comfort. We now know what everyone was talking about. Maybe I would've had suggestions for improvement before I drove it but now I can't remember what they would be. We don't have idrive so I can't comment on that, but I also don't feel like we're missing anything.
Fun car, poor reliability and even worse service
I have owned two BMW 3 series cars in the last 10 years. They are fun to drive and reasonably practical. However they are riddled with stupid problems and my experience with their dealers for warranty service has been overall terrible. Every issue I have to bring the car in multiple times and usually I get it back with further problems caused by the repairs. If you are expecting "luxury car" levels of service with you BMW you will be disappointed.
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Bought Used 2011 328i X in Nov 2016
Had to spend $600 for a sparkplug coil and tuneup when it failed a month after I bought it. Then $100 for an oil change because I could tell how dirty the oil was from the dash indicator (there is no dipstick) , and then it started to produce a oil burning smell (prior to oil change) inside the cabin when the car is sitting and idling. Had to replace valve cover gasket(VCG), valvetronic gasket, and some other small gasket nearby. I also replace the eccentric shaft sensor( while they had the cover off..they recommended it)so it made sense to when they had everything off. that was another $1200, I previously owned a 87 325i and spend about $11k in repairs for the 6 years I owned it . I also had a 96 328i for about 10yrs and spend about $15k in repair over those years. So I knew about spending more in Maintainence when I bought it but its well worth it to have one of the "Utimate Drving Machine"s
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Great Driver, But Expensive To Maintain
I have owned nine BMWs, and the 335d is by far the best all-around driver. It gets great mileage (36-38 hwy), handling is sharp, steering is communicative (much better than newer models with electric steering), and the ride is a perfect blend between sport and luxury. The diesel pulls strong. It is quick. The torque is amazing. But maintenance is a bear. The SES light comes on every month or two. Invariably, it is related to the diesel pollution control. It also seems to have a lot of problems related to the glow plugs and the glow plug control module. Unfortunately, every time the SES light comes on you can expect to pay around $1,000-$2,000 in repairs. And this doesn't account for the additional expense of approximately $2,000 or more for a walnut shell blast cleaning every 40k-50k miles that they don't tell you about when you purchase the car. My wife absolutely loves driving this car (as do I), but I cannot recommend it. The expense and hassle with all of the repairs is simply too much. Also, be aware that if you drive a lot of short trips, the problems for this car multiply. This diesel is made to get out and gobble up large chunks of pavement, but is ill-suited for short trips across town.
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Fast, Cool, and Clean
Wanted to get a luxury sports sedan that makes an attempt at good gas mileage & clean emissions. I got that and lots more in the 335d. Just a fabulous car that gets a ton of attention. Sports pkg is a must-add, it really upgrades the exterior and brings the BMW sport suspension & seats. Agree with the other reviewer that sport seats are comfortable, but take some getting used to. Easily the fastest car I've ever owned, and just a blast to drive. Bound to get a speeding ticket soon, as it just begs you to tromp on the gas and take off. Got 35 MPG @ avg'ing 80 mph in hwy driving. Avg 28 MPG in aggressive city/hwy driving. Car is beautiful & unique. Have seen only one other 335d on road.
2011 328i 3.0 AUTO
Our first BMW. Picked up this car new and like the way it handles and drives. The cup holders are fine with me. I like how they are out of sight when not in use. The radio is good. One must be near deaf to need or want a lounder one. The car is not made for people with big feet. Wife is small and has small feet, and she drives the most, where I'm tall and me feet hit the brakes or gas ped by accident often. Still, it's ok. However, since buying this car, it's been in the shop 3 times for a diff. problem. (my luck). First time, they replaced said diff., next, replaced oil and added some, wanted us to drive it aound a few weeks, next, they ordered another diff.. Still waiting
Solid top to bottom mechanically
The key to longevity in the 3 series is routine maintenance. A little more obvious maintenance than a domestic car obviously. Having owned the car now for 4 years. I had to replace both fuel pumps under the rear seat due to the plastic cracking on the tanks. I Replaced all plugs , ignition coils, and filters inside the engine bay. Routine synthetic blend 5/30 oil changes every 5K miles, a new radiator hose, and new oil cap with seal as these Seals tend to leak then the cap cracks due to heat. I have only invested 2K in total maintenance. I have now been driving the car for 3 years with zero issues. Now for the negatives. BMW never emphasized their vehicles on cosmetic interior design. Plastics inside are plain and mundane to the eye. Cup holders, rear inside window brake light assembly, leather, and knobs on dash all tend to fade, break, Crack or fall out. BMW focused more on engine performance, suspension, steering, and overall handling in the 06-11 model 3 series. After 2012 it was just the opposite. BMW decided to upgrade its interior quality and design while shifting its exterior to a more modern design which is less convincing than it's earlier pretocessor models. While the engine performance gained more emissions and less power with more computer sensors causing less reliability more out pocket costs. I am very content with my 2011 328i standard model. It currently has 113K miles and runs and drives solid. The bonus too is the exterior design. Ive found no later model BMW 3 series that compares. Just make sure your always running 91 octane , change oil every 5K with castrol gtx synthetic blend. I Do not recommend running full synthetic on any car that already has over 75K miles.I paid 11K for mine in 2017 with 94K miles on it. So I've also babied the car putting only 19K miles on it over almost 4 years. Also I did the maintenance all myself and bought all OEM parts off Ebay saved me alot of $$$
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90,000 mile update for cool M Sport Package 328i
I have owned this vehicle for 2.5 years and have driven it 31,000 miles. So far so good. Feel free to look up my past reviews on the same vehicle. I bought it with 59k miles and my wife is the main driver. It has the M Sport package, the upgraded audio system, navi, etc. Most options minus the HID lights. Everything has held up pretty good. Nothing has broken and/or stopped working properly. Maintenance issues have only been: replaced spark plugs at 70k miles, and at the 90k mile service I got done last week they replaced the radiator, the oil filter housing gasket, re surfaced the front rotors, replaced the pads, transmission service, cabin filter, air filter and I can't remember what else for about $2000 labor included. So far I have gone through 2 sets of front tires to you get about 18k miles per set with conservative driving. Overall I'm satisfied with the quality and reliability of the vehicle. Not impressed with the leaky radiator, it was a small leak but decided to replace it in order to avoid future issues. I originally planned to keep this vehicle for 2 or 3 years depending on experience. I think I will keep this vehicle for longer as it has held up pretty good. Still looks awesome and I plan to rather buy an SUV for my wife and start driving this car as a daily driver.
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My take after 2.5 years
I bought my 2011 335D 2.5 years ago. It's the best car I've had, and my 4th BMW. It's very strong, handles well, and gets over 30 mpg. It helps that the dealer in Sarasota has been very easy to work with - in my experience.
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Best 4 door sedan ever made *
No other 4 door sedan has ever offered the blend of performance, comfort, fuel economy, and driving enjoyment that this car does. 36MPG, 425 lb-ft of torque, a 550 mile range, comfort, handling, etc. It really does have it all. The question you have to ask yourself is, do I feel comfortable turning a wrench from time to time? Is this car reliable? No. No it's not. Get yourself a good code reader, spend time on message boards learning about the car and you can manage most repairs on your own if you are a decent backyard mechanic. If you keep up with the maintenance it will reward you with a sort of relaxed confidence that only an engine like that inline 6 torque monster can provide. You don't need to rev it out. By 1800 rpms it's at a full boil and the asphalt starts to ripple as the mountain of torque is released. No fanfare, no screaming engine, just a light rumble and off you go. Its comfortable enough to drive all day and has the fuel economy to drive from Philadelphia to Boston AND BACK on a single tank. Seats 4 adults comfortably. Headlights that light up a stadium, a stereo that has a rich full sound. I mean it really does have everything. Don't say I didn't warn you about the reliability . One more thing.. .once you get to about 150k miles or so, the particulate filter will reach the end of its life. The dealer will want 3000 dollars to replace it. There are other options if you look into it a little.
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Acceleration
This is an excellent vehicle. But there is something about the delayed acceleration. It's like a stall. Other reviews have stated the same. Vehicle is comfy, attractive and holds the road. Maintenance a little high but it purrs like a kitten. Besides the delay at times from a stand still it's a great car!
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