Used 2011 BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A) Consumer Reviews
Used 3 Series for sale
Best 4 door sedan ever made *
Louis G., Santa Monica, CA, 07/27/2018
BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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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My take after 2.5 years
David, Atlanta, GA, 02/08/2016
BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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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2011 BMW 3 Series for sale near you
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- 328i xDrive SedanMSRP: $10,500281 mi away
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335d a keeper
Dave FL, West Palm Beach, FL, 01/07/2017
BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought (custom ordered our 335d from the factory) in June 2011 (delivered August 2011). Had early problem with the Urea delivery pump within 1st 15k mi (fixed under warranty). At about 40k miles had problem with electronic control center (located behind dash) had replaced under warranty. We are on our 3rd set of tires - opted for Sport suspension (which adds high speed stability, big rears (lower profile - hence stiffer ride front and back)). Our BMW certified mechanic says our original brakes should be good for another 15k to 25k miles. The car is a rocket ship. We average close to 29mpg combined. Driving to Orlando (Disney) from Palm Beach Gardens and back on 1 tank of diesel. We usually drive in the fast/fast lane and get well over 30mpg on longer trips. We would buy this car again except you cannot get a 3.0 L diesel in a 3 series anymore - only in a 5 series. We it maxed with options (adaptive cruise, look around the corner headlight, nav, backup sensors, sun shades, interior light pkg, high end audio ... sticker was close to 60k). This car will become a collectors item. (previous cars we've bought include: 89 M3 (collector car), 02 WRX, 02 Passat). It doesn't dance like the M3 - but it will leave it in the dust.
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Diesel Delight!
Western Philly Burbs, 10/26/2010
BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
From the German autobahn to the Philly 'burbs, this is a blast to drive. European delivery is really cool - Munich factory tour and driving without speed restrictions, plus a 7% price reduction. The only problem is waiting the 6+ weeks to get the car again in the States (and then staying close to speed limits). This is my first diesel; I highly recommend it (30 mpg+ in suburban driving, too!)
Fun to drive, but needs routine attention
silverseal99, San Diego, CA, 09/28/2019
updated 08/31/2023
BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
I own two 2011 335d--one Sport (wife's) with 48K miles and one M Sport (mine) with 102K miles. The wife's car makes a good "control" for comparison, remains very tight and smooth, and has had relatively few issues. Mine is demonstrating BMW's subtle and frequent issues. The Good: BMW Warranty service has been top notch from the right dealership (we have 2 local and a third within an hour). Many class issues have been covered by an extension of warranty for that item--check before you pay someone for a beyond-warranty repair. Absolute joy to drive! Clean, quiet, no smoke or diesel rattle, gobs of torque--20 to 80 mph is its "niche." Delivered 39.6 mpg at 80 mph cruise to Las Vegas, 33.6 combined, 26 mpg city. Steering is wonderful with excellent feedback. Brakes are absolutely awesome, front pads lasted 100K miles Sport seats are comfortable and supportive--extension under hamstrings is great for long trips. Trunk will fit two full sets of golf clubs and one folding cart. The Bad "LIfetime" means "Life of the warranty"-- Significant maintenance issues will begin at 50K miles. Once out of warranty, SoCal dealer wants $175 an hour to troubleshoot issues (offset against repair if dealer does the repair). Fortunately, I do my own repairs. Carbon build-up due to direct injection is a class issue, will cost $2100 in Southern California. Harmonic balancer will fail and leave you stranded if you don't replace it before hand. Wiring harness in shift selector module will eventually break due to a tight bend. Wiring harness in trunk will eventually break locking you out of the trunk. You will need a laptop computer and BMW software to do other than simple service. Even changing the battery requires re-programming the computer or gremlins will attack. Issues to date on my car: 50K - Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank issues emerged Electronic "gremlins" compel me to replace battery (my nickel) 53K - Glow plug control module failure (my nickel) 57K - SCR tank failure (repaired under warranty) 61K - MAF sensor failure (repaired by dealer as good faith measure) 90K - Passenger door handle Comfort Access sensor shorted and "cooked" (my nickel) Trunk latch handle failure (my nickel) 92K - Windshield washer pump failure (my nickel) 94K - Driver air bag replacement (warranty) 95K - Rear window regulator failure (my nickel) Rear windshield gasket failure (poor materials, my nickel) Broken wiring harness in shift selector module (my nickel) 96K - NOX sensor failure (warranty) 99K - Turbo oil leak - replaced turbo boost hose (my nickel) Replaced leaking vacuum lines (my nickel) Serviced "lifetime" transmission (seals, filter and fluid) (my nickel) 101K - Catastrophic failure of vibration damper (required tow, my nickel) 102K - Trunk lock-out due to broken wiring harness (my nickel) UPDATE 104K - Replaced trunk actuator handle (again--rubber split) 106K - Rear driver side window regulator broke (again) (Dorman provided free replacement, I installed). 108K - SCR cooler flap inoperative. Replaced vacuum box and vacuum lines (as preventive maintenance). - Replaced coolant expansion tank (broken indicator stem) - Replaced thermostat (inoperative) - Replaced CCV hose (hardened and brittle with age) - Replaced driver side hood support/gas tube (weak) 110K - Replaced two trunk support pistons (weak) 113K - Multiple glow plug related codes--replaced glow plug control module - Replaced driver side cup holder (broken spring) 115K - Replaced rear driver side window regulator again under Dorman warranty - Performed carbon build-up cleaning (Note: CBU was really bad. Performed walnut blasting procedure and picked up 2+ MPG in city driving. Passed STAR SMOG without issue (but took 450 miles driving to reset monitors!). 116K - Replaced driver side rear window regulator (again!) under Dorman warranty. Noted that new regulator is an improved design over previous models. - Driver side door actuator failed (broken)/replaced Okay, so why do I keep them? 1) My wife and I love the performance, fuel economy and handling, 2) I do all of my own maintenance which keep costs manageable, 3) I have a spare vehicle I can use when one of the Beemers acts up. However, I would not recommend buying a used 335d unless you are handy and a hobbyist and have access to Rheingold or BMW factory software for troubleshooting and analysis. Noting the above, the wife's 2011 335d has been relatively trouble free for now 65K miles. I am doing CBU clean on it this week as a preventive maintenance issue but have not had any related codes.. If you want performance get a BMW. If you want dependable reliability, get a Toyota. - - - - - - - UPDATE #2 - - - - - - - - 116K - Rear window regulator failed (replaced under Dorman warranty) - Driver's door actuator failed (my nickel) 117K - Sold the M Sport, took over the Sport. 2011 335d Sport 020K - Bought the car second hand in 2016. Since purchase I have had the dealer perform air bag, battery positive cable, and blower motor wiring recalls. I have done all maintenance and repairs to include replace battery, service "lifetime" transmission at 50,000 miles (per ZF recommendation) and replaced the Exhaust Backpressure Sensor (twice), thermostat (preventive), Injector #5, glow plug control module, 6 glow plugs (preventive), front and rear NOx sensors, and the hot film air mass sensor. NOTE: Do not trust either OEM or aftermarket (Chinese) parts on this car. I have had Facet brand OEM modules fail quickly necessitating doing the job twice. Furthermore, aftermarket NOx sensors looked like they were working but weren't and took me a lot of time and consternation to troubleshoot and finally replace with genuine BMW parts. Although 3 times the cost (or more), all problems immediately went away. Plan on carbon build-up cleaning every 50,000 miles (the gunk this direct-injected diesel collects is truly impressive!). Sold my M Sport at 117,000 miles in favor of keeping the wife's Sport (she got a newer E-350). Now have 70K miles on the latter.
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