Need Help?

2009 BMW 3-Series 335d 4dr Sedan RWD

2009 BMW 3-Series
Trim Info:
Rear Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
23 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy
Other Trims
Do you own this car?
Estimated Mileage
 Miles
Enter current mileage for most
accurate info about this vehicle


Track Your Service Records
Get Recall Alerts
Get Updated Value Estimates on Your Car.

Expert Reviews

November 19, 2009 by Jon Alain Guzik

2009 BMW 3-Series 1
2009 BMW 3-Series

DriverSide Overview
Simple economics determine whether or not alternative fuels for automobiles reach the critical mass necessary to make them viable. As gasoline prices rise, automakers have the motivation to look into other fuel sources that may have been deemed too expensive to produce. In the past, the very nature of the diesel engine demanded that it be loud, smelly and dirty, but significant progress has been made towards making diesel-burning engines as driver and consumer friendly as their gasoline counterparts. These new generation diesel vehicles are hard to distinguish from regular gas cars and the BMW 335d is a perfect example of this. Built to demanding BMW specifications, the 335d car delivers everything consumers have come to expect from the German brand, including style, luxury and performance, all while being greener and more fuel conscious at the pumps.





What's to Like
Make no mistake, this is a BMW, tried and true. The 335d delivers a sporty ride, quiet cabin and plenty of torquey power thanks to the twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel engine. Thanks to the dynamic exterior styling, there’s no mistaking this sedan for anything but the best Germany has to offer. Then there’s the fuel economy, which is phenomenal at 23 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, not to mention lower CO2 emissions.
 
What's Not to Like
All that extra fuel economy comes at a price – a solid $4,600 over the base 335i, to be exact. At that rate, it’ll take you a good while to break even from fuel savings on your initial investment, but like buying an Apple over a PC, you get what you pay for. The 335d is only available as an automatic, which may be a turnoff for some.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions

Diesels produce significantly more torque than their gasoline counterparts, but almost nothing can compare to the thrust produced by the twin-turbo inline six-cylinder diesel engine – it is almost as if BMW made an M3d. The car produces 425 lb-ft of torque and turbo lag is kept to a minimum thanks to an incredibly well adjusted forced-induction system. Stepping on the accelerator becomes a guilty pleasure as you almost end up begging for a stoplight just so you can feel the kick off the line. BMW has worked tirelessly to keep the 335d true to their “Ultimate Driving Machine" mantra, keeping the weight balance close to the hallowed 50/50 front/rear distribution. The 335d is one diesel that can handle the power on tap, carving up on ramps and undulating back roads with ease.
 
Engine and Drivetrain
Powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, the 335d produces 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that powers the rear wheels. Thanks to the improved fuel economy in the 335d, this car has a range of around 580 miles, or around the distance from Washington, D.C. to Detroit.
 
Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
BMW has completely reworked its iDrive user interface system to be much more intuitive and, let’s face it, cooperative than the previous iterations. While earlier versions left users looking for the nearest hammer to pull the navi out of the car, the new version is much simple to use. A series of graphic menus allow users to pilot their way, left to right, toward their intended choice. The change is more than welcome, and cures a serious hindrance to the 335d’s driving enjoyment.

Key Technology Evaluation
As with other BMW’s, there’s plenty of technology available from the dealer. The 335d can be had with GPS navigation for an extra $650 and Sirius Satellite Radio for $565. For the iPod savvy out there, BMW will be happy to incorporate an interface for your media player for $320.
 
Green Evaluation/Gas Mileage
Not surprisingly, this is where the 335d really shines. With 23 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, this sedan trumps its gasoline counterparts by about 6 mpg city and 10 mpg highway. BMW has managed to keep diesel emissions down by utilizing a similar technology to Audi and Mercedes-Benz, injecting a urea solution into the exhaust to neutralize nitrous oxides before they exit the vehicle. The result is a massive drop in emissions over similar diesels without the technology.
 
A Closer Look:  Vehicle Details
Interior

Inside, the 335d carries on the legacy the rest of the 3-Series has established. Comfortable seating, excellent materials and a well executed dash all wait to greet occupants.
 
Exterior
While some have complained BMW’s styling has leaned too far toward its Japanese competitors, we think the muscular look of the nose and sculpted body panels fit the sedan well. The car looks just as at home in the parking lot of the local grocer as it does tearing down a country road.
 
Market Segment and Pricing
Priced at $44,725 with handling and destination fee, the 335d isn’t cheap. In fact, it lands a full $4,625 more than the gasoline 335i. That price tag puts it in the same league as the company’s much larger 528i at $45,500, the Audi A6 3.2 at $42,950 and the Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC Sedan at $55,075. Still, of those, the E320 is the only one that offers diesel efficiency, and it costs significantly more than the 335d, making the BMW a relative bargain.
 
What We Think
What BMW has managed to accomplish with its diesel 335d is nothing short of amazing. Thanks to significant engineering geared towards keeping the car quiet, it’s nearly impossible to tell this BMW from its gasoline counterparts. It’s quiet and powerful, all while delivering the fuel economy of a much smaller, less comfortable vehicle. Its staggering 580 mile range makes for the ultimate road-trip vehicle, all while looking no different than the rest of the sharp-looking 3-Series fleet. Is it worth the $4,600 premium? We think so.
The 2009 BMW 335d offers all of the creature comforts BMW has come to stand for along with the performance we all associate with the “Ultimate Driving Machine." At the same time, multiple innovations allow for fuel economy on par with cars half the size of this 3-Series, delivering the best of power and efficiency. What’s more, the company’s use of a urea additive to the exhaust neutralizes diesel emissions—making the 335d one of the cleanest diesels the company has ever produced. After driving this BMW, there’s little wonder as to why diesels account for 67 percent of the vehicles the company sells in Europe. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine provides a staggering amount of power as well—a full 160 lb-ft of torque more than the coveted M3.  Though the initial price tag is significantly steeper than the gasoline-powered 335i, those interested in emissions, power and efficiency will find the 335d well worth the money.



Other Resources

Arrival: 2009 BMW 335d – The Ultimate Driving TractorFour hundred twenty-five. That's how many pound-feet of torque the BMW 335d produces. In BMW's North American lineup, only the twin-turbo V-8 in the flagship 7 Series and X6 xDrive 50i makes more (450 pound-feet). Photo Ga Source: www.motortrend.com

The Pacific Coast Highway in a BMW 335i Convertible - Garage419 – Garage419 drives the new BMW 335i Convertible on one of the best roads in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway. Host Matt Farah explores the legendary road for the first time in his life in a car that seems to be built specifically for occasion. Source: www.garage419.com

2009 BMW M3, 2009 Infiniti M45x, 2009 GMC Yukon - Gas Guzzler to Fuel Sipper Smackdown – 2009 BMW M3, 2009 Infiniti M45x, 2009 GMC Yukon - Gas Guzzler to Fuel Sipper SmackdownWho can best turn his gas guzzler into a fuel sipper on the Automobile Magazine 300-mile, L.A.-to-Lost Hills fuel-economy smackdown?Driving usually isn't much of a Source: www.automobilemag.com

2009 BMW 335D - Long-Term Intro – 2009 BMW 335D - Long-Term Intro2009 BMW 335DHorsepower is overrated. There. I said it. Horsepower always seems to be the major selling point, whether you're talking economy cars or super sports cars. Horsepower's basic definition is X amount of work Source: www.europeancarweb.com

2009 BMW M3 - Pressure Play – 2009 BMW M3 - Pressure PlayCheck out this 2009 BMW M3 fully equipped with KW coilovers, GIAC software and much more!VFE contracted C&C Collision in Pasadena, Calif., for the stunning paint scheme. They chose a two-tone appearance utilizing a modified Source: www.europeancarweb.com

The New BMW 316d ES Saloon - Web Exclusive – The New BMW 316d ES Saloon - Web ExclusiveJune 2009 heralds the launch of the most fuel efficient and cleanest BMW 3 Series the marque has ever produced, the new BMW 316d ES Saloon.June 2009 heralds the launch of the most fuel efficient and cleanest Source: www.europeancarweb.com

Arrival: 2009 BMW M3 – Arrival: 2009 BMW M3Deeper Into Perhaps the World's Greatest All-Around CarWorld's single greatest car? Seriously? Yes -- the new BMW M3 is unquestionably a contender. Probably no other car combines so many virtues -- speed, handling, good looks, roo Source: www.motortrend.com

Long Term Update 1: 2009 BMW M3 – Long Term Update 1: 2009 BMW M3A Sport Sedan that Can Endure Numerous Flogs Along Winding Canyon Roads and Stop-and-Go TrafficWith about the same number of months and miles in service as the GT-R, our long-term M3 has thus far accrued a maintenance t Source: www.motortrend.com

The 2009 BMW 335i Coupe, an AW Drivers Log: – MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Fantastic car, though this price tag is about as high as it should ever go. Source: www.autoweek.com

Your Local Mechanics

New Search: