E93 335xd Convertible?

[hchaniar]

That's right folks, a 335 Convertible with AWD and diesel engine...now that's my idea of an ultimate driving machine. Am I a dreamer? Is this too much to ask for? Will we ever see it?

:eyecrazy

[mryakan]

I believe you will never see this combo. In fact I doubt you will see an AWD vert from BMW.

[quantuz]

That's what I wanted!! I agree, we'll never see this.

[zooman]

Negatory on that Ghostrider. I would be happy with just an AWD 335D but that probably won't happen either.

[mryakan]

I would normally say all you have to do is buy a 335x, an e93 3 series, a 335d and just move all the 4wd components and engine into the e93, but the problem there is that the 335d uses a tranny from the 5 series and I am not sure there are hook-ups for the 4wd system. Otherwise, it sounds like a great project for someone who is independently wealthy and handy with a wrench. Not sure what your local DMV would think of you changing out engines though.

Edit: Oh, not sure what you would do with the software either. Maybe leave have separate controls for the 4wd system and the roof removal system and use the software from the 335d.
I doubt the stock 3 series xDrive system can handle the 335d torque. Bad things can quickly happen with mismatched components.

[floydr]

I doubt the stock 3 series xDrive system can handle the 335d torque. Bad things can quickly happen with mismatched components.

I believe that that is the problem. The xDrive 35d in the X5 uses the transmission and transfer case from the V8, which is beefier - and larger - than the 2.5/2.8/3.0 transfer case. The large transfer case won't fit in current 3-series.

[Kernel Kurtz]

The 330d (European model not available here) can be had with xDrive and a manual transmission.

http://www.cars-data.com/en/bmw-330xd-coupe-high-executive-231hp-4706/specs.html

Also available as a convertible, but not sure if it is available as a convertible with xDrive......

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/223941/bmw_330d.html

[mryakan]

The 330d (European model not available here) can be had with xDrive and a manual transmission.

http://www.cars-data.com/en/bmw-330xd-coupe-high-executive-231hp-4706/specs.html
The 330d has Max torque: 500 Nm which is ~369lb-ft, quite a bit of difference from the 425lb-ft of the 335d. Just saying, I have no idea what the theoretical max capability of the 330d drivetrain, but it could possibly be already close to the limit.



Also available as a convertible, but not sure if it is available as a convertible with xDrive......

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/223941/bmw_330d.html
I have not done an exhaustive search, but for the life of me, I cannot recall an AWD BMW vert, ever! Someone please correct me if my memory fails me. I think the reasoning is just marketing. BMW sells AWD as bad weather assist for lack of better terms, not as a performance option. And we all know that verts and bad weather are not commonly associated. So I suspect the market is way too small for BMW to invest in that combination, so far at least. Who knows, AWD is getting more popular, so maybe there is a market for a 500lb heavier car just to drive it easily in the snow with the top up!!

[Kernel Kurtz]

500 Nm which is ~369lb-ft, quite a bit of difference from the 425lb-ft of the 335d. Just saying

Fair enough, still a very healthy engine, though. I'd give up that 55lb-ft for the 6mt and AWD myself, but I am apparently not a typical North American customer.

And we all know that verts and bad weather are not commonly associated. So I suspect the market is way too small for BMW to invest in that combination

Lucky thing for Audi who gets to keep that niche all to themselves.

[mryakan]

500 Nm which is ~369lb-ft, quite a bit of difference from the 425lb-ft of the 335d. Just saying

Fair enough, still a very healthy engine, though. I'd give up that 55lb-ft for the 6mt and AWD myself, but I am apparently not a typical North American customer.


Sad isn't it :(.




And we all know that verts and bad weather are not commonly associated. So I suspect the market is way too small for BMW to invest in that combination

Lucky thing for Audi who gets to keep that niche all to themselves.
I guess, but I wonder how many of their vert sales are due to the AWD and not other factors. I am willing to be someone at BMW marketing has done some howmework on that. Probably too nichey for them to care, but as I said things can change. AWD is getting very popular and hardtop verts are changing the way people look at verts and bad weather or winter.