2016 BMW 335d xDrive Touring Auto AC Schnitzer

Highlights

• Ex-AC Schnitzer demonstration vehicle

• Excellent service and maintenance record

• ‘ACS3 Sport’ package and upgraded OEM exterior trim

• M3 Competition seats

• OEM upgraded infotainment and interior trim

Overview

Here at PH Towers, we love a long roof. There’s something about an estate car that’s just so right. And if that estate car is a bit quick, and possibly features some choice styling enhancements, well now – where do we sign? If you know even a little about cars, you’ll probably be aware that BMW have long been the purveyors of some of the finest fast estates ever made.

But for all their oomph and practicality, they’ve always had one slight issue: they’re generally awfully thirsty. When bumbling across town to drop the kids off for football practice costs you the equivalent of a good bottle of Bordeaux, you start questioning your life choices.

We think we have the answer. We’re delighted to present what may well be the most incredibly well specified fast estate car we’ve ever seen. Yes, big words. No, we’ve not gone mad. Hear us out.

What we have here is a BMW, yes. But it’s actually an AC Schnitzer ex-demonstrator model. Yes, we thought that might get your attention. Since the late 80s, AC Schnitzer have created some of the most desirable and capable BMWs you can buy. Taking new production cars and carefully enhancing them in terms of power, dynamics, styling and technology, they’ve garnered a reputation as one of the go-to companies for anyone wanting to experience the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ at its most… er… ultimate?

Anyway. What we have here is an ACS3 Sport – effectively a 335d xDrive M Sport Touring that AC Schnitzer have carefully enhanced. Oh yes, we nearly forgot the mention, the current owner has then gone on to enhance it even further. We’re talking M3 Competition seats, OEM styling kits inside and out, upgraded OEM infotainment system and HUD. It’s had the works, and it’s all been done to an incredibly high standard by BMW mechanics.

It also benefits from a fabulous service record, a 3-litre, inline-six, twin-turbo, all-wheel drive powertrain that delivers 309bhp / 465lb-ft (enough to cover the 0-62 sprint in 4.8 seconds) and will punch a hole in the air all the way to a limited 155mph. It will do a combined 50mpg, and it’s ULEZ compliant. Not to mention the fact that it’s an estate, which means your family, your mates, all your luggage, your dogs and possibly your nan can all come along for the ride. There is, almost literally, no downside. We currently want this car more than we want air, and some very complex man-maths are taking place…

History and documentation

• First registered on 31st October 2016

• Ex-demonstration vehicle for AC Schnitzer, equipped with £10,000+ of optional equipment

• Current owner since June 2021, 4 former owners

• Service history as follows: March 2018 @ 21,035 miles; July 2019 @ 35,112 miles; June 2021 @ 40,802 miles; April 2022 @ 55,353 miles; May 2023 @ 64,942 miles; April 2024 @ 68,064 miles

• Two recalls have been completed during the current ownership and are documented in the car’s file

• Full document pack

• Collection of invoices and service records

• Two keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 6th June 2025

• Exceptionally good MOT record, with very few advisories noted

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Seats upgraded by the current owner to a red leather set from a M3 Competition

• The front seats are electrically adjustable, feature a 2-position memory function and are heated

• The dashboard, door cards and centre console have all been replaced with ‘extended leather’ items from a M3 Competition

• The leather all appears to be in exceptionally good condition, with no sagging, tears or notable wear to be seen

• The dash panel, air vents, gear shifter and surround, handbrake handle, centre armrest and the door grabs have all been replaced with upgraded OEM carbon and Alcantara items, which were fitted by a BMW dealer about 6 months after the vendor purchased the car

• Black carpets, which all look to be in fine fettle, with no threading or staining apparent

• Electric door mirrors and windows

• Dual zone climate control

• ACS alloy sports pedals

• Panoramic glass roof

• Harman/ Kardon hi-fi

• The original steering wheel has been replaced with an upgraded OEM multifunction item from BMW which is trimmed in Alcantara and carbon

• The vendor has had the infotainment upgraded by a BMW dealer to a higher spec ‘iD6’ system, this includes CarPlay and an in-dash CD changer, larger central touchscreen, navigation, voice activation and phone connectivity

• iDrive controller

• Extended 6WB display

• Head up display

• Wireless charging in the centre armrest

• USB port in the lower dash fascia

• The boot is very spacious and features an OEM rubber liner and a retractable load cover

• Electrically operated tailgate

• Wired in rear-facing dashcam

• We’re assured that everything in the cabin functions just as it should, with no faults or issues to note

Exterior

• Finished in a fabulous BMW Individual colour: Beige Champagne Quartz Metallic

• The paintwork presents in superb condition, with a handful of very minor chips and blemishes

• All of the bodywork shows in very fine condition, we saw no evidence of any corrosion, panel misalignment, dents, scapes or other significant damage

• A full OEM M Sport styling kit has been fitted during the vendor’s ownership (with receipts from BMW) – this includes black grilles, splitter, side skirts, rear valance, decals and smoked rear lights

• The car features privacy glass to the rear

• All of the external trim pieces, badging, glass elements and light lenses are in excellent condition, with nothing damaged or missing as far as we could see

• Underneath the car is very clean and straight, with no notable corrosion and no damage we could discern

• The vendor notes that the windscreen had a couple of chips, which have been professionally repaired

• The car sits on a splendid set of gunmetal grey AC Schnitzer 19” wheels and spacers – the wheels having been refurbished just prior to the vendor taking ownership

• A full matched set of Michelin PS4S tyres are fitted (225/40 front, 255/35 rear) and appear to be in very good order, with no sidewall damage and good tread levels

Mechanical

• 3-litre, inline-six, twin-turbo diesel

• xDrive all-wheel drive system for superb traction and secure handling

• 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift

• The transmission benefits from a xHP Stage 2 gearbox remap

• Switchable drive modes - Eco / Sport

• Factory performance figures: 309bhp, 465lb-ft, 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, limited to 155mph

• Parking sensors front and rear

• Cruise control

• Switchable traction control system

• Two recalls carried out during present ownership – replacement EGR cooler (August 2022) and replacement driver’s airbag (November 2024)

• AC Schnitzer uprated springs and dampers

• AC Schnitzer stainless steel rear exhaust silencer

• July 2021 – new NS/OS tie rods and track rod ends and steering rack gaiter fitted

• January 2024 – new park brake shoe kit fitted

• New battery fitted in April 2024

• December 2024 – new front brake reaction suspension arms, steering rack thrust bush kit and both rear bump stops

• We are assured that the car drives just as it should, with no issues, faults or problems to report

Summary

There is never a bad time to buy a fast estate, they’re the most versatile, capable cars you can get. When combined with the kind of high quality, tasteful enhancements that this car has had, along with the advantages of xDrive, the potency of the drivetrain, the rarity and cachet of the AC Schnitzer badge and the brilliant maintenance record, it makes this one of the finest all-round cars we’ve ever seen.

Every now and again a car comes along that ticks so many boxes that you wonder why you never thought of it before. This is definitely one such car. Lavished with time, love and no small amount of cash, the vendor has created what may well be the perfect fast estate car.

Exquisitely finished, endlessly practical, tastefully enhanced and blisteringly quick, this is everything you need from a car and then some.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Burton upon Trent.