[bazz780]

Originally Posted by doughboy

330i manual is THE drivers choice 3 series IMO. Especially on a lower mileage basis.

Manual is the rarest and a good one will hold it's price better in the long run.

Only dealers give the BS about nobody wants a manual, folks looking for a 330i will be after a manual, in the majority.

My 06 N52 330i averaged 29mpg over 50k of 'enthusiastic' driving and never missed a beat. And I sold it on the first day private to one of numerous people desperate to find a manual, for 50% more than BMW offered me for it.

If you really want a dull car, sorry an auto, then go for the soot chucker, don't waste a good engine....

Harsh but noted lol, i just sat in traffic to get home, my 6 mile journey took 40 mins which is typical to get from stratford to ilford in east london. I dont think manual will cut it as mon-fri kills me in traffic and an auto is ideal.

So far the votes are for 330d if it has to be auto and a mixture of opinions of auto in a 330i. There is a well speccd 57 plate 330i m sport auto 79k fsh and black with white leather, nav heated seats etc but no xenons for 8250 private but 180 miles from me which is a fair bit to travel

[Dan-danGT]

The diesel are by far dull, if anything the naturally asthmatic 330 would be dull! All them revs but no torque! Each to there own depends what you like

[Ajs_435d]

Honestly mate 330d and get it remapped if you liked the 335d then the 330d remapped will be just as fast.

When buying second hand i think the 330d makes sense if with that mileage your doing, running costs wise etc.

BMW make some of the best diesel engines in the world and I'd chose them over petrol unless i wanted something like an M3.

[90MSP]

I have a 330D. Normally my run into work nets me about 40mpg (22 miles, about 17 on a fast A road), but tonight I sat in traffic after a van caught fire and caused huge tailback... I then watched as my mpg sank the longer I sat there.

Diesels don't do well in traffic, they have to be moving, ideally cruising along with the odd thunderous outburst

[E92Dan]

6 miles in 40mins, get a bicycle it will be quicker than any car!

[Murphyslaw]

As a recent purchaser of a 330d I can't sing it's praises enough. It's a manual and I am got 49 mpg on long run this weekend but yeah traffic does not do me any favours.

The only thing I don't like about it is how it sounds at idle. Nice and smooth when running and a roar when you floor it but when sat at idle I does sounds like a standard diesel.

[sohail330]

Get a 330i. You won't regret it!

Mines an e92 330i with the N52 engine. N/A and revs up to 7000rpm. 272ps with 300nm torque.

Oh and the SOUND... Inline6 N/A engines make an amazing sound - especially when wound up. A diesel... not so much.

Mines an auto (manuals are quite rare) doesn't put me off tbh when you want to have some fun you can use sports mode / paddle shift / manual mode when you want to take it easy just put it in D. My first auto and I have no regrets...

If you care about fuel consumption:
N52: Motorway: 35mpg A Roads: 30mpg Town driving: 20mpg
If you get a newer model with the N53 engine you can add about 5mpg to each of the above. Although the N53 has more to go wrong unfortunately (and doesn't sound as good due to noisy injectors).

[Mikeyscott]

I keep wondering the same as looking at a 335i saloon at the mo and wonder about the others

[Ajs_435d]

I get 36MPG out of my 335d on 40mpg country and slow traffic.

[bazz780]

This is getting more and more interesting,

If i cant find a decent diesel for the money i may sway to the petrol as so far like mentioned my a few of you, the 330i will be lower miles and more toys

I spoke to a trader who is a good friend and he states diesels will hold value and pack a better punch with the auto especially if i get it remapped which i would.

I am trying to arrange viewings locally for another 330i and a 330d to see which i prefer.

Any east london/ilford members offering a test drive? Lol

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by bazz780

Harsh but noted lol, i just sat in traffic to get home, my 6 mile journey took 40 mins which is typical to get from stratford to ilford in east london. I dont think manual will cut it as mon-fri kills me in traffic and an auto is ideal.

Fair play, you need an auto in that sort of traffic. I only pass a few cars and the odd tractor on my current 40 mile / 45 minute cross country commute.....

I think i'd buy a small subsidised tax free electric car for your commute (or use a bus / train, or a bike) then get a sports car for weekend drives.

[Reece]

Originally Posted by makkan00

Possibly off topic but why 5 series is not favourite on 3 series forum?

Are they not fun too drive?
Are they too big?
Or what is the reason?

I fancy E61 estate but comments like these make me think that something is not 'right' with 5 series.

I would like to hear the experience of those who have had both 5 series and 3 series and why they preferred 3 series over 5 series?

My father in law has an 09 e60 535d m sport, its loaded to the top with goodies, lent it to me for a weekend last year.
Have to say as much as i love my 3 series and if i stay bmw my next car will be a 330d e93, that just blew mine out the water, so much more comfortable and smooth, hit 100 in no time without realising, but just so much more refined in everyway tbh and just as drivable as the 3 imo. You can pick late 57 plate lci's up for a decent price now.

As for the OP has to be the 330d, you will just miss the torque from a diesel or Turbo'd petrol.

[E92Dan]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Fair play, you need an auto in that sort of traffic. I only pass a few cars and the odd tractor on my current 40 mile / 45 minute cross country commute.....

I think i'd buy a small subsidised tax free electric car for your commute (or use a bus / train, or a bike) then get a sports car for weekend drives.

I agree. Cheap run around and a nice sports car

[Jase 320d]

Originally Posted by bazz780

Harsh but noted lol, i just sat in traffic to get home, my 6 mile journey took 40 mins which is typical to get from stratford to ilford in east london. I dont think manual will cut it as mon-fri kills me in traffic and an auto is ideal.

So far the votes are for 330d if it has to be auto and a mixture of opinions of auto in a 330i. There is a well speccd 57 plate 330i m sport auto 79k fsh and black with white leather, nav heated seats etc but no xenons for 8250 private but 180 miles from me which is a fair bit to travel

If thats your typical commute then a diesel turbo is completely inadequate for your needs.

You should buy the n/a petrol car.

A 330d is a motorway mile muncher and is happiest pounding down the motorway (getting a good run)

You will run into no end of issues doing 6 miles over 40 minutes daily stuck in nose to tail traffic. Turbo dervs need a good booting to keep them running well

[sohail330]

Originally Posted by bazz780

This is getting more and more interesting,

If i cant find a decent diesel for the money i may sway to the petrol as so far like mentioned my a few of you, the 330i will be lower miles and more toys

I spoke to a trader who is a good friend and he states diesels will hold value and pack a better punch with the auto especially if i get it remapped which i would.

I am trying to arrange viewings locally for another 330i and a 330d to see which i prefer.

Any east london/ilford members offering a test drive? Lol

Hey, if you test drive a 330i auto make sure you play with it in both DS mode and manual mode (D mode makes the car feel lazy - which may be good if your not in the mood to hoon it but on a test drive.. just no). Peak torque is low down in the rev range (about 2300~ I think) but peak BHP is right at the top. Once your past 4000 RPM the car comes alive. The throttle response is superb throughout the rev range.

Also, if you are only doing short trips and end up in a diesel be prepared for big bills. A quick read around on the net will explain how diesels don't really work out economical unless you are doing 10k miles or more a year. Remember you pay more to buy the diesel, you pay more at the pump and you will end up paying to repair the turbo/injectors/egr if it goes wrong. The likelihood of issues occurring is substantially increased if you do a lot of short trips as the oil won't get up to temp. Whereas a N/A 330i either doesnt have these components or doesn't suffer major issues with them.

[bracken78]

I have a 330i auto touring and the average MPG over almost 20,000 miles and 20 months is 27.65 (about...). My commute is 16 miles each way and takes between 30 and 45 mins depending on traffic. If I do a high speed run to Cornwall I get 30mpg from Guildford. Yes a 'd' would be more economical but I wanted a straight 6 petrol.

I really like our 330i and didn't want a 'd' but it is all personal chose as my next car will be a dull work horse with an expanding family.

Good luck looking and buy the one you like the most but if I was 6 miles from work I would cycle.

[bazz780]

thanks guys, a lot of excellent opinions, the two front runners are:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

Both 330i m sport and decent spec, shame no xenons though.

[Alex.J]

Originally Posted by bazz780

thanks guys, a lot of excellent opinions, the two front runners are:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

Both 330i m sport and decent spec, shame no xenons though.

Both look good!

No xenons, No problem:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887687

[bazz780]

the only decent diesel i can find is:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

[bazz780]

and this if i prefer high miles but cheap outlay

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...atic?logcode=p

[bazz780]

so... the gti gets picked up in the next hour or so and the money will be burning a hole in my pocket lol,

I have decided to go for a 330d m sport, have it remapped at Evolve and that should be me done (hopefully keep it long term)

Thanks for all the advice and interesting discussions on my thread.

il post a pic up when i have found and bought the car

regards

[xPETEZx]

Good Luck on the hunt


If your daily commute is just 6 miles, and this takes 40 minutes I would really re-consider the Diesel.
Unless you do regular long runs each weekend, at the very least you are going to end up with a clogged DPF.