[Martin 335d]

Right im having a dilemma, i found and stuck a deposit down on a 335d last week, the spec isnt great (no nax, xenons, bluetooth) but it was local and we got a decent part ex price on our 1 series

So that was that until i found a well specced 330d on the AUC site on Sunday, it comes with Pro nav, Xenons, Bluetooth, Sun protection etc and its £1500 less and i got offered £500 more for the 1 series, Plus its an AUC so it has the BMW warranty

The 335d is an 07 57 The 330d an 07 07

So what would you guys choose the rarer less equipped 335d or the better specced 330d??

Bearing in mind ive had a 335d Touring but i foolishly sold it in April

[p1tse]

sounds like you have doubts. i would say if someone was looking for a 335d top spec model would assume it would have xenons and nav, so i would say 330d with the toys

what AUC and prices of the two?

[wayne71]

The 335d without any doubt, toys are nice but the car itself is more important. I would look at solutions for installing xenons though.

[Martin 335d]

I do have my doubts, i am stuck between a rock and a very hard place at the moment, as im going to be a father in January this is the main reason for the change back to an E91, i do like my toys and i generally dont like settling for 2nd best

The 335d is £23000 and the 330d £21600

[Captain SlowCoach]

Tricky choice I think.

I had a 335d Touring - which was nicked almost a year ago. I replaced it with a 330d LCI Manual (a crazy over spec'd one on AUC - although it had only done 62 miles from new 3 months previously . . . ).

Ok - a bit less 'Kudos' of having a 335d - but it is a great car, and overall I probably prefer it - certainly get better mileage, performance it fantastic and LOTS of toys to play with - and I feel it is better balanced overall. A trip to one of the tuners on the site here and you will have similar performance (and certainly in the manual 330d LCI, its not that far behind the 335d . . .)

Personal thoughts/ choice - just my opinion - No doubt others will disagree!

Captain SC

[charliesum]

are you thinking of remapping 335?
if answer no then get 330 and remap it and have a bargin! 335 performance better fuel economy and insurance and cheaper win win
if yes ignore me!

[wayne71]

Daft but genuine question, if you can remap a 330d manual to 335d performance why didn't they make a 335d manual?

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by wayne71

Daft but genuine question, if you can remap a 330d manual to 335d performance why didn't they make a 335d manual?

That would have made it quicker than the M3.

[Martin 335d]

I remapped my previous 335d but TBH i dont have much intention of doing anything with the new car, the only thing both need are darkline taillights really

Im going to mull it over tonight, its a very tough choice.

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by Martin 335d

I remapped my previous 335d but TBH i dont have much intention of doing anything with the new car, the only thing both need are darkline taillights really

Im going to mull it over tonight, its a very tough choice.

Personally I think you'd miss the toys more than the power - I'd recommend you drive the 330d if you haven't already. They are still satisfyingly quick.

[BanziBarn]

For me it's always been power over toys, however, the 330d is, IMO, quick enough to satisfy that element of ownership for me.

So, I'd take the 330 and make the saving.

Edit: Just realised that the 330 won't be the 245... so now I'm torn. Prob still go for the 330 though, and like other people have said, if you're not happy, remap it.

[Em135eye]

I manage to survive with a modestly specced 335d Touring ;-)

The obsession with toys still astounds me - I bought the car to drive and carry people around, not to simulate a NASA control room.

I had a choice of a high spec similar mileage 330d Touring and my 335d (which actually had two options that were essential to me - terra leather and a sunroof) - I didn't hesitate to grab the 335d.

Don't forget it's not just the headline figures that are different - it's the way they are delivered...

Oh and ALSO don't forget that the 35d has "proper" fully hydraulic steering. The 30d has electrical assistance.

[BanziBarn]

Guess it depends on how much you like gadgets. I'm a freak for them so as long as the performance is good enough to keek me happy, I'll be going to the screens and buttons all day long!

[Em135eye]

BB - different strokes for different folks I guess.

It's all about the engine, brakes and chassis for me - with space being a handy bonus. I find anything else a distraction. IMO a base spec 335d/330d is still pretty heavily gadgeted up - climate, auto lights, auto wipers, fancy door handle lights, cruise, etc, etc, etc.

[GX337]

Both cars are wrong for you. Get a 335d with all the toys you need, otherwise you will regret it.

[Em135eye]

GX - Perhaps budget is a small consideration?

A taboo subject on the "successful" world of E9* owners but still a consideration for some.

[GX337]

True, but if you are spending around £21k then worth spending alittle more on that perfect car, otherwise i would go for the well specced 330d.

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by GX337

True, but if you are spending around £21k then worth spending alittle more on that perfect car, otherwise i would go for the well specced 330d.

Although I agree with this, there is a tendancy to lose the value of money when spending a lot. For example, the difference between spending 21K and 22K is only small in percentage terms, but it's still a grand, which is an aweful lot of money... especially if you haven't got it!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by GX337

Both cars are wrong for you. Get a 335d with all the toys you need, otherwise you will regret it.

What this Dude said!

[Em135eye]

I guess "all the toys you NEED" makes a fair difference. Some NEED loads, some don't NEED many/any at all.

Just get one with a sunroof - the most essential E91 option IMO.

[Martin 335d]

Well a decision has been made, after ALOT of careful consideration I have decided to go for the 330d, as much as I want the 335d I had to remind myself what I didn't like about my last one (no xenons/nav) and with the one I found being even sparser specced I reckon in a few months time it would have irritated me

The 330d I think will be a nice compromise and better on fuel than the 335d (the figures I have seen certainly suggest it is) but still give a decent turn of speed, it will likely be remapped in the future anyway

Soo now I need some darklines, boot mat, mudflaps and the front windows tinted lightly.

[Em135eye]

Mudflaps?!

Nice one Martin - should be fun!