[gangzoom]

+1, I don't really drive my car to any where near its full potential, but at full throttle and running an aggresive map its more than keeps up with my mates E90 M3. A 330 may feel just as quick upto 60/70, but the real difference is what happens after that

[Darkside400]

Having recently faced the decision myself...335i v 335d (and having had a E46 330d)...I went for 335i m sport auto as its more readily availible in m sport and cheaper to buy up front.
Advise you factor in the cost of a remap...its a MUST.
'low' mpg of 22 for me - driving 13 miles on my commute (some motorway there).

Go for a 330 is economy is a factor for you. If its not...then 335x...the d or i depends on personal preference.

[Swiller]

Its a toughy and a nice position to be in..

If these were women...

335d - Jordan. Big turbos and goes straight away. But common and a bit chavvy and the noise gets very annoying on a long run.

335i - Holly willoughby. Classier ride, same turbos but many of these look like they have had replacements. Nice noise and fun to drive, can be thirsty on the weekend trips.

330i - Kelly brook. No false turbos here and hard to find one like this. Everything all in the right place , naturally aspirated up front and great in the curves. It may need more work to get going, but that is kind of the appeal. It is worth it. This is the one. Pure class.

330d - posh spice. Good on paper , but annoying noise and tries too hard. Like Beckham, once you have it for a few years, you will wish you had gone for the more warm and voluptuous appeals of the 3.0i. ^^. Running costs are very good with fuel economy at an outstanding 4 mpl. (Months per lettuce).

May as well do the others..

318/320d - Edwina curry. Yup in reality it's a noisy unattractive hag now and so many have been there. It goes well for its size, but Most owners will use lots of mods to spruce up the looks before they would be seen driving one in public.

318i/320i. Joan Collins. Mutton dressed as lamb. Not really relevant in the range any more. They get passed on quickly and have lots of previous owners... Mostly golf club sorts in their sixties.

[Sparky68]

Wonder why the 330i got such a favourable comment

[cfoster]

Fairly new around here but bought a 335i m sport convertible this weekend (2008 plate). Very happy with it so far, it has just replaced my Sl500 merc so performance wise very similar, but a lot easier to drive and a nicer place to sit in. Having scoured a few of the forums its seems the wastegate rattle is the most common problem. I have a very very slight rattle on mine which I can bear with, but perhaps i'll take a warranty out and get them done soon!

[acerboo]

if you can live without the exhaust note I would buy the 335d without a doubt, briers car looks rather good!

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by C.J

Since January last year (yes, 13 months), I've been comparing the 330i to 335i.

I test drove a 330i, and liked everything about it. The style, comfort and power. The sound of the straight 6 was lovely, as was the smooth gear box (coming from a 350z, nothing could be worse).

Then I test drove a 335i. As soon as I heard the car on tickover, I knew I wanted it.

The noise, the power, the twin exhaust, and the noise. The noise.

I bought a 335i on Friday.

This is exactly what i was talking about.

The 330i is lovely and i would have one in a heartbeat....but only if the 335i was never invented. The noise in the N53 330i just isn't a patch on the 335i, neither is the sheer amount of shove you get. That said, i am a huge fan of the 330i and would happily recommend one to anyone.

I actually only heard my car from the outside the other day when i took it in to have the KDS wheel alignment. It sounded so much better than I thought it would (even at idle and low speeds). I almost want to get someone else to drive it around for a bit so i can hear what it sounds like from the outside at various RPM's and throttle levels.

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

I almost want to get someone else to drive it around for a bit so i can hear what it sounds like from the outside at various RPM's and throttle levels.

This is exactly what I said to my mate! I'd like someone to drive it up and down the road so I can hear it!

This is where the E93 has the advantage. On the 3 days a year you can put that roof down you can get some exhaust joy as you drive.