[Dr_O]

Hi guys,

I have been pining after E91 330d's for a while now and the time has finally come (read as "my wife has finally allowed me") to make a purchase. Just keeping an eye out for the right one.

I have owned a crappy Mk4 Gold TDI 90 for the last 8 years and its been truly bulletproof... no issues what-so-ever and cheap to run.

Now I am planning to invest 15k into a new car and I am just freaking out about it. Is it the right car? Is it going to cost a bomb come services? Am I going to regret my decision in 3 months? Do I really need a 330d or will a 320d do?

As you can see, I am all over the place - can anyone offer any reassurance?

[Sheepy]

Hi there. Did the same a few years back & bought an E92 330d & I'm very happy with it. Post where you are from so members can advise you on a reputable local specialist, that's what I use for my servicing & expect to pay around £60 per hour in labour, source oil & parts yourself to save money. Try & find a car with under 60k miles then take out the Mondial warranty for piece of mind should anything major fail, policies are much cheaper for cars under 60k miles. Finally enjoy!

[abeardo83]

It's not the right car... you're buying a diseasel!!!!!

From what i understand on here, the diesels are pretty reliable. My girlfriend has a 325d (I think it's the M57). It's done 156k miles and touch wood, hasn't had a single thing go wrong with it yet).

I think the N57 is even more reliable!!

[Reece]

I had a pre lci 320d m sport, had that for 3 years trouble free and then 2 months ago moved on to a lci 330d and honestly you wont regret it, what an absolute pleasure to drive, plenty of smooth power and great mpg

[smuler]

Pull yourself together man
You've an understanding wife and the chance to get the car you want, go for it, get the 330d and buy the wife some flowers

[mob17]

I'd say defo 330d over 320d, nice balance of power and economy.

[Dr_O]

Haha, thanks for the responses. It's totally what my heart wants, just my head getting in the way!

I think that getting any other car would just not scratch the itch I have been having for the last couple of years.

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by Dr_O

Haha, thanks for the responses. It's totally what my heart wants, just my head getting in the way!

I think that getting any other car would just not scratch the itch I have been having for the last couple of years.

Lovely choice and a great engine from what I hear. When it comes to servicing you're obviously going to pay a lot if you take it to BMW, specialists are cheaper and provide the same type of quality.

I personally use F1 Autocentres, my 318d costs me £145 for a FULL SERVICE, they also use OEM parts like Mann and they changed my fuel filter FOR FREE! (atleast my branch did). So it's your choice really

[Dann]

If you're that worried about it breaking down, spend 13/14 of the 15k and keep the other as spare if something breaks/warranty payments>?

[pmmcbl]

Originally Posted by Dr_O

Hi guys,

I have been pining after E91 330d's for a while now and the time has finally come (read as "my wife has finally allowed me") to make a purchase. Just keeping an eye out for the right one.

I have owned a crappy Mk4 Gold TDI 90 for the last 8 years and its been truly bulletproof... no issues what-so-ever and cheap to run.

Now I am planning to invest 15k into a new car and I am just freaking out about it. Is it the right car? Is it going to cost a bomb come services? Am I going to regret my decision in 3 months? Do I really need a 330d or will a 320d do?

As you can see, I am all over the place - can anyone offer any reassurance?

Lol invest, nice way of putting the fact you won't get any returns.

But yes get the 330d over any other. The driving experience on its own will be worth the extra money. Ensure you get a nice spec and don't get a standard car. When you decide to sell it the options will make a big difference. Have you considered a petrol?

Good luck

[Dr_O]

I have been keeping an eye out for 330i's but they are much rarer - not that there are that many 330d (or 335d) around with the spec I am looking for but I have seen the occasional gem.

Problem is that my budget is slowly creeping up and up!! I need to budget for warranty too... what do you guys think about warranties? I looked at Mondial and its £475 with £100 excess for comprehensive... warrantywise is a bit cheaper.

I live near Brighton so if anyone knows of any good garages, I would love to know. There is an F1 Autocentre in Crawley which isn't too far.

[Norris-wf]

Bought a 330d just over 2 years ago and it been trouble free (touch wood). Been the most reliable car I've ever had. I have the auto version and the auto can be a bit slow to change sometimes, hesitating slightly on windy hills etc. so perhaps a manual is better? People can weigh in on that one.
I went for the BMW warranty, most people here will say that is the only one worth going for, but make sure you go for a car under 60k as the warranty price goes up massively after that. I'm currently paying about £30 a month. My only issue was an oil leak from a sensor in the first year which was covered under the AUC warranty. I've been getting my servicing done an the main dealer which I admit isn't the cheapest. First full service was just under £400, but it's every two years so doesn't work out much different compared to a Vectra I had requiring service every year.

You won't regret it though, the engine is silky smooth and its quick when it needs to be, I can regularly get about 500 miles to a tank with a mix of motorway city driving. Hope you find what you're looking for and good luck wit the search

[BMW-330i]

I've had my pre Lci 330i for a couple of years. While I love driving it, it's not been without trouble. Along with general running maintenance I have need a new cooling pump, Bluetooth receiver and my ECU flooded due to the poor drainage holes under the windscreen. I don't believe these issues are related to being an 330i but just standard common e90 complaints and being an older car. During my 20,000 (2 years) of ownership I've spent around £1300 per year. I've become good friends with my local independent BMW mechanic.

The n52 330i has a good reliability reputation and has less tech than 335i or diesels to go wrong. I plan to keep my car for a long time so was highly aware that while it's not as tuneable as 335i or quick I wouldn't need to worry about the turbo issues.

BMWs are great cars, but they do have issues as they become older. They are often over engineered and not intended for home maintenance. Simple things such as changing a light bulb require's much more work than any VW I've ever worked on. A BMW warranty is a good idea. Service charges aren't all the much different to independent BMW mech, especially if you join the BMW car club were you get a 10-20% discount.

The enjoyment of owning a rear wheel driven car (especially with a petrol straight six naturally aspirated engine) more than make's up for the slight increase in running costs. They are fun, and will not be around in the future when we're all driving hybrids

[ahmedb]

£15k should get you a nice LCI E91 330d. I'd say go for it! The difference in fuel/insurance/tax is not overly high that you will notice a big difference.

Also, check out https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/ to get an idea of servicing prices. When looking for a car, check the service schedule and make sure nothing is due for your own peace of mind.

I've had my 330d for circa 6 months, it's developed an oil leak but it's not too costly to fix. Other than that, it's been great.

I'm pretty sure if you go out and test drive one, your decision will be made instantly.

[Martyn76]

I'm like you, I spent ages agonising about spending a large sum (well any sum for that matter).

Have a test drive it will make your mind up for you, I did and was sold immediately it was a done deal once my wife had a drive!

The 30d engine is great, doesn't really sound like a derv, especially when you give it some beans!! Auto for me, great for around town and is good o the M'way too.

[Dr_O]

Originally Posted by Martyn76

I'm like you, I spent ages agonising about spending a large sum (well any sum for that matter).

I think that's what I find disconcerting...

But I am feeling like I do want to go ahead... you only live once

[ahmedb]

Originally Posted by Dr_O

I think that's what I find disconcerting...

But I am feeling like I do want to go ahead... you only live once

Think of it as an investment (I know it isn't but it's not as if the entire £15k is going down the drain). I was safe in the knowledge that I had just taken a 5 year mortgage deal and I couldn't overpay more than I was at the time so the money would only have sat in the bank or be spent on clothes/going out/holidays.

The E91 330d will hold it's value quite well. There aren't too many about. If cars are your hobby, you might as well spend your money on something you can enjoy every day of the week.

[JJ0063]

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago.

I purchased an LCI 320D 177bhp, thought it was a great car but it didn't wow me, after a year I got bored and got rid of it.

I've just picked up a Pre-LCI 325D M Sport (3.0 still) and oh my god the difference of having a 6 cylinder is amazing. So smooth on pick up, not so much torque but just the continuous power is awesome.

Also the 6 cylinder engine noise is addictive when you boot it.

330D all day long.

[evohicks]

Originally Posted by JJ0063

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago.

I purchased an LCI 320D 177bhp, thought it was a great car but it didn't wow me, after a year I got bored and got rid of it.

I've just picked up a Pre-LCI 325D M Sport (3.0 still) and oh my god the difference of having a 6 cylinder is amazing. So smooth on pick up, not so much torque but just the continuous power is awesome.

Also the 6 cylinder engine noise is addictive when you boot it.

330D all day long.

This ^^
Although I did like my Lci 320d, my now E91 pre Lci 330d M sport sounds sweet as a nut especially when it's being driven hard and still surprisingly not bad on MPG. I did get a two year BMW warranty with it also for peace of mind.

I have always gone for the 'sensible' choice with cars and always gone for the most cost friendly option, but with the 330d it's got a bit of both, yes higher service costs and economy but at the end of the day I won't be looking at my car and thinking what I could have bought with that money, oh and it helps if the Mrs is on board 😀