[AWBimmer]

Considering a career move which if I accept will take me into Central London. I am wondering whether I should stick to the D or look at an 'i' maybe?

My only hesitation against the 'i' has been poor mpg return.. I cover about 20k per annum usually and have always ran Diesels - with the 335d being my most powerful car, but working in the city will mean covering significantly less mileage!

I've driven 325i's and impressed with how light they feel, however, there's no kick to it having been in the 335d so I'm only considering the 335i or possibly an e46 M3. My heart says to go for the 335i of the 2 options - for relatively better MPG in comparison, newer shape / model plus lots of decent low mileage examples to be had at good prices.

Just wonder what you guys would suggest? Stick to the D to drive on weekends (Only had it for 3 odd months) or move to the 'i' to drive mainly on weekends and 1 or 2 evenings a week. I know I won't enjoy driving a diesel on London roads, I've done it plenty of times and dislike it with a passion lol.

What MPG should I expect from spirited driving on motorway and A/B roads as well as town roads?

Cheers all.

[creepy coupe]

I got 30 MPG from the 335i driving normally and about 26-27 if I had fun.

As much as I love the 335i I'm not sure going from a 335D would be a good move. Unless you find the 335D a little bit soulless, like I did on test drives.

[shrink]

reality is.. in town traffic, the 335D wont be much, if any more economical than the 335i. I had a 530D and a 330i in fairly close succession, and in town the 530D would manage mid 20's at the best, my 330i could manage roughly similar.

Also petrols dont mind lots of stop start and short runs as much as diesels do

[J44KPR]

I hate London driving whether it be petrol or diesel lol!

if you won't be doing many miles I'd take the petrol and enjoy the trips you do make

[MEGA]

You'll gain yourself the opportunity to get a lower mileage M sport for the same money as your SE, if you can sell privately and buy cheap.

But really? Changing again? You're mad...

[P 5UML]

ohh sam!!

lol

[Subzero2003]

Its really not worth changing imo.

[kenno78]

If you're going to live and work in central London. Get a push bike. It's the fastest way to get about.

[Meshyo]

Originally Posted by kenno78

If you're going to live and work in central London. Get a push bike. It's the fastest way to get about.

Yup Bike, or get the i, the d would drive me nuts in start/stop traffic. Also the gains wouldn't be that much more in that type of driving. Motorway driving however is a whole different game.

[Guvernator]

Before even considering the cost difference between a "D" and an "i" have you thought about the following

Parking in Central London - Nightmare unless your new work place has it's own car park, 95% of them don't.
Congestion Charge - £8 a day.
Traffic, driving in Central London during the week is a REAL pain.

Personally if any of these are going to be an issue, you'd be better off taking the train. I work in Central London and wouldn't consider driving to work during the week at all.

[AWBimmer]

Thanks for the feedback guys.. I'm just considering the options, that's all. I know I'd be mad to change with only 3 months into the 335D but it's worth asking. Gauging people's response, the difference is minimal in town driving MPG wise but yes, motorway must be a whole different league!

[P 5UML]

take the train into work...and.....

keep your car as your weekend toy and mod the crap out of it!!!!!

[AWBimmer]

Originally Posted by Guvernator

Before even considering the cost difference between a "D" and an "i" have you thought about the following

Parking in Central London - Nightmare unless your new work place has it's own car park, 95% of them don't.
Congestion Charge - £8 a day.
Traffic, driving in Central London during the week is a REAL pain.

Personally if any of these are going to be an issue, you'd be better off taking the train. I work in Central London and wouldn't consider driving to work during the week at all.

I wouldn't consider driving in london itself but just in case I do, I wanted to know waht would be better betweent he two. I'd be gettnig the tube and travelling home on weekends to enjoy some spirited driving... which would mean that as I wouldn't cover as much mileage, should I consider the i or continue the D.. that's all

[JNW1]

Personally I wouldn't even think about trying to drive into central London; the train and the tube provide a much better alternative IMO!

In terms of changing the car I'd say do nothing until you've got a clearer view of your mileage profile and what you want the car to do. The 335i/335d/E46 M3 may all have similar straight line performance but they're very different in terms of character (especially the M3); as a car for fun mileage a nice M3 CS would win hands-down for me but if you're wanting something to commute in heavy traffic I'd rate it below either of the 335's. Having said that for commuting in city traffic I probably wouldn't choose a 335i or a 335d either!

[AWBimmer]

Originally Posted by P 5UML

take the train into work...and.....

keep your car as your weekend toy and mod the crap out of it!!!!!

lol, STANDARD! But question is if I'll only e driving on weekends, shall I go for the 335i lollll.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

I wouldn't consider driving in london itself but just in case I do, I wanted to know waht would be better betweent he two. I'd be gettnig the tube and travelling home on weekends to enjoy some spirited driving... which would mean that as I wouldn't cover as much mileage, should I consider the i or continue the D.. that's all

Sorry, was part-way through typing my last post and didn't see your comments above before submitting it! Sounds like a fun car with a bit of practicality is more where you're at in which case a nice M3 CS is worth a look IMO. For a lowish mileage I wouldn't choose a 335d over a 335i but you've obviously got the d already and not sure changing to the i would be a great move; nicer noise and more involving with a manual box but for me the M3 is the better driver's car!

[Guvernator]

Aha I thought you were considering driving into London, if you are only using it as a weekend toy then get the 335i or M3. My 335i is for weekend use only too and I was looking at exactly the same choices but in convertible form. I went for the 335i in the end as it was a newer car, better interior and slightly lower running costs but both are awesome tbh and more exciting than the D.

[AWBimmer]

Yea sorry guys, I would be looking to live out and use the car for weekends mainly (not driving into London - big no no!)

I can pick up for the same price I paid for the D, an M sport lower mileage 335i.. but let's see. I don't think I'd go for the M3 CS - I want practicality too and I fear owning an M3 would mean just modding the crap out of it.. IF I do opt for the 335i weekender, I'd want good MPG when needed and also a big smile when I put the foot down with a nice noise... still early days...

Just got a package through the post - check the Build Thread for the sneek peak pic

[Hotcoupe]

Wk/end toy

335d - max power 370bhp ish
335i - max power 400BHP + loads,loads more!

335D - Pros:
Torque that the i can only dream about,
Cons:
Crap sound,lack of tuning methods other than a remap,DPF removal,custom exhaust,Auto ONLY.

335i - Pros:
BHP that the D can only dream about
audible soundtrack that the D will never ever achieve
cheaper to buy than the D (secondhand/new)
Multiple ways of tuning to achieve 500BHP+
Manual cars are far more fun,and more of an involving drive
Cons:
Arguably a less reliable car than the D

MPG on either car is an irrelevance,if economy is a concern buy a Nissan Micra

Verdict: 335i
beats the M3, as the i is so readily tuneable to surpass the performance of the M3 (not the chassis/drivability of the M3 though).

[kenno78]

But seriously, if you live in London and just want a 'weekend toy'. Get yourself a Caterham.

I just sold mine and bought an E91 (read Baby) but without meaning to sound disrespectful to 335i owners, a 335i won't be a patch on a seven for fun. On the plus side, they also hold their value really well.

[Guvernator]

Originally Posted by kenno78

But seriously, if you live in London and just want a 'weekend toy'. Get yourself a Caterham.

I just sold mine and bought an E91 (read Baby) but without meaning to sound disrespectful to 335i owners, a 335i won't be a patch on a seven for fun. On the plus side, they also hold their value really well.

I do somewhat agree with this too but in most instances people don't use the car for just one purpose so it needs to have some practicality to it. My "toy" is a 335i cab and yes while their are plenty of other cars which would be much better or more fun to own as a toy, I also use my car for practical things like going shopping or ferrying the family around so a 335i while certainly not as exciting as a Caterham is a good compromise.

The other option is of course to have two cars but most people find the thought of having to maintain two cars to be a pain. I do sometimes think about this option though and may well be what I do after this car.

[dxb335d]

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