F10 530d or F30 330d??
Discussion
Have a budget that will allow either a 1yr old F10 530d or an ex demonstrator F30 330d - both would be M Sport trim and the 255bhp models, with similar goodies.
I am doing about 20k a year, mostly motorway but some B road blasts. I am leaning towards the 330d, as have taken one out for a test drive and was very impressed, but the 'porential' extra refinement of the 5 series is a nagging doubt.
Has anyone experienced both?
I am doing about 20k a year, mostly motorway but some B road blasts. I am leaning towards the 330d, as have taken one out for a test drive and was very impressed, but the 'porential' extra refinement of the 5 series is a nagging doubt.
Has anyone experienced both?
my recent car history went: E46 -> E60 SE -> E60 Msport -> E92 Msport -> F11 Msport
so whilst i've not owned the F30 i've flip flopped back n forth between 3's and 5's. have actually driven the F30 330d as a loaner when F11 went in for first service.
some general comments:
- 5's are BIG cars, especially the F-series, choose parking carefully!
- 3's are more chuckable but feel more cramped inside (compared to the 5's) but you soon get used to it and they soon feel normal sized and even spacious its just that initial transition from say the 5 to the 3 series.
- 3's will feel faster to drive (if that matters) but to be honest i've never found my F11 530d short of pace if needed, more than quick enough in real world scenarios
- both cost same to run more or less
- 5's cabin up front IMHO feels a bit more special place to be
- was a bit disappointed in the F30/31 that they've still got a manual handbrake...since owning the F11 i'm a total convert to the electronic handbrake, hill hold stuff....plus it just makes that whole area of the interior neater and less cluttered...not a deal breaker but i did find myself thinking how old fashioned (stupid i know) it looked in such a new generation car.
what you don't mention, which is reason i'm currently driving the F11, is any info on family? for me my young kids and frequent long distance trips to visit grandparents meant the F11 was the car for this point in my life. When we make these trips we completely fill the boot, back seat is full of sprogs in car seats and that leaves me and the missus up front. still feels spacious even then and more importantly gets us all and our gear from AtoB covering 300+ miles with ease and no fuss. When i drove the F31 330d loan car I did love the car and styling but it simply is too small for me right now given my experience with the F11 i know we just wouldn't fit (or would have to travel a LOT lighter) in the F30/31...ok i could put a roof box on it but i don't want to have to. Maybe when kids are older and need less crap ferrying around with them i'll go back to the 3-series platform...or maybe the 4-series but until then the F11 is the best all round car i could find out there.
both great cars. choose what fits you and your circumstances.
so whilst i've not owned the F30 i've flip flopped back n forth between 3's and 5's. have actually driven the F30 330d as a loaner when F11 went in for first service.
some general comments:
- 5's are BIG cars, especially the F-series, choose parking carefully!
- 3's are more chuckable but feel more cramped inside (compared to the 5's) but you soon get used to it and they soon feel normal sized and even spacious its just that initial transition from say the 5 to the 3 series.
- 3's will feel faster to drive (if that matters) but to be honest i've never found my F11 530d short of pace if needed, more than quick enough in real world scenarios
- both cost same to run more or less
- 5's cabin up front IMHO feels a bit more special place to be
- was a bit disappointed in the F30/31 that they've still got a manual handbrake...since owning the F11 i'm a total convert to the electronic handbrake, hill hold stuff....plus it just makes that whole area of the interior neater and less cluttered...not a deal breaker but i did find myself thinking how old fashioned (stupid i know) it looked in such a new generation car.
what you don't mention, which is reason i'm currently driving the F11, is any info on family? for me my young kids and frequent long distance trips to visit grandparents meant the F11 was the car for this point in my life. When we make these trips we completely fill the boot, back seat is full of sprogs in car seats and that leaves me and the missus up front. still feels spacious even then and more importantly gets us all and our gear from AtoB covering 300+ miles with ease and no fuss. When i drove the F31 330d loan car I did love the car and styling but it simply is too small for me right now given my experience with the F11 i know we just wouldn't fit (or would have to travel a LOT lighter) in the F30/31...ok i could put a roof box on it but i don't want to have to. Maybe when kids are older and need less crap ferrying around with them i'll go back to the 3-series platform...or maybe the 4-series but until then the F11 is the best all round car i could find out there.
both great cars. choose what fits you and your circumstances.
Slightly delayed response, but generally it will just be me in the car. I have my kids alternate weekends, and they're 4 and 6, so space of an F30 should be ok.
Interesting comments about the 'night and day' differences between the two cars internally - was leaning towards the F30, but think I may need to think again.
Interesting comments about the 'night and day' differences between the two cars internally - was leaning towards the F30, but think I may need to think again.
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