Discussion
ORD said:
tjlees said:
...the 330d easily hits the mark, out handling the Porsche Boxster for instance - wet or dry (see autocar 27 Jun 2012 & 21 Nov 2012)
This has to be up there with "junior supercar" (1 series) and "Ferrari beater" (335d) in the realm of BMW-love-ins.
ORD said:
There is pretty much no such thing as a "sporty" diesel. A fast diesel, yes. A bloody fast diesel, yes. But "sporty"? Not in my experience.
It's funny that one would require a car for long distance work, which if paid for out of your own pocket, seems to make sense with a diesel up front (before the bills hit, you'll be quids in). Why then, would you want it to be 'sporty'? Compromised ride and a less luxurious interior replete with hard seats will probably be the sum of your request. Not to say that diesels can't be fast, they can, but why not just have a quick and comfortable diesel? Even in the best diesels, there is little pleasure to be gained from throwing them at a good road like you would with a petrol car or a motorbike. I'd sooner have a TDVi Jaguar XJ or a Citroen C6 if I was looking for a diesel to cover a lot of miles in. Both will be quick enough for whatever you should need to do in them, and far better than some miserable VAG hatchback.
ORD said:
tjlees said:
...the 330d easily hits the mark, out handling the Porsche Boxster for instance - wet or dry (see autocar 27 Jun 2012 & 21 Nov 2012)
This has to be up there with "junior supercar" (1 series) and "Ferrari beater" (335d) in the realm of BMW-love-ins.
tjlees said:
As such as as I'm emotionally in love with Porsche - the facts speak differently. The Porsche Boxster S PDK is out handled by a 330D touring.
It does make you wonder why so many car manufacturers bother with low COG, low weight and wide tracks, doesn't it? A 1700kg estate will always handle better, especially with a heavy diesel lump over the front wheels and terrible suspension.
Thanks for all the answers. I think this pretty much confirms my worse fears.
Every car I've had has been a hot hatch or something sports ish Celica Gt4 Subaru etc. I just don't like driving something more run of the mill spec. I really don't want to get rid of my Focus but the fuel bill would end up being crazy.
I suppose the best thing to do is to get out and drive some of these smokers and see what's what.
Other options are to keep the car
Buy a 2nd bike for the work run. That will be cost effective but bloody cold.
Buy a old banger after all it's only going to sit in what looks like a very busy car park getting the doors dinged etc. That would p1ss me right off on my pride and joy.
Every car I've had has been a hot hatch or something sports ish Celica Gt4 Subaru etc. I just don't like driving something more run of the mill spec. I really don't want to get rid of my Focus but the fuel bill would end up being crazy.
I suppose the best thing to do is to get out and drive some of these smokers and see what's what.
Other options are to keep the car
Buy a 2nd bike for the work run. That will be cost effective but bloody cold.
Buy a old banger after all it's only going to sit in what looks like a very busy car park getting the doors dinged etc. That would p1ss me right off on my pride and joy.
tjlees said:
ORD said:
tjlees said:
...the 330d easily hits the mark, out handling the Porsche Boxster for instance - wet or dry (see autocar 27 Jun 2012 & 21 Nov 2012)
This has to be up there with "junior supercar" (1 series) and "Ferrari beater" (335d) in the realm of BMW-love-ins.
Car A could be faster than Car B around a track. Or quicker through a tight slalom of cones. But that doesn't mean it handles better.
A 330D touring may well handle better than a Boxster in your opinion, but I think you'd be very much in a minority.
I've got an Ibiza FR 2.0 and although it's never going to be a hot hatch, I definitely think it's sporty (and I've owned PH type 2-300bhp+ sports petrols). It's not that quick but it makes up for it by being punchy and very nimble/agile (which having driven a 330d I can say is definitely not!). Actually has quite a good sounding engine too as it's one of the few diesels I've ever driven which has a petrol like pitch change through the revs. The engine revs very freely too so you can blip it nicely on the down changes. Also does 50 odd mpg instead of the 330d's 40 odd and is still very comfortable to drive with well spaced controls etc. Biggest downsides are the nannying stability control which doesn't allow for much slidey fun and can also be a bit road noisy on the motorway.
If the power's a bit low for you then I don't think you can beat a 123/125d for power:sporty handling ratio.
If the power's a bit low for you then I don't think you can beat a 123/125d for power:sporty handling ratio.
cerb4.5lee said:
ORD said:
tjlees said:
...the 330d easily hits the mark, out handling the Porsche Boxster for instance - wet or dry (see autocar 27 Jun 2012 & 21 Nov 2012)
This has to be up there with "junior supercar" (1 series) and "Ferrari beater" (335d) in the realm of BMW-love-ins.
king roadster jcw. 
It just the world of mass produced bmer diesels have significantly moved on ... even the 320D, which is a spritely 1.5t, is only 2ish sec behind the Boxster S on the track but a good 160bhp down on power.
The Boxster is also about looks, sound and build quality over any 3 series.
However having driven these cars - both they are definitely sporty, and in the right hands, the 330D would leave a equally driven Boxster S behind on the twistys. Must because like the GTR 1.7t car, which has same downforce as an F1 car ... not
tjlees said:
The boxster is an excellent five star sports car - even though the OH didn't like it preferred the mini fking roadster jcw.
It just the world of mass produced bmer diesels have significantly moved on ... even the 320D, which is a spritely 1.5t, is only 2ish sec behind the Boxster S on the track but a good 160bhp down on power.
The Boxster is also about looks, sound and build quality over any 3 series.
However having driven these cars - both they are definitely sporty, and in the right hands, the 330D would leave a equally driven Boxster S behind on the twistys. Must because like the GTR 1.7t car, which has same downforce as an F1 car ... not
Agree BMW`s diesels have moved on in terms of performance/emissions/economy but the 4 pot diesel still hasn't moved on in terms of refinement/noise though its still lousy!(the 2013 model 320d I drove anyway)king roadster jcw. It just the world of mass produced bmer diesels have significantly moved on ... even the 320D, which is a spritely 1.5t, is only 2ish sec behind the Boxster S on the track but a good 160bhp down on power.
The Boxster is also about looks, sound and build quality over any 3 series.
However having driven these cars - both they are definitely sporty, and in the right hands, the 330D would leave a equally driven Boxster S behind on the twistys. Must because like the GTR 1.7t car, which has same downforce as an F1 car ... not
You saying the Boxster is about looks did make me smile though as to me its as ugly as sin but agree every review I have read has rated it very highly.
cerb4.5lee said:
Agree BMW`s diesels have moved on in terms of performance/emissions/economy but the 4 pot diesel still hasn't moved on in terms of refinement/noise though its still lousy!(the 2013 model 320d I drove anyway)
You saying the Boxster is about looks did make me smile though as to me its as ugly as sin but agree every review I have read has rated it very highly.
You saying the Boxster is about looks did make me smile though as to me its as ugly as sin but agree every review I have read has rated it very highly.
yes beauty is in eye of the beholder ... though it is nice when porsche don't base their car looks on another interpretation of the squashed beetle
tjlees said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Agree BMW`s diesels have moved on in terms of performance/emissions/economy but the 4 pot diesel still hasn't moved on in terms of refinement/noise though its still lousy!(the 2013 model 320d I drove anyway)
You saying the Boxster is about looks did make me smile though as to me its as ugly as sin but agree every review I have read has rated it very highly.
You saying the Boxster is about looks did make me smile though as to me its as ugly as sin but agree every review I have read has rated it very highly.
yes beauty is in eye of the beholder ... though it is nice when porsche don't base their car looks on another interpretation of the squashed beetleGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff