VXR Vetcra to _30d. Any comparison?
Discussion
Currently drive a VXR Vectra. Althought FWD, the power is sublime and makes overtakes on country A roads a piece of cake. It's very easy to look at the accelerator, and all of a sudden, pow! 120mph.
But it's got a fair number of flaws and I need something newer. I'm looking for something with the 30d engine, as the MPG and tax in the vectra are hurting.
Ideally would be a 330d/530d touring with the autobox, but i'd settle for a saloon. I'd take a 325 only if the car was perfect. Model year 2010 onwards for the 5 series (F10) and E90/91 for the 3 series, as I don't like the new one.
I'm struggling at the moment to actually find a good, well priced one within budget. Everything is the 20d which I really don't want.
Will I be disappointed in the power delivery of the 30d engine? On paper it looks very quick, but will it be equal to or better than the VXR? I'm sure it will handle loads better and be much more comfy, but the VXR has a huge place in my heart, especially with it's turbo noise when you give it a good boot.
Should I continue looking at 30d's? I'd rather say "f
k it" and go out and buy a 6.3 VXR8 but cant afford or justify it.
But it's got a fair number of flaws and I need something newer. I'm looking for something with the 30d engine, as the MPG and tax in the vectra are hurting.
Ideally would be a 330d/530d touring with the autobox, but i'd settle for a saloon. I'd take a 325 only if the car was perfect. Model year 2010 onwards for the 5 series (F10) and E90/91 for the 3 series, as I don't like the new one.
I'm struggling at the moment to actually find a good, well priced one within budget. Everything is the 20d which I really don't want.
Will I be disappointed in the power delivery of the 30d engine? On paper it looks very quick, but will it be equal to or better than the VXR? I'm sure it will handle loads better and be much more comfy, but the VXR has a huge place in my heart, especially with it's turbo noise when you give it a good boot.
Should I continue looking at 30d's? I'd rather say "f
k it" and go out and buy a 6.3 VXR8 but cant afford or justify it.If you are looking for handling then you may find the 5 series a bit to "barge" like and find it a little underwhelming from your initial thoughts, focusing more on the styling and possibly comfort side (depending on spec - for example if it has standard suspension and not VDC/Dynamic Drive the ride is firmer as well as wheel combination and RFT/non RFT).
I have driven a 530D with VDC, 19's and RFT's the ride was sublime very smooth, but it is still a fairly large car either way. My 640D is firmer no question, but that does not have VDC and runs 20's.
Regarding power the 8 speed ZF box do ensure the engine keeps thumping along nicely, but with my car being a 640D (aka 535D) I did find it lacking at points where mine would still be quite happy, mainly because of the extra turbo to call on. The major problem is the 30D is more common than the 535D, and the 520D even more so than either of them...(although I have never driven a 20D bar seeing one or two 20D drivers firmly planted with egg on their face as the 640 pulled away from them.
Either way they are not really aimed at "handling", but they are a nice way to get around with the minimum of drama whilst delivering "reasonable" MPG v Power.
Could not comment on the 3 series....
I have driven a 530D with VDC, 19's and RFT's the ride was sublime very smooth, but it is still a fairly large car either way. My 640D is firmer no question, but that does not have VDC and runs 20's.
Regarding power the 8 speed ZF box do ensure the engine keeps thumping along nicely, but with my car being a 640D (aka 535D) I did find it lacking at points where mine would still be quite happy, mainly because of the extra turbo to call on. The major problem is the 30D is more common than the 535D, and the 520D even more so than either of them...(although I have never driven a 20D bar seeing one or two 20D drivers firmly planted with egg on their face as the 640 pulled away from them.
Either way they are not really aimed at "handling", but they are a nice way to get around with the minimum of drama whilst delivering "reasonable" MPG v Power.
Could not comment on the 3 series....
I've had a 330d/520d and currently have a 640d, if you enjoy a petrol engine all of the diesel's will leave you flat ultimately.
They do a good job of feeling fast but somehow actually aren't that fast, in saying that the 330d makes a lovely all round car and the 335d more so I imagine.
I would certainly avoid the 20d in the 5 series and I didn't like that engine one bit, but I imagine it works fairly well in the 1/3 series.
The 640d's on paper performance figure's look great and it has a strong 0 to 60 and strong mid range...yet if you plant it at 70mph it just doesn't feel that quick.
I think you could look at a twin turbo petrol maybe...a 335i/535i perhaps, similar thump to the vectra but without the dullness of a diesel.
They do a good job of feeling fast but somehow actually aren't that fast, in saying that the 330d makes a lovely all round car and the 335d more so I imagine.
I would certainly avoid the 20d in the 5 series and I didn't like that engine one bit, but I imagine it works fairly well in the 1/3 series.
The 640d's on paper performance figure's look great and it has a strong 0 to 60 and strong mid range...yet if you plant it at 70mph it just doesn't feel that quick.
I think you could look at a twin turbo petrol maybe...a 335i/535i perhaps, similar thump to the vectra but without the dullness of a diesel.
I'm currently contemplating a 3 series too. I don't know whether this floats your boat - but I was looking at 325d's. If you go for a post lci model which is 201bhp as standard, allegedly it is identical in internals to the 330d. Because of this it responds to remapping well. I understand E Maps are well respected in BMW circles, and tbey claim a post lci 325d will remap to 290bhp... also as it's a 325d they come in a bit cheaper than the 330d in the used market.
290bhp with associated diesel torque should keep you happy after a VXR?
290bhp with associated diesel torque should keep you happy after a VXR?
smashy said:
Re 325d being just a detuned 330d i thought they had a smaller turbo and run out of puff easily
The LCI 325d (204hp) is mainly just a detuned 330d. They remap to 280bhp whereas the 330d LCI remaps to about 300bhp. They are almost the same but apparently (according to DMS) there are some small differences that mean the 325d LCI doesn't go quite as high.The older 325d is indeed one with a smaller turbo so only goes to about 240-250bhp I think.
VXR8 looks like a fun car but you'll need a fuel tanker following you about. Would love to have one though just for the supercharger noise.
I drive with a heavy foot in my 330d Xdrive, mainly urban, and still get over 400 miles to a tank. For me that's great considering it's a five second car. Traction and handling is excellent, pop it in sport mode and it's lots of fun but it's a great motorway cruiser also and can return well over 50mpg.
I drive with a heavy foot in my 330d Xdrive, mainly urban, and still get over 400 miles to a tank. For me that's great considering it's a five second car. Traction and handling is excellent, pop it in sport mode and it's lots of fun but it's a great motorway cruiser also and can return well over 50mpg.
I have a 14 plate 330d. I absolutely love it, had it remapped and it's a different car. My mate has a Vectra VXR that has been modified (remap, springs and brakes) and it gave my car a run for it's money. The 330d won't make as much of a fuss about getting up to speed but it certainly does go! I sometimes take it to Santa Pod for a few runs and run low 13 seconds which is crazy for a diesel that I drive back home at 50 mpg.
I settled for a 525d in the end. The newish one with the 2.0d engine.
It's never going to have as much power as the vectra, but I couldnt find a 30d with the spec this 525 had. At only 30,000 miles in 3 years too, I couldnt really turn it down.
It's quick enough, and while there's times I might lust for that extra power, I'll remember that I'm no longer chugging round at 22mpg and £500 a year road tax.
It's never going to have as much power as the vectra, but I couldnt find a 30d with the spec this 525 had. At only 30,000 miles in 3 years too, I couldnt really turn it down.
It's quick enough, and while there's times I might lust for that extra power, I'll remember that I'm no longer chugging round at 22mpg and £500 a year road tax.
un1corn said:
I settled for a 525d in the end. The newish one with the 2.0d engine.
It's never going to have as much power as the vectra, but I couldnt find a 30d with the spec this 525 had. At only 30,000 miles in 3 years too, I couldnt really turn it down.
It's quick enough, and while there's times I might lust for that extra power, I'll remember that I'm no longer chugging round at 22mpg and £500 a year road tax.
So is that a twin turbo? I loose track of it all!It's never going to have as much power as the vectra, but I couldnt find a 30d with the spec this 525 had. At only 30,000 miles in 3 years too, I couldnt really turn it down.
It's quick enough, and while there's times I might lust for that extra power, I'll remember that I'm no longer chugging round at 22mpg and £500 a year road tax.
I have driven both extensively. The Vectra, despite its engine which takes time to work up and sounds good, handles like a pig. Sure it's a bit of fun but when pushing on in a 530d msport there is no comparison.
I find the surge better from the big diesel as well compared to the VXR for real world use.
I find the surge better from the big diesel as well compared to the VXR for real world use.
Max M4X WW said:
So is that a twin turbo? I loose track of it all!
Mr_Yogi said:
If it got it right, it's badged as "Twin Power", which is; 1 x twin scrol turbo.
My understanding is that it's a pair of twin scroll turbos.Edited by Mr_Yogi on Saturday 8th October 22:13
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N47#Twin_turbo_v...
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