Budget up to £15k - 335d or 335i
Discussion
If economy isn't an issue, don't bother with the 335d. They're competent, quite quick but ultimately a bit dull. Good enough range though if doing big miles
Problems I had with mine over a couple of years were all regarding superfluous stuff, and equally applicable to the 335i - seatbelt arms, aircon pumps, etc.
Problems I had with mine over a couple of years were all regarding superfluous stuff, and equally applicable to the 335i - seatbelt arms, aircon pumps, etc.
Curveball question here, partly because I'm in the same situation but looking to spend £18k:
What if you factor depreciation over a 5 year period when either car is approaching 100k miles?
Most desirable 3 Series Diesel versus thirsty petrol model with 'known' issues (wastegates/fuel pumps) - OK being a little cynical.
Having driven a 335i and own a 330d, I have to admit the petrol car is far nicer and suits my mileage better but it's the cost to replace it in 5 years time that worries me - especially having recently taken a hit on an A3 2.0T seeing it's price fall more sharply than the equivalent TDI.
What if you factor depreciation over a 5 year period when either car is approaching 100k miles?
Most desirable 3 Series Diesel versus thirsty petrol model with 'known' issues (wastegates/fuel pumps) - OK being a little cynical.
Having driven a 335i and own a 330d, I have to admit the petrol car is far nicer and suits my mileage better but it's the cost to replace it in 5 years time that worries me - especially having recently taken a hit on an A3 2.0T seeing it's price fall more sharply than the equivalent TDI.
Of it's any help, we bought our335d Touring at two years old with 16k for £21k. We just sold it at seven years old and 59k for £9k px. I could have possibly got more privately but I just couldn't be ar5ed. £12k depreciation over 5.5 years isn't too bad IMO. Would have stung if we'd bought new though (it listed at £38.5k).
I've had my 335i over two years (longest I've kept a car!) and the only issues I've had are cracked rear wheels, which would apply to the 335d too.
Mine's coming up to 65k miles and is an N54. If you're into tuning, then it's cheaper and easier to get 400bhp out of an N54-engined car, but the N55 is apparently more reliable and more fuel efficient.
If MPG isn't an issue (and remember the 335d 'only' averages around 37mpg compared to the 335i's 27mpg) then go for the petrol. More power, sounds lovely, and it's petrol.
Depreciation-wise, I've probably lost about £5k on mine over two years. That's mostly because I paid strong money for it as an AUC.
Mine's coming up to 65k miles and is an N54. If you're into tuning, then it's cheaper and easier to get 400bhp out of an N54-engined car, but the N55 is apparently more reliable and more fuel efficient.
If MPG isn't an issue (and remember the 335d 'only' averages around 37mpg compared to the 335i's 27mpg) then go for the petrol. More power, sounds lovely, and it's petrol.
Depreciation-wise, I've probably lost about £5k on mine over two years. That's mostly because I paid strong money for it as an AUC.
Vladimir said:
Of it's any help, we bought our335d Touring at two years old with 16k for £21k. We just sold it at seven years old and 59k for £9k px. I could have possibly got more privately but I just couldn't be ar5ed. £12k depreciation over 5.5 years isn't too bad IMO. Would have stung if we'd bought new though (it listed at £38.5k).
Hi mate, must have a homing device on it:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
graham22 said:
Vladimir said:
Of it's any help, we bought our335d Touring at two years old with 16k for £21k. We just sold it at seven years old and 59k for £9k px. I could have possibly got more privately but I just couldn't be ar5ed. £12k depreciation over 5.5 years isn't too bad IMO. Would have stung if we'd bought new though (it listed at £38.5k).
Hi mate, must have a homing device on it:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
graham22 said:
Curveball question here, partly because I'm in the same situation but looking to spend £18k:
What if you factor depreciation over a 5 year period when either car is approaching 100k miles?
Most desirable 3 Series Diesel versus thirsty petrol model with 'known' issues (wastegates/fuel pumps) - OK being a little cynical.
Petrols start to claw back their value when they get to that age. What if you factor depreciation over a 5 year period when either car is approaching 100k miles?
Most desirable 3 Series Diesel versus thirsty petrol model with 'known' issues (wastegates/fuel pumps) - OK being a little cynical.
Start at the same price, diesel worth considerably more at 3 years old, by year 5 the gap is the same and then by year 10 they are worth about the same again.
In 5 years time an £18k 335 will be 10 years old and will be worth around £5k, one may be worth £500 more than the other but mileage and condition would make far more difference than which engine imho.
I had the 535d and the 335i, both in sprt touring guise, the 335i is on another planet for driver enjoyment.
However, I think I would try and find a 330i.
Smuler said:
335i with a warranty from BMW, because if fuel economy isn't an issue why consider a diesel???
might, however, struggle getting 335i M Sport Saloons though; didn't think there were many about. get a coupe!
I was just thinking about the torque of the 335d, but if its at the expense of the drive, then I'd factor it out.might, however, struggle getting 335i M Sport Saloons though; didn't think there were many about. get a coupe!
Coupe is a no go, I have 2 kids and cant be bothered with them keep climbing in and out the back combined with perceived safety in an accident (getting them out etc)
Interesting you say the 335i a great car Giz, but then recommend the 330? (it seems a fair bit down on power when compared to the 335i?)
graham22 said:
I wish you hadn't found that; ouch!!!!matts4 said:
Interesting you say the 335i a great car Giz, but then recommend the 330? (it seems a fair bit down on power when compared to the 335i?)
The 330i is down on power in comparision but it is a lovely N/A powerplant & you arguably get more back the more you put in with a N/A engine whereas the blown motors are just so easy to go very quickly that you don't have to work for it...I would still love a 335i though! In answer to the question I agree with what others have said if economy isn't an issue it has to be petrol...although that's what I told myself when I bought my old X5 4.8iS & E92 M3 & the fuel bills soon started to frustrate me!
Vladimir said:
graham22 said:
I wish you hadn't found that; ouch!!!!Shame you didn't sell it 2 months earlier as I only recently bought my 330 from them, would have been happier giving you more than they did.
I stuck it on AT for a few weeks at £11500. A few calls but nothing beyond that so decided to bite the bullet. TBH for the security and lack of hassle in pxing I would have wanted nearish to that for a private sale. Just got my timing a bit wrong! Oh well, better earn some more money to make up for it.
Could be worth keeping an eye on it jus in case.
Could be worth keeping an eye on it jus in case.
The N54 335i has a very strong engine internally (fully forged) so really you have no worries aside from the common faults which are the High Pressue Fuel Pump & Water Pump. HPFP job will hit you around £500 parts & labour but Water Pump will hit you at £1000 parts and labour at a BMW dealer (the pump and T-Stat are £600 alone). Injectors were a worry but all cars were recalled and hopefully have had them replaced.
The 335i is a very capable cruiser and ALMOST a sports car but it's a little soft still, albeit easily swapped underneath with M3 parts. A tuned one will out-run an M3 in a straight line but the M3 is ultimately in a different league otherwise.
I thoroughly recommend the 335i, not as a poor man's M3 but as a totally different machine...a jack of all trades.
The 335i is a very capable cruiser and ALMOST a sports car but it's a little soft still, albeit easily swapped underneath with M3 parts. A tuned one will out-run an M3 in a straight line but the M3 is ultimately in a different league otherwise.
I thoroughly recommend the 335i, not as a poor man's M3 but as a totally different machine...a jack of all trades.
matts4 said:
Interesting you say the 335i a great car Giz, but then recommend the 330? (it seems a fair bit down on power when compared to the 335i?)
The 335i is a great car, however, once the novelty of the pace has worn off it is all a bit dull, there is no working it, it is simply a case of hitting the gas and it goes, doesn't matter if you are in the wrong gear, it will just move. The 330i however is NA so you have to get it right, and it is so much more rewarding because of it. After two days in a 330i loaner I sold my 335i.
it always helps to remind me I made the right choice. 
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