F30 330d 8 speed auto question

[JNW1]

Wills2 said:

I told you Lee! Amazing that we both have ended up with the same engine! At least you have a good looking car unlike my boring touring.

I really miss that engine this torquey diesel stuff is pants....

I'll add that I'm looking at a few 507 c63's at the moment I can't go on with this car I might as well get a 318d TBH.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 19th December 23:41

I do know what you mean! I actually quite like my F31 335d; as a daily driver as it's more than quick enough most of the time and makes relaxed, effortless, progress (which is often what you want for commuting before and after a long day at work). However, engaging and involving to drive it isn't and hence for anyone who really likes their cars IMO it's unlikely to be entirely satisfactory unless you've got something else to go at for fun and weekends. If you have a sensible streak (which I do) you can convince yourself that something like a 335d is the right way to go and for 80% - maybe even 90% - of the time it probably is; the problem is you feel like you're really missing something for the remainder of the time and the true petrolhead will probably end-up thinking "life's too short" and bailing-out. A C63 does feel like one end of the spectrum to the other but perhaps there's an element of "I need a petrol" reaction after the 335d? That said I fully understand the appeal and did think about one myself (just decided the mpg was a bit too painful for doing around 20k miles/annum!; do occasionally keep wondering whether I should have gone for an S4 Avant though!

[Welshbeef]

Its possible the recent fuel price drop is helping these views .


But on a serious note I do know what you mean and that's why I changed from a 330d to an RS6 but after a while the biggest pain was fuel - not just the cost but that I'd be filling up twice a week and as it only could take super very very often the first place I stopped to fill up had none left so onto the next etc.


I'm sure I'll have a petrol after this one maybe - but probably a Tesla S

[cerb4.5lee]

Wills2 said:

I told you Lee! Amazing that we both have ended up with the same engine! At least you have a good looking car unlike my boring touring.

I really miss that engine this torquey diesel stuff is pants....

I'll add that I'm looking at a few 507 c63's at the moment I can't go on with this car I might as well get a 318d TBH.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 19th December 23:41

The next motor you are looking at sounds very exciting! I wish you all the best with whatever you get and it is unreal that we both made a swap to a torque filled diesel but have both been left a little flat by them...you were correct all along.

[cerb4.5lee]

JNW1 said:

I do know what you mean! I actually quite like my F31 335d; as a daily driver as it's more than quick enough most of the time and makes relaxed, effortless, progress (which is often what you want for commuting before and after a long day at work). However, engaging and involving to drive it isn't and hence for anyone who really likes their cars IMO it's unlikely to be entirely satisfactory unless you've got something else to go at for fun and weekends. If you have a sensible streak (which I do) you can convince yourself that something like a 335d is the right way to go and for 80% - maybe even 90% - of the time it probably is; the problem is you feel like you're really missing something for the remainder of the time and the true petrolhead will probably end-up thinking "life's too short" and bailing-out. A C63 does feel like one end of the spectrum to the other but perhaps there's an element of "I need a petrol" reaction after the 335d? That said I fully understand the appeal and did think about one myself (just decided the mpg was a bit too painful for doing around 20k miles/annum!; do occasionally keep wondering whether I should have gone for an S4 Avant though!

Very good post, it is a difficult one because at least with a 335d/535d/640d you do almost get the best of both worlds in that you have strong performance/economy in a very good package and the low end shove does suit the daily grind well.

As you have stated if you have a love for a petrol engine it is hard to fall for a diesel engine because they don't offer much character sadly but as a tool to do high miles they make a hell of a lot of sense, I am still impressed with the 640d`s performance and the fact it offers 40 mpg but it is a boring and sensible choice of car in many ways though.

[Welshbeef]

cerb4.5lee said:

Very good post, it is a difficult one because at least with a 335d/535d/640d you do almost get the best of both worlds in that you have strong performance/economy in a very good package and the low end shove does suit the daily grind well.

As you have stated if you have a love for a petrol engine it is hard to fall for a diesel engine because they don't offer much character sadly but as a tool to do high miles they make a hell of a lot of sense, I am still impressed with the 640d`s performance and the fact it offers 40 mpg but it is a boring and sensible choice of car in many ways though.

Spot on.
Every car is a compromise be it age budget which model in a range number of seats etc etc I'd say for the daily grind and family duties it ticks a lot of boxes areas of weakness are noise nicer smell when filling up starting it up first thing in the mining and looking forward to it, reving it stationary and then on the exceptionally rare occasions when you can go full throttle and wide open gear changes through 1/2/3/4th ahem.

[Patrick Bateman]

Wills2 said:

I told you Lee! Amazing that we both have ended up with the same engine! At least you have a good looking car unlike my boring touring.

I really miss that engine this torquey diesel stuff is pants....

I'll add that I'm looking at a few 507 c63's at the moment I can't go on with this car I might as well get a 318d TBH.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 19th December 23:41

Do you find the C63 would appeal even more if there was a manual option? It would have been a nice choice to have.

[drmark]

Glad I am not the only one who feels the big diesel BMWs lack soul. Problem is they do everything so well they can feel a bit anodyne. But at the end of a busy day, when it's dark and you have 50 miles to drive home, they are few cars as relaxing or capable as my F11. Just need a GT3 for the weekend

[Welshbeef]

drmark said:

Glad I am not the only one who feels the big diesel BMWs lack soul. Problem is they do everything so well they can feel a bit anodyne. But at the end of a busy day, when it's dark and you have 50 miles to drive home, they are few cars as relaxing or capable as my F11. Just need a GT3 for the weekend

Id say part of the problem is that rather than a huge gulf in performance between the diesels and some of the petrol alternatives it makes it hard to justify the additional cost and dead time refuelling/shorter range.

If the gap was big then its an easy option however when its much closer it makes it difficult/harder for more people to opt for say the M5 version or the M3 version.


Clearly you cannot compare a 911 to a 5 series apart from they could both take you from A to B - but say there was an electric or diesel 911 then it makes it an interesting choice. Personally is have to go for the Petrol 911 as I've never owned one previously so an itch to scratch.


One thing though IF the UK starts to follow the Paris situation is ban of diesels (hope that includes buses HGVs and taxis and not just private cars) then the picture could change very quickly. I believe London is going towards this or having punitive taxes as it appears diesel causes lung cancer in young children.

[JNW1]

drmark said:

Glad I am not the only one who feels the big diesel BMWs lack soul. Problem is they do everything so well they can feel a bit anodyne. But at the end of a busy day, when it's dark and you have 50 miles to drive home, they are few cars as relaxing or capable as my F11. Just need a GT3 for the weekend

+1

My sentiments entirely!