Comparing F30 330d with E90 335d
Discussion
Apologies if this has been covered before, this has been a revelation to me in the past 12 hours.
A while ago I drove a E90 325d and a 320d. I wasn’t all that impressed. As a result I foolishly wrote off the larger engined BMW super diesels as I was still in love with my newage STI. I want to change, I fancy a BMW, and the E90 335d has started to appeal. I mentioned this to my boss, and he leant me his F30 330d.
Wow.
What a car. It’s an auto, and is the first auto I’ve ever liked. Ive not driven a lot of auto’s, and granted they’ve been at the more dated/agricultural end of things (1993 Toyota Supra & Mitsubishi Shogun diesel). I’m thoroughly impressed with it. A wall of torque, lovely steering wheel, amazing gearbox (especially with the flappy paddles) definitely a fan of this. Yes the wall of torque and autobox might get old but as it stands; I want one.
However, the F30s are out of my budget, but the E90/E91/E92 335d is starting to creep into my £10,000 budget.
Before I can manage a test drive, how do they compare?
Obviously the gearbox will be different, but how good is the E90 autobox? Is a 335d with autobox a better proposition than a 330d equipped with the manual? Ignoring remaps because granted, you can map a 330d to 335d levels, but you can map a 335d to far surpass that. Remaps are a moot point.
I love the E90 shape, I like the interior. Is iDrive worth holding out for? On the few F30 320d’s I’ve been driving it irritated me a little.
Driving the F30 330d and thinking “I need this in my life”, would buying an E90 335d fill that gap?
To those who’ve noticed: Yes I’ve no idea what car to get next, hence my different questions every month…
Jim
Main advantage of a 335d (E90) (all auto) over an 330d (E90) manual is that the twin-turbo setup means that it is never out of boost at low-rev situations, whereas the 330d has more of a surge. Also, the 335d appears to be the more reliable engine, and very well suited to the autobox.
As for iDrive, try to get an LCI model, the gps is harddisk based and much quicker and intuitive to use.
Don't know if all this is within your 10K budget, though.
As for iDrive, try to get an LCI model, the gps is harddisk based and much quicker and intuitive to use.
Don't know if all this is within your 10K budget, though.
Some say the E90 is slightly more sports orientated to drive when compared to the F30 but I only have experience of a F30 320d so not a great example to be fair, also have experience of the older 6 speed auto and newer 8 speed auto and the newer one is better but its still an auto so same but a little different.
Our old E90 330d auto suffered from a bit of lag but you don't get that with the twin turbo set up as a previous poster has mentioned, I would imagine a E90 335d to be a decent ownership proposition for sure, I really like the F30 330d because its quick/economical and has a far more modern interior but its far more money than the old model.
Our old E90 330d auto suffered from a bit of lag but you don't get that with the twin turbo set up as a previous poster has mentioned, I would imagine a E90 335d to be a decent ownership proposition for sure, I really like the F30 330d because its quick/economical and has a far more modern interior but its far more money than the old model.
Jim1985 said:
Driving the F30 330d and thinking “I need this in my life”, would buying an E90 335d fill that gap?
We've both of these at the moment.Nearly 2 years in with the F30 and had the E90 for more than 5.
My 335d is tired and worn after 120k but even so it feels light years behind the F30. The development really shows, particularly the gearbox.
Be careful with a £10k 335d - not sure if that budget get you an LCI car ?
Well specced ones still sell for more than that and go very quickly.
If you're not doing many miles consider a 330i.
I own a E91 335D Msport, have had a F31 330d Msport with adaptive dampers on day loan, F30 330d Msport on day loan and by brother runs a F31 330d SE.
My thoughts
F30/31 330d:
Good:
Excellent gearbox. Makes the older 6spd feel very outdated (although it in itself isn't a particularly bad auto)
Great engine is fantastic, powerful, smooth, minimal lag, refined, economical BUT see below re torque delivery...
Performance very similar to E90/91 335d up to sensible speeds - possibly quicker due to gearbox
Infotainment system much better than the E90/91
Bigger and more practical than a E90/91
Bad:
Elec/hydraulic steering is horrible compared to the fully hydraulic E90/91 335d. My bro says it is worse than the elec/hyrdaulic on his previous E91 320d
Torque delivery - the single turbo has minimal lag but the torque delivery is very spiky compared to a 335d. This give traction issues in anything but dry conditions and the car relies heavily on the DSC.
Wind noise - cabin wind noise is worse than E91
I'm very impressed with the F30/31 330d and may consider one next due to low C02 (company car allowance policy) and good economy - it is a great compromise on performance vs running costs. But at the moment there really isn't enough of a reason to change from a E91 335d considering the huge difference in price. After full days in the F30/31 i wasn't disappointed to be back in the E91...
My thoughts
F30/31 330d:
Good:
Excellent gearbox. Makes the older 6spd feel very outdated (although it in itself isn't a particularly bad auto)
Great engine is fantastic, powerful, smooth, minimal lag, refined, economical BUT see below re torque delivery...
Performance very similar to E90/91 335d up to sensible speeds - possibly quicker due to gearbox
Infotainment system much better than the E90/91
Bigger and more practical than a E90/91
Bad:
Elec/hydraulic steering is horrible compared to the fully hydraulic E90/91 335d. My bro says it is worse than the elec/hyrdaulic on his previous E91 320d
Torque delivery - the single turbo has minimal lag but the torque delivery is very spiky compared to a 335d. This give traction issues in anything but dry conditions and the car relies heavily on the DSC.
Wind noise - cabin wind noise is worse than E91
I'm very impressed with the F30/31 330d and may consider one next due to low C02 (company car allowance policy) and good economy - it is a great compromise on performance vs running costs. But at the moment there really isn't enough of a reason to change from a E91 335d considering the huge difference in price. After full days in the F30/31 i wasn't disappointed to be back in the E91...
I'm aiming for the diesels for the all round fuel economy. I'd considered the 3.0si in a Z4 coupe, but I'm doing a cost saving exercise and getting an avalanche of torque to sweeten the deal.
I'm drawn to the 335d as its the infamous diesel car to have. I've seen a few SE 335d examples in my price range and I'm being picky on mileage to be honest. I'd prefer one with under 100k and that hasnt been remapped though. But I suppose I better buy on condition & history rather than mileage. I just dont want to get stuck with it come re-sale time.
I'm drawn to the 335d as its the infamous diesel car to have. I've seen a few SE 335d examples in my price range and I'm being picky on mileage to be honest. I'd prefer one with under 100k and that hasnt been remapped though. But I suppose I better buy on condition & history rather than mileage. I just dont want to get stuck with it come re-sale time.
Jim1985 said:
I'm aiming for the diesels for the all round fuel economy. I'd considered the 3.0si in a Z4 coupe, but I'm doing a cost saving exercise and getting an avalanche of torque to sweeten the deal.
A 335d is not particularly economical.My 25 mile commute is 3 miles urban (takes 20 mins), A40/M40 then 2 more miles urban (takes 10 mins).
I average 34mpg.
My advice would be get one that has been serviced on the button and had any other required maintenance carried out.
Vee said:
If you're not doing many miles consider a 330i.
That's what I did because I loved the old 330d we had but not doing the miles to justify the diesel, I get around 25mpg out of the 330i, it will do 32/33 mpg if you drive like a nun but the 330d is still far more fuel efficient I think the one we had never dropped below 43mpg but it did do big mileage. As most state the 335d can be a little thirsty if its doing short runs or you are heavy footed so I can see why the 330i gets mentioned as an alternative to be fair.
Just a thought. Try an E90 LCI 330d auto - 245bhp and a 0-62 of 6.1. Not much difference to a 335d but cheaper.
It was noticeably quicker to me than a pre LCI 330d which is why I bought one (I think the pre LCI is 231bhp and 0-62 in 6.7).
When I bought it I was told the gearbox was different thus why it was quicker (aside from 14bhp). Now, it is not the F30 gearbox which, in my limited experience, is superb, but it is a good car and nigh on as quick up to say 70 as the E90 335d. Above that the 335d is quicker.
I think the LCI 330d was tested by Autocar at 6 dead to 60mph and 15 dead to 100mph.
I had mine for 3 years and loved it. Nothing went wrong and I was stupid to sell it when I did. I got 38mpg overall on journeys I am now getting 24mpg with an N54 petrol engined Beemer.
It was noticeably quicker to me than a pre LCI 330d which is why I bought one (I think the pre LCI is 231bhp and 0-62 in 6.7).
When I bought it I was told the gearbox was different thus why it was quicker (aside from 14bhp). Now, it is not the F30 gearbox which, in my limited experience, is superb, but it is a good car and nigh on as quick up to say 70 as the E90 335d. Above that the 335d is quicker.
I think the LCI 330d was tested by Autocar at 6 dead to 60mph and 15 dead to 100mph.
I had mine for 3 years and loved it. Nothing went wrong and I was stupid to sell it when I did. I got 38mpg overall on journeys I am now getting 24mpg with an N54 petrol engined Beemer.
Jim1985 said:
If I was going for a 330d I'd probably get a manual.
Its obviously personal preference but I had a manual 520d and I didn't think it suited the engines powerband very well whereas with the auto it always seemed to keep the engine in its sweet spot and the auto suited the 330d well I thought. There is someone on here who loves his manual 330d and he says its spot on but I haven't driven that version so I cant say but I really wanted a manual in my old 520d but now I would only go with the auto/diesel combo.
Jim1985 said:
Thats true actually, the autobox may be better.
Compared to a petrol a diesel has a relatively narrow power band so for me an auto which just keeps the engine in the sweet spot is absolutely the way to go; different matter altogether with a higher-revving petrol engine where you'd perhaps hang on to the gears with a manual but you just don't drive a diesel like that (or if you do you're wasting your time!).On E90 v F30, we had an E91 335d in the household for a short while and I now have an F31 335d. Generally I'd agree with the previous comments on this thread (gearbox much better in the later car, ride quality much improved, etc). However, I do think that in some respects the E91 felt a little more sporting to drive; the F31 is a big, heavy, car and sometimes doesn't feel quite as agile or chuckable as the E91. All IMO of course but if you go diesel I'd definitely say go with an auto (not that you'll have a choice with a 335d!).
Jim1985 said:
That's good to hear.
Looking at Autotrader there seems to be many 335d SEs for around £9500 with 100k miles. Are these a risky purchase?
In my opinion and experience, yes, they could easily need money spending on them.Looking at Autotrader there seems to be many 335d SEs for around £9500 with 100k miles. Are these a risky purchase?
Others will say 'no', they're good for another 100k miles with just oil and filter changes.
I think you'll struggle to get a decent 335D LCI with sensible mileage for sub £10K, but good luck to you if you find it.
I've recently bought a E90 330D auto, and if I'm honest the auto box is fine, but I'd be living I; I didn't say the more modern auto boxes are not far far better. my main gripe being the speed of changes up the box under hard acceleration.
The post LCI HDD based Sat Nav is far superior to the pre LCI DVD based systems.
My pre LCI was dyno'd at 245bhp prior to the remap, so was no slouch, and a proper remap will see them producing similar power and more torque than a standard 335D, so don't discount them as your budget will go further.
I've recently bought a E90 330D auto, and if I'm honest the auto box is fine, but I'd be living I; I didn't say the more modern auto boxes are not far far better. my main gripe being the speed of changes up the box under hard acceleration.
The post LCI HDD based Sat Nav is far superior to the pre LCI DVD based systems.
My pre LCI was dyno'd at 245bhp prior to the remap, so was no slouch, and a proper remap will see them producing similar power and more torque than a standard 335D, so don't discount them as your budget will go further.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff