330d or LCI 335d xdrive

[Stueyd999]

Hi guys
Need some help making a decision.
Got a chance of leasing a 330d sdrive on a two year lease with pro nav, privacy glass or a LCI 335d standard no options for 12 month lease.
My car goes back soon and I would have to wait for the 335d as a factory order whereas I could get the 330d almost immediately.
Lease prices are very similar and good but is it worth waiting for the 335 or just opt for the 330. Ps I could get the 335 in any colour at no extra cost but the 330 only available in one colour.
Your opinions would be greatly appreciated since I have driven neither and won't have time to do so.
Thanks

[RBrown]

First question is which model of the cars are you being offered? Is it the same one?

I have a 330d xdrive msport+ and think the engine is great. I've never driven the 335, but you may not notice much of a difference unless you are going to take it round tracks or drive very fast on (private!) roads! Others may disagree. Fuel economy will be roughly the same.

There is also different opinions on xdrive. Living in Scotland I'm going to put winters on mine. But some people think the s drive is better. But depends on whether you want x-drive. That may sway you to 330d.

To be honest, I think you will like either car....so not too bad a problem!

Let me know if you have any more questions.

[Stueyd999]

Thanks for the reply. Both are m sport models but the 330 is from current stock with a couple options and the 335 will be delivery in December I would think and will be the LCI model with led lights but no options.

[RBrown]

I would go 330d.

[Stueyd999]

do you feel the xdrive is worth it
Thanks

[RBrown]

I like xdrive for winter, but it's a personal decision.

Winter tyres on rear wheel drive will be good as well.

There are a lot of xdrive' son the road, so they can't be that bad!

[Stueyd999]

Thanks for the input

[smashy]

If you do not tick M sport Adaptive suspension you will get the Standard SE suspension ,ordering M sport pack or not.

Its terrible and on X drive even worse from what ive seen on here. I called mine a wallowing floating Blacmonge till I got A C Schniters springs and dampers on it

C

[Technomad]

I test drove a pre-LCI 330D xDrive without the adaptive dampers and it handled like an overheated jelly - vague and floaty. I wouldn't have a 3-series without adaptive damping and would make damn sure I test drove an AD-equipped car first. After twenty years in BMW, I however suspect that my next car will be a C450 AMG wagon…

[smashy]

...and even on adaptive many have still got the A C springs put on the Xdrive to get the ride right,

[Stueyd999]

I will only be leasing for a year or two so not a great deal of point in me adding extras just wondered if there is a difference between standard drive and x drive

[smashy]

Dont know how many miles you do but id have enough after two weeks never mind your timeframe ,the worst suspension ive had in 30 years of driving and it wasnt an xdrive which is worse,,

[arcticfire]

I've only driven x-drive but I was speaking with a traffic Sgt yesterdayabout his 5 series police car there at a mini event in the tesco car park in Port Glasgow and he said that although his colleague in a 3 series x-drive could probably beat him his rwd 5 series was more fun.

But then he did say the 5 series traffic car was a 520 shell with an M5 engine in it, custom made for the police by bmw. Looked inside engine bay and it was twin turbo (small and large one), but back in topic the concenus was basically non x-drive was more fun if you know how to drive it properly.

I don't and the X-drive seems to have saved me on a few corners. You can feel the rear starting to slide and then suddenly the traction comes back in and pulls the car round nicely.

[Stueyd999]

arcticfire said:

I've only driven x-drive but I was speaking with a traffic Sgt yesterdayabout his 5 series police car there at a mini event in the tesco car park in Port Glasgow and he said that although his colleague in a 3 series x-drive could probably beat him his rwd 5 series was more fun.

But then he did say the 5 series traffic car was a 520 shell with an M5 engine in it, custom made for the police by bmw. Looked inside engine bay and it was twin turbo (small and large one), but back in topic the concenus was basically non x-drive was more fun if you know how to drive it properly.

I don't and the X-drive seems to have saved me on a few corners. You can feel the rear starting to slide and then suddenly the traction comes back in and pulls the car round nicely.

Yes I am not looking to race it round a track, I have done that in an M4 and M6, I am looking for something that is comfortable, good looking but has some power if I need or want it.

[arcticfire]

The 330D has plenty of power for UK roads and the X-drive allows you to put it down in most conditions although I do keep finding myself wondering what the 335D would be like in comparison, particularly with at the higher speeds.

I have zero previous rwd experience so I know is always be nervous about losing it especially in the wet so the X-drive is perfect for me.

[philmots]

The stability control will save you in rwd before it became any sort of issue.

With xdrive you may get to use more power at lower speeds in the wet, but other than that I don't see the benefit. Specially when you add the weight, price, mpg and performance penalty.. But suppose BMW's marketing team have done a good job!

[JNW1]

arcticfire said:

The 330D has plenty of power for UK roads and the X-drive allows you to put it down in most conditions although I do keep finding myself wondering what the 335D would be like in comparison, particularly with at the higher speeds.

I have zero previous rwd experience so I know is always be nervous about losing it especially in the wet so the X-drive is perfect for me.

You're quite right, the 330d has more than enough performance for most conditions. However, as an X-Drive it's not much more economical than the 335d and it's not much cheaper to buy either; therefore, to my mind you might as well have the additional performance and superior engine refinement of the 335d if you want both diesel and X-drive. 340i would get my vote over either though....

[arcticfire]

If economy is going to be a major concern then I wouldn't be looking at any 3 litre diesel and I'd get the 2L instead. We are taking pretty small mpg differences here between x-drive, rwd, 330D, 335D etc.

I would prefer the 340i but as I'm a business lease then the combination of list price and emissions is a bit steep in comparison.

One thing I prefer about the regular rwd msport is that it's lower than x-drive. I can't remember but I think the X-drive msport is just standard se suspension, is that the same for msport regular rwd?

Edited by arcticfire on Tuesday 8th September 21:20

[arcticfire]

I stand corrected when it comes to the 340i so long as it's the auto. The list price is fine and the emissions are under 160g/km so you can still claim 100% of the leasing net costs. How did I miss that one when deciding! Lol

[JNW1]

arcticfire said:

I stand corrected when it comes to the 340i so long as it's the auto. The list price is fine and the emissions are under 160g/km so you can still claim 100% of the leasing net costs. How did I miss that one when deciding! Lol

Not looked at the relative costs from a business finance perspective but would be surprised if there's enough to sway it one way or the other between a 335d and a 340i - just get the one you prefer, no point in putting-up with a second choice just to save peanuts a year!