Discussion
Hi,
I need to make a decision regarding my next company car, I currently have a 320d coupe for work and a 996 for play. The 996 will be off shortly as it doesn't get enough use to justify the expense and the 320 lease is up soon.
Accordingly,I need a car that is practical for business/family use but also interesting to drive. My last two company cars have been diesels, whilst fine when cruising on the open road, they don't particularly excite on the twisty stuff. If I am getting rid of my 996 then the lure of a big petrol engine (sound and ability to rev past 4,000 etc) vs a diesel is too much to resist.
My heart says 335i but the extra car tax and lower mpg (boring I know) over a 330i is a consideration. Whilst more power is always nice, I wonder wether in the real world the 335i really delivers more than a 330i? After all, how often are the roads empty enough to really enjoy all that performance. My 996 is great but in order to feel you are really driving it you are going very quickly and thus in licence losing territory. This makes me wonder whether the law of diminishing returns might apply to a 335i.
I know there is no substitute for a back to back test (I have only driven a 330i so far) but would be interested to hear people's thoughts.
Thanks
I need to make a decision regarding my next company car, I currently have a 320d coupe for work and a 996 for play. The 996 will be off shortly as it doesn't get enough use to justify the expense and the 320 lease is up soon.
Accordingly,I need a car that is practical for business/family use but also interesting to drive. My last two company cars have been diesels, whilst fine when cruising on the open road, they don't particularly excite on the twisty stuff. If I am getting rid of my 996 then the lure of a big petrol engine (sound and ability to rev past 4,000 etc) vs a diesel is too much to resist.
My heart says 335i but the extra car tax and lower mpg (boring I know) over a 330i is a consideration. Whilst more power is always nice, I wonder wether in the real world the 335i really delivers more than a 330i? After all, how often are the roads empty enough to really enjoy all that performance. My 996 is great but in order to feel you are really driving it you are going very quickly and thus in licence losing territory. This makes me wonder whether the law of diminishing returns might apply to a 335i.
I know there is no substitute for a back to back test (I have only driven a 330i so far) but would be interested to hear people's thoughts.
Thanks
Neither! Stick with the 320d or equivalent for everyday and keep/get a fun car for when you're in the mood.
I've had a 335i Touring and it was a wonderful all rounder. However, 90% of the time, a 320d would have delivered the same function as the 335i.....for less than 60% of the cost (on my lease scheme at least).
I've got rid of my 335i and ordered a 520d instead....the saving will buy me a fun car for the weekend and I'll have a more comfortable, spacious car for truding around during the week.
I've had a 335i Touring and it was a wonderful all rounder. However, 90% of the time, a 320d would have delivered the same function as the 335i.....for less than 60% of the cost (on my lease scheme at least).
I've got rid of my 335i and ordered a 520d instead....the saving will buy me a fun car for the weekend and I'll have a more comfortable, spacious car for truding around during the week.
Before I put this let me just put 'the following is all in my humble experience' before anyone gets upset!!
I would go with the 330i, I had a 335i and it is one of the most accomplished all round cars available, it is a really impressive bit of engineering, but ultimately it doesn't have much soul.
You press the throttle and it goes, it propels itself down to the road in the same way a big diesel does, great for impressing your mates but the novelty soon wears off.
The company car tax is pretty high and the consumption is around 25mpg.
In comparison the new 330i with 272bhp with a manual gearbox is an absolute joy to drive, you have to work the car and rev it like a true BMW, that NA straight six engine has a wonderful sound and as you work your way through the gears you have a real sense of achievement and like you have really driven it, not just let a wave of torque push you down the road.
Plus the consumption is simply astonishing!! The one I had for 2 days return 35 mpg, I only get that from the 335d, and the 330i is just as quick, sounds 1000x nicer and feels a lot more nimble than the big derv.
I don't know if I would throw my own money at it as there is still this perceived matter with used buyers that the diesel is going to be a lot more frugal so residuals may be far worse, but as a company car I would jump at it.
I wouldn't say no to the 335i as a company car either, but coming from the Porka I think the NA manual 330i would be a more enjoyable car.
You need to take both out for a serious drive and see what you think, try and get them for at least a day.
Again, just my humble opinion.
I would go with the 330i, I had a 335i and it is one of the most accomplished all round cars available, it is a really impressive bit of engineering, but ultimately it doesn't have much soul.
You press the throttle and it goes, it propels itself down to the road in the same way a big diesel does, great for impressing your mates but the novelty soon wears off.
The company car tax is pretty high and the consumption is around 25mpg.
In comparison the new 330i with 272bhp with a manual gearbox is an absolute joy to drive, you have to work the car and rev it like a true BMW, that NA straight six engine has a wonderful sound and as you work your way through the gears you have a real sense of achievement and like you have really driven it, not just let a wave of torque push you down the road.
Plus the consumption is simply astonishing!! The one I had for 2 days return 35 mpg, I only get that from the 335d, and the 330i is just as quick, sounds 1000x nicer and feels a lot more nimble than the big derv.
I don't know if I would throw my own money at it as there is still this perceived matter with used buyers that the diesel is going to be a lot more frugal so residuals may be far worse, but as a company car I would jump at it.
I wouldn't say no to the 335i as a company car either, but coming from the Porka I think the NA manual 330i would be a more enjoyable car.
You need to take both out for a serious drive and see what you think, try and get them for at least a day.
Again, just my humble opinion.
dan101smith said:
From what you've said in the opening post, should you not also be considering a 335d?
Never driven one, but reports of ample performance and decent mpg must make it a contender.
Erm . . .Never driven one, but reports of ample performance and decent mpg must make it a contender.
fromOPAboutNotWantingDiesel said:
Accordingly,I need a car that is practical for business/family use but also interesting to drive. My last two company cars have been diesels, whilst fine when cruising on the open road, they don't particularly excite on the twisty stuff. If I am getting rid of my 996 then the lure of a big petrol engine (sound and ability to rev past 4,000 etc) vs a diesel is too much to resist.
gizlaroc said:
Before I put this let me just put 'the following is all in my humble experience' before anyone gets upset!!
I would go with the 330i, I had a 335i and it is one of the most accomplished all round cars available, it is a really impressive bit of engineering, but ultimately it doesn't have much soul.
You press the throttle and it goes, it propels itself down to the road in the same way a big diesel does, great for impressing your mates but the novelty soon wears off.
The company car tax is pretty high and the consumption is around 25mpg.
In comparison the new 330i with 272bhp with a manual gearbox is an absolute joy to drive, you have to work the car and rev it like a true BMW, that NA straight six engine has a wonderful sound and as you work your way through the gears you have a real sense of achievement and like you have really driven it, not just let a wave of torque push you down the road.
Plus the consumption is simply astonishing!! The one I had for 2 days return 35 mpg, I only get that from the 335d, and the 330i is just as quick, sounds 1000x nicer and feels a lot more nimble than the big derv.
I don't know if I would throw my own money at it as there is still this perceived matter with used buyers that the diesel is going to be a lot more frugal so residuals may be far worse, but as a company car I would jump at it.
I wouldn't say no to the 335i as a company car either, but coming from the Porka I think the NA manual 330i would be a more enjoyable car.
You need to take both out for a serious drive and see what you think, try and get them for at least a day.
Again, just my humble opinion.
Big ding to that. Completely agree, having driven 335i and now owning a 330i E90. I came from a 993C2 and found the lighter NA sweeter and better to drive. Sounds wonderful too. Also, it's as above it's as quick as a 335d but actually probably cheaper to run now that derv is so much more and BMW quote the combined cycle for both very close. I would go with the 330i, I had a 335i and it is one of the most accomplished all round cars available, it is a really impressive bit of engineering, but ultimately it doesn't have much soul.
You press the throttle and it goes, it propels itself down to the road in the same way a big diesel does, great for impressing your mates but the novelty soon wears off.
The company car tax is pretty high and the consumption is around 25mpg.
In comparison the new 330i with 272bhp with a manual gearbox is an absolute joy to drive, you have to work the car and rev it like a true BMW, that NA straight six engine has a wonderful sound and as you work your way through the gears you have a real sense of achievement and like you have really driven it, not just let a wave of torque push you down the road.
Plus the consumption is simply astonishing!! The one I had for 2 days return 35 mpg, I only get that from the 335d, and the 330i is just as quick, sounds 1000x nicer and feels a lot more nimble than the big derv.
I don't know if I would throw my own money at it as there is still this perceived matter with used buyers that the diesel is going to be a lot more frugal so residuals may be far worse, but as a company car I would jump at it.
I wouldn't say no to the 335i as a company car either, but coming from the Porka I think the NA manual 330i would be a more enjoyable car.
You need to take both out for a serious drive and see what you think, try and get them for at least a day.
Again, just my humble opinion.
abarber said:
gizlaroc said:
Before I put this let me just put 'the following is all in my humble experience' before anyone gets upset!!
I would go with the 330i, I had a 335i and it is one of the most accomplished all round cars available, it is a really impressive bit of engineering, but ultimately it doesn't have much soul.
You press the throttle and it goes, it propels itself down to the road in the same way a big diesel does, great for impressing your mates but the novelty soon wears off.
The company car tax is pretty high and the consumption is around 25mpg.
In comparison the new 330i with 272bhp with a manual gearbox is an absolute joy to drive, you have to work the car and rev it like a true BMW, that NA straight six engine has a wonderful sound and as you work your way through the gears you have a real sense of achievement and like you have really driven it, not just let a wave of torque push you down the road.
Plus the consumption is simply astonishing!! The one I had for 2 days return 35 mpg, I only get that from the 335d, and the 330i is just as quick, sounds 1000x nicer and feels a lot more nimble than the big derv.
I don't know if I would throw my own money at it as there is still this perceived matter with used buyers that the diesel is going to be a lot more frugal so residuals may be far worse, but as a company car I would jump at it.
I wouldn't say no to the 335i as a company car either, but coming from the Porka I think the NA manual 330i would be a more enjoyable car.
You need to take both out for a serious drive and see what you think, try and get them for at least a day.
Again, just my humble opinion.
Big ding to that. Completely agree, having driven 335i and now owning a 330i E90. I came from a 993C2 and found the lighter NA sweeter and better to drive. Sounds wonderful too. Also, it's as above it's as quick as a 335d but actually probably cheaper to run now that derv is so much more and BMW quote the combined cycle for both very close. I would go with the 330i, I had a 335i and it is one of the most accomplished all round cars available, it is a really impressive bit of engineering, but ultimately it doesn't have much soul.
You press the throttle and it goes, it propels itself down to the road in the same way a big diesel does, great for impressing your mates but the novelty soon wears off.
The company car tax is pretty high and the consumption is around 25mpg.
In comparison the new 330i with 272bhp with a manual gearbox is an absolute joy to drive, you have to work the car and rev it like a true BMW, that NA straight six engine has a wonderful sound and as you work your way through the gears you have a real sense of achievement and like you have really driven it, not just let a wave of torque push you down the road.
Plus the consumption is simply astonishing!! The one I had for 2 days return 35 mpg, I only get that from the 335d, and the 330i is just as quick, sounds 1000x nicer and feels a lot more nimble than the big derv.
I don't know if I would throw my own money at it as there is still this perceived matter with used buyers that the diesel is going to be a lot more frugal so residuals may be far worse, but as a company car I would jump at it.
I wouldn't say no to the 335i as a company car either, but coming from the Porka I think the NA manual 330i would be a more enjoyable car.
You need to take both out for a serious drive and see what you think, try and get them for at least a day.
Again, just my humble opinion.
t) - I really wanted to try a manual.Was it manual or auto 335s that you chaps tried?
adycav said:
gizlaroc said:
My 335i was an auto, I think if it was a manual it would have helped, but the 3.0i N/A Straight six is an absolute peach, which will do 30 mpg average and 40mpg on a run when needed.
Is that the current 272hp efficient dynamics one or the earlier (258ps iirc) version?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52
I bought a 330i efficent dynamics because I felt the combination of power and economy was superb
NoelWatson said:
adycav said:
gizlaroc said:
My 335i was an auto, I think if it was a manual it would have helped, but the 3.0i N/A Straight six is an absolute peach, which will do 30 mpg average and 40mpg on a run when needed.
Is that the current 272hp efficient dynamics one or the earlier (258ps iirc) version?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52
I bought a 330i efficent dynamics because I felt the combination of power and economy was superb
NoelWatson said:
dxb335d said:
Despite whats been previously said, it is not as quick as a 335d.
I assume you are talking about in gear acceleration rather than a drag race.Whatever, it's very close & if you want an auto, the 335d is an excellent option.
Edited by abarber on Saturday 28th June 09:42
abarber said:
NoelWatson said:
dxb335d said:
Despite whats been previously said, it is not as quick as a 335d.
I assume you are talking about in gear acceleration rather than a drag race.Whatever, it's very close & if you want an auto, the 335d is an excellent option.
Edited by abarber on Saturday 28th June 09:17
Edited by NoelWatson on Saturday 28th June 09:49
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