Swapping LCI 320d for pre-LCI 330i?
Discussion
Afternoon all
I have a 58 320d, remapped, LCI e91 touring, but don't need a diesel as do low mileage and don't like the short power band either.
I have my eye on a 330i 06 plate and have been offered a straight swap from a garage.
I haven't driven a 330i yet, but have high hopes that it's going to be a hell of a lot more fun and engaging than my diesel.
Any advice on this? Anything to consider in terms of spec or what I won't be getting on the 06 car that I have on the 58 aside from external cosmetic differences?
Going to test drive on Sunday, so any advice or recommendations/things to watch out for much appreciated!
I have a 58 320d, remapped, LCI e91 touring, but don't need a diesel as do low mileage and don't like the short power band either.
I have my eye on a 330i 06 plate and have been offered a straight swap from a garage.
I haven't driven a 330i yet, but have high hopes that it's going to be a hell of a lot more fun and engaging than my diesel.
Any advice on this? Anything to consider in terms of spec or what I won't be getting on the 06 car that I have on the 58 aside from external cosmetic differences?
Going to test drive on Sunday, so any advice or recommendations/things to watch out for much appreciated!
Smuler said:
Diesels are usually more expensive to buy, so would a straight swap for an older petrol car be a good deal? I mean, could you sell your diesel separately and then negotiate on the list price of the 330i?
When I last test drove a pre-LCI car, the Navigation / I drive was a lot more basic than a LCI car I drove, so that might be a factor. Might be worth checking, if you can drag your attention away from the lovely N/A noise of a 330i.
Neither cars have i-Drive, so no issues there. I think I could get a grand more if I sold mind privately, and the 330i might be a little pricey for the age (£11k 06 plate), so there is room for a bit of negotiation, but the 330i and 335i do also seem to hold their value well as they're quite rare in Touring guise.When I last test drove a pre-LCI car, the Navigation / I drive was a lot more basic than a LCI car I drove, so that might be a factor. Might be worth checking, if you can drag your attention away from the lovely N/A noise of a 330i.
Swervin_Mervin said:
pattyg said:
I'd save up for an LCI 330i or 335i if I were you. Pre LCI looks dated IMHO.
I'd sooner have the more reliable N52 any day.Swervin_Mervin said:
They may not be tbh. But there's much love for the N52 and that doesn't seem to prevail for the N53.
When I was looking the reliability was a key thing for me so I actively sought out the N52. Local Indy seemed to back up what I'd read about N52 vs N53 and N54.
If the looks bother you it's not a huge amount to tweak the pre-LCI a little.
What sort of tweaks? The main thing that I think ages the car is the rear lights. When I was looking the reliability was a key thing for me so I actively sought out the N52. Local Indy seemed to back up what I'd read about N52 vs N53 and N54.
If the looks bother you it's not a huge amount to tweak the pre-LCI a little.
bennyboysvuk said:
The 330i does suck the fuel a bit, but if you're happy with that and the rather 'safe' handling characteristics of the car then the 330i could be for you.
Mine's heavier on the fuel than I was expecting, around town it barely betters 19mpg and on b-roads it doesn't better 23mpg if you're going briskly. I don't think I've ever seen 30mpg from it, even on long motorway cruises.
The engine/exhaust does sound good from outside, but it's extremely muted inside unless you're heading for the redline.
Part of the reason for choosing the car was that there are no turbos, DPFs, HP fuel pumps or any wallet churning surprises and it won't land me on the side of an autoroute when driving through France and from that perspective, it's been great.
Handling wise I'm expecting it to be very similar to my 320d. Economy doesn't bother me as i do 5k pa. I really miss the sound of a nice engine, having sold my Chimaera last year and this being my first diesel I literally can't stand the noise the cr makes when I start it up. Mine's heavier on the fuel than I was expecting, around town it barely betters 19mpg and on b-roads it doesn't better 23mpg if you're going briskly. I don't think I've ever seen 30mpg from it, even on long motorway cruises.
The engine/exhaust does sound good from outside, but it's extremely muted inside unless you're heading for the redline.
Part of the reason for choosing the car was that there are no turbos, DPFs, HP fuel pumps or any wallet churning surprises and it won't land me on the side of an autoroute when driving through France and from that perspective, it's been great.
bennyboysvuk said:
Mervin's absolutely right. The 3 series is the same size as the old 5 series. It's a heavy cruisy barge with an automatic gearbox. It's also set up to handle like an Audi A8 (understeer central). The 6 cylinder petrol engine does sound nice, but all throttle response is ruined by the autobox. It's a very unexciting car to drive. By comparison, the 120D (mine's an M-Sport manual) is a whippet of a thing that darts into corners and has the back coming into play on corner entry much like Clio 182s of old. It's also tiny compared to the 3 series and thus gives you loads more options for where to place the car on a b-road.
Interesting to hear a contrasting opinion as almost all other owners are singing the car's praises. Personally I'm happy with the size and handling characteristics of my 320d, but find the short sharp jerky acceleration unsatisfying. The short time between gear changes always reminds me of being driven in a minicab. My hope is the 330i will be the perfect mix. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff