420d, 520d or 330d?
Discussion
Decisions, decisions.
29 years old, just coming out of a company car scheme (Vauxhall Astra/Insignia), 15-20k miles per year.
Looking at either a personal loan or PCP for a £20k purchase, and have narrowed(!) it down to either a 420d, 520d or, more recently, a 330d, all in M-Sport spec, automatic, and all available within budget with around 10-20k on the clock, which is key as I'll be keeping the car for 5 years ish, so circa 100k added.
Each car is pretty similar inside, and I'm more of a pipe and slippers kind of bloke than a Club 18-30's lad, probably due to my job.
Love the looks of the 4 series, love the barge factor of the 5 series, and love the prospects of the x30d engine! (Not test driven either yet as I fear the x30d may make my mind up for me!) Budget will not stretch to a 430d or 530d.
Which one would YOU go for, and WHY?
29 years old, just coming out of a company car scheme (Vauxhall Astra/Insignia), 15-20k miles per year.
Looking at either a personal loan or PCP for a £20k purchase, and have narrowed(!) it down to either a 420d, 520d or, more recently, a 330d, all in M-Sport spec, automatic, and all available within budget with around 10-20k on the clock, which is key as I'll be keeping the car for 5 years ish, so circa 100k added.
Each car is pretty similar inside, and I'm more of a pipe and slippers kind of bloke than a Club 18-30's lad, probably due to my job.
Love the looks of the 4 series, love the barge factor of the 5 series, and love the prospects of the x30d engine! (Not test driven either yet as I fear the x30d may make my mind up for me!) Budget will not stretch to a 430d or 530d.
Which one would YOU go for, and WHY?
335d said:
Buy a 330d unless you are 29 going on 80!
I'm 29 going on 50, so that probably puts me in the 330d bracket, no?Seriously, whilst out with 2 of my 40+ year old colleagues, my own mother commented that we all looked the same age! And they don't look like they're in their late 20's!
Big GT said:
OP - Are you claiming you Business miles back? If so you will get around 2p per mile extra with the larger 3ltr which adds up!
Anyway 330d - That engine and gearbox will make you smile genuine supercar in gear shove. I had the 430d and for me that engine glossed over the modern BMW problems, road noise, vague steering, Idrive, stupid drive modes etc. The 2ltr will not do this.
Car will be run privately, so 45p per mile regardless. Obviously this means the x20d will make me more money than the x30d...but I am prepared to compromise!Anyway 330d - That engine and gearbox will make you smile genuine supercar in gear shove. I had the 430d and for me that engine glossed over the modern BMW problems, road noise, vague steering, Idrive, stupid drive modes etc. The 2ltr will not do this.
Trabi601 said:
Only if you compare like with like - a 520d is more refined than a 330d. But a 530d would be better than both.
Really appreciate all of the responses, and the debate has been enjoyable to read. Lots of different opinions!This post kind of sums up the reason for the question really. Obviously a 330d is better than a 320d, but is the 520d 'better' than the 330d. Better in what terms is the next question, and for me it is about refinement. Not many of those 20k miles will be enjoyable to cover, as they'll be for work purposes.
If only I could stretch to a 530d, there would be no need for the question, but it's a tall order I think. Maybe I could wait a few months until the new 5 is plentiful, and see if that drives the price of the F10 530d down towards the man-math side of doable!
Evening all.
Just noticed this thread has gone 'live' again, so thought it would be rude to disappoint you!
I ended up with an auto 520d tourer in M Sport spec. Not 'my' car as such, as one became available on the company car scheme owing to a previous employee leaving. 2 years old with 12,000 miles on the clock when it fell into my hands.
It was less hassle to go with this as it saved me organising a loan, insurance, tax etc, and worrying about servicing bills and running costs etc. It's just had an interim service at Sytner BMW at a cost of £359, and had a new tyre owing to a puncture at £170 so kind of relieved that the company are picking up the tab!
It's great as a barge, wafting around effortlessly enough, although fuel economy isn't great at an average of 44mpg so far over 4000 ish miles! With the auto box it's plenty quick enough for the kind of driving I do.
It's costing me £340 a month in tax though, which is making me question how much longer I stay in the company car scheme. Once we've remortgaged next year I may opt out and go for a straight six 3 or 5. Happy enough with having a BMW, not as brash as the newer MB's or Audi's.
Thanks for all the input to the thread.
Just noticed this thread has gone 'live' again, so thought it would be rude to disappoint you!
I ended up with an auto 520d tourer in M Sport spec. Not 'my' car as such, as one became available on the company car scheme owing to a previous employee leaving. 2 years old with 12,000 miles on the clock when it fell into my hands.
It was less hassle to go with this as it saved me organising a loan, insurance, tax etc, and worrying about servicing bills and running costs etc. It's just had an interim service at Sytner BMW at a cost of £359, and had a new tyre owing to a puncture at £170 so kind of relieved that the company are picking up the tab!
It's great as a barge, wafting around effortlessly enough, although fuel economy isn't great at an average of 44mpg so far over 4000 ish miles! With the auto box it's plenty quick enough for the kind of driving I do.
It's costing me £340 a month in tax though, which is making me question how much longer I stay in the company car scheme. Once we've remortgaged next year I may opt out and go for a straight six 3 or 5. Happy enough with having a BMW, not as brash as the newer MB's or Audi's.
Thanks for all the input to the thread.
Keith R said:
So in conclusion, if you want comfort, refinement and the feeling of being cosseted on your daily commute, get the 520d. If you love driving get the 330d. 
This sums it up perfectly I guess, although I'm saying this not having driven a 330d (as I knew heart would win over mind!).I would love to say I 'love' driving, and I promise you I used too, but now with the kind of driving I do which consists of mway miles and a 5 mile dull commute to work comprising of no less than 18 sets of traffic lights (thanks to the Nottingham Tram system), the auto 520d suits my needs perfectly.
Edited to say this post is slightly spooky as it's my 520th on the forum!!
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