Discussion
Well, I have just been for a drive in a 330d, just for interest, as I am looking for a 330i touring & the dealer didn't have one. It was actually quite good - it felt a bit quicker than the petrol 330i soft top I tried! You could barely tell it was a diesel when it started, which impressed me too.
So, what do you think? Petrol or diesel?
How much does it cost to chip a diesel anyway - can it be done for sensible money & have useful gains without dropping the mpg down to petrol levels?
Ta
So, what do you think? Petrol or diesel?
How much does it cost to chip a diesel anyway - can it be done for sensible money & have useful gains without dropping the mpg down to petrol levels?
Ta
m12, until this morning I would have agreed with you. Have a go in one, you'll be surprised. The 330i isn't exactly lightning fast - shame they didn't do an M3 touring, that would be better. So, out and out performance isn't an issue as it isn't really a sports car, just a reasonably quick estate that you can have a bit of fun with. Can you do with that with the 330d? That is what I am thinking.
The thing is, I don't know if I can bring myself to actually buy one ( a diesel that is), so i'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same thoughts.
The thing is, I don't know if I can bring myself to actually buy one ( a diesel that is), so i'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same thoughts.
Hum, maybe I need to take a petrol touring out for a drive then. The 330i I drove was a soft top and wasn't very inspiring (sorry to all those who have them!). Sounded good though. The diesel touring felt a lot more planted and sharp. Maybe the set up is different. I'll try to find a dealer who has both and test them side by side.
Well, that got a few more replies than I was expecting!
The thing is, the best bit about my Griffith wasn't revving the nuts off it, it was enjoying the huge torque curve when pulling from low revs in a high gear (unless there was a tunnel around
). At the other end of the spectrum, I have driven a Honda S2000 and hated the power delivery - sounded & felt like a lawnmower and you look like a be-hooded 16 year old driving around at 8000rpm to keep it in the power band. Technically great engine, but practically bloody awful.
I am leaning towards the oil burner!
The thing is, the best bit about my Griffith wasn't revving the nuts off it, it was enjoying the huge torque curve when pulling from low revs in a high gear (unless there was a tunnel around
). At the other end of the spectrum, I have driven a Honda S2000 and hated the power delivery - sounded & felt like a lawnmower and you look like a be-hooded 16 year old driving around at 8000rpm to keep it in the power band. Technically great engine, but practically bloody awful. I am leaning towards the oil burner!
John R, I have only just stopped laughing! You deserve 
for that.
Chaps, a few of you have missed the point of my initial question. BMW didn't make an M3 estate, so it isn't a 330d v M3 debate. Totally different animals really. Like comparing a 911 turbo and a Land rover discovery. Okay, a bit harsh, but you know what I mean.
The 535d is a rather good motor, even more so when you chip it. I would love to experience the tarmac ripping torque 535d's car produces, but if it is that kind of thing you want, wouldn't a better comparison be with an RS6? (Can't wait to see the replies to that!).
Now, to throw a spanner into the works, for second hand 330i/330d touring money you can get an S4 avant (of the 2.7 turbo variety) or a Merc C43 AMG. Now, with a budget of 12k, which of those four estates would you buy? (remember, it is an estate, not a track day car - if I wanted one of those it would have to be a TVR Tuscan racer!) On 90 out of 100 days it will be used to go to the tip, Sainsburys and sit in traffic jams. However, and this is the big however, when the roads are clear and the bags of rubbish removed, it needs to be fun.
Over to you.
for that. Chaps, a few of you have missed the point of my initial question. BMW didn't make an M3 estate, so it isn't a 330d v M3 debate. Totally different animals really. Like comparing a 911 turbo and a Land rover discovery. Okay, a bit harsh, but you know what I mean.
The 535d is a rather good motor, even more so when you chip it. I would love to experience the tarmac ripping torque 535d's car produces, but if it is that kind of thing you want, wouldn't a better comparison be with an RS6? (Can't wait to see the replies to that!).
Now, to throw a spanner into the works
, for second hand 330i/330d touring money you can get an S4 avant (of the 2.7 turbo variety) or a Merc C43 AMG. Now, with a budget of 12k, which of those four estates would you buy? (remember, it is an estate, not a track day car - if I wanted one of those it would have to be a TVR Tuscan racer!) On 90 out of 100 days it will be used to go to the tip, Sainsburys and sit in traffic jams. However, and this is the big however, when the roads are clear and the bags of rubbish removed, it needs to be fun. Over to you.
Well, 26 pages! (24 of them are utter rubbish though!)
Test drove a 330d auto touring this week and I think my mind is made up.
The 330d is a fabulous car to drive, and it suits the auto box far more than the manual.
Mid range acceleration is very impressive and at motorway speeds it really is better than the petrol (IMHO).
The petrol is a fine engine too - I am not going to knock it at all, but the diesel has it for me. Never thought I'd hear myself say that.
Unfortunately I got out of the demo car before I turned the oil burner off. Must remember not to do that again. It sounds awful.
So, 330d it is then, guess I will just have to never put the windows down, turn the engine off before I get out or just play the sterio loud!
Oh, and anyone who goes into a showroom to buy a new M5 and comes out with a 535d instead is, in my opinion
Ps I'm just going to have a test drive in a Merc C43 AMG estate before I hand over my cash! I'll let you know what happens. Not that you are interested, but I'm going to tell you anyway!
Test drove a 330d auto touring this week and I think my mind is made up.
The 330d is a fabulous car to drive, and it suits the auto box far more than the manual.
Mid range acceleration is very impressive and at motorway speeds it really is better than the petrol (IMHO).
The petrol is a fine engine too - I am not going to knock it at all, but the diesel has it for me. Never thought I'd hear myself say that.
Unfortunately I got out of the demo car before I turned the oil burner off. Must remember not to do that again. It sounds awful.
So, 330d it is then, guess I will just have to never put the windows down, turn the engine off before I get out or just play the sterio loud!
Oh, and anyone who goes into a showroom to buy a new M5 and comes out with a 535d instead is, in my opinion
Ps I'm just going to have a test drive in a Merc C43 AMG estate before I hand over my cash! I'll let you know what happens. Not that you are interested, but I'm going to tell you anyway!
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