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
The modern 6 cylinder diesel is simpley awesome
They sound very similar to the old 525i, have decent performance, return a respectable mpg and are usually very very durable.
In todays world, I think diesel is definately an option even for the lead foot drivers!
I know that chipping a diesel is roughly the same price as a petrol and some chips claim to up power & improve mpg at the same time, but I would be sceptical until proven otherwise!
They sound very similar to the old 525i, have decent performance, return a respectable mpg and are usually very very durable.
In todays world, I think diesel is definately an option even for the lead foot drivers!
I know that chipping a diesel is roughly the same price as a petrol and some chips claim to up power & improve mpg at the same time, but I would be sceptical until proven otherwise!
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.
If its the "new" 330d then its 231BHP anyway! It wasnt that long ago that the 2.8 was around that mark. However, must point out that the "new" 330i engine is 258BHP so there is a difference. The petrol manual is quicker, but with an auto there is almost nothing in it for performance. In fact, add in economy and resale, then its a no-brainer for the diesel. Only the die-hard petrol fan would go for a 330i auto.
Your choice, but personally I would think long and hard about the 330d. Its a corker and the new lightweight engine means that it handles well too. Keep it for a year or two then get it chipped. Its cheaper and easier to get more power out of a 330d than a 330i. A small chip and double check of the program is less than £800 from a reputable place - 260+BHP and torque to tear up the roads.... ultimate Q-car? Maybe not, but not far off in my book....
If its an older 330d, its still a corker. But the new engine has the lead. I know a few people with 250+BHP 5-series 3.0d cars. Absolute monsters they are - and so far no draw backs. BMW have really got it right with the current set of engines....
Your choice, but personally I would think long and hard about the 330d. Its a corker and the new lightweight engine means that it handles well too. Keep it for a year or two then get it chipped. Its cheaper and easier to get more power out of a 330d than a 330i. A small chip and double check of the program is less than £800 from a reputable place - 260+BHP and torque to tear up the roads.... ultimate Q-car? Maybe not, but not far off in my book....
If its an older 330d, its still a corker. But the new engine has the lead. I know a few people with 250+BHP 5-series 3.0d cars. Absolute monsters they are - and so far no draw backs. BMW have really got it right with the current set of engines....
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.
Patrico said:
Please expand, what have you got against diesels?
Small power band, lack of revs, throttle response, carcinogenic soot bellowing out the back, the only advantage they have (torque at the flywheel) is completely eradicated by having to use longer gears due to the rev issue so you end up with the same torque at the wheels anyway which is the torque figure that is actually important. Still each to their own
m12_nathan said:
Please expand, what have you got against diesels?
Small power band, lack of revs, throttle response, carcinogenic soot bellowing out the back, the only advantage they have (torque at the flywheel) is completely eradicated by having to use longer gears due to the rev issue so you end up with the same torque at the wheels anyway which is the torque figure that is actually important. Still each to their own
Have to agree, backward power delivery and turbocharged. I'd rather have the throttle response and power range of a petrol any day....
I'm going through the same thought process as you-looking at getting a 3series next year.
I do 20k +miles a year and should really be driving diesel but still love my petrol for the sound and higher revs, especially with the Honda vtec I have-get to to redline at 7500-8000rpm which never fails to put a smile on my face.
My boss had a 535d which was phenomonal and seriously desirable until he traded it in for the M5. The 535d may have more torque than the M5 but you'd never know it driving in them back to back. I think what the figures don't tell you is HOW the torque is delivered. Although I have to admit this comparison is bit far removed from the 330 scenario.
If you are the type of driver that wants an instant hit of torque to pull away from the lights first everytime with minimal effort and enjoy never having to gear down to overtake than diesel is the way to go.
Some days I get a bit fed up of being left standing by TDI/320D's etc at the lights but as soon as they reaching for 2nd gear I'm into my power band at over 55000rpm and leave them standing. So now I just stay away from short drag races and pick my moments when I know I'll be able to use my revs.
Apart from the ahem..childish desire to be drag racing from the lights I love the exhaust note of the 330i. I've been in the Convertible and coupe and have to tell you the soft top spoils the car. Try a hardtop taking a hardtop for spin and try and drive it through a tunnel with the windows down to savour the exhuast note and your mind will be made up....
stringbag said:
Off again, It was 2 years old and I'm looking for an '01 plate. Is £800 the going rate for a chip, or can you get them cheaper? Anyone done it? Does your mpg take a nose dive (not that I really care...!)
If its 2 years old then its likely that its the 187 3.0d (or what ever the power output is). The full johnny-large-potatoes version was only introduced recently with the new shape one. But thats not to say that it is slow or crap - far from it. Its just a bit down on power and a smidge heavier.
As for a chip - you can get a plug-in one for less, but to be honest I would pay the money and get a BMW specialist to do it. Go for a full check, tune and test and you are looking at £800 - but worth its weight in gold. As for MPG - might even see an increase! Probably not much, but most TD's which are chipped can run leaner on cruise and hence improve the overall MPG. Though since it will have more power and torque, you will probably use it more and hence see a nose dive from there!
Oh, and not really fair to test a 330i cab - try a touring or salloon - the cab is quite a bit heavier and needs more work. Might be suprised. Oh, and dont forget that the 3.0i engine is actually quite economical too! So it really depends on what you want!
clived said:
carcinogenic soot bellowing out the back
You ever seen a EuroIV diesel running?
Everytime on of the "look how much torque I have, my car is faster than yours 4 up, in 6th between 45 and 46mph" puts his foot down on the motorway as he doesn't want to be overtaken.
m12_nathan said:
Everytime on of the "look how much torque I have, my car is faster than yours 4 up, in 6th between 45 and 46mph" puts his foot down on the motorway as he doesn't want to be overtaken.
Indeed there seems to be a commonly held view amongst TDI drivers (esp VAG) that the torque makes their cars very quick and they seem keen to prove this whenever possible. The simple fact is that in a high gear from a lowish speed the TDI is probably quicker than the petrol equivalent at pulling from the same speed in the same gear. What the TDI brigade don't realise is that this does not make it a quick car. Once the petrol car drops a gear to make use of power band then generally no contest. Had just such a numpty in a TDI Passat driving about an inch of the back end of the M3 last night. First straight bit of road and he looked genuinely suprised that he couldn't keep up.
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