More diesel BMW talk

[Andrew[MG]]

Given the choice of these three, which would you choose?

• E46 330d Coupe (quite rare I think) - £12k
• E90 330d 4 door - £13k
• 123d Coupe - £15k

All in sport guise....

[J500ANT]

Can't you run to a remapped 335d or 535d? I hear they're popular in these circles

[HellDiver]

Or a MX-5?

[RobM77]

I've driven all three, owned an E46 and E90 (as has my Dad) and I've driven the 1 series quite a bit (all variants). I prefer the E90 and 1 series to the E46, so the E46 is the first one to go. The remaining choice between the 1 and 3 is tricky - the 1 is smaller, which I always prefer, but the 3 has a bit more adjustment on the seats, is quieter at speed and proportionately more interior space for the exterior dimensions and weight. I also don't like the way the 1 series looks, but find the 3 series more acceptable. So the E90 wins for me.

edited to add - I probably wouldn't go for the Sport guise. I've not tried a sport diesel before, but I have compared a sport petrol (135i, 335i) with a standard diesel, and prefer the standard car because I find it a more fluid drive.

Edited by RobM77 on Friday 4th February 15:13

[Andrew[MG]]

Is the massive weight of the E90 not an issue if you want to do a little hooning?

[edo]

Andrew[MG] said:

Is the massive weight of the E90 not an issue if you want to do a little hooning?

Is the E90 that much heavier than an E46?

[edo]

edo said:

Is the E90 that much heavier than an E46?

Edit: wiki "E90 weighs between 50 lb (23 kg) and 300 lb (140 kg) more than comparable older models"

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I wouldn't pay £12k for an e46 diesel.

Can you get 123d coupes for £15k?

I have driven the 330d, which is great, and I own a 123d, which I also think is great.

It's really up to you as they are different cars. Both are nippy (especially when remapped) and are enjoyable to drive. The 330d will sound better, but the 123d doesn't sound too bad really.

So - in summary - give them both a try.

[RobM77]

edo said:

Edit: wiki "E90 weighs between 50 lb (23 kg) and 300 lb (140 kg) more than comparable older models"

I still prefer the E90 though. I won't bore you with a two page analysis, but I just prefer the way it drives, I find the driving position more adjustable and it's quieter at speed (with modest tyres!). I'll also hold my hand up and say I was wrong about iDrive in the past - I still feel I'd rather have a button for everything so I can keep my eyes on the road, but the sheer number of features iDrive's brought into modern BMWs has, I believe, enhanced the experience. Look at the steering, throttle and diff options in the M3 for example! Brilliant.

[R360]

E46 330CD as long as its a sport!

[CarbonM5]

If the E90 is on RFT (most are) then the E46 will be a much nicer drive and same goes for the 123d-they are just soo laden feeling at each corner of the car,but without them they are equivalent to the E46 if not slightly better in even in sport trim.

I still prefer the drive of the E46 though;more linear brakes and classic style..but the E90/87 does not seem to wear out at all,I drove a 170k mile E90 320d and apart from a baggy ride everything else was mint.

[redtwin]

E90. I am not keen on E46 coupes unless in M3 guise. 1 series are just unpleasant.

[Jobbo]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

I wouldn't pay £12k for an e46 diesel.

I don't think you'd be able to - even the highest priced E46 330Cd on Auto Trader when I looked earlier this week was under £10k.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

redtwin said:

1 series are just unpleasant.

How so? Which models have you driven?

[frosted]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

redtwin said:

1 series are just unpleasant.

How so? Which models have you driven?

You can say that about most of the BMW range bar a few good engines

[Petrol Eddie]

Depends on the cars and your needs. With the lack of info I'd go for E90 330d but only if it was in M sport guise.

[///Mike]

123d, ditch the runflats, get a remap (265bhp) and you have sorted little car with brilliant performance and economy.

E90 330D is lovely too, especially after a remap and proper tyres have been added.

E46 was and still is a fantastic car but feels dated compared to the other two options.

The E90 would make a better motorway cruiser and the little 1er is more fun on B roads.

Out of the two engines I prefer the feel and sound of the 6 cylinder naturally but the twin turbo lump in the 123d is by far the best 4 cyl diseasal I have ever driven.

I probably should have bought a 330/335D with the miles I do. I cannot shake off my mates remapped e909 330d on the motorway with my 135, nothing in it at all apart from the fact he gets more than twice as many miles from a tank

[Republik]

How much are D3 Aplinas?

[///Mike]

Republik said:

How much are D3 Aplinas?

Good shout, about 15K upwards unless you want one thats been to the moon and back.

The only issue I have found when looking for a D3 for a mate is that hardly any of them come with any decent spec levels inside. I think its down to the fact that if you buy an Alpina you have to pay a fee of £1500 approx before you can start ticking any of the boxes that BMW might offer for the interior.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

frosted said:

Ecurie Ecosse said:

redtwin said:

1 series are just unpleasant.

How so? Which models have you driven?

You can say that about most of the BMW range bar a few good engines

OK, but the unit in the 123d is rather good.