Used BMW 330D or 335D? 2014 latest. Plus what spec?
Discussion
Firstly morning all,
So my predicament, I really want a 3-Series BMW. My current situation has me put on average 700 miles every two weeks and mostly motorway miles. Which has brought me to the assumption of a diesel, that and all the torque the 330d/330d Xdrive/335d Xdrive have readily available. Ideally I don’t want to buy one older than 2014 but I realistically only have £18,500 (Cash) to spend and having a little one doesn’t allow me to finance currently.
Like many here, I’m thinking M-Sport, below 40,000 miles and rear view camera (My garage is tiny) as a minimum spec.
Is there any must have specs I should look out for? Realistically which is the better car for my needs? All within that tight of a budget and Has anyone advice on haggling for a price closer to my budget? And finally what would be the highest price of a vehicle I could haggle to my max price ?
Thank you all in advance
So my predicament, I really want a 3-Series BMW. My current situation has me put on average 700 miles every two weeks and mostly motorway miles. Which has brought me to the assumption of a diesel, that and all the torque the 330d/330d Xdrive/335d Xdrive have readily available. Ideally I don’t want to buy one older than 2014 but I realistically only have £18,500 (Cash) to spend and having a little one doesn’t allow me to finance currently.
Like many here, I’m thinking M-Sport, below 40,000 miles and rear view camera (My garage is tiny) as a minimum spec.
Is there any must have specs I should look out for? Realistically which is the better car for my needs? All within that tight of a budget and Has anyone advice on haggling for a price closer to my budget? And finally what would be the highest price of a vehicle I could haggle to my max price ?
Thank you all in advance
Edited by BMWJay on Sunday 6th January 10:24
Almost nothing between the 2 so might as well go for the 335D with xDrive and enjoy the sub 5 second 0-60 time and better traction as MPG difference is negligible, especially on a motorway run.
I wouldn't buy outside the BMW approved network personally as have had numerous issues with 3 and 5 series in the past that would have been very expensive to resolve without the official used warranty.
This pretty much ticks all the boxes and has the reverse camera.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201811282826975
The M-Sport Plus package would be a nice to have as adds some decent options but nothing in budget at the minute.
I wouldn't buy outside the BMW approved network personally as have had numerous issues with 3 and 5 series in the past that would have been very expensive to resolve without the official used warranty.
This pretty much ticks all the boxes and has the reverse camera.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201811282826975
The M-Sport Plus package would be a nice to have as adds some decent options but nothing in budget at the minute.
I think your budget is OK and you should be able to get into an LCI/facelift car for that money which is a worthy upgrade
I ran a 335d for a couple of years and its a great car
Having said that the 330d is usefully lighter and the AWD adds nothing to winter driving due to the awful Bridgestone runflats on my car and plus the weight penalty of the AWD system and so I wouldnt totally exclude the 330d, and Id definitely fit winters on both if I went back to the BMW family again. The 4wd versions also run softer suspension that 2wd and can be a bit wallowy so dont expect your 335d to corner like a Lotus
ProNav is probably a 'must have.' It adds nothing to functionality, but does look pretty, and its routing with BMW traffic is crap. I wouldnt pay for it on a new car again - utter waste of £800 - but would expect it if buying second hand.
I never felt the need for a reverse camera, although Ive never had a car with one and so havent come to rely on them, the car always felt compact enough to squeeze into tight spaces with the standard sensors.
Some owners splurge up to 10k on options and theres a wide choice none of which are essential.
If I was looking Id want extended storage for the clever boot stuff, 12V in back seat and cubby near the light switch - no joke my fave bit of the package - and either BMW advanced speakers or the full HK upgrade as the standard stereo is crap. Nothing else springs to mind as essential but its all nice to have, especially if someone else has initially paid for it
Try the forum linked below for sales and wants, obvs Id avoid a first time poster but the regulars occasionally flog their cars there and you can check through their posting history to see what kind of an ownership experience they've had with a particular car
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php...
Cheers
SWoll said:
Almost nothing between the 2 so might as well go for the 335D with xDrive and enjoy the sub 5 second 0-60 time and better traction as MPG difference is negligible, especially on a motorway run.
I wouldn't buy outside the BMW approved network personally as have had numerous issues with 3 and 5 series in the past that would have been very expensive to resolve without the official used warranty.
This pretty much ticks all the boxes and has the reverse camera.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201811282826975
The M-Sport Plus package would be a nice to have as adds some decent options but nothing in budget at the minute.
What an odd spec, everything on it but the M plus pack, would have been cheaper to pay for the pack and get the HK Xenons etc.I wouldn't buy outside the BMW approved network personally as have had numerous issues with 3 and 5 series in the past that would have been very expensive to resolve without the official used warranty.
This pretty much ticks all the boxes and has the reverse camera.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201811282826975
The M-Sport Plus package would be a nice to have as adds some decent options but nothing in budget at the minute.
My advice would be to definitely go for an LCI spec with the LED rear lights and full led lights if you’re lucky enough to find one. The full LED’s became standard on M sports after 2016, however before then, they came with the M sport plus pack unless they were specced seperatley.
The 335d will command a higher price over the 330d so at your price range, the only 335d’s that will be available will be poverty ex lease cars with no options. I’d definitely go for a 330d as most will have been bought/PCP’d privately with the desirable options.
Me personally, I find the Pro Nav and HK essential, the pro Nav comes with the black panel display for the instrument cluster and improves the interior of the car, it makes it look newer, otherwise the standard instrument cluster looks like it’s come out of a 2003 car.
I’m into my music so HK is a must, I believe the standard 3 series come with 4 speakers only.
In terms of performance, I haven’t driven a 335d so I can’t comment however I’ve had my 430d for 2 years now and I haven’t thought twice about upgrading or wondering what it’s like. Still not used to how well it picks up speed through the gears. I had a choice between a bare 435d and a kitted our 430d and went with the latter.
The 335d will command a higher price over the 330d so at your price range, the only 335d’s that will be available will be poverty ex lease cars with no options. I’d definitely go for a 330d as most will have been bought/PCP’d privately with the desirable options.
Me personally, I find the Pro Nav and HK essential, the pro Nav comes with the black panel display for the instrument cluster and improves the interior of the car, it makes it look newer, otherwise the standard instrument cluster looks like it’s come out of a 2003 car.
I’m into my music so HK is a must, I believe the standard 3 series come with 4 speakers only.
In terms of performance, I haven’t driven a 335d so I can’t comment however I’ve had my 430d for 2 years now and I haven’t thought twice about upgrading or wondering what it’s like. Still not used to how well it picks up speed through the gears. I had a choice between a bare 435d and a kitted our 430d and went with the latter.
My advice would be to get a 2015 onwards model to counter the ULEZ zone that will start appearing in more Cities around the UK.
M Sport+ 335d but it does mean stretching the budget & allowing the mileage limit to be stretched to 19k, I'd also budget for a set of springs which improve the ride no end.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
RWD 330d M Sport Plus means your back in budget & these IMO ride better than the Xdrive cars
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
M Sport+ 335d but it does mean stretching the budget & allowing the mileage limit to be stretched to 19k, I'd also budget for a set of springs which improve the ride no end.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
RWD 330d M Sport Plus means your back in budget & these IMO ride better than the Xdrive cars
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Firstly, Thank you all for the amount of useful information, enthusiasm and support. I truly asked the right forum.
The general consensus here would be for the 330D due to limited budget. The 335D bare bones, potentially neglected meaning i should only buy from approved used or the 330D partially kitted out? I spend up to 10 hours in the car most weekends (split 5&5hrs) so extra specs are probably key and Automatic transmission.
Ive now changed by search up a year to 2015 automatic both for the facelift model (those LEDs rear look amazing but expensive to retrofit) and to ensure i don't get caught with the ever growing ULEZ restrictions and charges.
Adaptive Suspension is suggested a lot. Would we say this is a must have? HK and Pro-Nav have a lot of votes too. Im also really into my music and a good audiobook on long trips so i think HK is also a must. Anything i may have missed?
With the options adding up and the price of the car, does anyone also have any tips on haggling if so with my max amount of money at £18500, what price range would be fair and acceptable to aim for, to reduce to £18,500 and any other tips in general. Im sure im not the only one that had this but i was taken to the cleaners when i bought my first car.
To summarise, Still close between 330d & 335d, leaning more towards 330d. M Sport 2015 LCI, specs wise aiming for HK, Pro Nav, Reverse Cam minimum? Price to aim to reduce and tips needed.
Lastly, Thank you all so far.
J
The general consensus here would be for the 330D due to limited budget. The 335D bare bones, potentially neglected meaning i should only buy from approved used or the 330D partially kitted out? I spend up to 10 hours in the car most weekends (split 5&5hrs) so extra specs are probably key and Automatic transmission.
Ive now changed by search up a year to 2015 automatic both for the facelift model (those LEDs rear look amazing but expensive to retrofit) and to ensure i don't get caught with the ever growing ULEZ restrictions and charges.
Adaptive Suspension is suggested a lot. Would we say this is a must have? HK and Pro-Nav have a lot of votes too. Im also really into my music and a good audiobook on long trips so i think HK is also a must. Anything i may have missed?
With the options adding up and the price of the car, does anyone also have any tips on haggling if so with my max amount of money at £18500, what price range would be fair and acceptable to aim for, to reduce to £18,500 and any other tips in general. Im sure im not the only one that had this but i was taken to the cleaners when i bought my first car.
To summarise, Still close between 330d & 335d, leaning more towards 330d. M Sport 2015 LCI, specs wise aiming for HK, Pro Nav, Reverse Cam minimum? Price to aim to reduce and tips needed.
Lastly, Thank you all so far.
J
Just to re-iterate as someone who's had issues with 3 separate used BMW's over the years I would strongly advise buying approved used for the proper warranty coverage.
E46 330i - Needed entire engine harness replacing after multiple attempts to resolve issues with car going into limp home mode after refueling.
E60 530D - Needed new auto gearbox after faulty seal allowed the ATF fluid to drain from the sump and gearbox to tear itself apart.
F10 530i - Faulty batch of fuel injectors caused misfire problem that knackered the catalytic converter. Needed new CAT, injectors, coil packs etc.
All covered and didn't have to put my hand in my pocket once. I'd guess £5k worth of work easily and all cars were less than 5 years old with < 50k miles.
Edit to add - Have a read of this thread if you need an example of why you are best advised to get an official BMW warranty https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
E46 330i - Needed entire engine harness replacing after multiple attempts to resolve issues with car going into limp home mode after refueling.
E60 530D - Needed new auto gearbox after faulty seal allowed the ATF fluid to drain from the sump and gearbox to tear itself apart.
F10 530i - Faulty batch of fuel injectors caused misfire problem that knackered the catalytic converter. Needed new CAT, injectors, coil packs etc.
All covered and didn't have to put my hand in my pocket once. I'd guess £5k worth of work easily and all cars were less than 5 years old with < 50k miles.
Edit to add - Have a read of this thread if you need an example of why you are best advised to get an official BMW warranty https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by SWoll on Monday 7th January 13:17
I’ll be following this thread to see how you get on OP. I could see myself in 3-series touring in the future but most seem to be diesels...the performance of the 335d would hopefully cancel out the diesel clatter!
Depressing to hear so much talk of only buying approved used though...are modern cars really that bad?! Might have to stick with my older cars that don’t seem to cost crazy dosh per year in repair work (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood...)!
Depressing to hear so much talk of only buying approved used though...are modern cars really that bad?! Might have to stick with my older cars that don’t seem to cost crazy dosh per year in repair work (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood...)!
BUG4LIFE said:
I’ll be following this thread to see how you get on OP. I could see myself in 3-series touring in the future but most seem to be diesels...the performance of the 335d would hopefully cancel out the diesel clatter!
Depressing to hear so much talk of only buying approved used though...are modern cars really that bad?! Might have to stick with my older cars that don’t seem to cost crazy dosh per year in repair work (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood...)!
In the F series 3.0 diesels, there is no clatter unless you’re idling and you only hear it if the windows are down and you’re not playing music or standing outside, otherwise you can barely hear it, when pressing on or surfing the torque, all you hear is a nice straight 6 roar and the turbo whistle, brilliant engine! Depressing to hear so much talk of only buying approved used though...are modern cars really that bad?! Might have to stick with my older cars that don’t seem to cost crazy dosh per year in repair work (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood...)!
2015 330d owner here, nearing 97k with only horn failures to report.
Seems happier on Continental tyres than it did on Bridgestones
Ours is a company car, M Sport plus kit for the brakes, Pro Media were our main options - I consider them a must, drive some with/without but I'd be surprised if you didn't think the same after.
The only 335d I've been in was an Estate, and although quicker it felt very boaty/floaty on proper B roads, suspension and extra weight to blame for that I'd expect.
Plenty out there to test drive
Seems happier on Continental tyres than it did on Bridgestones
Ours is a company car, M Sport plus kit for the brakes, Pro Media were our main options - I consider them a must, drive some with/without but I'd be surprised if you didn't think the same after.
The only 335d I've been in was an Estate, and although quicker it felt very boaty/floaty on proper B roads, suspension and extra weight to blame for that I'd expect.
Plenty out there to test drive
BMWJay said:
Firstly morning all,
So my predicament, I really want a 3-Series BMW. My current situation has me put on average 700 miles every two weeks and mostly motorway miles. Which has brought me to the assumption of a diesel, that and all the torque the 330d/330d Xdrive/335d Xdrive have readily available. Ideally I don’t want to buy one older than 2014 but I realistically only have £18,500 (Cash) to spend and having a little one doesn’t allow me to finance currently.
Like many here, I’m thinking M-Sport, below 40,000 miles and rear view camera (My garage is tiny) as a minimum spec.
Is there any must have specs I should look out for? Realistically which is the better car for my needs? All within that tight of a budget and Has anyone advice on haggling for a price closer to my budget? And finally what would be the highest price of a vehicle I could haggle to my max price ?
Thank you all in advance
Personally, I would wait until the new 3 series gets launched. Surely, that would send the values of the current used 3 series models down as some people trade up to the next generation? So my predicament, I really want a 3-Series BMW. My current situation has me put on average 700 miles every two weeks and mostly motorway miles. Which has brought me to the assumption of a diesel, that and all the torque the 330d/330d Xdrive/335d Xdrive have readily available. Ideally I don’t want to buy one older than 2014 but I realistically only have £18,500 (Cash) to spend and having a little one doesn’t allow me to finance currently.
Like many here, I’m thinking M-Sport, below 40,000 miles and rear view camera (My garage is tiny) as a minimum spec.
Is there any must have specs I should look out for? Realistically which is the better car for my needs? All within that tight of a budget and Has anyone advice on haggling for a price closer to my budget? And finally what would be the highest price of a vehicle I could haggle to my max price ?
Thank you all in advance
Edited by BMWJay on Sunday 6th January 10:24
Only have the small Nav on my 5 series, I wouldn't make ProNav an issue the standard works great and the map is only wider so not that useful. You can easily add an aftermarket rearview camera if it is only parking in your garage that is the issue. Neither my wife or I actually use the cameras on our cars much prefering eyes backed by sensors. As advised make sure Euro 6 compliant as it will be essential in the near future when visiting major towns.
After much more research and certainly this feed... My head is again unsettled between the 330d and 335d.
With London’s expansion of the ULEZ and Birmingham and Leeds both following suit (I travel between London and Live in Leeds) I feel I have to aim to be within that bracket. So ULEZ compliant 330D are vehicles from 2015 onwards and the 335D are from 2014 onwards. Gives a little play on the budget.
Used approved is certainly rated highly but with that comes the price difference, a minimum £1000 in most cases. Have we all (those reading this feed) had a lot of problems with the 3 Series Diesels ? This certainly limits what I can physically purchase.
As for waiting which sounds a fantastic idea to see what the market does. I’m currently working away and not back until early feb to which I’ll have a fair amount of time off, I won’t have a vehicle and a baby on a bus would be catastrophic.
Again it’s back to budgeting what price I should aim to lower and how I can reallistically lower a salesman/dealership.
Are we all in agreement that the 330D xdrive is a no? I’ve seen a few on the market but does that mean it gives the same handling dramas the 335D suffers?
With London’s expansion of the ULEZ and Birmingham and Leeds both following suit (I travel between London and Live in Leeds) I feel I have to aim to be within that bracket. So ULEZ compliant 330D are vehicles from 2015 onwards and the 335D are from 2014 onwards. Gives a little play on the budget.
Used approved is certainly rated highly but with that comes the price difference, a minimum £1000 in most cases. Have we all (those reading this feed) had a lot of problems with the 3 Series Diesels ? This certainly limits what I can physically purchase.
As for waiting which sounds a fantastic idea to see what the market does. I’m currently working away and not back until early feb to which I’ll have a fair amount of time off, I won’t have a vehicle and a baby on a bus would be catastrophic.
Again it’s back to budgeting what price I should aim to lower and how I can reallistically lower a salesman/dealership.
Are we all in agreement that the 330D xdrive is a no? I’ve seen a few on the market but does that mean it gives the same handling dramas the 335D suffers?
- Edit for poor grammar*
Edited by BMWJay on Tuesday 8th January 12:34
BMWJay said:
After much more research and certainly this feed... My head is again unsettled between the 330d and 335d.
With London’s expansion of the ULEZ and Birmingham and Leeds both following suit (I travel between London and Live in Leeds) I feel I have to aim to be within that bracket. So ULEZ compliant 330D are vehicles from 2015 onwards and the 335D are from 2014 onwards. Gives a little play on the budget.
Used approved is certainly rated highly but with that comes the price difference, a minimum £1000 in most cases. Have we all (those reading this feed) had a lot of problems with the 3 Series Diesels ? This certainly limits what I can physically purchase.
As for waiting which sounds a fantastic idea to see what the market does. I’m currently working away and not back until early feb to which I’ll have a fair amount of time off, I won’t have a vehicle and a baby on a bus would be catastrophic.
Again it’s back to budgeting what price I should aim to lower and how I can reallistically lower a salesman/dealership.
Are we all in agreement that the 330D xdrive is a no? I’ve seen a few on the market but does that mean it gives the same handling dramas the 335D suffers?
As I mention above, it's a pretty sad situation that buying privately would be deemed a big risk, due to reliability. I've never owned a car that cost thousands per year in repair/warranty work but then I seem to only own older cars [kiss of death!!!].With London’s expansion of the ULEZ and Birmingham and Leeds both following suit (I travel between London and Live in Leeds) I feel I have to aim to be within that bracket. So ULEZ compliant 330D are vehicles from 2015 onwards and the 335D are from 2014 onwards. Gives a little play on the budget.
Used approved is certainly rated highly but with that comes the price difference, a minimum £1000 in most cases. Have we all (those reading this feed) had a lot of problems with the 3 Series Diesels ? This certainly limits what I can physically purchase.
As for waiting which sounds a fantastic idea to see what the market does. I’m currently working away and not back until early feb to which I’ll have a fair amount of time off, I won’t have a vehicle and a baby on a bus would be catastrophic.
Again it’s back to budgeting what price I should aim to lower and how I can reallistically lower a salesman/dealership.
Are we all in agreement that the 330D xdrive is a no? I’ve seen a few on the market but does that mean it gives the same handling dramas the 335D suffers?
- Edit for poor grammar*
Edited by BMWJay on Tuesday 8th January 12:34
Buying a private car would probably get you a 335d wouldn't it? Can you buy private and then add a BMW warranty to it?
Chestrockwell said:
BUG4LIFE said:
I’ll be following this thread to see how you get on OP. I could see myself in 3-series touring in the future but most seem to be diesels...the performance of the 335d would hopefully cancel out the diesel clatter!
Depressing to hear so much talk of only buying approved used though...are modern cars really that bad?! Might have to stick with my older cars that don’t seem to cost crazy dosh per year in repair work (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood...)!
In the F series 3.0 diesels, there is no clatter unless you’re idling and you only hear it if the windows are down and you’re not playing music or standing outside, otherwise you can barely hear it, when pressing on or surfing the torque, all you hear is a nice straight 6 roar and the turbo whistle, brilliant engine! Depressing to hear so much talk of only buying approved used though...are modern cars really that bad?! Might have to stick with my older cars that don’t seem to cost crazy dosh per year in repair work (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood...)!
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