330D vs 320D vs C250D - Page 1 - Car Buying

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Thursday 2nd January 2020

I'm actively on the hunt for a new car, my lease car goes back very soon and due to it's replacement getting delayed until March I decided to cancel and buy a car instead.

I've been looking at the 330D M Sport & C250D AMG Line both mostly 2016 and some 2017 model year. I haven't had as much time to research and familiarise myself with the models as I would like but I've figured out the following -

BMW 330D - I think this is what I want but seems like almost everything is an option and it's hard to find the right combo of options, let alone at the right price.

C250D - Much simpler on these, most of them have everything I would want but getting a premium plus one would be nice to get the electric seats and upgraded stereo. Only real gripe is that 2016 cars have the 7 speed and most 2017's have the 9 speed trans which I assume is better? I also can't put my finger on what but despite the more modern looking interior I just prefer the BMW, but not by much.

BMW 320D - Haven't actually test driven or been to see one of these specifically but I find myself leaning towards the BMW over the Mercedes and as there are a hell of a lot more 320D's around I have been thinking of taking the "sensible" option and going for one of these. Only problem is that getting one with the right options seems even more difficult, most of the cars don't even have front sensors and when you do find one with good options it's up at the same sort of money as a 330D with most of the decent options!

I haven't been actively looking for the XDrive versions of the BMW's, from what I have read it seems to be a bit unnecessary with a slight gain in weight, running costs and ride height.

I'm also pretty sure that I want a main dealer car and will end up paying more but if I do end up with a 330D I'll feel better with a year of manufactuer backed warranty.

My budget is anywhere from £15-£19k but at £19k I really don't want to be in a 320D. What would you go for if it was your money?

Edited by Al U on Thursday 2nd January 21:43

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

[report]

[news]

Thursday 2nd January 2020

anonymous-user

83 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 3rd January 2020

The 4 cylinder diesel engines are horrible things. Get the 3.0 unless you're skint.

Flumpo

4,024 posts

102 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 3rd January 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

Some fat, greasy fingered oaf has had that first jag. How do you wear the volume knob and start button that badly in 40k miles.

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 3rd January 2020

Thanks for the responses. I am pretty set on the cars I have listed, no Jags or Infiniti's this time round.

With regards to the 3 series, I have seen people on here before say that the 4-cyl diesel isn't nice, but are any of them? I have driven several 4-cyl diesel cars and don't really find myself bothered by vibration or sound to be honest. I'd want the 330D for the extra power mostly but the fact it's a 6 cylinder and apparently will be more smooth is attractive.

There seem to be a lot of 330 XDrive's available at the moment, what's the consensus on these? Are they worth more than the RWD 330D's generally come resale/part-ex time?

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 4th January 2020

Cheeky Saturday evening bump...

Smuler

2,288 posts

168 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 4th January 2020

Al U said:

Thanks for the responses. I am pretty set on the cars I have listed, no Jags or Infiniti's this time round.

With regards to the 3 series, I have seen people on here before say that the 4-cyl diesel isn't nice, but are any of them? I have driven several 4-cyl diesel cars and don't really find myself bothered by vibration or sound to be honest. I'd want the 330D for the extra power mostly but the fact it's a 6 cylinder and apparently will be more smooth is attractive.

There seem to be a lot of 330 XDrive's available at the moment, what's the consensus on these? Are they worth more than the RWD 330D's generally come resale/part-ex time?

I had the 20d in a 2017 X1
I’m used to more power , so drove it hard.
My 340i is only costing me 9p more to run.
330 would be a no brainier unless you can drive economically.
But then the X1 broke down at 44k miles.
I wouldn’t have a 4 cylinder again !

Only consider X drive if you feel you want it’s benefits. I know the 335d , it’s x drive only, was maligned for ride and handling as it forwent M sport suspension, not sure what happened with the other x drive models. If they are like the 335d tread carefully.

On x drive models make sure you only have * marked (means BMW approved) tyres as it can affect transmission and impact on warranty. You should be okay if buying approved but they do make errors.

Mr Tidy

31,214 posts

156 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 4th January 2020

I think the issue with the X-drive models was that they all got the SE suspension even if they were M-Sports.

I'm not sure X-drive offers much more than RWD if it has 19" wheels with low-profile tyres - this time of year an RWD with winter tyres would probably work better!

I had a couple of 4 cylinder BMW turbo-diesels back when I was doing business miles, but now I've discovered 6 cylinder petrol ones I think if I ever needed another diesel it would have to be a 6 pot.

OP just curious, but why haven't you mentioned the C320d - that would surely be a better comparison for a 330d.

Jag_NE

3,339 posts

129 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 4th January 2020

The 320d is more than adequate for anyone OP, a 6cyl just becomes non negotiable for some people as they can easily afford one. The 4cyl are quick and very economical. The roads are full of 320d good reason.

That being said, if you can somehow make a 6cyl affordable, I’d say it’s money well spent.

Pica-Pica

16,537 posts

113 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 4th January 2020

Smuler said:

I had the 20d in a 2017 X1
I’m used to more power , so drove it hard.
My 340i is only costing me 9p more to run.
330 would be a no brainier unless you can drive economically.
But then the X1 broke down at 44k miles.
I wouldn’t have a 4 cylinder again !

Only consider X drive if you feel you want it’s benefits. I know the 335d , it’s x drive only, was maligned for ride and handling as it forwent M sport suspension, not sure what happened with the other x drive models. If they are like the 335d tread carefully.

On x drive models make sure you only have * marked (means BMW approved) tyres as it can affect transmission and impact on warranty. You should be okay if buying approved but they do make errors.

Nothing wrong with a post-LCI 335d xdrive. Suspension is fine. Had mine 3 years now, great car.

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Smuler said:

I had the 20d in a 2017 X1
I’m used to more power , so drove it hard.
My 340i is only costing me 9p more to run.
330 would be a no brainier unless you can drive economically.
But then the X1 broke down at 44k miles.
I wouldn’t have a 4 cylinder again !

Only consider X drive if you feel you want it’s benefits. I know the 335d , it’s x drive only, was maligned for ride and handling as it forwent M sport suspension, not sure what happened with the other x drive models. If they are like the 335d tread carefully.

On x drive models make sure you only have * marked (means BMW approved) tyres as it can affect transmission and impact on warranty. You should be okay if buying approved but they do make errors.

I didn't mention that I am going to be doing 15k-25k per annum in this car, on the one hand that lends itself to going for a 320D but on the other it's like it would be nice to have a car I enjoy being in which I think I would more with the 330D. It's a proper heart vs head decision this one, part of me thinks I won't get to use the power that much so just get the 320D.

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Mr Tidy said:

I think the issue with the X-drive models was that they all got the SE suspension even if they were M-Sports.

I'm not sure X-drive offers much more than RWD if it has 19" wheels with low-profile tyres - this time of year an RWD with winter tyres would probably work better!

I had a couple of 4 cylinder BMW turbo-diesels back when I was doing business miles, but now I've discovered 6 cylinder petrol ones I think if I ever needed another diesel it would have to be a 6 pot.

OP just curious, but why haven't you mentioned the C320d - that would surely be a better comparison for a 330d.

There isn't a C320d?

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Jag_NE said:

The 320d is more than adequate for anyone OP, a 6cyl just becomes non negotiable for some people as they can easily afford one. The 4cyl are quick and very economical. The roads are full of 320d good reason.

That being said, if you can somehow make a 6cyl affordable, I’d say it’s money well spent.

I wouldn't say I am going to easily afford it if I do go for a 330D, but around my budget of £15k to £19k there are various 320D & 330D M sports both at the top and bottom of the budget. I worry about the economy a bit but from what I have read people say there is not a lot between them and for the performance uplift in the 330D most people say the economy hit is worth it.

cerb4.5lee

44,257 posts

209 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Al U said:

It's a proper heart vs head decision this one, part of me thinks I won't get to use the power that much so just get the 320D.

I've had both a 330d and a 520d...I wasn't that keen at all with the engine in the 520d. Yet I thought that the 330d was pretty much the complete all round car.

So for me it has to be the 330d. smile

cerb4.5lee

44,257 posts

209 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Al U said:

I worry about the economy a bit but from what I have read people say there is not a lot between them and for the performance uplift in the 330D most people say the economy hit is worth it.

It is!

IanJ9375

1,638 posts

245 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Appreciate the miles are high but this is our previous company car which has been to auction and now at this dealer - https://www.oasiscarsolutions.co.uk/used-cars/leed...

It's the fullest history you've every seen in your life and during it's 119k mileage only had the horn fail on us - if I'd of had a family member in need of a car I would have stopped it going to auction to be honest, I've no reason to think this car couldn't do another 100k without issue

MSport+ with Pro Media is a must imho

Oilchange

9,686 posts

289 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

Something like this.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

ye I know it aint German

DailyHack

4,393 posts

140 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

320d is all your ever going to need, they are quick (real world quick) cheap to run and tax -

I have a 318d which is still an adequate performer.

But, the 320d is great, and Chris Harris thinks it's the only car you ever need...and he has driven lots of cars. smile

But, I have just bought a twin-turbo 1.9 Saab aswell (not German) which feels alot faster than a 330d in the real world.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/the-bmw-320d-is...

Edited by DailyHack on Sunday 5th January 07:46

markymark34

142 posts

223 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

330d non X drive all the way. I have owned 4 of them.
Even lci the X drive suspension is a joke (I own a 335d now) and had to upgrade the springs.
If / when I buy another 3 series it will be a 330d.
320d is fine but why slum it when you can afford a 330d? Running costs not much different.

Al U

Original Poster

2,394 posts

160 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 5th January 2020

In terms of residuals what do we think will be worth more come resale/part ex time?

A 2016 car with a high specification with higher mileage
A 2017 car with lower specification with lower mileage