320/330d touring
Discussion
Just looking at these two and wondered if its worth bothering with the 330?
I'm looking at spending around £8000 and ideally want something sensibly priced to run.
Don't really need a diesel with the mileage I do but they seem the best balance of economy and useable power.
Any other cars to consider too?
Currently drive a 2008 Golf Gti Edition 30 so don't want fuel consumption to get any worse than that really.
I'm looking at spending around £8000 and ideally want something sensibly priced to run.
Don't really need a diesel with the mileage I do but they seem the best balance of economy and useable power.
Any other cars to consider too?
Currently drive a 2008 Golf Gti Edition 30 so don't want fuel consumption to get any worse than that really.
As someone on here said: “It’s better to have more power and not need it than to have less power and need it.”
The 330d is a six cylinder it will be inherently more balanced and smoother than the 320d. If fuel economy is a concern the two are on par. The 330d can be driven in a frugal manner. However, if you put your foot down in the 320d you might negate any economy savings. Whereas you don’t need to push a 330d that hard and can hustle it along.
Buy based on your needs. Neither are suitable for exclusive city life as you know. Six cylinders are what BMW do best. I found the 320d was a bit light on it’s feet and you can have more fun in the corners. The 330d is a bit nose heavy and not as fun to throw into corners. If the fun factor is an issue which might not be as people rarely buy a diesel for fun.
The 330d is a six cylinder it will be inherently more balanced and smoother than the 320d. If fuel economy is a concern the two are on par. The 330d can be driven in a frugal manner. However, if you put your foot down in the 320d you might negate any economy savings. Whereas you don’t need to push a 330d that hard and can hustle it along.
Buy based on your needs. Neither are suitable for exclusive city life as you know. Six cylinders are what BMW do best. I found the 320d was a bit light on it’s feet and you can have more fun in the corners. The 330d is a bit nose heavy and not as fun to throw into corners. If the fun factor is an issue which might not be as people rarely buy a diesel for fun.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Which 3 series are you interested in? E90 or F30?
How many miles and what type of driving do you do?
wherever my budget takes me really, no preference although the E90 probably makes more sense.How many miles and what type of driving do you do?
It will be a family daily so even though i only do 25 miles a day work wise but it will get good runs now and again.
i do roughly 8000 a year i guess and only leaning toward diesel as the petrol variants are normally a bit lack lustre with bigger engined variants becoming a bit more expensive to run.
The 325d is also a 6 cylinder and although not much more powerful then he 2 litre has less problems (timing chains) The 6 cylinders are smoother and with plenty of torque are good as either manuals or autos.
Ive got a 2009 325d SE LCI auto owned for last 8 years averaged 38mpg including some caravan towing. No need for italian blast just make sure engine getting up to correct temp -very rare for DPF to fail (been a recent post on here on how to unblock with code reader) Generally cheap car to run by use of a BMW indie. SE or M sport will depend on your own preference- I specifically went for Se to get better ride but non runflat tyres will vastly improve either . Mine has M sport seats (far better then SE) . Nav on LCI is better than previous version. Boot relatively small on tourer so just check its ok for you.
This one looks a good spec £9k but private seller so may be able to get within your budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203143...
Ive got a 2009 325d SE LCI auto owned for last 8 years averaged 38mpg including some caravan towing. No need for italian blast just make sure engine getting up to correct temp -very rare for DPF to fail (been a recent post on here on how to unblock with code reader) Generally cheap car to run by use of a BMW indie. SE or M sport will depend on your own preference- I specifically went for Se to get better ride but non runflat tyres will vastly improve either . Mine has M sport seats (far better then SE) . Nav on LCI is better than previous version. Boot relatively small on tourer so just check its ok for you.
This one looks a good spec £9k but private seller so may be able to get within your budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203143...
Edited by twokcc on Thursday 31st March 13:11
Edited by twokcc on Thursday 31st March 13:28
twokcc said:
The 325d is also a 6 cylinder and although not much more powerful then he 2 litre has less problems (timing chains) The 6 cylinders are smoother and with plenty of torque are good as either manuals or autos.
Ive got a 2009 325d SE LCI auto owned for last 8 years averaged 38mpg including some caravan towing. No need for italian blast just make sure engine getting up to correct temp -very rare for DPF to fail (been a recent post on here on how to unblock with code reader) Generally cheap car to run by use of a BMW indie. SE or M sport will depend on your own preference- I specifically went for Se to get better ride but non runflat tyres will vastly improve either . Mine has M sport seats (far better then SE) . Nav on LCI is better than previous version. Boot relatively small on tourer so just check its ok for you.
This one looks a good spec £9k but private seller so may be able to get within your budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203143...
Thanks for that looks a nice car.Ive got a 2009 325d SE LCI auto owned for last 8 years averaged 38mpg including some caravan towing. No need for italian blast just make sure engine getting up to correct temp -very rare for DPF to fail (been a recent post on here on how to unblock with code reader) Generally cheap car to run by use of a BMW indie. SE or M sport will depend on your own preference- I specifically went for Se to get better ride but non runflat tyres will vastly improve either . Mine has M sport seats (far better then SE) . Nav on LCI is better than previous version. Boot relatively small on tourer so just check its ok for you.
This one looks a good spec £9k but private seller so may be able to get within your budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203143...
Edited by twokcc on Thursday 31st March 13:11
Edited by twokcc on Thursday 31st March 13:28
If picking a E90 320d or 330d, I'd pick a pre-2007 example as it will have the more reliable M47/M57 engine, rather than the N47/57 which have timing chain and fuel pump issues, especially at the ages & mileages £8k will get you. Trouble is, a lot of the older ones are particularly leggy or nasty by now - unfortunately these cars tend to attract a certain type of person that don't really look after them.
The 325d is an excellent suggestion as they still have a 3 litre 6 cylinder engine, and used the more reliable M57 motor until early 2010, so nicer ones are available, such as this. The auto adds an extra dimension of reliability imo, as the clutches and DMFs are normally wearing out by this mileage on manual cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203233...
That said, I think really you should opt for something petrol powered with your usage profile - the savings you make on fuel could be quickly wiped out if your old diesel BMW needs a new EGR/valve, DPF, etc. Here are some suggestions
Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv-G Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...
Toyota Avensis V-Matic Tourer Multidrive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
Volvo V60 T3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203033...
The 325d is an excellent suggestion as they still have a 3 litre 6 cylinder engine, and used the more reliable M57 motor until early 2010, so nicer ones are available, such as this. The auto adds an extra dimension of reliability imo, as the clutches and DMFs are normally wearing out by this mileage on manual cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203233...
That said, I think really you should opt for something petrol powered with your usage profile - the savings you make on fuel could be quickly wiped out if your old diesel BMW needs a new EGR/valve, DPF, etc. Here are some suggestions
Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv-G Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...
Toyota Avensis V-Matic Tourer Multidrive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
Volvo V60 T3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203033...
My BMW Indy's advice if I didn't want to be visiting him too often was 6 cylinders, preferably petrol!
If I was buying a 3 Series I'd always prefer a 330d or 325d to a 320d, but for 8,000 miles a year I'd worry about DPF issues and for me a petrol model would make more sense - especially as I visit Outer London now and again where the diesels have to pay £12.50 per day.
My daily is an E90 330i and I don't find the performance lacking so long as you let it rev. It's more refined than any diesel as well.
If I was buying a 3 Series I'd always prefer a 330d or 325d to a 320d, but for 8,000 miles a year I'd worry about DPF issues and for me a petrol model would make more sense - especially as I visit Outer London now and again where the diesels have to pay £12.50 per day.
My daily is an E90 330i and I don't find the performance lacking so long as you let it rev. It's more refined than any diesel as well.
I'd always recommend the 330d over a 320d for sure, however at your annual mileage I think that I'd be also considering a 330i as well.
I loved the E90 330d and F13 640d I had(but I wanted to smash the engine to pieces everytime I got in the E61 520d I had though!), and they were punchy and good on fuel, whereas the E90 330i I had wasn't punchy(or at least didn't feel it in comparison to the diesels) plus the 330i was thirsty for the performance that it offered for me. For example the E90 330i did around 26mpg in my hands, whereas the F82 M4 I have now is doing around 28mpg in comparison.
I loved the E90 330d and F13 640d I had(but I wanted to smash the engine to pieces everytime I got in the E61 520d I had though!), and they were punchy and good on fuel, whereas the E90 330i I had wasn't punchy(or at least didn't feel it in comparison to the diesels) plus the 330i was thirsty for the performance that it offered for me. For example the E90 330i did around 26mpg in my hands, whereas the F82 M4 I have now is doing around 28mpg in comparison.
aguywalksintoabar said:
As someone on here said: “It’s better to have more power and not need it than to have less power and need it.”
The 330d is a six cylinder it will be inherently more balanced and smoother than the 320d. If fuel economy is a concern the two are on par. The 330d can be driven in a frugal manner. However, if you put your foot down in the 320d you might negate any economy savings. Whereas you don’t need to push a 330d that hard and can hustle it along.
Buy based on your needs. Neither are suitable for exclusive city life as you know. Six cylinders are what BMW do best. I found the 320d was a bit light on it’s feet and you can have more fun in the corners. The 330d is a bit nose heavy and not as fun to throw into corners. If the fun factor is an issue which might not be as people rarely buy a diesel for fun.
I agree with everything that you've said here. The 330d is a six cylinder it will be inherently more balanced and smoother than the 320d. If fuel economy is a concern the two are on par. The 330d can be driven in a frugal manner. However, if you put your foot down in the 320d you might negate any economy savings. Whereas you don’t need to push a 330d that hard and can hustle it along.
Buy based on your needs. Neither are suitable for exclusive city life as you know. Six cylinders are what BMW do best. I found the 320d was a bit light on it’s feet and you can have more fun in the corners. The 330d is a bit nose heavy and not as fun to throw into corners. If the fun factor is an issue which might not be as people rarely buy a diesel for fun.
When bought my 2009 325d was concerned about dpf blocking up and took out BMW insured warranty - only to find when I read it that the dpf was not covered. Mines only done 32k miles in 8 years of ownership. with only 4k in total for last 2 years. No problems with dpf but it can be checked with code reader(Creator C110 less than £50).
The DPF can alos be unblocked by use of the reader see this thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
on my experience low miles havn't given dpf problems. Had a petrol E46 330ci with 6 cylinder petrol and although its an absolute peach of an engine gave about 10mpg less than the 325d. The 6 cylinder diesel just works so well with the 6 speed auto box either in town or motorway(2k revs at 80 mph). At 8k miles as a daily I would go for the 6 cylinder diesel. Appreciate this is against general PH opinion but in my experience very few posts about the dpf's blocking up with the M57 engine. Just make sure that engine is getting up to temperature and that all glowplugs ar functioning to allow regeneration. (Both been done on mine). Only major other non service items have been front dampers and 4 abs sensors, suspect sensors were as a result of car not being used for extended periods during covid
The DPF can alos be unblocked by use of the reader see this thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
on my experience low miles havn't given dpf problems. Had a petrol E46 330ci with 6 cylinder petrol and although its an absolute peach of an engine gave about 10mpg less than the 325d. The 6 cylinder diesel just works so well with the 6 speed auto box either in town or motorway(2k revs at 80 mph). At 8k miles as a daily I would go for the 6 cylinder diesel. Appreciate this is against general PH opinion but in my experience very few posts about the dpf's blocking up with the M57 engine. Just make sure that engine is getting up to temperature and that all glowplugs ar functioning to allow regeneration. (Both been done on mine). Only major other non service items have been front dampers and 4 abs sensors, suspect sensors were as a result of car not being used for extended periods during covid
OP - I have a 2008 58 reg 330d E91. It is the last of the M57s before the LCI. The engine+ZF6 are an excellent combination and I agree with all the comments made already. I would discount a 320D immediately 
My only reservation would be to question whether an E91, with it's RWD/transmission tunnel robbing room, lack of oddments space and fairly crappy boot would actually offer you any more interior space than your Golf Ed30.
They are also non-ULEZ. Not sure if this is a concern though.
My only reservation would be to question whether an E91, with it's RWD/transmission tunnel robbing room, lack of oddments space and fairly crappy boot would actually offer you any more interior space than your Golf Ed30.
They are also non-ULEZ. Not sure if this is a concern though.
Belle427 said:
Any thoughts if a Merc C350 Cdi is a suitable alternative?
I had that engine in a 2017 GLC350d(I believe the engine dates back to around 2005) and I really liked it. I took the engine from new to 103k miles, and I felt that it could easily do that mileage again on top. The only diesel engine that I preferred to it was the 3.0 straight 6 twin turbo unit that was in the F13 640d that I had. The 350d engine is a single turbo 3.0 V6 diesel in comparison.
I highly recommend BMWs 30d and 40d engine, and I'm also a big fan of the Merc 350d engine too. I think you can safely say that I'm a bit of a fan of 6 cylinder diesels...however I'd happily burn all the 4 cylinder diesel engines though given the chance!
As most of the other OP’s state the 6 cylinder diesels are so much nice to drive than the 320d. Also agree petrol might be more suitable for lower mileages but I had from new a E90 325i petrol company car and that had awful mpg (25 mpg). It was a very smooth engine but lacked torque so you had to rev it out to make progress (fortunately I had a company fuel card). I subsequently got a second hand E46 M3 which was actually slightly better on fuel!
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