Which car ?? 330d, 530d, Clio 172, or S211 ?

[benburton]

Hi all,

I bought a mk3 MR2 last year and loved it, but it is loud inside and too grippy. For the first tie i my life, I think i would like a car with a roof. Mostly to drive long distances around england and europe.

It also has to be ULEZ compatible. I would like an old bmw 330i or 330d, or a Clio 172, or even a big E-class estate.


My questions :

Clio 172 : How loud and annoying is a 172 ? I think this would be the most fun to drive, and suits my spirit, but is it too much of a rollerskate ? Can they be had with a sunroof ?

Which is nicer to drive, a 2007 330d, 530d, or w211 ? The w211 has been growing on me, and i like that the estate has clear blue windows and seven seats.

Is there something i'm missing out on here, like an old passat ?

So far, bizarrely, i am liking the W211 the most !

Thanks

[fflump]

Maybe define what you mean by “nicer” it could mean handling , ride quality, steering feel, throttle response etc etc

[trevalvole]

2007 330d or 530d, or diesel S211s won't be ULEZ compliant. I think the earliest that will be, will be around 2012/13. On the cooking versions of the E9* 3 series, there was a facelift in, iirc, early 2007 which changed the steering from hydraulic to electric.

[Pica-Pica]

trevalvole said:

2007 330d or 530d, or diesel S211s won't be ULEZ compliant. I think the earliest that will be, will be around 2012/13. On the cooking versions of the E9* 3 series, there was a facelift in, iirc, early 2007 which changed the steering from hydraulic to electric.

You would need a 2016 diesel to be sure of Euro 6 emissions, and therefore ULEZ compliant. You should double-check on the V5 document.

[trevalvole]

Pica-Pica said:

You would need a 2016 diesel to be sure of Euro 6 emissions, and therefore ULEZ compliant. You should double-check on the V5 document.

IIRC 2013ish S212s are ULEZ compliant, for example. The useful bit of the V5 is the emissions levels in g/km, rather than the Euro rating as diesels with a Euro level of less than 6 may still be ULEZ compliant, as my Euro 3 petrol is. The best place to check ULEZ compliance is a government ULEZ checker website.

[horaldo72]

trevalvole said:

2007 330d or 530d, or diesel S211s won't be ULEZ compliant. I think the earliest that will be, will be around 2012/13. On the cooking versions of the E9* 3 series, there was a facelift in, iirc, early 2007 which changed the steering from hydraulic to electric.

FYI our 2013 (F30) 330d isn’t ULEZ compliant, think you’ll need the 2015 LCI…

[dai1983]

Loved my 172 around lanes and was economical on long drives but did drone despite a replacement but not chavvy exhaust. Cam belt, dephaser and aux belt on these were over £320 in parts nevermind labour.

Massive stagecoach steering wheel with disintegrating thumb grips and long reach for the gears. Was a hoot to drive though .

Mine was a grand in 2015 and the money they command now for a good one is fiesta st money.

[CG2020UK]

If you are looking a small hot hatch to do long distances I’d strongly suggest having a good look at a Peugeot 208 GTI.

[Mr Tidy]

My daily is a 2005 BMW 330i (E9* model) that I like so much I've had it almost 6 years, which makes it the 2nd longest I've owned any car. And as my sister lives in a London Borough it is handy that it is ULEZ compliant. Early ones (2005/6) have the N52 engine which seems to have less issues than the later ones with the N53.

I doubt there will be any diesels from that era that are ULEZ compliant, but as someone already said the V5 will show which Euro band the car is in. Petrols need to be Euro4, diesels Euro 6.

The Clio is so different to your other thoughts. It depends if you want a hatch to chuck around or something bigger that's more relaxing on long trips.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

benburton said:

Hi all,

I bought a mk3 MR2 last year and loved it, but it is loud inside and too grippy. For the first tie i my life, I think i would like a car with a roof. Mostly to drive long distances around england and europe.

It also has to be ULEZ compatible. I would like an old bmw 330i or 330d, or a Clio 172, or even a big E-class estate.


My questions :

Clio 172 : How loud and annoying is a 172 ? I think this would be the most fun to drive, and suits my spirit, but is it too much of a rollerskate ? Can they be had with a sunroof ?

Which is nicer to drive, a 2007 330d, 530d, or w211 ? The w211 has been growing on me, and i like that the estate has clear blue windows and seven seats.

Is there something i'm missing out on here, like an old passat ?

So far, bizarrely, i am liking the W211 the most !

Thanks

Had loads of 3/530d of most generations and they’re rewarding and versatile to own and super easy to live with but not rewarding as a ‘drivers’ car. Just done a 2500 mile cross Europe Xmas road trip in my 530d (g31) and was sublime.