E90 330D M Sport or Alpina D3 ??
Discussion
Hi all, looking at both cars above just not sure which is best bet. Has anyone got any views on which they think are best and why?
Looking at spending 15k tops so will probly have over 40k on the clock. I like the rarity of the d3 but the 330d m sport seems to have more extras aswell as being faster
Any opinions helpfull
thanx
Looking at spending 15k tops so will probly have over 40k on the clock. I like the rarity of the d3 but the 330d m sport seems to have more extras aswell as being faster
Any opinions helpfull
thanx
I would try to drive both.(Bi Turbo Alpina we talking about?)Ive driven both.
When you drive them you can come back to the forum and tell us
1) How sparse the interior looks in the D3
2) How light and energetic the D3 feels ,with a wonderful turn in.
The choice will of course be yours!!!
Good Luck.
Hello OP just seen you have 15k to spend ,that will be the D3 Mono ,cant help you there.sorry.
When you drive them you can come back to the forum and tell us
1) How sparse the interior looks in the D3
2) How light and energetic the D3 feels ,with a wonderful turn in.
The choice will of course be yours!!!
Good Luck.
Hello OP just seen you have 15k to spend ,that will be the D3 Mono ,cant help you there.sorry.
We have a 330d m sport & for me in alot of ways its all the car you will ever need,good performance & economy & its well specced & offers an involving drive with rwd.
But there are millions of 3 series on the road, mostly 320d's!! & the d3 is a rare sight so its quite a difficult decision,either way i dont think you would be disappointed.
But there are millions of 3 series on the road, mostly 320d's!! & the d3 is a rare sight so its quite a difficult decision,either way i dont think you would be disappointed.
I was in this dilemma just a few weeks ago, we were looking for a new car and I was offered a friends D3 Tourer at a keen price, now I had never considered a D3 in the past but after the offer of one it set my mind thinking and I started to research them more. I was keen to do a deal but unfortunately I missed it as it had sold within two days.
I have had an E91 335d and 330d M Sports, and before the D3 was offered I was initially looking for another 330 or 335d hence why I hadn't considered the D3, if you can live with the lack of spec with a D3 then they are a cracking car, but ultimately I'm glad the deal on the D3 fell through as I like my toys and I think once the novelty of the new car had worn off I'd have been a little disappointed with it.
Every story has it's positive side though, I am currently awaiting an E91 335d Tourer arriving at my local dealer for me, it's far better specced than the D3, it's a year newer with the same miles for £1k more than the D3 was going to cost me, even if it had been a 330d I'm still certain I'd have made the right choice, but as it's a 335 I'm
200% certain I've made the right choice by not searching out another D3
I have had an E91 335d and 330d M Sports, and before the D3 was offered I was initially looking for another 330 or 335d hence why I hadn't considered the D3, if you can live with the lack of spec with a D3 then they are a cracking car, but ultimately I'm glad the deal on the D3 fell through as I like my toys and I think once the novelty of the new car had worn off I'd have been a little disappointed with it.
Every story has it's positive side though, I am currently awaiting an E91 335d Tourer arriving at my local dealer for me, it's far better specced than the D3, it's a year newer with the same miles for £1k more than the D3 was going to cost me, even if it had been a 330d I'm still certain I'd have made the right choice, but as it's a 335 I'm
200% certain I've made the right choice by not searching out another D3
Yeah the Mono D3 was a fixed spec imported by sytners... There are a small number of exceptions where people paid a considerable premium to increase the specification but these I believe can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Things changed with the Bi-Turbo so you've got much better specs available on the later cars but the early mono turbos are limited.
Having said they they do drive and handle much better than either the 320 or 330 so it depends on what you're looking for..
Things changed with the Bi-Turbo so you've got much better specs available on the later cars but the early mono turbos are limited.
Having said they they do drive and handle much better than either the 320 or 330 so it depends on what you're looking for..
I recently changed to a 330d Sport (180hp, engine version 1) after my 320d SE (150hp, engine version 2) died. The 330d is much better, even though it has the older engine. The engine sounds better, particularly from inside the car (which is kind of important). The car generally feels smoother, particularly at lower revs. And the power delivery is more even, subject to the usual "turbo + diesel" caveats. Judging by the stats, the later revision of the 3 litre engine in the cars you're thinking of will be even better.
However it seems like I'm not the only one to end up rather unimpressed by all the Sport nonsense, while the Alpina seems to get a lot of love for its allegedly superior handling. And maybe an automatic gearbox would help with the lumpiness of the 2 litre engine, since it could change gear more quickly and just generally keep you in the 'turbo ON' range (where the car is pretty snappy) and OUT of the 'turbo OFF' part (where it is not). Since the D3 supposedly has a beefier turbo, that could actually work pretty well.
So who knows?
Sight unseen, I'd still go for whichever has six cylinders though. I wouldn't worry about rarity, unless you are buying your car for the benefit of the 6,999,999,999 people who won't drive it, rather than the 1 (or 2?) who will
More cylinders = sounds much better. Make 4000+rpm a pleasure rather than a bit of chore. I was really surprised how much of a difference it made.
However it seems like I'm not the only one to end up rather unimpressed by all the Sport nonsense, while the Alpina seems to get a lot of love for its allegedly superior handling. And maybe an automatic gearbox would help with the lumpiness of the 2 litre engine, since it could change gear more quickly and just generally keep you in the 'turbo ON' range (where the car is pretty snappy) and OUT of the 'turbo OFF' part (where it is not). Since the D3 supposedly has a beefier turbo, that could actually work pretty well.
So who knows?
Sight unseen, I'd still go for whichever has six cylinders though. I wouldn't worry about rarity, unless you are buying your car for the benefit of the 6,999,999,999 people who won't drive it, rather than the 1 (or 2?) who will
More cylinders = sounds much better. Make 4000+rpm a pleasure rather than a bit of chore. I was really surprised how much of a difference it made.
Have run both D3 and 335d.
D3 has better ride/handling set up but engine was always a limiting factor-sound/low rev limit
330/335d in auto form is a brilliant package with all the real world performance you need and
Nice engine note. I think the best spec is M sport with standard suspension option
D3 has better ride/handling set up but engine was always a limiting factor-sound/low rev limit
330/335d in auto form is a brilliant package with all the real world performance you need and
Nice engine note. I think the best spec is M sport with standard suspension option
foresterlad said:
Have run both D3 and 335d.
330/335d in auto form is a brilliant package with all the real world performance you need and
Nice engine note. I think the best spec is M sport with standard suspension option
That's reassuring! Order a 330d M Sport Coupe 3 weeks ago with Auto and 19" alloys and the wife convinced me to select the M Sport suspension deletion.330/335d in auto form is a brilliant package with all the real world performance you need and
Nice engine note. I think the best spec is M sport with standard suspension option
Was feeling a bit of a woose for letting her persuade me but that makes me feel a bit better
I would argue with that, I think the M-Sport suspension soaks up the poor UK roads far better than the SE.
The M-Sport is a really advanced Bilstein damper with an Eibach spring, the SE is a really cheap Boge/Sachs damper and spring.
The M-Sport with Michelin Zero Pressure tyres is the best combo, followed by the M-Sport on 17's.
Or even better is the m-sport on standard tyres.
The SE suspension just doesn't seem to soak up our roads quite as well, and when you try two cars the same with the same wheels on this is pretty obvious, it just wallows a bit more.
I would change your order back to sport suspension.
Oh and the Alpina D3 uses the M-Sport struts with the springs from the 330xd, this raises the ride
height slightly and allows them to fit an oversized tyres, so you have 265.35.19 instead of 255.35.19 from BMW.
They just use the BMW parts bin, just that they manage to do it better than BMW.
The M-Sport is a really advanced Bilstein damper with an Eibach spring, the SE is a really cheap Boge/Sachs damper and spring.
The M-Sport with Michelin Zero Pressure tyres is the best combo, followed by the M-Sport on 17's.
Or even better is the m-sport on standard tyres.
The SE suspension just doesn't seem to soak up our roads quite as well, and when you try two cars the same with the same wheels on this is pretty obvious, it just wallows a bit more.
I would change your order back to sport suspension.
Oh and the Alpina D3 uses the M-Sport struts with the springs from the 330xd, this raises the ride
height slightly and allows them to fit an oversized tyres, so you have 265.35.19 instead of 255.35.19 from BMW.
They just use the BMW parts bin, just that they manage to do it better than BMW.
Edited by gizlaroc on Saturday 18th June 15:58
We have a m sport 330d with 18s & the ride is hard but it feels solid with hardly any roll.
I drove a 330d SE for two weeks with 17s & i thought the ride was softer,but couldnt believe the wallow & body roll, the m sport set up seems to give you more confidence when your pushing on.
Although most road testers prefer the SE set up,which is surprising, but sitting in the back of ours does make me feel sick the ride is that hard!!
There is an argument for both set ups.
I drove a 330d SE for two weeks with 17s & i thought the ride was softer,but couldnt believe the wallow & body roll, the m sport set up seems to give you more confidence when your pushing on.
Although most road testers prefer the SE set up,which is surprising, but sitting in the back of ours does make me feel sick the ride is that hard!!
There is an argument for both set ups.
Hmmmmm, food for thought on suspension options guys, thanks for that!
A real dilemma. Not sure what stage our build is at so not even sure if I can change the order.
Basically, while we are at the dealership we had a mini vote amongst the salespeople. All bar one (out of five), said that seeing as we have picked the 19" alloys, they would recommend we drop the M Sport suspension. If we had stuck with the standard 18"s, then keep it. All their demos are ordered with it deleted as they find it puts people off.
We currently have a 123d M Sport on standard 17"s with M Sport suspension, and there's no doubt the ride is hard but not ridiculously so. Test drove 330d Convertible on 19s with M Sport suspension and I thought it was fine, but the Mrs wasn't so happy......... Argh!
I had to do A LOT of persuading on Mrs Mabosh to get a 330d, she wanted us to settle for a 320d. I think I may have to let her have the vote on the suspension. Or divorce her!
A real dilemma. Not sure what stage our build is at so not even sure if I can change the order.
Basically, while we are at the dealership we had a mini vote amongst the salespeople. All bar one (out of five), said that seeing as we have picked the 19" alloys, they would recommend we drop the M Sport suspension. If we had stuck with the standard 18"s, then keep it. All their demos are ordered with it deleted as they find it puts people off.
We currently have a 123d M Sport on standard 17"s with M Sport suspension, and there's no doubt the ride is hard but not ridiculously so. Test drove 330d Convertible on 19s with M Sport suspension and I thought it was fine, but the Mrs wasn't so happy......... Argh!
I had to do A LOT of persuading on Mrs Mabosh to get a 330d, she wanted us to settle for a 320d. I think I may have to let her have the vote on the suspension. Or divorce her!
mabosh said:
Hmmmmm, food for thought on suspension options guys, thanks for that!
A real dilemma. Not sure what stage our build is at so not even sure if I can change the order.
Basically, while we are at the dealership we had a mini vote amongst the salespeople. All bar one (out of five), said that seeing as we have picked the 19" alloys, they would recommend we drop the M Sport suspension. If we had stuck with the standard 18"s, then keep it. All their demos are ordered with it deleted as they find it puts people off.
We currently have a 123d M Sport on standard 17"s with M Sport suspension, and there's no doubt the ride is hard but not ridiculously so. Test drove 330d Convertible on 19s with M Sport suspension and I thought it was fine, but the Mrs wasn't so happy......... Argh!
I had to do A LOT of persuading on Mrs Mabosh to get a 330d, she wanted us to settle for a 320d. I think I may have to let her have the vote on the suspension. Or divorce her!
I think overall you have made the right decision considering your 19s & what they said at your dealership.A real dilemma. Not sure what stage our build is at so not even sure if I can change the order.
Basically, while we are at the dealership we had a mini vote amongst the salespeople. All bar one (out of five), said that seeing as we have picked the 19" alloys, they would recommend we drop the M Sport suspension. If we had stuck with the standard 18"s, then keep it. All their demos are ordered with it deleted as they find it puts people off.
We currently have a 123d M Sport on standard 17"s with M Sport suspension, and there's no doubt the ride is hard but not ridiculously so. Test drove 330d Convertible on 19s with M Sport suspension and I thought it was fine, but the Mrs wasn't so happy......... Argh!
I had to do A LOT of persuading on Mrs Mabosh to get a 330d, she wanted us to settle for a 320d. I think I may have to let her have the vote on the suspension. Or divorce her!
I am really pleased you pushed for the 330d rather than go for the default 320d.
I really think you will be chuffed with your new motor as they are a great allrounder.
Cheers.
Cheers Lee, appreciate the thumbs up!
Yeah, there were quite a few 320 diesels in stock but no 330 diesels so had to be a factory order and a little less discount. Just couldn't take a step back performance wise from our 123d.
Wife was happy for a wee while as I bought her a new vacuum cleaner! Easy pleased.
Yeah, there were quite a few 320 diesels in stock but no 330 diesels so had to be a factory order and a little less discount. Just couldn't take a step back performance wise from our 123d.
Wife was happy for a wee while as I bought her a new vacuum cleaner! Easy pleased.
mabosh said:
Cheers Lee, appreciate the thumbs up!
Yeah, there were quite a few 320 diesels in stock but no 330 diesels so had to be a factory order and a little less discount. Just couldn't take a step back performance wise from our 123d.
Wife was happy for a wee while as I bought her a new vacuum cleaner! Easy pleased.
Have you had the car delivered yet? What is it like on the 19s with the 'non-M Sport' suspension?Yeah, there were quite a few 320 diesels in stock but no 330 diesels so had to be a factory order and a little less discount. Just couldn't take a step back performance wise from our 123d.
Wife was happy for a wee while as I bought her a new vacuum cleaner! Easy pleased.
I delivered a mono turbo D3 on Friday and it consisted of a 170 mile trip in doing so,
I didn't drive the car hard at all, very gentle motorway run, what I found was
It rides very well, but not "that" much better than my own M Sport car with 19s and normal tyres
It's basic, very basic, no cruise, auto lights wipers or Bluetooth, things I'd expect as standard
Compared to the 6cylinder cars they are gruff, plenty of power but there's no mistaking it's a 4 cylinder powerplant
MPG wasn't great, averaged 43mpg at 75-80mph, my 335d did the same journey yesterday and managed 39mpg at the same speed.
All in all the D3 does have it's merits, the exclusivity being it's main one, but I just could not live with one everyday, if it was my money I would (and thankfully have) chosen a 6 cylinder M Sport instead
I didn't drive the car hard at all, very gentle motorway run, what I found was
It rides very well, but not "that" much better than my own M Sport car with 19s and normal tyres
It's basic, very basic, no cruise, auto lights wipers or Bluetooth, things I'd expect as standard
Compared to the 6cylinder cars they are gruff, plenty of power but there's no mistaking it's a 4 cylinder powerplant
MPG wasn't great, averaged 43mpg at 75-80mph, my 335d did the same journey yesterday and managed 39mpg at the same speed.
All in all the D3 does have it's merits, the exclusivity being it's main one, but I just could not live with one everyday, if it was my money I would (and thankfully have) chosen a 6 cylinder M Sport instead
Choosing a 4cyl over a 6cyl isn't a great scenario as the I6 sounds a lot better for a diesel but it's still a diesel.
Also no cruise no auto wipers and auto lights sme money as the 3ltr... As a used buyer it offers less spec and slower so really why would you plus it's only 2years warranty from new not three plus it's very rare so resale could be tricky as most buyers will think it's a modified car rather than a brand in it's own right.
Deleting m sport suspension and shocks for SE..... Wow you do realise you get far inferior dampers and springs they are not just softer set up so rolly polly cornering to look forward to.
Also no cruise no auto wipers and auto lights sme money as the 3ltr... As a used buyer it offers less spec and slower so really why would you plus it's only 2years warranty from new not three plus it's very rare so resale could be tricky as most buyers will think it's a modified car rather than a brand in it's own right.
Deleting m sport suspension and shocks for SE..... Wow you do realise you get far inferior dampers and springs they are not just softer set up so rolly polly cornering to look forward to.
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