First time buyer seeking advice

[Bankzi]

Looking to purchase my first bmw, Budget of around 8-9k. I have kind of shortlisted to either a 2008/09 325d or 330d, coupe or saloon. Few queries i have are:

Is there much difference between the 325 and 330 or should i just focus on the 330?

Always been a manual man but if the auto boxes are that good please convince me. If so would a 335d be the better choice and how is mpg compared to the 330?

TIA

[Smuler]

Bankzi said:

Looking to purchase my first bmw, Budget of around 8-9k. I have kind of shortlisted to either a 2008/09 325d or 330d, coupe or saloon. Few queries i have are:

Is there much difference between the 325 and 330 or should i just focus on the 330?

Always been a manual man but if the auto boxes are that good please convince me. If so would a 335d be the better choice and how is mpg compared to the 330?

TIA

In my opinion if you like manual, as I do, the six speed step auto in these cars won't convince you, therefore 330 manual seems the best bet as I believe it's the same engine but the 330 has a higher state of tune. why take 2nd best?
If you're going 2008/2009 try and get LCI (if saloon) and (for both) with the newer CIC iDrive. CIC came into production 09/2008 but as build date of car and reg date varies a bit , you don't always see it on early 09 cars.

I had a 59 coupe (i.e. pre LCI as for coupe it was 04/2010) with CIC and for me they are a much better proposition as electric seats, split folding rears, and xenons all three key bits of kit were std. plus access to back is good with wide doors and a seat that moves forward at a press.
I had 335i, so have no idea about 330d/335d mpg. But as this is pistonheads, do you really need diesel

[Pica-Pica]

Smuler said:

I had 335i, so have no idea about 330d/335d mpg. But as this is pistonheads, do you really need diesel

I get 45mpg from 335d over 24k miles. I could not give up the torque now!

[Bankzi]

In my opinion if you like manual, as I do, the six speed step auto in these cars won't convince you, therefore 330 manual seems the best bet as I believe it's the same engine but the 330 has a higher state of tune. why take 2nd best?
If you're going 2008/2009 try and get LCI (if saloon) and (for both) with the newer CIC iDrive. CIC came into production 09/2008 but as build date of car and reg date varies a bit , you don't always see it on early 09 cars.

I had a 59 coupe (i.e. pre LCI as for coupe it was 04/2010) with CIC and for me they are a much better proposition as electric seats, split folding rears, and xenons all three key bits of kit were std. plus access to back is good with wide doors and a seat that moves forward at a press.
I had 335i, so have no idea about 330d/335d mpg. But as this is pistonheads, do you really need diesel

[/quote]


Thanks for that! I do prefer the coupe, so to get the new CIC how do i tell? The xenons and electric seats?

I travel around 300/350mile per week on b roads and have always had diesel as a daily drive, got another car for weekends lol.

[Smuler]

Bankzi said:

In my opinion if you like manual, as I do, the six speed step auto in these cars won't convince you, therefore 330 manual seems the best bet as I believe it's the same engine but the 330 has a higher state of tune. why take 2nd best?
If you're going 2008/2009 try and get LCI (if saloon) and (for both) with the newer CIC iDrive. CIC came into production 09/2008 but as build date of car and reg date varies a bit , you don't always see it on early 09 cars.

I had a 59 coupe (i.e. pre LCI as for coupe it was 04/2010) with CIC and for me they are a much better proposition as electric seats, split folding rears, and xenons all three key bits of kit were std. plus access to back is good with wide doors and a seat that moves forward at a press.
I had 335i, so have no idea about 330d/335d mpg. But as this is pistonheads, do you really need diesel

Thanks for that! I do prefer the coupe, so to get the new CIC how do i tell? The xenons and electric seats?

I travel around 300/350mile per week on b roads and have always had diesel as a daily drive, got another car for weekends lol.

• **************

Re: xenons, seats, they are standard. But to make 100% sure, get VIN and input usually the last 7 digits in any online BMW VIN decoder to produce "build sheet." That's useful as it will show car's build date too and it will need to be after 30.09.2008 to be CIC.

To recognize CIC , see white car below. 7th picture is clearest. You'll get much more functionality in the iDrive controller, more buttons, and and more advanced menus, screen etc.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201812273496218...


For the pre CIC, called CCC you'll see a silver controller and I think only one button behind it. Screen is not as nice. You can look up , for ease, pics of any 2007 or early 2008 car with iDrive and compare with white car.

If you do find a shortlist of examples, by all means post up here for individual comments which may help.

Not sure if trim is an issue, but M Sport is best, looks better, sharper suspension and better sport seats. But , again why "build sheet" is key , sometimes SE the other trim did have sports seats added by owner 1 as an option.

Other points, try and avoid RFTs make the ride sh** particularly if 19 rims. And make sure good service history, oil should be recorded as every two years changed irrespective of miles.

[Bankzi]

Thats great thanks alot for that i see what you mean by the CIC. Yeah it would be an m sport id go for, heated seats (black or red) xenons and the upgrade speakers would be ideal spec. Yeah dont like the idea of RFT anyway, what do most do without RFT? Chuck a spare in the boot?

Cheers

[Smuler]

Space saver or as I did the tyre weld.
I had the BMW Individual audio on mine , first owner paid 1400£ sounded like the band was in the back !
That was top of the range but I believe this generation also had a Harmon Kardon.
Pro Nav , wider screen is better than the business nav and I think everyone who got the better stereo options would have got that.

I had a sunroof which lightened the interior , handy also as back windows don’t open if you want fresh air on say a crisp winter’s day.

[Bankzi]

Your a bank of knowledge lol, sunroof is a good shout thanks.

Ideally after a car with sub 90k, do you think my budget will get me this? Should i be looking at anything inparticular maintenance wise at this mileage?

[Smuler]

Bankzi said:

Your a bank of knowledge lol, sunroof is a good shout thanks.

Ideally after a car with sub 90k, do you think my budget will get me this? Should i be looking at anything inparticular maintenance wise at this mileage?

I think you've the budget but a quick look on a/trader and it's very difficult to find any manual 330ds.
I've never owned a diesel, so can't comment on maintenance, but 90k for a 9 year old diesel car is low so look up anything that could be affected by short journeys.

But I think, for me, it's getting the immaculate service history that's the best start.
My CIC iDrive had variables for oil, brake fluid, a vehicle check and fr and r brake pads.
I sold mine close to 90k with 8 stamps in the book.
Oil is the earlier of every 2 years or a mileage countdown usually late teens depending on driving, brake fluid is two or three years, the big vehicle check is 30 or 40k I think so there should be satisfactory stamps in the ones you look at and ticks in the itemized boxes.
I think if you've got this , plus a decent MOT history then if the car appears in good condition, sounds good on cold start, warm start, idling, run smooth, turbos comes on boost, it's probably the best you can do, short of paying for an inspection. Always drive several so you can get clued up.
If the car has been maintained by BMW, you can enquire about it's history and even with data protection get some info.

[Mr Tidy]

Smuler said:

Space saver or as I did the tyre weld.

Don't forget to have a compressor a well!

I don't do enough miles to justify a diesel, so I bought an 06 plate 325i Touring in February last year. No Nav or electric seats, but it does have heated seats which is handy this time of year when they are leather!

I can believe finding a manual 6 cylinder one will be a challenge - I didn't find many when I was looking.

Good luck finding the right one.

[Bankzi]

It is proving difficult yes lol, especially with the mileage i have in mind. I have come across a nice 335d local with the right spec, although they only come with auto box it is tempting to go for a look.

Anyone with a 335d, id like to hear your experiences with it

[Bankzi]

It is proving difficult yes lol, especially with the mileage i have in mind. I have come across a nice 335d local with the right spec, although they only come with auto box it is tempting to go for a look.

Anyone with a 335d, id like to hear your experiences with it

[Smuler]

Bankzi said:

It is proving difficult yes lol, especially with the mileage i have in mind. I have come across a nice 335d local with the right spec, although they only come with auto box it is tempting to go for a look.

Anyone with a 335d, id like to hear your experiences with it

If no luck here there is E90 post UK forum , should have a few owners.
Not heard much bad said against car , in context of the 3 series of its era, other than those with dislike of diesel.
I would say try it and it will really depend if you’re happy with giving up the pleasure of driving a manual box to live with an auto.

Sadly Unlike the 335i I had , there’s not only no manual but it didn’t have the alternative DCT box.

[gizlaroc]

Smuler said:

I had the BMW Individual audio on mine , first owner paid 1400£ sounded like the band was in the back !

Blimey, all that money and they couldn't get the soundstage right?!

[Bankzi]

The 335d local to me is a 59 plate lci 100k miles, looks clean as a whistle from pictures (yet to be viewed) senior couple who by sounds of it have hardly driven the car.

Does the paddle shift of the auto box feel more engaging?
Realistically can i get mid 40s mpg if driven carefully?

[Smuler]

Bankzi said:

The 335d local to me is a 59 plate lci 100k miles, looks clean as a whistle from pictures (yet to be viewed) senior couple who by sounds of it have hardly driven the car.

Does the paddle shift of the auto box feel more engaging?
Realistically can i get mid 40s mpg if driven carefully?

This site may give idea on real mpg , oft quoted here, if an owner /s can’t answer.

http://www.fuelly.com/

I didn’t find paddles or moving stick (in manual mode) engaging on the 335i I tried ; felt rather remote.
That’s why , when I couldn’t get a manual, I opted for DCT as that felt more responsive and involving.

Go try it if local. You should drive a few of each variant before you buy,

[Bankzi]

My search for a manual 330d has been unsuccessful, low mileage cars just dont seem to exist lol. Ive turned my attention to the 335d and theres alot more examples out there with lower mileage and better spec respectively. Im keen to view a 2010 car with 81k miles and also has a year left of bmw warranty.

Any advice when driving/viewing the car would be appreciated.

Thanks

[smashy]

Surely manual and derv whatever the size isnt a good fit you would have to keep stirring the pot surely, drive you mad...plus I expect high geared compared to the auto counterpart so lost MPGs on a motorway cruise defeating the object /benefit of derv

[to3m]

Doesn't really feel like I change gear noticeably less in my 330i than I did in my 330d.