E90 choice advice

[Bosh 964]

Was considering a new 320d M sport touring to replace my E46 and noticed for the same money I could get a 330d M Sport touring, no contest. However when I come to source such, most are 10-12 months old, autos and those the right side of £30k have gone

2 questions: Having not driven a manual, are the autos so bad and is a 330i sport touring auto such a bad alternative when a 6 month old one they can be had for £26K ?

Thanks

Bosh

[Olf]

How about this one for example?

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Edited by Olf on Thursday 21st June 20:46

[bmwdrivernigel]

Olf said:

How about this one for example?

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Edited by Olf on Thursday 21st June 20:46

Tis an ex BMW UK car, get the dealer to check what it was used for at Bracknell.
Nice spec though

[taffyracer]

If anything the auto box matches the diesel characteristics better, the boxes are very good but they do blunt performance and they do reduce economy and they make the driving experience more sanitised

[Olf]

taffyracer said:

If anything the auto box matches the diesel characteristics better, the boxes are very good but they do blunt performance and they do reduce economy and they make the driving experience more sanitised

I have an auto box on my 330d and never miss a manual. The auto box just seems perfectly matched to the engine and never seems caught out off-power so to speak.

They do blunt performace slightly but I've yet to be beat away from a set of lights in mine in 18 months of ownership! Ok once but a Bentley conti but even he had to make an effort.

[Dunk76]

Does it have to be a touring?

http://www.sytner.co.uk/bmwDemonstrators/images.cfm?ID=164103&ref=606305&car=BMW%20ALPINA%20DIESEL%20SALOON%20D3%204dr&price=26850.0000&spec=Tracker&colour=Sparkling%20Graphite%20Metallic&trim=Anthracite%20Cloth/leather&registration=FJ56CHN&dealer=3 

[Bosh 964]

Thanks for the replies - Er indoors says it has to be a touring and it has to be blue or graphite with grey or black leather

The Sytner D3 has gone, but looking at drivethedeal.com the 9 month old Cooper 330d touring at £27500 would work out no cheaper to 3 years than a new one with leather and metallic (£30500) admittedly without the luggage and storage pack, pdc and sliding armrest but both new and used will cost around £450 pm in depreciation

However the auto 330i sounded superb and was more agile than the 330d. Although the 330ds midrange was much stronger than the 330i overall performance and the auto box seemd to kickdown more smoothly the 330i was still a stunning performer

I have found a pristine private 6m old 330i auto touring with 7k mile in graphite with black leather for £23k and am sorely tempted, any last minuite counselling before I jump?

Thanks, B

[alfaspiderman2]

nope - do it

you won't regret it

(I've got a Graphite 335i touring on order and think it's the best colour)

[Bosh 964]

Didnt do that particular one, got a 6 month old BMW approved 330i Sport touring in graphite for £24k with leather and auto and only 4000 on the clock from the local main dealer. Looking at the factory order screen it also has quite a few other optional bits on to sweeten the deal such as supaguard, storage packs etc.

Just got to wait until Friday now, Bosh

[CatherineJ]

We bought a 330D Auto Coupe.

I was told an auto was essential for residuals and it very good when sat in traffic.

Like with the X5 diesel we previously owned we began after a few thousand miles a bit of lag on the gearbox (see my other post)