320d coupe V 330d coupe
320d coupe V 330d coupe
Author
Discussion

wini

Original Poster:

213 posts

270 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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Hi all, I'm going to trade in my Seat Leon 2.0 TDI Sport 55 plate, Just wondered if there were any pro's & con's between the two models,faults,problems etc 320d v 330d also the difference in running costs? Any help would be great, thanks.

4nonymous

2,920 posts

221 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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Depends what you want from the car...

wibbleone

138 posts

225 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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I dont have a coupe- but i've just got a 320d and i'm pretty happy with the power - of course its always nice to have the bigger engine - but if you want the cheaper tax and about 11mpg more then the 320d isnt a huge compromise (but then my 320d is a huge improvment over my previous 320 petrol in terms of torque) - but then the like the last person said - depends what you want the car for - i've got a weekend car for driving like a nutter :-o

Edited by wibbleone on Friday 15th January 15:13

MidlandDan84

588 posts

208 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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Ive recently purchased a 320d M Sport (had a 118d and a 320d as company cars previously).

To be honest the 330d is a much smoother machine and the torque is very impressive, however i plumped for the 320d to buy myself because the performance is decent enough (in the real world) and the insurance is cheaper for me being 25.

Having said that if i had the money for a tidy 330d i would have got one(and could justify to the mrs).



Edited by MidlandDan84 on Friday 15th January 15:12

dumbfunk

1,727 posts

314 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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I have a E92 320D M-Sport Coupe and compared with other diesel engined cars I've driven it is a revelation. The engine is extremely free revving (vastly different to my E46 320D) and the handling is still class leading in my view, albeit a little more sanitised than the previous model.

This being PH, the larger engined model is obviously the better choice if you can afford it but I doubt very much you'd be disappointed with the 320D. I would advise you seek out something equipped with the factory M-Sport kit that makes a great improvement to the seats and handling (the ride is shocking though).

For numbers, my car averages 46mpg, has peaked at 51mpg and on derestricted sections of German autobahn identical cars have regularly hit a ridiculously stable indicated 150mph.


Hope this helps?


df

MidlandDan84

588 posts

208 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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Id concur with the ride...you will have to make sure you really want the Msport Kit / extra's to deal with the ride.....i test drove a 320d Msport with 18" alloys and the ride was too uncomfortable for daily use in my honest opinon on typical roads....though it looks good.

Edited by MidlandDan84 on Friday 15th January 16:06

wibbleone

138 posts

225 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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MidlandDan84 said:
Id concur with the ride...you will have to make sure you really want the Msport Kit / extra's to deal with the ride.....i test drove a 320d Msport with 18" alloys and the ride was too uncomfortable for daily use in my honest opinon on typical roads....though it looks good.

Edited by MidlandDan84 on Friday 15th January 16:06
I concur on the ride - although both my 320's have been M-Sport, i do about 15k mile per year and i dont mind the ride (although it a hell of alot more comfortable than my bike saddle!) The extra's you get with the MSport are well worth considering and what made me pick it again over the SE or ES - and definately the most fun to throw around corners. Although i'm still gettting used to the concept of mt car turning itself off!

Mr E Driver

8,542 posts

214 months

Friday 15th January 2010
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If you get an M sport you will improve the ride by junking the runflats and putting proper tyres on it. Repair kit, compressor and tyre weld and jack as well if you feel you need it.

AB

20,549 posts

225 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
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4 pot vs 6 pot isnt it?

330d is smoother, faster, sounds nicer, uses more fuel, costs more to run and to insure.

Depends what you want it for. If it was my only car, I'd be plumping for the 330, if you wanted something to waft along in safe in the knowledge that your fun car was tucked away at home then it'd make no difference.

As far as I'm concerned, there is a huge difference between 4 pot 320 and 6 pot 330.

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

269 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
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I had my E91 330D M-Sport delivered this week. It's superb. The ride with the runflats is perfectly comfortable. In fact I thought it was quite soft compared to what I expected after reading other comments. There again, compared to my 993 Turbo everyting is relative smile

custardkid

2,514 posts

254 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
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The 6 cylinder feels like you a have a train engine under the bonnet.

4 pot just doesn't the same feeling of unstoppable force

custard

Russell B

847 posts

255 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
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"As far as I'm concerned, there is a huge difference between 4 pot and 6 pot"

Spot on!!!!!!!!!! a 6 cylinder is so much nicer( owned several of both)

wini

Original Poster:

213 posts

270 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
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Thanks for all the replys and advice they've been of great help.

E46cd

10 posts

201 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
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wibbleone said:
MidlandDan84 said:
Id concur with the ride...you will have to make sure you really want the Msport Kit / extra's to deal with the ride.....i test drove a 320d Msport with 18" alloys and the ride was too uncomfortable for daily use in my honest opinon on typical roads....though it looks good.

Edited by MidlandDan84 on Friday 15th January 16:06
I concur on the ride - although both my 320's have been M-Sport, i do about 15k mile per year and i dont mind the ride (although it a hell of alot more comfortable than my bike saddle!) The extra's you get with the MSport are well worth considering and what made me pick it again over the SE or ES - and definately the most fun to throw around corners. Although i'm still gettting used to the concept of mt car turning itself off!
I have an E46 320cd Msport, no issues with the ride and I commute 100 miles a day round trip, I've just found it an absolute dream for the last 30,000 miles and I couldn't complain about a thing, it keeps me torque happy when I want to put it around some twisties, but generally is just awesome at the daily grind.

Also thinking myself about something with a bit more poke next, but without breaking the fuel bill.... I have friends with similar lifestyles that love the 330..

Bungle009

1 posts

201 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
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I have an 2009 330d and cant believe how economical it is. On steady motorway journeys it is comfortably over 50 mpg, and has averaged 44 mpg over the last 3 months/3000 miles. And the 6 clinder engine is so lovely & smooth. If oyu have a choice i would suggest a 325d or 330d over the 4 cylinders every day of the week. Dont be fooled by the claimed BHP. Drive them. You will see....

wini

Original Poster:

213 posts

270 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
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Is there any changes post 2005 on the 320d models? I remember reading on here something to do with turbo/manifold issues on the 320d? Any advice would be great.

dumbfunk

1,727 posts

314 months

Monday 18th January 2010
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wini said:
Is there any changes post 2005 on the 320d models? I remember reading on here something to do with turbo/manifold issues on the 320d? Any advice would be great.
Not sure - however, I do know that my 2004 company 320D did 75,000 in 3 years, all of them I'm ashamed to admit not as sympathetically undertaken as if it were my own car, and it performed flawlessly.

MidlandDan84

588 posts

208 months

Monday 18th January 2010
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Of course the 330d will have a smoother power delivery and be somewhat quieter, but it all depends what your used to.....ive been driving a Honda Civic 1.4 petrol for 12 months so its all relative smile

On my way home last night from Staffordshire to Surrey, i had the cruise control set at well above 70 (legally of course)....still averaging 48mpg at about 2300rpm.

wini

Original Poster:

213 posts

270 months

Monday 18th January 2010
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Midland Dan is your car a 330d?

MidlandDan84

588 posts

208 months

Monday 18th January 2010
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Nope, ive got a 320d M Sport.

Like i said ive driven a couple of 330s and they are very impressive....there is no denying that, and i'l probably get one in 3/4 years. However the 320d is still no tractor and for everyday travelling...its still an accomplished machine in my opinion.