Alpina D3 or BMW 330d? £15k to spend, which should I go for...

[tomvcarter]

Hi,
I'm in the Market for the impossible...Space, handling, speed & economy...
My research points to the 330d as being the best in class, but I can't ignore the slightly slower Alpina D3.
Which should I go for?

[turboman786]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[AB65]

I would undoubtedly go for the 330.You will not be dissapointed!!
The D3 is actually quite a "low-spec" 4 door saloon,allbeit with 'Alpina'badges etc! The "mods" are quite subtle, and I'm sure they are only available in manual.
The 330 6 cyl has much more torque even with the single turbo, than the D3, which only has 4 cyls.
I recently aquired a 335D and the whole package is amazing! (I did consider a D3 at the start, but luckily changed my mind to the E92!)
Good luck!

[AB65]

I would undoubtedly go for the 330.You will not be dissapointed!!
The D3 is actually quite a "low-spec" 4 door saloon,allbeit with 'Alpina'badges etc! The "mods" are quite subtle, and I'm sure they are only available in manual.
The 330 6 cyl has much more torque even with the single turbo, than the D3, which only has 4 cyls.
I recently aquired a 335D and the whole package is amazing! (I did consider a D3 at the start, but luckily changed my mind to the E92!)
Good luck!

[carsarecool]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/bmw/3...

Bargain!

[martin mrt]

carsarecool said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/bmw/3...

Bargain!

No NAV, in SE trim with beige leather, not my idea of a bargain at all!!

[E21_Ross]

330d hands down, though it won't offer the economy, the engine is much smoother being a good ol' straight 6.

[Mo D]

E21_Ross said:

330d hands down, though it won't offer the economy, the engine is much smoother being a good ol' straight 6.

+1

I've had a 320d Se manual for 13 months.. Great car, engine was more than capable, but the 330d engine is in a different league in terms of refinement and power. I have the 320d mapped to circa 200bhp too. The 320d is more economical, but I do't regret the decision to chop it for the 330d (auto by the way). I am aware that the B3 is different to the 320d, in that it has two turbos, but still the same engine. I got mine at an AUC BMW dealer for just shy of 13k, but 72k miles.. bargain, as similarly specced cars were 15-16k, but only 30k miles less. So I think higher mileage isn't an issue, as these cars are reliable enough (I will get a warranty though!)

[carsarecool]

martin mrt said:

No NAV, in SE trim with beige leather, not my idea of a bargain at all!!

Agree (a bit) with that, but with a bit of bargaining that is a lot of car for the money - msport + another £4-5k at this milage.

I have an msport myself but would have had an SE with decent wheels. Ride is definitely 'firm', SE better for most road usage imho.

Beige leather is quite nice and better than boring, dark black. Grey is 'meh'.

Still think that's a good buy

[tomvcarter]

E21_Ross said:

330d hands down, though it won't offer the economy, the engine is much smoother being a good ol' straight 6.

is there much of a difference in Insurance, serviceing etc between the two? Considering the 330 is a bigger engine and all that...?

[E21_Ross]

tomvcarter said:

E21_Ross said:

330d hands down, though it won't offer the economy, the engine is much smoother being a good ol' straight 6.

is there much of a difference in Insurance, serviceing etc between the two? Considering the 330 is a bigger engine and all that...?

servicing i assume will be a little more on the 330d as it has 2 extra spark plugs, will need more engine oil etc etc but that won't be much. not sure on the insurance, that's something you'll have to get quotes for! i suspect the 330d may be a tad more, but i wouldn't have thought there would be much in it.

330d all day long whilst it's not the best sounding engine in the world by any means, it's not BAD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-NQM58cgfg

much smoother than any 4pot diesel from cold too.