E90 or f30 330d
Discussion
The older E90 won't be quite as fast or as frugal because typically these are the areas BMW develops with each new generation.
I've not driven 330 but several other F series and the ZF 8 speed auto is far superior to the Six speed step auto in the E90 series.
The downsides to the F series Inmho are that it's bigger and there's less steering feel. Obviously no manual gearbox option in F30 330 too, unlike E90 330.
If they are really that close in price , I would probably go for the F.
But if you can make a big saving , I'm sure a E90 series 330 is a decent motor.
I had a 2009 E92 335i and it was a great daily driver.
I've not driven 330 but several other F series and the ZF 8 speed auto is far superior to the Six speed step auto in the E90 series.
The downsides to the F series Inmho are that it's bigger and there's less steering feel. Obviously no manual gearbox option in F30 330 too, unlike E90 330.
If they are really that close in price , I would probably go for the F.
But if you can make a big saving , I'm sure a E90 series 330 is a decent motor.
I had a 2009 E92 335i and it was a great daily driver.
Okay so I test drove a f30 330d 2012 luxury model, 30k mileage, £16k and wow it is fast! 2 owners.
Just a few thoughts or questions I would like to say/ask but I would caveat that I have only test drove this particular car and therefore the following are quite specific: -
1 - interior looked well cared for and steering wheel and other fittings showed no signs of wear
2 - it handled superbly (needed to get that off my chest!), I left it in comfort (it was raining.
3 - alloys showed substantial signs of rust in the middle (all around where the bolts are), it was substantial enough for me to say to the dealer "change them". The dealer said he can get them repaired no problem and that it was a recall back in the early history of the f30...is he correct to say that?
4 - battery was v low - is this standard affair for forecourt cars? Maybe part of me showing up on the day before requesting a test drive
5 - I may hold out for a xdrive version....what do you think?
6 - exhaust pipe seemed a little rusty
7 - it handled great!
8- Standard dealership warranty is 2 months! Wtf, so I said I would want 12 months full cover! Is this normal and would you expect it to be in as part of the car price?
9 - I would look to take a mechanic if I was looking to buy one...do you have any suggestions how this would work?
Cheers
Again, handled superbly! Would be happy to ditch my beloved '62 fiesta for it
Just a few thoughts or questions I would like to say/ask but I would caveat that I have only test drove this particular car and therefore the following are quite specific: -
1 - interior looked well cared for and steering wheel and other fittings showed no signs of wear
2 - it handled superbly (needed to get that off my chest!), I left it in comfort (it was raining.
3 - alloys showed substantial signs of rust in the middle (all around where the bolts are), it was substantial enough for me to say to the dealer "change them". The dealer said he can get them repaired no problem and that it was a recall back in the early history of the f30...is he correct to say that?
4 - battery was v low - is this standard affair for forecourt cars? Maybe part of me showing up on the day before requesting a test drive
5 - I may hold out for a xdrive version....what do you think?
6 - exhaust pipe seemed a little rusty
7 - it handled great!
8- Standard dealership warranty is 2 months! Wtf, so I said I would want 12 months full cover! Is this normal and would you expect it to be in as part of the car price?
9 - I would look to take a mechanic if I was looking to buy one...do you have any suggestions how this would work?
Cheers
Again, handled superbly! Would be happy to ditch my beloved '62 fiesta for it
I would only buy a car like this from a main dealer tbh - a lot of them are very competitive in price and you get that warranty.
My local dealership had quite a late model E90 330d manual recently, about 10-11 grand and a metallic grey SE with leather and some nice extras. But the F30 is a better car, no doubt.
My local dealership had quite a late model E90 330d manual recently, about 10-11 grand and a metallic grey SE with leather and some nice extras. But the F30 is a better car, no doubt.
Here we go, two years newer, 5000 miles more and an extra 500 quid:
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201706286862924...
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201706286862924...
Whilst the E90 is getting more dated, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Mine has hydraulic steering and a mechanical feel that has been lost to most newer cars.
The F is softer and more comfort orientated than the E, so it might be worth testing both before deciding.
The F has better in car technology though and I think they are slightly better specced as standard.
As for warranty, I would demand a 12 month as part of the sale or walk away. Definitely have a look at the approved used cars though, for your budget you could have a 2013 535i Msport with 40k miles straight from a dealer.
The F is softer and more comfort orientated than the E, so it might be worth testing both before deciding.
The F has better in car technology though and I think they are slightly better specced as standard.
As for warranty, I would demand a 12 month as part of the sale or walk away. Definitely have a look at the approved used cars though, for your budget you could have a 2013 535i Msport with 40k miles straight from a dealer.
Mike335i said:
The F is softer and more comfort orientated than the E, so it might be worth testing both before deciding.
I agree with this and I think the E feels a little more sporty to drive, whereas the F feels more grown up and laid back, the hydraulic steering on the E's I've had were lovely in comparison to the electric set up on the F. I do think the E is incredibly dated inside now though, but the F is hardly a massive step up anyway.
A 5 series would be nice but I think I just need to stick with f30 330d. Not fussed about spec (otherwise I'd buy a Nissan) but as long as it is automatic to make use of bmw's 8sp box, and cruise control. That's it.
One thing though, I do want a sat nav so will the basic infotainment thing will connect to an android phone to be used as a sat nav? In my current car I just use my smart watch for directions but a sat nav screen would be a plus! I know some cars these days use a phones sat nav via android play....
If this connectivity is not standard, can you tell me what extra spec it is?
One thing though, I do want a sat nav so will the basic infotainment thing will connect to an android phone to be used as a sat nav? In my current car I just use my smart watch for directions but a sat nav screen would be a plus! I know some cars these days use a phones sat nav via android play....
If this connectivity is not standard, can you tell me what extra spec it is?
If you want the 8 speed, then it has to be the f30. I'm not a fan, especially with the diesel as it has too many gears and it constantly faffing noticeably behind the scenes, but others seem to like it.
Do be careful about spec because the standard spec is stingy and things that you might think are standard are not. A nicely specced 3 series is much nicer than a basic one, and just because it has a bigger engine does not mean it has a bigger spec!
As for sat nav, there is no screen mirror owling for Android (or Apple) so best to find one with Nav built in. It's decent enough even on my e90.
Do be careful about spec because the standard spec is stingy and things that you might think are standard are not. A nicely specced 3 series is much nicer than a basic one, and just because it has a bigger engine does not mean it has a bigger spec!
As for sat nav, there is no screen mirror owling for Android (or Apple) so best to find one with Nav built in. It's decent enough even on my e90.
Mike335i said:
If you want the 8 speed, then it has to be the f30. I'm not a fan, especially with the diesel as it has too many gears and it constantly faffing noticeably behind the scenes, but others seem to like it.
If you think the 8 speed is bad don't try the 6 speed Auto in the E90...because that really is a complete sack of s
te!! Mike335i said:
If you want the 8 speed, then it has to be the f30. I'm not a fan, especially with the diesel as it has too many gears and it constantly faffing noticeably behind the scenes, but others seem to like it.
Really? This is the first time I have heard anything bad about it!335d said:
For me the ZF8 feels 20 years ahead of the 6 speed box - such a huge step in the right direction. I never find it hunting for gears, although when combined with a 35d engine it doesn't have to keep changing down.
Agree and I don't like Auto's...yet I thought it was a lovely match with the 35d/40d engine, had both the ZF6 and ZF8 Auto gearboxes at the same time for a while, and the ZF6 is laughably bad in comparison and you felt every gear change in the 6 speed, it's such a clumsy gearbox. The ZF8 still has it's moment's occasionally but it slushes almost unnoticeably, and feels punchy under hard acceleration in sport too.
There are also Sport and M Sport versions. I find the M Sport rides a little too harshly for an middle aged fart like me whereas the Sport is just right and it handles that bit better than the SE.
I'd also have a Touring over a saloon - vastly more useful and better looking imo. As it gets older, it should hold onto more of its value as well.
Tbh, I can't think of a better everyday car than an F31 330d Sport Touring auto. I'd love one.
I'd also have a Touring over a saloon - vastly more useful and better looking imo. As it gets older, it should hold onto more of its value as well.
Tbh, I can't think of a better everyday car than an F31 330d Sport Touring auto. I'd love one.
I have heard nothing but praise for the ZF8, but I have tried it in a 218d, a X1 20d and a (g30) 520d. Sport mode just makes it rev too high and it runs out of puff.
In the 218d it was constantly changing up and down in normal diving, it drove me mad. The X1 and the 520d were a little more relaxed, but put your foot down and it would shuffle down the gears relatively smoothly. It was the up shifts that were jerky and felt like severe misfires. Pulling out of junctions was more hesitant than I would have liked, but that must be an auto thing.
It was really good when cruising and in traffic. It made the driving bit easy and comfortable.
Overall, it makes perfect sense in a 7 series. It's probably marvellous in a 760i or a 540i for wafting around, but not in anything sporty or fun as it is just too disconnected for that.
I'm sure the zf6 isn't anywhere near as good, but I guess that would at least have the benefit of less gears.
Just my humble opinion though.
In the 218d it was constantly changing up and down in normal diving, it drove me mad. The X1 and the 520d were a little more relaxed, but put your foot down and it would shuffle down the gears relatively smoothly. It was the up shifts that were jerky and felt like severe misfires. Pulling out of junctions was more hesitant than I would have liked, but that must be an auto thing.
It was really good when cruising and in traffic. It made the driving bit easy and comfortable.
Overall, it makes perfect sense in a 7 series. It's probably marvellous in a 760i or a 540i for wafting around, but not in anything sporty or fun as it is just too disconnected for that.
I'm sure the zf6 isn't anywhere near as good, but I guess that would at least have the benefit of less gears.
Just my humble opinion though.
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