F Series 330i

[cymro]

My 36 month PCP on a F31 320D auto is coming to an end and the dealer wants me to go in and discuss replacement or refinance. Am considering petrol if I do change and in retirement am doing about 9k miles a year. I like the way the 320D auto drives so would I prefer a 3/430i to a 320i? Anybody have experience of the new 330i or 430i

[DiscoSINGH]

No experience with a 430i or 330i but I have an F36 440i grancoupe - had it for 3 months now.

Moved over from a Merecedes C220cdi Sport (had that for 6 years). My petrol 440i is nice and smooth with plenty of power on tap. See if you can stretch to a 340i or 440i as there's much more power to hand with minimal increase in running costs compared to an 30i.

Some good deals about as well if you haggle hard

[anonymous-user]

The 2l turbo petrol engines have come on a lot, very smooth and they produce their torque at quite low revs.

Won’t be as good as a 3.0 but will be smoother than a 320D.

Fuel consumption will be significantly better than 3.0 but may not bother you with such a low mileage.

I’ve just got rid of my 530D for a 25T XF. The engine’s very similar in characteristics to the BMW. I definitely miss the torque of the 5 but in reality most of the time it’s not a real issue.

[Maracus]

I sold my 328i after 3 years and 40k. It's quick enough when needed, it never felt wanting. It will see 40+ on the motorway no problem.

A 340i is a faster car, but the 330i would be a good proposition.

[AlwynMike]

My brother has recently bought a new(ish) 330i Touring
He had a C250 Diesel Estate

330i Smoother, more comfortable, handles better. Noisier tyres but overall quieter
Getting about 10mpg less than the C250
330i performance in Comfort is a bit better overall, but loses to the C250 in mid-range "bite" on initial toe down.
330i performance in Sport is a lot better than the C250 - described as "savage"!!

My 440i has averaged over 34mpg in 2000 miles of mixed motoring (and throttle use!!)
His 330i is similar to mine - I told him to get the 3 litre :-)

[Maracus]

AlwynMike said:

My 440i has averaged over 34mpg in 2000 miles of mixed motoring (and throttle use!!)
His 330i is similar to mine - I told him to get the 3 litre :-)

My 328i averaged 35mpg overall as well in mixed driving.

We did 2000 miles around Europe in the summer, 4 up with a full boot and keeping to the speed limits and averaged 39mpg. Very impressive IMO.

[cymro]

Thanks for your replies. The 340i is heavily discounted compared to the 330i so I can see why people are saying stretch to the 440i as it's nowhere near the list price differential when discounted. My local dealer has just been doing pre-reg 4 series at zero per cent finance.
Can anyone tell me what the 30i engine is like to drive?

[alpinab3]

The 330i is only 4cyl though.

[AlwynMike]

alpinab3 said:

The 330i is only 4cyl though.

And only a 2 litre at that.

OP; Are you asking what the 3 litre (i.e. 340/440) is like to drive or the 330i??

If there is only a relatively small difference between the 330 and the 340, then splash out on the larger engine.
Only real downside is the £500 per year tax - which the 330 may also fall into depending on spec.

[cerb4.5lee]

alpinab3 said:

The 330i is only 4cyl though.

When compared to the ancient 3 Litre N/A engine...it's quicker and better on fuel though, plus it doesn't need revving to high heaven to get the best from it.

Obviously the 340i does offer the best of both worlds, but I wouldn't feel massively short changed with the current 330i in everyday driving.

[cymro]

AlwynMike said:

And only a 2 litre at that.

OP; Are you asking what the 3 litre (i.e. 340/440) is like to drive or the 330i??

If there is only a relatively small difference between the 330 and the 340, then splash out on the larger engine.
Only real downside is the £500 per year tax - which the 330 may also fall into depending on spec.

I'm asking about the 2 litre 3/430i.
It looks like any 330i Touring or 430i Gran Coupe with the spec (basically pano roof and metallic paint) I want will fall into £450 VED bracket.