BMW M Sport 320D or 330D?

[Dragnet 5]

I’m looking to buy a BMW 3 series M Sport but want to know if it is worth going for 320D or 330D?
Is there much difference in servicing costs?
Many thanks

[Pistonheader101]

330d is a much better drive.

[ZX10R NIN]

330d everytime.

[meatballs]

320d is a very good car but for anyone who ever questions whether to get the bigger engine, the answer is always get the bigger engine.

[IanJ9375]

115k on our 2015 330d - apart from the horn failing it's not had an issue, pretty impressive to be fair.
The 330d is pretty much all you need as a regular car, the performance is brisk enough whilst still returning mid-40s MPG - I imagine it will cost you pretty much the same to service

Make sure you find one with the M Sport+ kit with the larger brakes

330e incoming as its replacement next month!

[Big GT]

330d

Less expensive to in the long run.
Less depreciation
More reliable than 320d
It will make you happier

[SlowV6]

To be any good, a car must have more cylinders than seats.

330d every time and mated to an auto.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had a 330d and a 520d...I wished that I'd gone for the 530d...so that tells you all that you need to know.

The 330d is a brilliant all round car and I always recommend it very highly.

[greggy50]

If this is the E90 get the facelift 325d as its the exact same engine as a 330D

I would always get the 3.0 its a far nicer engine than the 2.0 and they remap to circa 320hp on the 2010 onwards whilst still doing mid 40s MPG on a run.

[Mr Tidy]

I think it was Autocar some years ago that said a 320d was all the car you'd ever need.

But the 330d was all the car you'd ever want!

Despite that I have a 330i straight 6 petrol - I spent nearly a decade with tractor engines and can't see their appeal.

[NewUsername]

I’ll buck the trend, neither are sports cars the 320d is ‘almost’ as fast in the real world down a real road with real traffic , it’s a very good all rounder daily runner.
Yes the 330 is more accelerative but that’s about it.

[Pica-Pica]

6 cylinders always. I have the 335d.
I imagine servicing is similar between a 320d and a 330d. Comparable components and fluids need changing, so similar part prices and labour costs.

[scot_aln]

Depends on the age. In early life servicing won't be much different. In later life then there are 6 of things rather than 4. Although BMW don't and can't do it in ads anymore I don't think the 6 cylinder would manage the once quoted 50/50 weight distribution. Its definitely nose heavier.

Regardless of that it is much smoother to drive and the torque is just effortless on the 6.

[ninjag]

330d, it's a great engine and relentless acceleration into triple digits yet I could still get mid 50's mpg if taking it easy and even managed over 60mpg when on a 50mph motorway.

[scot_aln]

That's the kind of figure's I've saw in 2.0ds but never realised the 3.0d could get these, impressive.

I've only ever had the 3d as a loaner and always took advantage of the extra go so mpg wasn't the best (relatively).

[cerb4.5lee]

NewUsername said:

I’ll buck the trend, neither are sports cars the 320d is ‘almost’ as fast in the real world down a real road with real traffic , it’s a very good all rounder daily runner.
Yes the 330 is more accelerative but that’s about it.

I had a bit of fun with a 320d in my 330d and I agree that out on the road rolling there wasn't much between the two at all. The 3 litre engine is a fair bit heavier which does make a difference.

I just think that the 3 litre feels a bit more of a quality engine though, whereas the 2 litre has an annoying(to me) roughness to it.

[ninjag]

scot_aln said:

That's the kind of figure's I've saw in 2.0ds but never realised the 3.0d could get these, impressive.

I've only ever had the 3d as a loaner and always took advantage of the extra go so mpg wasn't the best (relatively).

I had to make full use of eco mode and the transmission disengaging feature whilst reading the road and traffic to get the mid 60's mpg at 50mph, but it wasn't enjoyable to drive like this.

General motorway driving if not worrying about economy and some spirited driving would be in the mid 40's which is the same as my XF (which doesn't have an eco mode).

It's nice being able to get the economy of many a four cylinder but with a quick left flick of the gear selector you've got excellent overtaking power in the 330d.

[Pica-Pica]

ninjag said:

I had to make full use of eco mode and the transmission disengaging feature whilst reading the road and traffic to get the mid 60's mpg at 50mph, but it wasn't enjoyable to drive like this.

General motorway driving if not worrying about economy and some spirited driving would be in the mid 40's which is the same as my XF (which doesn't have an eco mode).

It's nice being able to get the economy of many a four cylinder but with a quick left flick of the gear selector you've got excellent overtaking power in the 330d.

I have turned the ‘coast’ feature off for eco-pro mode. I did not like it.

[Dragnet 5]

Really useful inputs - many thanks.

I have heard that the 330D doesn't handle quite as well due to the extra weight - is this correct?

I'm looking at either the 320D or 330D from 2016 onwards. Not sure if this is when 320D went to Efficient Dynamics model but have heard that this is down in power compared to normal 320D so want to avoid it but I think the later ones are mainly ED?


Thanks again

[Wills2]

Dragnet 5 said:

Really useful inputs - many thanks.

I have heard that the 330D doesn't handle quite as well due to the extra weight - is this correct?

Yes it is correct, but the 330d is the sweet spot in terms of power/refinement/handling. Just don't get the 335d it's a pudding of a car awful handling.