Which Daily - 330i GTI?

[330dgticonf]

Hello,

First post - I've been wrestling with these options for a while now.
I have a 320d which I have been daily driving for a while now, Want to treat myself to something quicker albeit still practical. I guess im looking for the best all rounder.
I have narrowed it down to the GTI or the 330. The equivalent merc V6 is also on the table.
Diesels get a lot of hate on here but the 330d and again c350d are also in my head (Ive always driven diesels and like the torque)

Needs - Somewhat decent MPG - I have occasional motorway journeys and would be nice not to forgo arm and leg.
5 Seats
Fun
Reliability - Im aiming for a sub 7k cost - so typically e90 BMW and mk6 GTI which will be ageing. Diesels go for longer so that's why they haven't been disregarded, the heavy weekend right foot has always kept dpf issues at bay for me too.
Auto

Long term goal is to get a newer s3 or m340i (in which time ill probably come back to ask the same questions).

Ive been going round and round in circles and there are too many - Hatch vs saloon, diesel vs petrol (power delivery), etc etc
Have I missed any other options?
edit - forgot to add the 130i - have considered this but autos are hard to find and the 600 quid tax is offputting

Edited by 330dgticonf on Tuesday 28th February 10:20

[Tony_T]

How many miles are you doing?

[scot_aln]

Do you find your 320d fun? If so then the 330d will be much more so. As main commuter/family bus we have gone through E46, E91 and F31. All 320ds bar the now 330d F31. For it's performance it's impressively economical and much more refined than the 2.0d. The Golf though was built as a hot hatch vs (as they market it) an executive saloon. Obviously you need to try both but I'd certainly say the golf would be more fun.

[GreatGranny]

Something like this would be on my list

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

208 GTi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301203...

[scot_aln]

The 208 is the PRINCE engine though isn't it. So nice long extended warranty needed.

[cerb4.5lee]

The E90 330i might feel a bit flat if you've been used to a diesel. At low revs you can definitely tell that you're dragging 1550kg around with you I reckon. I personally preferred the E90 330d that I had in comparison to the E90 330i. The 330i isn't that great on fuel either, and I only got around 26mpg from mine overall.

[330dgticonf]

Tony_T said:

How many miles are you doing?

19k annual mileage (IF i actually go in, Work seems to be flexible, the rate im currently going in its actually circa 10k.) If this is to rule out diesels - Every car ive had so far has been a diesel - never had any issues with dpf - i believe its because i drive them heavy here and there - but im not naive enough to rule out luck.

scot_aln said:

Do you find your 320d fun? If so then the 330d will be much more so. As main commuter/family bus we have gone through E46, E91 and F31. All 320ds bar the now 330d F31. For it's performance it's impressively economical and much more refined than the 2.0d. The Golf though was built as a hot hatch vs (as they market it) an executive saloon. Obviously you need to try both but I'd certainly say the golf would be more fun.

320d i do find funish, I like the torque and pull. but it does seem a little too refined as such i get carried away from time to time, perhaps a petrol is needed,is the 330d fun to drive?

GreatGranny said:

Something like this would be on my list

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

208 GTi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301203...

Did not consider the 208 gti - does seem a little small and the interior isnt to my taste. How is the auto box (if they come with one).

cerb4.5lee said:

The E90 330i might feel a bit flat if you've been used to a diesel. At low revs you can definitely tell that you're dragging 1550kg around with you I reckon. I personally preferred the E90 330d that I had in comparison to the E90 330i. The 330i isn't that great on fuel either, and I only got around 26mpg from mine overall.

This was a concern also - coming from turbo diesels to n/a - im guessing the I6 will be fun on long windy roads where i can let it rev out. Then again how often will that be.

Edited by 330dgticonf on Sunday 26th March 23:33

[Krikkit]

330i would be a great choice, imho the N52 has plenty of torque for daily driving, you've just got to adapt your style and rev it out a bit more. Not really a punishment with such a good engine imho.

[ZX10R NIN]

330dgticonf said:

Hello,

First post - I've been wrestling with these options for a while now.
I have a 320d which I have been daily driving for a while now, Want to treat myself to something quicker albeit still practical. I guess im looking for the best all rounder.
I have narrowed it down to the GTI or the 330. The equivalent merc V6 is also on the table.
Diesels get a lot of hate on here but the 330d and again c350d are also in my head (Ive always driven diesels and like the torque)

Needs - Somewhat decent MPG - I have occasional motorway journeys and would be nice not to forgo arm and leg.
5 Seats
Fun
Reliability - Im aiming for a sub 7k cost - so typically e90 BMW and mk6 GTI which will be ageing. Diesels go for longer so that's why they haven't been disregarded, the heavy weekend right foot has always kept dpf issues at bay for me too.
Auto

Long term goal is to get a newer s3 or m340i (in which time ill probably come back to ask the same questions).

Ive been going round and round in circles and there are too many - Hatch vs saloon, diesel vs petrol (power delivery), etc etc
Have I missed any other options?
edit - forgot to add the 130i - have considered this but autos are hard to find and the 600 quid tax is offputting

Edited by 330dgticonf on Tuesday 28th February 10:20

From what you describe I'd be looking for a C/E350cdi or a 330d as they'll suit your requirements.

C350cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301303...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211031...

Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302104...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209230...

E350cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301153...

[CG2020UK]

scot_aln said:

The 208 is the PRINCE engine though isn't it. So nice long extended warranty needed.

Just to hit this on the head the 208 GTI Prince engines are not the same as the chocolate Mini engines.

This is just misinformation.

[lord trumpton]

GreatGranny said:

Something like this would be on my list

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

Spoke to seller on that one - its one of a few he's imported.

Its actually a trader but selling as private

[Franco5]

330dgticonf said:

This was a concern also - coming from turbo diesels to n/a - im guessing the I6 will be fun on long windy roads where i can let it rev out. Then again how often will that be.

I wouldn’t say that any of these cars are fun. What is a fun car? I look at others in sports cars etc who, like me, spend most of their time in a procession of traffic at 45mph and wonder if they are having fun.