330 E92: Diesel or petrol? Manual or automatic?
Discussion
A friend of mine is about to order his next company car, and has been "encouraged" to go for a new shape 330 Coupe (E92). He does little mileage and has so far only driven manuals and not keen at all on automatics, though he is in fairness a pretty crap driver, so don't know why he is insisting on a manual. I am gently trying to encourage him to go automatic, just to let him focus a bit more on the driving. Also, he has to navigate a very steep parking descent every day, so again an automatic might be easier.
However, any advice on whether to choose the petrol or the diesel version? I would think that the petrol and manual would go together, and the diesel and automatic, with the latter combo being the one suggested by the leasing company for residual value (hence monthly payments)?
Also, standard spec should be ok, but some options that ought to be specified? Professional nav a must, PDC, leather and possibly a HK stereo?
However, any advice on whether to choose the petrol or the diesel version? I would think that the petrol and manual would go together, and the diesel and automatic, with the latter combo being the one suggested by the leasing company for residual value (hence monthly payments)?
Also, standard spec should be ok, but some options that ought to be specified? Professional nav a must, PDC, leather and possibly a HK stereo?
rassi said:
A friend of mine is about to order his next company car, and has been "encouraged" to go for a new shape 330 Coupe (E92). He does little mileage and has so far only driven manuals and not keen at all on automatics, though he is in fairness a pretty crap driver, so don't know why he is insisting on a manual. I am gently trying to encourage him to go automatic, just to let him focus a bit more on the driving. Also, he has to navigate a very steep parking descent every day, so again an automatic might be easier.
However, any advice on whether to choose the petrol or the diesel version? I would think that the petrol and manual would go together, and the diesel and automatic, with the latter combo being the one suggested by the leasing company for residual value (hence monthly payments)?
Also, standard spec should be ok, but some options that ought to be specified? Professional nav a must, PDC, leather and possibly a HK stereo?
However, any advice on whether to choose the petrol or the diesel version? I would think that the petrol and manual would go together, and the diesel and automatic, with the latter combo being the one suggested by the leasing company for residual value (hence monthly payments)?
Also, standard spec should be ok, but some options that ought to be specified? Professional nav a must, PDC, leather and possibly a HK stereo?
If it were me I would go E92 335D Coupe in Black and manual, I think the HK stereo was on the E46 I think is now called logic - something.
Oh and possible upgrade on the alloys.
SATNAV will be a lot of ££, about 2k... personally would not spend money on it when a £200 TOMTOM will be better, can be taken from car-to-car and easily replaced / updated at little cost. I know that everyone will chip in with "its essential" for resale etc etc... just sell car for £1k less. I certainly would not give anyone any more for ££ one with than without.
Sound wise I found the standard stereo lacking, I had the H&K upgrade in my 330 and it was an improvement but probably could have got better sound spending the ££ on an after market setup. Saying that less squeeks potentially as not having trim removed. I'd certainly go for that if I go for another new car.
Petrol.. I'd have manual.
Diesel...still have manual, I just hate autos though.
Leather..essential.
PDC..thought it was standard (at rar anyway ?)
Xenon's are nice also.
Also... I'd wait till January till the "M-sport" kit is out and get that. It will look way way better and will come with alloys hopefully big enough to look correct on the car.
Sound wise I found the standard stereo lacking, I had the H&K upgrade in my 330 and it was an improvement but probably could have got better sound spending the ££ on an after market setup. Saying that less squeeks potentially as not having trim removed. I'd certainly go for that if I go for another new car.
Petrol.. I'd have manual.
Diesel...still have manual, I just hate autos though.
Leather..essential.
PDC..thought it was standard (at rar anyway ?)
Xenon's are nice also.
Also... I'd wait till January till the "M-sport" kit is out and get that. It will look way way better and will come with alloys hopefully big enough to look correct on the car.
Well, you can only get the 335d with an automatic (at least at the moment) anyway, so that could simplify the decision.
But I suppose it depends on what definition of "company car" you're using; specifically whether it's his company through which he's getting a car, or if it's a corporation and he's picking from a list.
In the case of the latter, as someone else is picking up the tab, as long as his mileage compensation is more than 14p per mile I'd go with the 335i. In fact the 335d only saves you about 2p a mile in fuel, so as the 335i is the more capable vehicle I'd certainly go with that. Besides which the company car tax will be less, because it costs less raw and it's not a diseasel (sorry, diesel) so the rate's lower. I prefer automatic on cars like that, as it's got enough power to offset the blunting effect of the auto, it suits wafting along on the motorway and in traffic, and you get shift paddles on both versions anyway in case you fancy a spot of hooning.
But I suppose it depends on what definition of "company car" you're using; specifically whether it's his company through which he's getting a car, or if it's a corporation and he's picking from a list.
In the case of the latter, as someone else is picking up the tab, as long as his mileage compensation is more than 14p per mile I'd go with the 335i. In fact the 335d only saves you about 2p a mile in fuel, so as the 335i is the more capable vehicle I'd certainly go with that. Besides which the company car tax will be less, because it costs less raw and it's not a diseasel (sorry, diesel) so the rate's lower. I prefer automatic on cars like that, as it's got enough power to offset the blunting effect of the auto, it suits wafting along on the motorway and in traffic, and you get shift paddles on both versions anyway in case you fancy a spot of hooning.
Should clarify: Company car as in he can choose from a list within a budget of about 900 euro a month, and the E92 330 was being put forward as a good candidate because of 15 % discount on fleet vehicles from BMW. Not a petrolhead at all, but would like to use up the budget which is why a 330 with all options fits the bill.
Just to decide on the petrol/diesel question, as well as the gearbox. Think he would prefer a 330i manual, but that is more because he is unwilling to learn how to drive an automatic (which IMO would be a 10 minute exercise).
Just to decide on the petrol/diesel question, as well as the gearbox. Think he would prefer a 330i manual, but that is more because he is unwilling to learn how to drive an automatic (which IMO would be a 10 minute exercise).
Oh, a 330. Sorry, I was in 335 mode there, I must have got caught up in all the 335 frenzy!
But the case is still largely the same, there's still only about 2p per mile in it between the two.
If it's a conventional company car (i.e. all costs bar petrol covered by company, petrol refunded at mileage rate), surely he'll only be paying tax on it, not any of the lease payments, so needn't worry about resale-ability. Is that the case?
If it is, I'd just go for the 330i as it's quicker and the tax is lower.
As for learning the automatic transmission, my father had the same misgivings. For most of his live he'd had exclusively manual Vauxhall SRi's of various flavours, and was understandably dubious about automatics. But he ended up moving to a German auto SUV, and hasn't looked back. In fact he now says "people always used to tell me how great the autos were on these, and how you'd never look back, and I always thought it was nonesense. But now I say the same thing!".
But the case is still largely the same, there's still only about 2p per mile in it between the two.
If it's a conventional company car (i.e. all costs bar petrol covered by company, petrol refunded at mileage rate), surely he'll only be paying tax on it, not any of the lease payments, so needn't worry about resale-ability. Is that the case?
If it is, I'd just go for the 330i as it's quicker and the tax is lower.
As for learning the automatic transmission, my father had the same misgivings. For most of his live he'd had exclusively manual Vauxhall SRi's of various flavours, and was understandably dubious about automatics. But he ended up moving to a German auto SUV, and hasn't looked back. In fact he now says "people always used to tell me how great the autos were on these, and how you'd never look back, and I always thought it was nonesense. But now I say the same thing!".
job38 said:
If he's a 'prety crap driver' (sic) then an auto diesel 330d will be perfect for him.
If, however, he were to enjoy driving, then 330 petrol manual every time.
Puts on flame proof suit and waits for torque-is-all argument (despite the fact it make the car a one-trick-pony)
If, however, he were to enjoy driving, then 330 petrol manual every time.
Puts on flame proof suit and waits for torque-is-all argument (despite the fact it make the car a one-trick-pony)
By "pretty crap driver" (BTW, what's with the 'sic'?) I meant that he is someone who appreciates quality cars but is a driver with no real mechanical sympathy or delicacy.
I am definitely not asking e.g. which car is the faster one, as I have also seen the very lengthy petro/diesel debates, just wanting an honest opinion of which combo to go for, given the specific driver. Running costs not a point either, as a petrol (or diesel) card is provided for.
Still leaning towards the 330d automatic for a relaxed drive, though his commute is a 20 minute inner-city one, so not ideal conditions for a diesel (or any engine, come to it).
rassi said:
job38 said:
If he's a 'prety crap driver' (sic) then an auto diesel 330d will be perfect for him.
If, however, he were to enjoy driving, then 330 petrol manual every time.
Puts on flame proof suit and waits for torque-is-all argument (despite the fact it make the car a one-trick-pony)
If, however, he were to enjoy driving, then 330 petrol manual every time.
Puts on flame proof suit and waits for torque-is-all argument (despite the fact it make the car a one-trick-pony)
By "pretty crap driver" (BTW, what's with the 'sic'?) I meant that he is someone who appreciates quality cars but is a driver with no real mechanical sympathy or delicacy.
I am definitely not asking e.g. which car is the faster one, as I have also seen the very lengthy petro/diesel debates, just wanting an honest opinion of which combo to go for, given the specific driver. Running costs not a point either, as a petrol (or diesel) card is provided for.
Still leaning towards the 330d automatic for a relaxed drive, though his commute is a 20 minute inner-city one, so not ideal conditions for a diesel (or any engine, come to it).
sic 1 |sik| adverb used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original, ORIGIN Latin, literally 'so, thus.'
Here endeth the lesson
Job38
CommanderJameson said:
rassi said:
his commute is a 20 minute inner-city one
Toyota Yaris auto?
*flees*
Edited by CommanderJameson on Friday 3rd November 07:38
Quite possibly a match made in heaven
but the idea would be to use up the leasing budget, and regrettably a Yaris cannot be specced to that point... Anyway, I have been asked to go with him to the dealer next weekend so will see what he ends up getting. Thanks for comments guys.
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