320d/330d auto touring?
Discussion
I’m considering a 3 series touring, preferably auto. Budget £6k-£10k.
Half of me wants to just make do with a Passat/Mondeo (save the £££’s) and get a play car in a few years. However a 320d/330d would kind of suit both needs for the time being – practical and fun to drive.
What are they like to live with? What sort of MPG should I expect from either models. It looks like 35ish for the 330 and 40ish for the 320d mixed driving – is that too optimistic with the auto box?
Previous cars – Leon TDI and Saab 1.9TTid. From the figures it looks like the 320d sits about between the two, the 330d clearly the quickest!
What also strikes me is the significant difference between facelifts in the 3 series range. Every couple of years each engine gets an increase in power, lower Co2 etc – it seems much more pronounced that with other marques.
I don’t want to get something too leggy but appreciate I’ll have to get a higher mileage 330d than a 320d, a few horror stories of big bills scare me a bit. Don’t want to (or afford to!) have a £10k 330d followed by a £3k new autobox within a few months.
Any pointers, advice etc appreciated!
Half of me wants to just make do with a Passat/Mondeo (save the £££’s) and get a play car in a few years. However a 320d/330d would kind of suit both needs for the time being – practical and fun to drive.
What are they like to live with? What sort of MPG should I expect from either models. It looks like 35ish for the 330 and 40ish for the 320d mixed driving – is that too optimistic with the auto box?
Previous cars – Leon TDI and Saab 1.9TTid. From the figures it looks like the 320d sits about between the two, the 330d clearly the quickest!
What also strikes me is the significant difference between facelifts in the 3 series range. Every couple of years each engine gets an increase in power, lower Co2 etc – it seems much more pronounced that with other marques.
I don’t want to get something too leggy but appreciate I’ll have to get a higher mileage 330d than a 320d, a few horror stories of big bills scare me a bit. Don’t want to (or afford to!) have a £10k 330d followed by a £3k new autobox within a few months.
Any pointers, advice etc appreciated!
I'm on my second 330d Touring. The first was an '04 SE spec and the current one is a '54 Sport. Both Auto. I did have an '04 320d saloon which I found to be OK but too under powered for my taste @ 150bhp (although it did return nearly 50MPG).
In my opinion go for the following:
Facelift post '03 - 204bph rather than 184.
Sport spec - more aggressive styling, much more supportive front seats, anthrecite headlining, nice chuncky steering wheel and firmer suspension.
They look nice with the 18" MV2's but expect a degree of tramlining.
On a run mine does 40+. The wife's using it about town at the moment and struggling to reach 30.
As far as I can gather there are three weak points:
Swirl flaps - these have been reported to fall into the engine cue new engine. I had mine removed and a face plate put in their place @ £200. Piece of mind if nothing else.
Gearboxes - I don't think there's a cure but I'd probably guess BMW's stance of never opening and changing the oil doesn't help. I don't think there have been a great many failures though and replacement is appro £1500 I think.
Turbo's - just general precautions of warming engine thoughly before booting it and, more importantly, letting the engine idle for a few minutes after a run before switching off will be all you can do.
Servicing's not too bad. Mine's in for the big Inspection 2 next week @ £270 inc by my local BMW specialist. Service intervals are based on how it is driven but expect between 15-18k between each one. I do tend to slip in an extra oil change in between these schedules though.
I really rate them; quickish, very well built, comfy and seem to be keeping their value quite well. We were on the verge of part ex'ing it for a new Fiesta a few weeks ago as the Mrs wanted a smaller car but we just couldn't bring ourselves to do it!
In my opinion go for the following:
Facelift post '03 - 204bph rather than 184.
Sport spec - more aggressive styling, much more supportive front seats, anthrecite headlining, nice chuncky steering wheel and firmer suspension.
They look nice with the 18" MV2's but expect a degree of tramlining.
On a run mine does 40+. The wife's using it about town at the moment and struggling to reach 30.
As far as I can gather there are three weak points:
Swirl flaps - these have been reported to fall into the engine cue new engine. I had mine removed and a face plate put in their place @ £200. Piece of mind if nothing else.
Gearboxes - I don't think there's a cure but I'd probably guess BMW's stance of never opening and changing the oil doesn't help. I don't think there have been a great many failures though and replacement is appro £1500 I think.
Turbo's - just general precautions of warming engine thoughly before booting it and, more importantly, letting the engine idle for a few minutes after a run before switching off will be all you can do.
Servicing's not too bad. Mine's in for the big Inspection 2 next week @ £270 inc by my local BMW specialist. Service intervals are based on how it is driven but expect between 15-18k between each one. I do tend to slip in an extra oil change in between these schedules though.
I really rate them; quickish, very well built, comfy and seem to be keeping their value quite well. We were on the verge of part ex'ing it for a new Fiesta a few weeks ago as the Mrs wanted a smaller car but we just couldn't bring ourselves to do it!
Great - thanks for such a detailed response.
I'll need to try the sport spec, SE seemed the best choice as I had heard that the sport suspension and 18" wheels made the ride too harsh and that the SE is was the best all rounder. Agree with you on the looks though, the sport does look the dogs danglers! Plus the sport seems more popular than the SE.
Not sure the budget would stretch to a post 2004 330d auto though, found a 330d 2006 but that's £15k.
Researched servicing and there does not seem to be a huge difference between the 320/330d.
I'll need to try the sport spec, SE seemed the best choice as I had heard that the sport suspension and 18" wheels made the ride too harsh and that the SE is was the best all rounder. Agree with you on the looks though, the sport does look the dogs danglers! Plus the sport seems more popular than the SE.
Not sure the budget would stretch to a post 2004 330d auto though, found a 330d 2006 but that's £15k.
Researched servicing and there does not seem to be a huge difference between the 320/330d.
Rob P said:
Great - thanks for such a detailed response.
I'll need to try the sport spec, SE seemed the best choice as I had heard that the sport suspension and 18" wheels made the ride too harsh and that the SE is was the best all rounder. Agree with you on the looks though, the sport does look the dogs danglers! Plus the sport seems more popular than the SE.
Not sure the budget would stretch to a post 2004 330d auto though, found a 330d 2006 but that's £15k.
Researched servicing and there does not seem to be a huge difference between the 320/330d.
No problem. I did like my SE Tourer but the seats really were too short under the leg (the Sports have an adjustable extension) and they had next to no bolsters at the side for support.I'll need to try the sport spec, SE seemed the best choice as I had heard that the sport suspension and 18" wheels made the ride too harsh and that the SE is was the best all rounder. Agree with you on the looks though, the sport does look the dogs danglers! Plus the sport seems more popular than the SE.
Not sure the budget would stretch to a post 2004 330d auto though, found a 330d 2006 but that's £15k.
Researched servicing and there does not seem to be a huge difference between the 320/330d.
The Sport suspension can be a bit harsh but I found the SE too slack. As you say, give them both a go and see what suits.
One last thing... don't forget the options.... leather is a must, as is climate control. Heated seats should be expected. Blue Tooth, folding mirrors and Satnav appear to be very rare on 3 series (apart from M's).
Oh, and personally I wouldn't get too hung up on mileage. Mine's just gone over 80k and honestly if it said 20k I'd believe it! They age well so just make sure it's got full service history, be it either dealer of a respected specialist.
Good luck in finding a good'un. Took me a good while to find mine. I think people are hanging onto them in the current climate hence the rarity and the prices being asked.
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