Discussion
I'm a complete n00b when it comes to BMWs, so I'll apologise at the outset for the vagueness of the enquiry and the low starting knowledge level!
Imminent arrival of our first baby means that, reluctantly, sensible head prevails over heart and my old 911 has to go to be replaced with something a bit more family friendly.
Initially, I had been looking at the smaller end of the family car market, as my wife hates driving and wouldn't even contemplate driving a big car. Since the replacement is to be an only car, it had to be modestly-sized, so the natural kind of replacements combining a bit more practicality with at least a modicum of driving fun were the Focus ST or a Mk V Golf GTi.
But idly browsing the 'Trader at lunchtime, I noticed that E90 330s appear to have dropped below £20K now, so that started me thinking.... I realise it's not an out-and-out sportscar, but I figured that 270 bhp, a 3 litre straight six engine and RWD must be at least reasonably fun to drive?
Here's one that caught my eye local to me:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
So, my question is really along the lines of what do I need to know about E90 330s? How do they drive? Do they drink like George Best? Are BMW dealers an expensive nightmare to deal with?
Any and all Beemer-related knowledge gratefully received!
Imminent arrival of our first baby means that, reluctantly, sensible head prevails over heart and my old 911 has to go to be replaced with something a bit more family friendly.
Initially, I had been looking at the smaller end of the family car market, as my wife hates driving and wouldn't even contemplate driving a big car. Since the replacement is to be an only car, it had to be modestly-sized, so the natural kind of replacements combining a bit more practicality with at least a modicum of driving fun were the Focus ST or a Mk V Golf GTi.
But idly browsing the 'Trader at lunchtime, I noticed that E90 330s appear to have dropped below £20K now, so that started me thinking.... I realise it's not an out-and-out sportscar, but I figured that 270 bhp, a 3 litre straight six engine and RWD must be at least reasonably fun to drive?
Here's one that caught my eye local to me:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
So, my question is really along the lines of what do I need to know about E90 330s? How do they drive? Do they drink like George Best? Are BMW dealers an expensive nightmare to deal with?
Any and all Beemer-related knowledge gratefully received!
Edited by Lurking Lawyer on Tuesday 18th March 16:21
SJobson said:
I'd constantly want a 335i
Me too, Simon - but, alas, the budget is probably light by £10K or so, since even used 335s seem to be up at high £20Ks/low £30Ks, and that's a lot more than we want to spend at the moment. Maybe in a couple of years....Even an E90 was only something I thought about very recently, so something like the Alpina you linked to hadn't even crossed my mind. I suppose a Touring version would be handy for all the kit which will inevitably have to accompany junior, but I can see a REAL issue persuading SWMBO that it's not too big. She hates driving and hasn't driven anything bigger than a Clio before, it's going to be enough of an ask to convince her that a 3 series isn't too big, without adding the further psychological hurdle of it being an estate!
VerySideways said:
In which case you may want go go and test drive a 5 door 130i Msport 
I know the engine is great but I just can't get on with the looks, Pete 
I've also heard that the MSport suspension is probably a bit too hard for a family car? A friend warned me off the MSport version of the 330i on the basis that the suspension is a bit unforgiving and it may be a bit too bumpy for baby-ferrying duties......
SJobson said:
Having looked at the VED bands, I have decided I wouldn't want a 335i after all, too.
Any idea which band the 330 falls into? I can imagine the 335 being dragged into the top bands and therefore whacked under the new regime with a hefty VED rate.It did occur to me that a 3 litre 272 bhp engine was probably going to be rather more than I've been used to paying. The 993 had the added benefit of being a pre-2001 car, so only cost me £200 despite having a 3.6 litre lump putting out lots (I would assume) of C02
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