335i vs 330d vs 320d: What to get?

Personally if it was me, I would opt for the 320d LCI.
My ex 320D with 85 000km still under plan was sold for R170 000, off the dealer's floor.

I do not race or track, so I don't need all the extra power of the 330D, but I wouldn't say no to the extra fuel economy of the 320D.
 

herco

///Member
Thanks Sabretooth!

The 320d is definitely still on the list! My dad drives the e46 and I love that car.

At the end of the day I think it will come down to what is available when I am ready to purchase... It does not help I decide on the 335i now, for example, but when its time to purchase I ONLY look at 335is. I might miss that Alpine White Msport 320d... :p

Every time I think I have the one I want, I read of someone else's experience and my mind is changed. At least I still a few months to decide.
 

herco

///Member
^This is true.

I don't want to make the same mistake I made on mu crurrent 320i. So I want to try be as sure and clued up as possible when the time comes.

Again, thanks to everyone who had an input so far! :ty:
 
To add my experience to your questions

In the 3 and a half years of ownership of my 320d, only things replaced under plan was the pulleys and my clutch kit. Other than that no issues. Don't know why they felt they needed to replace the clutch, as there was no signs of failure. It went for a service, they wanted to replace it, I felt why not, I'm not paying.
 

Lizzard

Active member
My experience and opinion

My E90 330i is bland apparently so I have learned in the last 5 minutes :roflol:, have you ever driven one for more than 5 minutes :RedNo:

Herco, don't base your decision on someone opinion but do take note of it.

320d, 335i and 330d are all turbo charged cars, which means you will need to service the turbo's once you get the car to ensure the turbo doesn't go out on you. Have a friend who bought a 320d, good condition and within 5 weeks the turbo went without warning, he took a corner, accelerated and nothing, no power. Turbo blew and he didn't even know it. My point being, service the turbo and you should be sorted but forget about it and you will fork out a leg, his turbo went for R7K second hand. New he was looking around R14K plus. And note it is still the same price to service the turbo. For me, that is a definitely no no.

I also don't like the asma pump things as they go out of puff quickly as they only goes like a tornado up to like 5000 RPM and then nothing (I take my second breath at that rpm and then push it all the way to 7000rpm) and a fact, a 330d bearly beats a 330i, stock that is ofcourse. If tuned then it is another beast but for how long before it goes, you always have to look at how you drive, did the turbo cool down enough, when starting it from a cold start how long before I can hammer the little guy (in my case, 3 blocks and that annoying vw gets some Rottweiler up his a@#$), all of this is why I never chose a turbo charge one. Would love to drive the 335i and that 330d but that's it, just drive them and not own them. To much other problems to look for.

On a not so serious note, you cant go wrong with any of them and please don't put the 4 cylinder with the 6's. It's not worthy being in the same category :rollsmile: 330d or 335i is a good car to look for, just do those turbo baby's once you get it
 

cOlDFuSiOn

New member
I guess the 330d will be a good option.
Never ever go on quoted figures for the 335.. I visit the pumps every 2-3 days for a full tank.. :cartel:
 

herco

///Member
Thank you Lizzard!

Im just concerned about the fuel of the 330i as a daily. That is why I took it off the list.

Can you please share your fuel consumption and driving style?


The 335i is scaring me at this point in time. Seems like the car with the most variables... But also the one with the biggest fun factor!
 

Lizzard

Active member
Sure,

If I do 80% highway and 20% traffic I get around 6 - 7L per 100km

I am using my 330i as a daily driver, drive from Pretoria central to centurion with 20% highway and 80% traffic and get 11.2L per 100km (but please note I have spirit driving sections in the road to work and home).

On good behavior, 10% spirit driving per trip I get around 9 - 10L per 100km and on the open road I go to as low as 6L per 100km.
If I decide and hammer it all the way then I surely get around 13 - 14L per 100km, not so good

A 330d will give you around 8L per 100km in traffic, you will get more kilometers out of your tank but that is not good enough for me to buy it. But don't let me put you off on it, I rather pay a little more for my fuel, its just the way I am.
 

herco

///Member
I was once at a track day and there was 330i... Good lawd the sound that came out of that thing made panties drop in a 330km radius!

I think I need to do some research regarding performance enhancements for the 330i.
 

individj

Well-known member
my 330i isn't light on fuel but I've got a heavy foot...its so damn smooth though & isn't slow..its no 335i but ja it aint too bad. don't think its a cost effective car to mod..full exhaust including header & chip will free up some kw's but ja


oh & i stay at coast
 

Lizzard

Active member
Henco, if I can make a suggestion :tiptoe:

Why don't you ask for any fanatic close to you with these cars to visit or get them somewhere and take the cars for a drive and see what they do, try and do it all at the same time (like have a 320d, 330i, 330d and 335i there at the same time) and then drive the one after the other and see what is making you happy, also look at the individuals fuel consumption on his car gauge to see how much he has been consuming in the last 100km. That should give you a better perspective of which one to go for, all of these are wonderful cars and awesome to drive but that said, what rocks my boat doesn't do it for the next person. I love comfort, worrying free driving, and when needed teach a vw what a proper car sounds and drives like, as the saying goes now you see me now you don't. I literally bought a 330i because I want to bypass the other driver, without him accelerating and trying to block me in the process. Stupid reason but hey, I am not sad about it and have thought about why I never bought the diesel 330d one, having driven with my friend in his 320d (I know it isn't the same, but the principle is) the torque is awesome but it is only for a bit then there :cry: is nothing and you have to shift. Glad I didn't buy the 330d as this would have drove me nuts
 

Fordkoppie

///Member
herco said:
I think I need to do some research regarding performance enhancements for the 330i.

Nothing. It has no extra potential.

Chances are that modifications will make it slower and heavier on fuel.

But the 330i would still be my choice (out of the 4 you have narrowed it down to) if I had to maintain and pour in fuel out of my own pocket.

They are also not very popular, so chances of getting one for way less than your budget is good.

BTW - 335i real world consumption will make your eyes water. It makes a V8 look like a frugal eco metalist
 

cOlDFuSiOn

New member
Fordkoppie said:
herco said:
I think I need to do some research regarding performance enhancements for the 330i.

Nothing. It has no extra potential.

Chances are that modifications will make it slower and heavier on fuel.

But the 330i would still be my choice (out of the 4 you have narrowed it down to) if I had to maintain and pour in fuel out of my own pocket.

They are also not very popular, so chances of getting one for way less than your budget is good.

BTW - 335i real world consumption will make your eyes water. It makes a V8 look like a frugal eco metalist

^^ This is the truth... But damn the car sounds so good on the redline :rollsmile:
 

Ralf*

///Member
If you want to hear the sound of a BMW 6 cylinder, then the 330i
if you don't care for the sound, but want equal power, good consumption, the Diesel FTW
 

herco

///Member
I do not appreciate these comments regarding the 335i fuel consumption! :p

Just kidding, it is the sad reality. I don't think I will go for the 335i. If I had to choose one to drive around for 1 day, I would not hesitate to pick the 335i... But unfortunately, it seems like the most risky option.

So... 330i is back on the menu, and the 335i is moved to the bottom position. Where I'm are sitting at now:

  • 330d
  • 330i
  • 320d
  • 335i :'(
 
Top