Advice on what car next ?

[Charlie Brown]

Evening all

I was looking for some advice / opinions on what car I should purchase next, I currently have a 2003 330i - 180 000kms that is awesome and will never be sold.

I am looking to get into something newer at no more than R250k, and these are my options;

LCI 330i E90 - manual +/- R180k - pretty scarce but will be closest to what I have.

LCI 330d E90 - auto +/- R230k - a few more about.

2012 / 2013 - F30 320d - R230k > R250k - lots about,

2012 / 2013 - F30 328i - R230k > R250k - a few around, but not sure about these motors - nice / similar figures to the 330i's > but turbo etc etc ?

Not sure if I should be looking at anything else and would appreciate your ideas, input and suggestions.

I do about 20 000kms a year, must be a 4 door, not adverse to the 1 Series - but I haven't really looked them - mainly the 3 Series - prefer manuals, do all my own servicing.

Let me know.....

 

[Gizmo]

LCI 330d gets my vote if it's to be your daily driver.

 

[ChefDJ]

F10 530d should be on your options list, even if not manual :thumbs:

 

[S1NGH 911]

E90 LCI 330d Auto is the best on your list


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[Weskus330d]

Second the Lci 330d but try getting manual.

 

[FerdiBotha]

I had the same budget and settled on a 330d E90 and I am 100% confident that I made the right choice.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks for your thoughts and input thus far.

A 330d Motorsport in Manual - that should be pretty damn near impossible to find - but lets try !

 

[BadBoy23]

330d no doubt :cartel:

 

[michael.joseph]

Don't think you'll go wrong with the 330d.

Excellent all rounder

 

[tman]

I vote 330d.

Just look for a clean one, they are also scarce.

 

[Ashiel]

E90 330D FTW :cartel:

 

[Charlie Brown]

Well that was close.

Not even a mention of the others !

Thanks guys.

 

[Quentin Legend]

330d gets my vote. I am super happy with mine :crazylaugh:

 

[husaindindar]

Since everyone is saying 330d, let me be different and advise you to go for the LCi 330i Manual.

Reason: It is the last of the inline 6 naturally aspirated pure driving pleasure that BMW has made. Never to be produced again! Yip.... NEVER will we get an aspirated inline 6 again!

 

[davelo]

I'm 100% with husaindindar on this. Doesn't even HAVE to be an LCI. The N52 is one of the best engines BMW ever made, in my opinion. That's why I now seem to be collecting them!! Instant grin factor - why anyone would rather have a 4 cyl turbo is beyond me. With normal driving the economy is even OK - in the 10's. Can be a bit thirstier if you want bigger grins regularly, however.

 

[momo1]

I'm 100% with husaindindar on this. Doesn't even HAVE to be an LCI. The N52 is one of the best engines BMW ever made, in my opinion. That's why I now seem to be collecting them!! Instant grin factor - why anyone would rather have a 4 cyl turbo is beyond me. With normal driving the economy is even OK - in the 10's. Can be a bit thirstier if you want bigger grins regularly, however.

Yip , I averaged 7.0l/100km on a 120km trip I did yesterday.
and that purr at around 3000rpm is just music.

 

[cRed001]

I'd got with the 330d. If that fails the F30 320D would be next choice

 

[moranor@axis]

go drive all of them to get a feel

personally i think you should get a car with a turbo to make it worth while
you already have an exceptionally clean NA 3l the e90 would not really be any more different only a slight evolution

unless you want to own 2 of the same car I would take the e90 330i off the list

 

[Lizzard]

OP, I had the E46 330i auto and went to an E90 330i manual, worlds apart in driving but the E90 has more horses then its counter part E46. Also I got the sat nav version of the E90 so there was extras that made it that more special over the E46.

And I am a sucker for N/A cars as I dont want the worry of the extra's like turbo going etc. Also dont race and they made for comfort, not racing. Just dont go lower then the 330. You will be disappointing.

The 320d is an awesome car but it is for fuel economy. They have torque but that is about it. Drove my friends E90 320d and it was ok. It puts you in the seat when you push it but just that oomph and then it is gone, like you can rev the N/A motor all the way to 7000rpm and be pushed in your seat and feel that rush where the diesel is just shifting gears through all of this. Drive the 320d first, borrow from a friend before you go down that route.......there is a difference and it is not worth the time and money to look at them if you come from a 330i. They just to slow

 

[KPM3_30]

I will just throw a thought out there... Probably won't be the most popular choice but why not consider a 335i, especially since you will be keeping your 330i.

After owning my e46, l have always wondered what it would be like to drive a 330i with a turbo (or two) hence my rationale.