Bmw E46 And E9* 330I/330D Advice

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

I'm looking at upgrading my everyday car in the coming months. I currently bumble about in a 1.4 306, which is causing me issues, and have always hankered after another BMW ever since I sold my old 120d. I was looking at getting an E46 M3, but my mileage has now shot up to 13-14k from a modest 5-6k. So I'll have to give consideration to MPG. A good portion of the mileage will be motorway.

 

Currently looking at the 3.0litre cars, in both petrol and diesel guise on the E46 and E91 (Touring)/E92(Coupe). E46 will be cheaper to buy, but will surely cost on the parts (particularly the notorious 330ds). I'm pretty much fed up of being under a car all the time...bloody 306 . E9* will be cost much more but 'should' be fairly reliable and be a lot more fuel efficient. I've had a spin in the new 330d and it's fantastic, performance to match a hot hatch.

 

Anybody on here got a 335d for comparison? Just after some opinions and 'real' world mpg, preferably worked out as those computers can tell lies!

 

On top of this, I can't decide whether I need a Touring or can get away with a Coupe.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

I have just bought a 535d, so obviously bigger than you are looking at, but what I would say is, I cannot see any real logical reason to buy the equivalent 3.0 petrol over one of the 3.0 diesels. The diesels are equally powerful, have more torque, and return better mpg.

[Sandy 191]

But the petrols are quieter, smoother, don't have turbo problems and not that bad on fuel if you drive sensibly. Not a direct comparison given the different weight and drivetrain, but my 330Ci is generally better on fuel then my parents' 330xd. Given the 35k or so miles per year I do, a 330d seems a sensible choice on the face of it and they are fabulous cars, about the only diesel I'd like to own. My current fuel cost in the 330Ci is approx 18.5p per mile, going by what others get from their equivalent 330ds, I'd be paying about 17p per mile. It would take me a long time to recover the higher purchase cost of the 330d and if anything went wrong with it (which isn't unusual!), I'd be at a loss very easily.

 

I think the choice between the two isn't justifiable on cost, it's more about which engine you prefer I'd say.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Can the petrol do 39mpg at 80mph on the motorway?

[welshpug 1,657]

if you lived on the motorway I guess that'd be fine, but I think Sandy lives quite a long way from a Motorway

 

I wouldn't put it past him though

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Can the petrol do 39mpg at 80mph on the motorway?

 

I assume that's in your 535d?

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Yes, on the way back from buying it. I cross checked the computer by filling it back up and it calculated out about right.

[Sandy 191]

Not quite, but it just about does at 65-70 which is what I do on duals and motorways. The dash over-estimates mpg by 1-2mpg I find. My estimates above are based on 38mpg average for the 330D and £1.42/litre; 33mpg average for the 330i and £1.35/litre. Current prices here.

 

Viewing the big picture, the motorway economy of the 3 litre diesels is pretty much irrelevant!

Edited November 6, 2012 by Sandy

[MiniGibbo 142]

Personally I'd be looking at 90 320d's.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Viewing the big picture, the motorway economy of the 3 litre diesels is pretty much irrelevant!

 

For you perhaps, but in the context of the original poster I'd have thought it would be quite high on the list of considerations?

[Sandy 191]

On the original criteria the 320d makes the most sense I would say and they're not slow.

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Had a *20d and whilst it's a great engine, I really want another six pot. To be honest, I've pretty much decided on a E9* 330d. Just not sure on a Coupe or Touring.

[GeorgeXS 32]

Touring! Added practicality and when in m sport spec, I think rather good looking!

[MrG 3]

I have a 330i touring, sport model and love it, I had a 3.0 se before this and was sold on them. I only replaced the se as my current one came available and with only 40k on the clock I had to have it. However I am BMW through and through having an e39 528i, e23 735i and an e32 735i to play with!

 

Anyhow I don't think the e46 is any more costly on parts etc than the later cars, not by what I've seen and experienced so don't discount a good e46, however running costs are quite high on the petrol cars. Don't expect a great deal more than 29mpg overall (the best I've seen is 34 on the motorway but on average mines does 28-29).

 

I use mine infrequently so having a diesel didn't make sense to me in my situation.

 

It's comfortable, quiet, deceptively quick and has enough space for my needs. I couldn't entertain a coupe, and it could be a saloon at a push but with a family, 2 dogs, bikes etc it had to be a touring.

I've had an e39 touring before these and that was excellent, I would have gone back to one except I didn't really need a larger car.

 

Beware though that the e46's are sensitive to tyre choices and the bigger engine cars can eat their front brakes if you're heavy.

 

So running costs for mine so far?

 

Well apart from the fuel, servicing is as follows:

 

Inspection 2 £525

Front discs and pads £215

2 rear tyres (Bridgestone and they're pretty poor on mine) £298

 

That's it so far, oh and that's all BMW. Mine goes back to BMW for all the servicing as on their latest pricing they are more than a match for the local independents and added to that I have a continuous history and BMW parts, and that alone makes a big difference.

 

Good luck with it, choose wisely and it'll be a great companion.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Our E91 320d Msport has been a good buy.

Running it at a constant 85mph on the motorway is returning 43mpg but around town (my wifes daily commute) it's returning 29mpg!

I need to clean our the EGR hoping to get the figures back up a bit.

 

I've been wondering whether to switch over to normal tyres, but decided not to. Last weekend my wife came back saying a warning light was on on the dash.

It was the flat tyre light. Due to the RFT being actually quite good, she'd driven for miles with a flat. That suggested that for hassle free motoring we'll stay with the RFT.

Two fronts......£310.

I did an oil change on it last month £75!!

Great to work on apart from removing the air filter........

 

 

I wanted a 330D (6 cyl and all that) but to be honest the 320 is pretty good, quick, handles well (especially in Msport trim) and cheap to run. Remap and power and torque rise significantly but for the time being it's staying standard.

 

Have you tried looking for a 335d touring - rare as hens teeth.

 

Just one thing - make sure what ever post '06 has had the securtit enhancement done.....you know the one that stops thieves nicking it without keys.

Edited November 14, 2012 by Simes

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Touring! Added practicality and when in m sport spec, I think rather good looking!

 

 

Thanks!!

[ScoobyJawa 23]

I've got a 330d Auto Coupe E92 and its the best car I've ever owned. Mine is chipped and has around 275bhp with 600nm torque. I love the auto too, makes driving effortless!

 

It is seriously rapid! Had a drag with a colleagues 535 (which believe it or not is roughly the same weight) and mine had the edge. 0-60 was about 6.2 but now down in the 5's!

 

Variable servicing has been pretty cheap tbh in the 2 years I've had it.

 

On the mway at 70-75 I'll see 40-42mpg, and at 80+ it only drops to 39ish. Normal daily driving is 36-38. Not bad for a car with that grunt. I also don't understand why anyone would want a petrol! (Other than no DPF to worry about if you only do short journeys).

 

However all that being said, given how busy our roads are, a 320d would be just as good chipped (200+ bhp) will do 0-60 in 7 ish and do 50mpg. Only rival for that now is the awesome new petrol 328i, seriously tempting!!!