Looking at BMW 330d M SPORT - What to look out for?
Discussion
Coming from a Celica, looking at going the Diesel route and to replace it with something more powerful - a good shout for the BMW 330d M SPORT? Manual only
Anyone own/owned these? how are they for reliability and parts etc. Any quirks to keep an eye on for viewing? Looking at around 06/07 reg. What is a fair/reasonable price range for these?
This would be my first BMW but if have any other better alternatives and suggestions, I'm all ears but looking for something that isn't a complete guzzler, fun, and great handling. Don't want to be stuck with a money pit either.
Anyone own/owned these? how are they for reliability and parts etc. Any quirks to keep an eye on for viewing? Looking at around 06/07 reg. What is a fair/reasonable price range for these?
This would be my first BMW but if have any other better alternatives and suggestions, I'm all ears but looking for something that isn't a complete guzzler, fun, and great handling. Don't want to be stuck with a money pit either.
Do you do the mileage to warrant a diesel? You need to be doing long runs really. If not then buy a petrol. For your budget you get get a load of different cars but you have to remember, early 2000's cars aren't going to be economical and fun.
If you really want a diesel then just get a 1.9 PD engine, like a Fabia VRS.
If you really want a diesel then just get a 1.9 PD engine, like a Fabia VRS.
Had mine for six years now, though an auto box. It's my first daily driver auto and I'm very comfortable with that.
It needs to have had regular oil changes, at least every 10k miles, with evidence to back that up. Check for tyre wear, on the inside which is a typical 3 series issue, so I understand. My last pair of rear runflats cost nearly £600 so factor that in.
It needs to have had regular oil changes, at least every 10k miles, with evidence to back that up. Check for tyre wear, on the inside which is a typical 3 series issue, so I understand. My last pair of rear runflats cost nearly £600 so factor that in.
I believe E90 06/07 models will have the M57 engine in the 330D rather than the N57 engine which our one has in the F30, I think they are largely as reliable as each other.
Obviously you will read anecdotal horror stories about all manner of things but ultimately it’s no less reliable than most other similar engines of that era.
Look for something with as much history as possible, diesels need regular oil changes. We do ours yearly irrespective of what the computer says, it doesn’t sit right with me with 18k between oil changes.
Obviously you will read anecdotal horror stories about all manner of things but ultimately it’s no less reliable than most other similar engines of that era.
Look for something with as much history as possible, diesels need regular oil changes. We do ours yearly irrespective of what the computer says, it doesn’t sit right with me with 18k between oil changes.
blue_haddock said:
I've never owned one but i would say these certainly suit the autobox better than the manual, especially the zf 8 sped from reports.
I'm in your camp too, and I personally prefer an auto mated to a diesel engine. However I have read a few times that some folk do like the manual mated to the 30d engine to be fair, but I personally didn't like the manual gearbox/20d engine combo in my E61 520d though.
Lotusgone said:
Had mine for six years now, though an auto box. It's my first daily driver auto and I'm very comfortable with that.
It needs to have had regular oil changes, at least every 10k miles, with evidence to back that up. Check for tyre wear, on the inside which is a typical 3 series issue, so I understand. My last pair of rear runflats cost nearly £600 so factor that in.
I'll keep an eye out for that. What's the fair price for a well-looked after one these days?It needs to have had regular oil changes, at least every 10k miles, with evidence to back that up. Check for tyre wear, on the inside which is a typical 3 series issue, so I understand. My last pair of rear runflats cost nearly £600 so factor that in.
cerb4.5lee said:
We put over a 150k miles on a 2006 E90 330d auto. It was a really good mile muncher, and nothing went wrong with it over the 6 years we had it.
That's good to hear. Maybe your version is slightly different than the Sport variant, but would you say they are fun to drive and plenty of power?Wagonwheel555 said:
I believe E90 06/07 models will have the M57 engine in the 330D rather than the N57 engine which our one has in the F30, I think they are largely as reliable as each other.
Obviously you will read anecdotal horror stories about all manner of things but ultimately it’s no less reliable than most other similar engines of that era.
Look for something with as much history as possible, diesels need regular oil changes. We do ours yearly irrespective of what the computer says, it doesn’t sit right with me with 18k between oil changes.
What do you get in MPG out of yours? Any issue with staying on top of underbody corrosion on it? Did you get it waxoiled etcObviously you will read anecdotal horror stories about all manner of things but ultimately it’s no less reliable than most other similar engines of that era.
Look for something with as much history as possible, diesels need regular oil changes. We do ours yearly irrespective of what the computer says, it doesn’t sit right with me with 18k between oil changes.
I have an F31 330D which is the later estate variant. I've been casually looking tonreplacenit now for a few years as i dont do the miles now but I just can't find anything that comes close as an all rounder. I believe on the F series the 330D only comes as an auto and it's a really great combo with the torque of the engine it's always in the right gear and the 8 speed makes good use of the relatively small peek power range. It returns mid 40s mpg and more if I try.its equally at home on the twisties as it is munching miles on tge motorway.
If you're looking at the E90/E91 then I'd recommend not going too large on the alloys, they're prone to cracking and they made the tyres less low profile on the later F series. They're a great looking car, I'd say the E90/E91 are slightly better looking and certainly don't show their age.
Edit to add, I too have had mine over 6 years and nothing significant has come up. Worst job I've had to have done where a couple of rear wheel bearings. It's now ~12 years old and done 120k miles and I'd still happily jump in if and drive to the south of France without a care.
If you're looking at the E90/E91 then I'd recommend not going too large on the alloys, they're prone to cracking and they made the tyres less low profile on the later F series. They're a great looking car, I'd say the E90/E91 are slightly better looking and certainly don't show their age.
Edit to add, I too have had mine over 6 years and nothing significant has come up. Worst job I've had to have done where a couple of rear wheel bearings. It's now ~12 years old and done 120k miles and I'd still happily jump in if and drive to the south of France without a care.
Edited by indigochim on Thursday 27th June 21:27
Hunts887 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
We put over a 150k miles on a 2006 E90 330d auto. It was a really good mile muncher, and nothing went wrong with it over the 6 years we had it.
That's good to hear. Maybe your version is slightly different than the Sport variant, but would you say they are fun to drive and plenty of power?I wouldn't personally describe them as necessarily fun though, mainly because they have a low revving engine(although they are powerful/torquey enough to upset the rear wheels and that is fun in fairness). However as something to drive quickly and something to cover the miles in, then they are great I think for sure.
If you are set on a diesel and do enough miles for it to make economic sense after a Celica a BMW 123d might work.
Only a 2 litre but you get 201PS as they have two turbos. I had a manual one for over 6 years and 80K miles and it was actually quite fun to chuck around, although when I stopped doing business mileage I went back to petrol with a Z4!
I currently have a manual 2005 330iSE that is great for long Motorway trips but really isn't exactly fun to throw along back roads, but has a great engine and luckily complies with ULEZ as my sister lives inside it since the last extension to cover all London Boroughs.
Despite it's age it has no body rust issues, and after 5 years and 18K miles it is averaging over 33mpg - but I don't commute any more.
(My 123d averaged just over 48mpg).
Only a 2 litre but you get 201PS as they have two turbos. I had a manual one for over 6 years and 80K miles and it was actually quite fun to chuck around, although when I stopped doing business mileage I went back to petrol with a Z4!
I currently have a manual 2005 330iSE that is great for long Motorway trips but really isn't exactly fun to throw along back roads, but has a great engine and luckily complies with ULEZ as my sister lives inside it since the last extension to cover all London Boroughs.
Despite it's age it has no body rust issues, and after 5 years and 18K miles it is averaging over 33mpg - but I don't commute any more.
(My 123d averaged just over 48mpg).
Mr Tidy said:
If you are set on a diesel and do enough miles for it to make economic sense after a Celica a BMW 123d might work.
Only a 2 litre but you get 201PS as they have two turbos. I had a manual one for over 6 years and 80K miles and it was actually quite fun to chuck around, although when I stopped doing business mileage I went back to petrol with a Z4!
I currently have a manual 2005 330iSE that is great for long Motorway trips but really isn't exactly fun to throw along back roads, but has a great engine and luckily complies with ULEZ as my sister lives inside it since the last extension to cover all London Boroughs.
Despite it's age it has no body rust issues, and after 5 years and 18K miles it is averaging over 33mpg - but I don't commute any more.
(My 123d averaged just over 48mpg).
Afre your recommendation I am quite keen on the 123d Coupes now. I am already looking around, but have you seen any decent models. I am budgeting around 2-3k but I would consider more for the right model, based in North East.Only a 2 litre but you get 201PS as they have two turbos. I had a manual one for over 6 years and 80K miles and it was actually quite fun to chuck around, although when I stopped doing business mileage I went back to petrol with a Z4!
I currently have a manual 2005 330iSE that is great for long Motorway trips but really isn't exactly fun to throw along back roads, but has a great engine and luckily complies with ULEZ as my sister lives inside it since the last extension to cover all London Boroughs.
Despite it's age it has no body rust issues, and after 5 years and 18K miles it is averaging over 33mpg - but I don't commute any more.
(My 123d averaged just over 48mpg).
Hunts887 said:
What do you get in MPG out of yours? Any issue with staying on top of underbody corrosion on it? Did you get it waxoiled etc
When my wife was using it for commuting which was 80% motorway it was 39mpg combined. My father in law has the 320D F30 and he only gets 47mpg on similar commuting journeys so its not night and day between the 2L and the 3L MPG wise so I would 100000% go for the 330D over the 320D, the extra performance, sounds of the straight six and the smoothness of the engine make it worth it. The 2.0D is fine but it sounds like a tractor like most 4 pot diesels.Like indigochim, I was looking around to replace it now I use it and only do 2-3k a year which is not ideal for a diesel but we need to tow a caravan too and ours is about half the average mileage for a 2015 model but there is nothing which interests me. Ours is XDrive too, not sure if the older models had that option.
Diesel wise for commuting and longer journeys, you really can't go wrong with a 330D. As long as its been looked after, oil changes done regularly etc.
Its a lovely car to drive, nice and smooth, gearbox is decent and fairly quick when you put your foot down.
I don't think the Fxx series suffered corrosion, ours certainly hasn't.
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