Been looking for a decent sub £6k 330d for weeks now

[snappinturla]

My trusty old Volvo V50 is on its last legs, and after a few weeks of intense research into what car suits my needs, the 330d seems absolutely spot on.

My commute is 30 miles each way on mostly empty A road and rural roads. A 3 series would transform my commute from dull to something I actually enjoy every day.

I can pay £6k cash, I *could* do finance but honestly don't fancy being saddled with debt for the forseeable.

I really want an LCI E90, but is this just a pipe dream do you think, or are they out there?

Maybe there is and I'm not looking in the right places, or maybe there are cars out there that will give me a similar experience of a commute which will be more within my budget.

Really grateful for any advice, cheers

[anyoldcardave]

A friend traded in her 330d coupe, 2009, for that exact figure a year or so ago, auto, and a very nice car with low miles, so they must be around, though the dealer marked it up for 10k.

She is not so happy with the 218d that has replaced it.

Personally prefer the 530d, if you are not scared of miles, should be something in budget.

[Scootersp]

How about a BMW 635D?

[mcbook]

Have you looked on Autotrader? There are plenty around the £5-6 mark if you're willing to look at cars with more than 100k miles.

[daveco]

anyoldcardave said:

Personally prefer the 530d, if you are not scared of miles, should be something in budget.

This.

OP you should look at 5 series models, I'm sure there'd be a high mile 525d or 530d F10 that is in budget.

The interiors in the 5 are far better quality than the 3 series E90/F30 models and not as cramped.

[brillomaster]

My 2008 330d was £5250 4 years ago. Granted it had done 125,000 miles then, but it's on 167k now and still going just as well as when I acquired it, great car. Probably now worth £3k or so.

Don't be put off by mileages... people buy a diesel to go up and down motorways, which a 330d does very well indeed.

Also... get a remap... had two remapped 330ds with about 70k between them, absolutely no problems. But the extra power, torque and driveability is very noticeable!

[Jimjimhim]

daveco said:

anyoldcardave said:

Personally prefer the 530d, if you are not scared of miles, should be something in budget.

This.

OP you should look at 5 series models, I'm sure there'd be a high mile 525d or 530d F10 that is in budget.

The interiors in the 5 are far better quality than the 3 series E90/F30 models and not as cramped.

The 3 series isn't a cramped car, it's also a better drive than a 5 series.

[snappinturla]

Jimjimhim said:

daveco said:

anyoldcardave said:

Personally prefer the 530d, if you are not scared of miles, should be something in budget.

This.

OP you should look at 5 series models, I'm sure there'd be a high mile 525d or 530d F10 that is in budget.

The interiors in the 5 are far better quality than the 3 series E90/F30 models and not as cramped.

The 3 series isn't a cramped car, it's also a better drive than a 5 series.

Yeah it's the country road handling that I'm really excited about the 3 series for. The more comfortable/practical car I'm tempted by is a V60 D4 but again, hard to find the right one in my budget.

I've seen a few on Autotrader but I'll admit maybe I've been too reluctant to consider higher mileage examples. Going to see one tomorrow though, I can't post a link but it's a black M Sport 330d saloon located in Chesterfield. 2009, 77k miles.

I hate to say it but I'm probably just going to end up biting the bullet and going for finance. That takes my budget to about 11k and there are some really nice, ULEZ compliant 330d touring examples in that range.

Edited by snappinturla on Wednesday 21st August 11:59

[jamesbrady50]

Hi OP
I had an E92 and now an F30. The latter is a huge step up for comfort, smoothness in auto form (8sp vs 6sp) and interior space. Does feel a good bit bigger on the road though. I prefer the coupe look of the E92 vs the 4 series coupe but that’s personal taste.
Good luck with search!

[snappinturla]

What do you think of this one folks?

Well st, it won't let me post the link. Here's the info:

BMW 3 Series 330d Luxury Auto xDrive Euro 6 4dr
126,000 miles
2017 (17 reg)
Automatic Diesel
£8,995

(Yeah, a tad over my budget)

From 'Ex Police Car Centre Ltd'

What do you lot think. 0-60 in 5.3s is naughty.

[paradigital]

I’d rather buy something else (older, different brand, different model) than an ex plod vehicle. They aren’t exactly treated with kid-gloves.

[snappinturla]

paradigital said:

I’d rather buy something else (older, different brand, different model) than an ex plod vehicle. They aren’t exactly treated with kid-gloves.

Hahah that's good to know. The interiors do look a bit rubbish. I *think* their servicing is really good, to be fair.

What about this one, seems like an incredible deal:

BMW 3 SERIES 3.0 335D XDRIVE LUXURY 4d AUTO 309 BHP 119,200 MILES,LEATHER,SAT-NAV.

£7,699

From MATTY TIMMIS CAR SALES

(appreciate all the help btw everyone. I've taken tomorrow off so I'm planning on driving wherever I have to to get my hands on either a 3 series or, if practicality wins out, a Volvo V60 D4)

[Terry Tibbs]

I wouldn’t touch an ex plod car to be honest. Yes they are serviced on time but they live a hard life!

[Jakg]

anyoldcardave said:

A friend traded in her 330d coupe, 2009, for that exact figure a year or so ago, auto, and a very nice car with low miles, so they must be around, though the dealer marked it up for 10k.

In my experience the coupes seem the cheapest, with the estates being the most expensive.

E92 335d's at sub £4k always seemed a bargain to me.

brillomaster said:

My 2008 330d was £5250 4 years ago. Granted it had done 125,000 miles then, but it's on 167k now and still going just as well as when I acquired it, great car. Probably now worth £3k or so.

COVID has made used cars prices crazy. I paid £4,700 for a 335d 4 years ago... and sold it for the same this year.

snappinturla said:

I've seen a few on Autotrader but I'll admit maybe I've been too reluctant to consider higher mileage examples.

E9x's are - at their newest - 13 years old. Even a "low" mileage one (8k a year) will be heading past 100k.

snappinturla said:

What about this one, seems like an incredible deal:

BMW 3 SERIES 3.0 335D XDRIVE LUXURY 4d AUTO 309 BHP 119,200 MILES,LEATHER,SAT-NAV.

£7,699

From MATTY TIMMIS CAR SALES

The N57 is a divisive engine, not BMW's most reliable.

(N57/M57 owner)

Also a beige interior which is never popular.

[redandwhite]

OP - what did you go for?