Buying advice for 330d

[Fraxinu5]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

After a fellow PH'er posted this for consideration, I pretty much dimissed it due to age and mileage. However, I have come back to it as it's a pretty decent spec and in my opinion looks very clean and benefits from 12 month warranty & MOT and FSH.

I was looking at 320d, but as I'm sure many people agree the 3L is the way to go. With my £15k-£17k budget however, it seems pretty challenging to find a 330d in a spec I like, always just slightly out of reach.

I'd appreciate any opinions on dropping £15k on a 8/9 year old car with circa 90k miles on the clock. Things I should look out for, should I consider something else? Is 2014 just too old now, or there's not much difference between this and a newer 3 series? Should I just accept that a 320d would be a better decision for my budget etc etc

I really have my heart set on a F31, but don't want to regret spending a lot of money on something that won't last. I'm also in the tricky situation whem my current vehicle, as 63 plate VW Caddy has given up the ghost, so time is not on my side as I need a vehicle for work. Unfortunateley, waiting for something better isn't really an option.

[scott10005]

Hi, sent an email early this morning with the build spec

[Fraxinu5]

Stand down guys, just gave them a call and it sold last week

The search continues.....

Any suggestions however would be most appreciated, I think I'm slightly loosing my mind trawling through Autotrader everyday.

Currentley this is top of my list (but only 320d):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212172...

[Fraxinu5]

scott10005 said:

Hi, sent an email early this morning with the build spec

Sorry Scott, didn't see it, will check now.

[d_a_n1979]

Fraxinu5 said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

After a fellow PH'er posted this for consideration, I pretty much dimissed it due to age and mileage. However, I have come back to it as it's a pretty decent spec and in my opinion looks very clean and benefits from 12 month warranty & MOT and FSH.

I was looking at 320d, but as I'm sure many people agree the 3L is the way to go. With my £15k-£17k budget however, it seems pretty challenging to find a 330d in a spec I like, always just slightly out of reach.

I'd appreciate any opinions on dropping £15k on a 8/9 year old car with circa 90k miles on the clock. Things I should look out for, should I consider something else? Is 2014 just too old now, or there's not much difference between this and a newer 3 series? Should I just accept that a 320d would be a better decision for my budget etc etc

I really have my heart set on a F31, but don't want to regret spending a lot of money on something that won't last. I'm also in the tricky situation whem my current vehicle, as 63 plate VW Caddy has given up the ghost, so time is not on my side as I need a vehicle for work. Unfortunateley, waiting for something better isn't really an option.

As per this car & my recommendation the other day pal; you're very much in the same boat as I am really...

I have a budget of £17k; but really want to stick to £14k to £15k as I want to sort winter alloys & tyres as soon as I get the car I'm looking at (an F31 touring also) and want to change a few other things too for peace of mind, which I always do when i buy a new car - brakes, lines, brake fluid, full oil & filter change etc)

But also having that bit of a 'slush fund' for just in cases is always ideal...!

The 330D above that you've linked to, which I recommended, is a great car IMO - as long as it all adds up when you go to see it; it'll be spot on

Only reason I haven't gone to see it is that the trains were useless before Christmas (I was thinking of heading across to Yorkshire to view that and a 530D not too far from it); but I've found a few local F31 tourings that I'm more than happy with and put a deposit down on one, waiting for the dealer to confirm they've got a few bits sorted on it that they were getting done just before Christmas...

I really wanted a 330D but couldn't find one locally; so the wife & I have, 'we think', settled on a 325D with the full M Sport exterior & brakes, LCi, pro nav, heated seats, powered tailgate, powerfold mirrors etc - basically the same spec as the 330D above

For a change I'm not massively fussed on the engine, I wanted to avoid the 320D TBH and wanted a 330D, but the 325D really impressed and it's no slouch either!

We want to drop down to one car as I don't leave home during the week due to the new job I'm in, so my wife will be the main user, so it'll go into her name and when my insurance policy runs out in May, the insurance will go under her name also and I'll be the 2nd driver for a change

It's all about due diligence; check the paperwork thoroughly, ask lots of questions; drive the car; test everything well (brakes, handling, all the interior electrics, acceleration, hard braking, reversing, the auto box through all its settings, the iDrive/nav etc) and if you have one, take a code reader too and read the codes when you're out & about to see what may be in there

Check the paperwork too; IIRC it should have had 1 if not 2 EGR recalls; check the MOT history to see that it all adds up and check through the paperwork it has (if it has any)

Hope this helps

[d_a_n1979]

Fraxinu5 said:

Stand down guys, just gave them a call and it sold last week

The search continues.....

Any suggestions however would be most appreciated, I think I'm slightly loosing my mind trawling through Autotrader everyday.

Currentley this is top of my list (but only 320d):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212172...

Ah bummer

I've watched a lot of cars via Bespoke; they seem to get some good examples in and service them well before they sell them on...

They do always feel a bit overpriced; but they seem to sell their cars too...

A 330D F31 here; touch over budget but could be worth considering?

https://www.signaturecarspecialists.co.uk/vehicle/...

[Fraxinu5]

d_a_n1979 said:

Ah bummer

I've watched a lot of cars via Bespoke; they seem to get some good examples in and service them well before they sell them on...

They do always feel a bit overpriced; but they seem to sell their cars too...

A 330D F31 here; touch over budget but could be worth considering?

https://www.signaturecarspecialists.co.uk/vehicle/...

It's almost right apart from no H&K and the price is a little higher than I'd like, pano roof is a nice touch though.

Cheers mate, another to consider.

Keep 'em coming haha.

[smashy]

Fraxinu5 said:

It's almost right apart from no H&K and the price is a little higher than I'd like, pano roof is a nice touch though.

Cheers mate, another to consider.

Keep 'em coming haha.

£17k ,I honestly think that is ridiculous the best I got for my 330d 2014 on 110k miles was £7K a year ago and that was px from a dealer who offered me more than WBAC and Evans Halshaw. Also you may feel where ever you live having a Euro 5 Diesel is not a problem but who knows where that hand grenade is heading next and having hit me it might be heading your way .

Edited by smashy on Monday 2nd January 17:51

[d_a_n1979]

smashy said:

Fraxinu5 said:

It's almost right apart from no H&K and the price is a little higher than I'd like, pano roof is a nice touch though.

Cheers mate, another to consider.

Keep 'em coming haha.

£17k ,I honestly think that is ridiculous the best I got for my 330d 2014 on 110k miles was £7K a year ago and that was px from a dealer who offered me more than WBAC and Evans Halshaw. Also you may feel where ever you live having a Euro 5 Diesel is not a problem but who knows where that hand grenade is heading next and having hit me it might be heading your way .

Edited by smashy on Monday 2nd January 17:51

Prices have changed a lot. That’s what they’re selling for currently…

I’d say you were unfortunate in the offer you received as it’ll have been sold for a lot more…

I’ve watched the market for F31s and F11s nearly all year, private & trade and as they say ‘thems are the prices’…

[smashy]

Just been on the Autotrader app lovely 2014 high spec f31 86k for £12700 from a dealer. I will stick to saying £17k is nuts

[d_a_n1979]

Can you put a link up for the OP?

Is it an M Sport, Luxury or SE?

Which engine?

If you see the OPs other post, you'll see what specific spec he's ideally after...

There are all sorts of decent F31s out there. Its all down to what spec is wanted and which engine...

None are available for the spec I've wanted (very similar to the OPs) or engine requirements at anywhere near the price you've stated...

Your opinion is just that

[smashy]

Its a 330d luxury.....have you the phone app,it is so much easier to use than their website. Very user friendly

[d_a_n1979]

smashy said:

Its a 330d luxury.....have you the phone app,it is so much easier to use than their website. Very user friendly

The OP is ideally after:


"The folowing is a wish list, but willing to compromise for the right car:

<70k miles
MSport
Pro Nav
High beam assist/BMW icon addaptive
Black interior
H&K"

[Fraxinu5]

Think I’ll probably go for this (a lot more info here compared to Autotrader). It’s a shame it’s not a 330d but it seems a solid choice.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325467405689?mkcid=16&a...

[Lotusgone]

I've had a 61 reg 330d for nearly five years now and it's really good.

I tried a newer 320d recently and was surprised at how clattery the engine sounded at lower revs - even the sales guy admitted hearing the same from other customers.

Hold out for a 330d if you can, check for regular oil changes in the history. You'll see on other threads that other owners have taken them past 200k miles with the right maintenance - they wouldn't keep them that long if they didn't love them.

[d_a_n1979]

Fraxinu5 said:

Think I’ll probably go for this (a lot more info here compared to Autotrader). It’s a shame it’s not a 330d but it seems a solid choice.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325467405689?mkcid=16&a...

I don't think you'll go wrong with it at all; it looks a solid & well looked after example Just a shame about the black wheels... The F31 we're hopefully getting is the same, I'll stick winter alloys & tyres onto it straight away and will be sorting another set of staggered 18s or 19s out (I'm not a fan of the 403Ms it comes on), get them refurbed and will be fitting non RFTs too

I really wanted to stick with a 330D too; but TBH for the low miles we do with a few road trips in between; the 4 pot engine will do us just fine... They're not exactly slow!

Send me an email when you can pal; your profile doesn't accept emails - just click on my profile name and you'll see 'email me' on the top right

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 3rd January 09:45

[Fraxinu5]

d_a_n1979 said:

I don't think you'll go wrong with it at all; it looks a solid & well looked after example Just a shame about the black wheels... The F31 we're hopefully getting is the same, I'll stick winter alloys & tyres onto it straight away and will be sorting another set of staggered 18s or 19s out (I'm not a fan of the 403Ms it comes on), get them refurbed and will be fitting non RFTs too

I really wanted to stick with a 330D too; but TBH for the low miles we do with a few road trips in between; the 4 pot engine will do us just fine... They're not exactly slow!

Send me an email when you can pal; your profile doesn't accept emails - just click on my profile name and you'll see 'email me' on the top right

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 3rd January 09:45

Sent you an email mate, cheers.

[Ruskie]

320d just make sure had regular oil changes and there is no chain rattle. Hard to disagree with your thinking, I have a 335d but don’t get chance to stretch it much.

[smashy]

Fwiw re mpg I do a 700 mile trip round cornwall once a year.

Twice in my 57 plate 120d averaged 44mpg both occasions.

Twice in my 64 plate 330d 45mpg and 46mpg

Once in my 2018 335d 44 mpg. same as 120d

I always reckoned my 330d was just sleightly better re mpg than the 120d guess because at 70mph it is at 1500 rpm as opposed to 2000rpm on the 120d

[MDMA .]

Fraxinu5 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Ah bummer

I've watched a lot of cars via Bespoke; they seem to get some good examples in and service them well before they sell them on...

They do always feel a bit overpriced; but they seem to sell their cars too...

A 330D F31 here; touch over budget but could be worth considering?

https://www.signaturecarspecialists.co.uk/vehicle/...

It's almost right apart from no H&K and the price is a little higher than I'd like, pano roof is a nice touch though.

Cheers mate, another to consider.

Keep 'em coming haha.

To save you the trouble, I’d think twice before travelling there to view something. They aren’t as described. Nice shiny photos, bright setting, not well prepped though. A lot have had poor quality paint repairs and dubious history. I suppose the tarred brush of Blackburn/Keighly has to come from somewhere!
I don’t mind any car needing paint, I’d just prefer to see it as it was and sort the paintwork out myself. A bad paint job will always be bad and need to be rectified.
Just make sure the bright lights don’t blind your viewing if you do go. A lad at work ending up getting his deposit back after 2 failed, pre sale jobs that weren’t completed up to standard.