330ci or 530d

[pimpster]

Hello all!

Well, I'm looking for opinions on either a 330ci or a 530d, as I can't make up my mind which I prefer. I am fairly young, and have a budget of around £12k for this. So either car will be around 2000/2001 age.

Which would you go for and why?

Cheers

[CommanderJameson]

pimpster said:

Hello all!

Well, I'm looking for opinions on either a 330ci or a 530d, as I can't make up my mind which I prefer. I am fairly young, and have a budget of around £12k for this. So either car will be around 2000/2001 age.

Which would you go for and why?

Cheers

Depends what you want. The 5 will be more refined, and the 3 will be more fun.

[[TW]Fox]

Why not consider a 530i?

Cheaper than a 530d by some margin.

[LMC]

I've never tried the 5 series, but I picked up my 2001 330i coupe last Tuesday and its all the car I need at the mo. It's bl00dy lovely !
Of course now I've seriously limited my choice when it's time to upgrade; it'll have to be an E46 M3...

Edited cos I forgot the "why" - it's refined and comfy with the sports leather, nice for cruising or dawdling, and goes like sh!te off a shovel when the mood takes

Edited by LMC on Sunday 16th July 03:36

[taffyracer]

The right choice then,you would have been bored senseless in the 530d

[jk75]

330 Ci IMO all the way....Slinky, sporty and a very nice young guns car...

If you need 4 doors and a larger cabin for kids or clients, or simply you want a slightly bigger car, then a 530, but if you don't (and you would be very suprised at just how much rear room there is in a 3 series Ci) then go for the coupe.

Whatever you go for, hunt down the highest spec you can (Leather, SatNav/TV, upgraded sound system (Harmon Kardon) etc) and do not get one with cloth - difficult to re-sell. They are out there and you won't be paying hardly any extra on a used sale, in fact you will only like pay a slight premium for the SatNav and Auto (if you want auto of course)... Much more gadgets to play with while doing 90 on the motorway and better for re-sale.... However, there is more to potentially go wrong of course, but all the ones I've had have been fine with no snags...

JK

Edited by jk75 on Monday 17th July 08:42

[pimpster]

Thanks chaps! Think I'll go for the 330ci out of the two. But now its a choice between the 330ci, Audi S3, or Audi TT! I just can't make up my mind. The Audi S3/TT are the same car with just a different shell, so that or the 330ci... Hmmmmm...

[LMC]

Great minds etc !
Before I decided on the 330 I considered the S3 for a day or two. The dealer I bought the coupe from had a nice S3 for sale. Only his opinion mind, cos I never drove it, but he said you've got to work the Audi hard to get the best out of it, while the 330 is much less of an effort.

[Darth Dave]

pimpster said:

Thanks chaps! Think I'll go for the 330ci out of the two. But now its a choice between the 330ci, Audi S3, or Audi TT! I just can't make up my mind. The Audi S3/TT are the same car with just a different shell, so that or the 330ci... Hmmmmm...

The Audi TiTty is just damn hideous. How can anyone ever consider getting something that looks like a tarted up Beetle?
The S3 is a bit of a pocket rocket and I dare say a scream in a straight line, but the 330 is just as quick and feels better to drive.

The answer - take an S3 and a 330 for a test drive. Ignore the TiTty.

[Alex]

Sporty coupe with a musical 6-cylinder petrol engine, or lardy diseasel saloon? You know the answer.

[Robertb]

You will get better fuel cons out of a manual 330Ci than an auto 530d.

Both are great cars, depends on what you want- 5 is more of a cruiser, where the 3 is more nimble.

How about a manual 330Cd- best of both worlds!

[Beemer-5]

taffyracer said:

The right choice then,you would have been bored senseless in the 530d

Disagree, the 530d is a fine car and loadsa fun, just different from a petrol 3 series, they offer different things.