Discussion
Sure this has been done to death, but I'd be interested in the latest opinions none the less.
My search for a new company car has led me to the inevitable 335 Touring. I need fast, entertaining motoring but, at the same time, something that will cover 25k business miles + 5k personal miles (with a young family on board).
With my employer's scheme, a 335i (Manual) and 335d (Auto)work out to be pretty much the same monthly cost after lease cost, tax, fuel etc.
(Must confess, I'm increasingly drawn to the 335d Auto but can't explain why and hate my current Audi diesel)
So, bearing in mind that they are COST NEUTRAL, which would you prefer to run for 3 years and why?
My search for a new company car has led me to the inevitable 335 Touring. I need fast, entertaining motoring but, at the same time, something that will cover 25k business miles + 5k personal miles (with a young family on board).
With my employer's scheme, a 335i (Manual) and 335d (Auto)work out to be pretty much the same monthly cost after lease cost, tax, fuel etc.
(Must confess, I'm increasingly drawn to the 335d Auto but can't explain why and hate my current Audi diesel)
So, bearing in mind that they are COST NEUTRAL, which would you prefer to run for 3 years and why?
Well Alfa, I have only ever driven the 335d and that was for over a month, but I can honestly say I was more than pleasantly surprised by not only the power but the accessibility and low level noise of the diesel engine. If it hasn’t won awards yet then buggar me it should. The engine is capable of just ticking over as a motorway cruiser and then when prompted, opening up the much larger of the two turbos and ‘troning’ past other cars (see previous 335d thread for explanation on ‘troning’
I can imagine it being a tough decision for you; it was for me when I had to hand it back and drive my e46 M3. Yes the acceleration is there in the M, but the 335d was TVR quick and why wouldn’t it be with 680Nm.
Id be interested to hear what you had to say after test driving them both.
I can imagine it being a tough decision for you; it was for me when I had to hand it back and drive my e46 M3. Yes the acceleration is there in the M, but the 335d was TVR quick and why wouldn’t it be with 680Nm.
Id be interested to hear what you had to say after test driving them both.
Diesels are getting very good these days, and there's no doubt that the 335d is an excellent motor. However, whenever I've appraised a diesel against it's petrol rival I've found myself doing it in terms of "Given that it's a diesel and thus cheaper to run, it's <better value/a tough call/still crap>...". Which is because pretty much every time I've done it, the petrol has been better.
So in your case, as it's "non-price competition", I'd definately go with the 335i. The 335d is a very capable car, and with an auto it's a consumate cruiser. But the 335i has simply awesome performance and forgoing the automatic doesn't really give enough away in refinement to justify turning down the power.
But I'd check over the figures one more time before signing on the dotted line if I were you. The 335i really does like a drink, to the tune of 21% lower fuel economy than the 335d.
Nice choice to have to make though.
So in your case, as it's "non-price competition", I'd definately go with the 335i. The 335d is a very capable car, and with an auto it's a consumate cruiser. But the 335i has simply awesome performance and forgoing the automatic doesn't really give enough away in refinement to justify turning down the power.
But I'd check over the figures one more time before signing on the dotted line if I were you. The 335i really does like a drink, to the tune of 21% lower fuel economy than the 335d.
Nice choice to have to make though.
Alfa,
3 monthes ago i was in the same position as you... i couldn't decide between the diesel or the petrol..
Although i eventually went for the petrol, i am now the proud owner of a Titanium Silver 335i Saloon and boy what a car!
Ive covered just over 2000 miles and it still manages to surprise me when i 'give it some'!
The reason i chose the petrol over the diesel was simple... I like to DRIVE and i much prefer the manual box to the auto (i feel more connected) also the 6 speed BMW 'box is a great close ratio 'box that not the usual 'rep mobile 'box.
The second reason is the noise... if you are going to test drive the petrol, listen to its tone when it passes 4000rpm, a straight-six howl at its best!
Also having 295 lbft of tourque i cant see the reason for buying the diesel over the petrol, ok it might have stronger residuals but being a company car that wont matter will it...?
The car (petrol) is everything i could need in a car... its safe and practical for the family, easy to drive for the other half, smooth, quiet and relaxed when cruising, but when you want it will remind you so much of your M3!
My dad has an E46 M3 SMG, and although quicker, theres not much between them!
Oh and the slight matter of paying £890 for it to be uprated to 385bhp!!! Im looking into this now.
Buy the petrol! This is PETROLheads after all....
When was the last time someone drooooled over a diesel? No matter how good it is... the petrol is the hearts decision...
Either is a great car, you will not be disapointed.
What dealer are you dealing with?
3 monthes ago i was in the same position as you... i couldn't decide between the diesel or the petrol..
Although i eventually went for the petrol, i am now the proud owner of a Titanium Silver 335i Saloon and boy what a car!
Ive covered just over 2000 miles and it still manages to surprise me when i 'give it some'!
The reason i chose the petrol over the diesel was simple... I like to DRIVE and i much prefer the manual box to the auto (i feel more connected) also the 6 speed BMW 'box is a great close ratio 'box that not the usual 'rep mobile 'box.
The second reason is the noise... if you are going to test drive the petrol, listen to its tone when it passes 4000rpm, a straight-six howl at its best!
Also having 295 lbft of tourque i cant see the reason for buying the diesel over the petrol, ok it might have stronger residuals but being a company car that wont matter will it...?
The car (petrol) is everything i could need in a car... its safe and practical for the family, easy to drive for the other half, smooth, quiet and relaxed when cruising, but when you want it will remind you so much of your M3!
My dad has an E46 M3 SMG, and although quicker, theres not much between them!
Oh and the slight matter of paying £890 for it to be uprated to 385bhp!!! Im looking into this now.
Buy the petrol! This is PETROLheads after all....
When was the last time someone drooooled over a diesel? No matter how good it is... the petrol is the hearts decision...
Either is a great car, you will not be disapointed.
What dealer are you dealing with?
thanks for the feedback and a BIG thanks for nudging me back towards the petrol
costs really are neutral as don't pay for fuel/servicing/depreciation and the auto box offsets the CO2 benefit of the diesel
noise really is important to me as well - after my Alfa, 4 years in a VAG diesel has reminded me just how important it is
not sure on which dealer it'll be - I'm waiting to hear about the test drive from my lease provider...usually get the car dropped to my door for a couple of days
going off on a (slight) tangent, how's the interior space on the touring? specifically, I've got a 2 year old and a new born....will the rear seat space be sufficient?
costs really are neutral as don't pay for fuel/servicing/depreciation and the auto box offsets the CO2 benefit of the diesel
noise really is important to me as well - after my Alfa, 4 years in a VAG diesel has reminded me just how important it is
not sure on which dealer it'll be - I'm waiting to hear about the test drive from my lease provider...usually get the car dropped to my door for a couple of days
going off on a (slight) tangent, how's the interior space on the touring? specifically, I've got a 2 year old and a new born....will the rear seat space be sufficient?
hear what you're saying but not sure the dealer will be too happy with me taking BOTH for extended drives...I'd rather have one for a few days than both for a few hours...I need to be happy with more than just the engine/gearbox and that takes time IMO
that's one of the points of this thread...trying to whittle down which one I want to borrow out of the i and the d
never heard them described as 'massive' inside but that's good news if it is the case and answers what is (currently) my only reservation about the 335
that's one of the points of this thread...trying to whittle down which one I want to borrow out of the i and the d
never heard them described as 'massive' inside but that's good news if it is the case and answers what is (currently) my only reservation about the 335
granville said:
Going forward, given the shock last night when I scoped the rear legroom in this current 3 - greater than my 5(!) - the overall 'pleasant ambience' of the Tardis cabin generally, I reckon the lightness of the 335d Touring v existing 535d Touring might give it an essential Chapmantage ito acceleraption.
Trust me you won’t be disappointed with the room in the back.
spokey said:
alfaspiderman2 said:
hear what you're saying but not sure the dealer will be too happy with me taking BOTH for extended drives...
Then find another dealer. Or try one from one dealer and one from another. Then you can play them off for price, as well.
I was thinking this..Youre spending a bucket of money here and the dealer should accommodate you & although the consensus is pointing towards petrol, it is only you that can make that decision (and that means testing them both)
at the Granville comment.I picked up my 335i m sport last week, stonking car.
Personally diesel is about economy and petrol about performance. On that basis I cannot see the point of the 335d when the 320d, 325d, 330d all do the economy bit so well and have levels of performance from brisk through to quick covered. the 335d is a bit quicker than the others but much less economical.
The alternative is the petrol 335i which has the best performance, is available as a manual and what it looses to diesel it part makes up in the manual vs auto bit. As an example I went from Reading to Saffron Walden and back in my 335i today in traffic and up to 85ish and it returned 32mpg - on a cruise at 75mph it was returning 34mpg - making it close enough to the 335d to justify.
So its faster, cheaper, available as a manual, almost as economical - whats there to choose?
bennno
Personally diesel is about economy and petrol about performance. On that basis I cannot see the point of the 335d when the 320d, 325d, 330d all do the economy bit so well and have levels of performance from brisk through to quick covered. the 335d is a bit quicker than the others but much less economical.
The alternative is the petrol 335i which has the best performance, is available as a manual and what it looses to diesel it part makes up in the manual vs auto bit. As an example I went from Reading to Saffron Walden and back in my 335i today in traffic and up to 85ish and it returned 32mpg - on a cruise at 75mph it was returning 34mpg - making it close enough to the 335d to justify.
So its faster, cheaper, available as a manual, almost as economical - whats there to choose?
bennno
Edited by bennno on Wednesday 7th March 17:23
I'm in the same position. 335 touring, petrol or diesel? I currently own a 330 and test drove a 335d on saturday. It's simply a fantastic drive, terrific design and build quality and surprisingly quiet engine noise (i've never driven a diesel before). As a private buyer residual strength is important and on balance the 335d seems to offer fun and financial sense in acceptable balance. In terms of space it isn't a proper load lugger, the boot offers the same space as the coupe bar obviously access and height. If space was a key factor I'd try a RS6! I suppose the only thing in the back of my mind is will it be as pleaseant an experience with 50,000 miles under its belt? Only time will tell.
If you are buying then im me and i will point you in the direction of a 'good' dealer.
I got c. £3900 off, plus the current £1250 bonus for using bm finance - total discount £5150 which made my 335i a bargain.
Price wise I think its closer between 330d and 335i as opposed to 335i and 335d and there is unprecedented demand for 335i so lead times are non committed currently from factory. why have a 330i when its only £1600 cheaper?
you are likely to get pushed in the direction of a 330i / 330d / 335d therefore
bennno
[quote=Cootehall] In terms of space it isn't a proper load lugger, the boot offers the same space as the coupe bar obviously access and height.
to be honest, I'm more concerned with rear seat space - the thought of a toddler booting me in the back for 3 years doesn't fill me with joy!
obviously access to the boot is useful with prams etc but I've no worries on boot space - we've got a Land Rover for load lugging and dog walking
dealers wise, thanks for the offers but not necessary - mine's a company car and I don't get involved with dealers other than to arrange delivery (lucky me!)
to be honest, I'm more concerned with rear seat space - the thought of a toddler booting me in the back for 3 years doesn't fill me with joy!
obviously access to the boot is useful with prams etc but I've no worries on boot space - we've got a Land Rover for load lugging and dog walking
dealers wise, thanks for the offers but not necessary - mine's a company car and I don't get involved with dealers other than to arrange delivery (lucky me!)
bennno said:
I picked up my 335i m sport last week, stonking car.
Personally diesel is about economy and petrol about performance. On that basis I cannot see the point of the 335d when the 320d, 325d, 330d all do the economy bit so well and have levels of performance from brisk through to quick covered. the 335d is a bit quicker than the others but much less economical.
The alternative is the petrol 335i which has the best performance, is available as a manual and what it looses to diesel it part makes up in the manual vs auto bit. As an example I went from Reading to Saffron Walden and back in my 335i today in traffic and up to 85ish and it returned 32mpg - on a cruise at 75mph it was returning 34mpg - making it close enough to the 335d to justify.
So its faster, cheaper, available as a manual, almost as economical - whats there to choose?
Regards
how are you managing that sort of mpg? im struggling to get 21mpg and thats taking it easy!
Edited by Rochester BMW on Thursday 8th March 09:23
If you have a performance car that manages 5ish secs to 60 miles an hour, surely you dont expect to get a high mpg. If you want a high mpg buy a 2 litre diesel. I never understand why people are so focused on mpg when they buy a performance car. If you work out the savings per year of 35 mpg as opposed to 25mpg, it will pale into insigificance against the amount you will lose on depreciation.
Rochester BMW said:
how are you managing that sort of mpg? im struggling to get 21mpg and thats taking it easy!
Just done 100 mile round trip on Motorway (at average motorway speed) and car is returning 29mpg
Go get yours checked out as even husing mine in a 'spirited fashion' yesterday it was returning 25-26mpg
bennno
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff