Opinions on buying a used BMW 330D?
Discussion
Hi
First time posting here but I browse Pistonheads all day long!
I have a 2005 Mondeo ST TDCi (2.2 turbo diesel, 155bhp) at the moment as a work car which is all very nice except for me it's lacking in two areas, 1) power and 2) an automatic gearbox. I do a fair few miles for work (25k a year including private mileage) so a diesel is necessary, but I came from a 275bhp SEAT Leon Cupra R to the Mondeo and I really miss the grunt. I'm also finding that I'm getting tired of the constant clutch action with the manual gearbox due to being stuck in motorway traffic jams all the time. I realised the other day that I don't need a manual gearbox in my everyday car anymore because I have an Elise for the "fun" driving!
So, been thinking about chopping the ST in for something else for around the £15k to £17k mark that's still an economical diesel, but which is a bit quicker and has an auto-box and is big enough to carry all the equipment I drag around with me all day. The only viable option I've come across so far is the BMW 330D which looks like it ticks all the right boxes. My only other criteria are that it has to have the sporty styling with nice alloys and stuff
Basically does anyone here have any ownership experience of the 330D and can you give me any pointers? I'm sure there must be a few of you!
cheers
Graham
First time posting here but I browse Pistonheads all day long!
I have a 2005 Mondeo ST TDCi (2.2 turbo diesel, 155bhp) at the moment as a work car which is all very nice except for me it's lacking in two areas, 1) power and 2) an automatic gearbox. I do a fair few miles for work (25k a year including private mileage) so a diesel is necessary, but I came from a 275bhp SEAT Leon Cupra R to the Mondeo and I really miss the grunt. I'm also finding that I'm getting tired of the constant clutch action with the manual gearbox due to being stuck in motorway traffic jams all the time. I realised the other day that I don't need a manual gearbox in my everyday car anymore because I have an Elise for the "fun" driving!
So, been thinking about chopping the ST in for something else for around the £15k to £17k mark that's still an economical diesel, but which is a bit quicker and has an auto-box and is big enough to carry all the equipment I drag around with me all day. The only viable option I've come across so far is the BMW 330D which looks like it ticks all the right boxes. My only other criteria are that it has to have the sporty styling with nice alloys and stuff
Basically does anyone here have any ownership experience of the 330D and can you give me any pointers? I'm sure there must be a few of you!
cheers
Graham
Hello,
I have a 330d sport touring. From what you've said I would agree the 330d is the car for you with the following observations.
The sports suspension is suprisingly hard for a family car and I think it would be pretty tiring if you did more than about 12k a year. Also the 18" wheels are a bit prone to tramlining. For you then I would suggest avoiding the sport model.
The auto box is magic, no real complaints apart from some quite harsh downshifts on steeper hills, but generally a superb gearbox.
The SatNav system is a bit tired out of the box but can be brought bang up to date with mods. Mine now has postcode searching and perspective view which is very TomTom.
Are you thinking of buying an approved used BMW from a stealership? If so go in hard with your negotiation and make sure they deliver the car in perfect condition. There are some good deals to be had on the E46. Think a bt laterally for extra discounts, like if the conversation about money has stonewalled, get them to give you a satnav update disc.
Errr, thats about it!
I have a 330d sport touring. From what you've said I would agree the 330d is the car for you with the following observations.
The sports suspension is suprisingly hard for a family car and I think it would be pretty tiring if you did more than about 12k a year. Also the 18" wheels are a bit prone to tramlining. For you then I would suggest avoiding the sport model.
The auto box is magic, no real complaints apart from some quite harsh downshifts on steeper hills, but generally a superb gearbox.
The SatNav system is a bit tired out of the box but can be brought bang up to date with mods. Mine now has postcode searching and perspective view which is very TomTom.
Are you thinking of buying an approved used BMW from a stealership? If so go in hard with your negotiation and make sure they deliver the car in perfect condition. There are some good deals to be had on the E46. Think a bt laterally for extra discounts, like if the conversation about money has stonewalled, get them to give you a satnav update disc.
Errr, thats about it!
If possible get one with heated leather if you're a big girl like me and electric seats if more than one person regularly uses the car.
Some kind of warranty is always worthwhile and all you really have to check on the car is the usual HPI/crash damage etc, and condition of suspension and springs.
Great cars, I've had mine a year and really like it.
Dave
Some kind of warranty is always worthwhile and all you really have to check on the car is the usual HPI/crash damage etc, and condition of suspension and springs.
Great cars, I've had mine a year and really like it.
Dave
Sounds like the E46 330d fits the bill. You should be able to get a facelifted model from a main stealer within that budget.
A friend of mine got a 330d from the auctions that had been to the moon and back. He didn't have any problems during his ownership and raved about it. Performance won't be a problem, I've been up against one a little while back and they can certainly shift.
The only word of warning that I may have is in relation to the tyres. I'm not sure if they're runflats on the E46, but if they are then the tramlining will be really rampant, especially in the nearside lane of motorways (thank you Road Hauliers). Make sure you test drive over some crap road surfaces to make sure you're happy with the steering behaviour before you sign on the dotted line.
A friend of mine got a 330d from the auctions that had been to the moon and back. He didn't have any problems during his ownership and raved about it. Performance won't be a problem, I've been up against one a little while back and they can certainly shift.
The only word of warning that I may have is in relation to the tyres. I'm not sure if they're runflats on the E46, but if they are then the tramlining will be really rampant, especially in the nearside lane of motorways (thank you Road Hauliers). Make sure you test drive over some crap road surfaces to make sure you're happy with the steering behaviour before you sign on the dotted line.
Thanks for the advice. Can you offer any information on fuel economy figures? My Mondeo does around 48mpg most of the time meaning on motorway runs I can get 550 miles or so from a full tank of diesel costing me about £48. How would the 330D compare? Obviously being a 3 litre I expect it to be worse, but how much worse?
Thanks
Graham
Thanks
Graham
I had 2: a w reg 184bhp manual saloon for 18 months and averaged 36mpg. I now have a 51 plate touring, manual 184bhp and get 37mpg (a steadier right foot and longer journeys). MPG is up in low 40s on long steady (80mph) journeys.
Probs with the 1st car: heater resistor (aka hedgehog), front wishbones, coil spring.
Current car: water pump, boot release micro-switch, vibration damper.
All known faults I believe and not too expensive to fix outside of main dealer network.
Probs with the 1st car: heater resistor (aka hedgehog), front wishbones, coil spring.
Current car: water pump, boot release micro-switch, vibration damper.
All known faults I believe and not too expensive to fix outside of main dealer network.
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