330d 2004 model any views??
Discussion
Philrose said:
The sport extras are worth having. The alloys, suspension mods, body kit etc. .
I tried out a 530 Sport before I bought the 530 SE.
While the extra chrome and alloys are nice, the Sport suspension seemed way too firm to me for real world use on British roads.
Personal choice. Try both.
dcb said:
Philrose said:
The sport extras are worth having. The alloys, suspension mods, body kit etc. .
I tried out a 530 Sport before I bought the 530 SE.
While the extra chrome and alloys are nice, the Sport suspension seemed way too firm to me for real world use on British roads.
Personal choice. Try both.
Agreed - the sports suspension is far too stiff for British Roads - i can travel crosscountry quicker in my 306 diesel than my dads 330d sport
On good roads the 330d sport is great but 75% of the time it's just a pain in the arse because of the bumpy ride. Also check the car you are looking at has spilt folding rear seats – it’s an option and very annoying if you don't have it
Definitely drive one on bumpy roads before you buy (preferably with passengers in the back) we didn't and have regretted it.
Other than that it’s a very good car. Brilliant blend of performance and economy and totally reliable in 76k
The tyres for the 18" wheels on the sport are also very expensive. Approaching £200 each for the rears from what i remember
jinxy,
I've got a 2004MY 330d Sport. It's fantastic. It's my 3rd 330d Sport, so you could say that I'm addicted.
Anyway, IMHO, the sport model is so much better than the SE. I find the ride firm, but not uncomfortable. I drove an SE and it was horribly wallowy. Additionally, all the extra kit you get on the sport makes the car look more aggressive.
Tyres are not that expensive. I'm on the factory RE040 Brigstones and a full set is £500 fitted. Service intervals are approx. 20k miles and you'd probably pick one up with a service pack anyway, so effectively it'll cost you nothing until 75k miles.
Mine has been very reliable, and I'm getting ~40mpg from it. I'm off to the Ring on Friday, so will let you know how it performs. My old 330d was great round there, so I expect this new and improved version to be even better.
Cheers
Matt
I've got a 2004MY 330d Sport. It's fantastic. It's my 3rd 330d Sport, so you could say that I'm addicted.
Anyway, IMHO, the sport model is so much better than the SE. I find the ride firm, but not uncomfortable. I drove an SE and it was horribly wallowy. Additionally, all the extra kit you get on the sport makes the car look more aggressive.
Tyres are not that expensive. I'm on the factory RE040 Brigstones and a full set is £500 fitted. Service intervals are approx. 20k miles and you'd probably pick one up with a service pack anyway, so effectively it'll cost you nothing until 75k miles.
Mine has been very reliable, and I'm getting ~40mpg from it. I'm off to the Ring on Friday, so will let you know how it performs. My old 330d was great round there, so I expect this new and improved version to be even better.
Cheers
Matt
Ruxpin said:
Also check the car you are looking at has spilt folding rear seats – it’s an option and very annoying if you don't have it
Good tip - my saloon hasn't got folding rear seats and I really miss them.
Fewer trips to the refuse tip that way.
Ruxpin said:
Definitely drive one on bumpy roads before you buy (preferably with passengers in the back) we didn't and have regretted it.
Another good tip. My previous chariot was a Jaguar XJ8, with super smooth suspension, so both the plain 530 and the 530 sport seemed firmer, the 530 Sport excessively so, to my taste.
Ruxpin said:
The tyres for the 18" wheels on the sport are also very expensive. Approaching £200 each for the rears from what i remember
The recommended Continentals for my car are about 110-120 quid a corner, at my local independent tyre dealers.
I think even at the BMW dealers they are about 150 quid each.
MattOz said:
Additionally, all the extra kit you get on the sport makes the car look more aggressive.
I'm not sure how this is a benefit.
Maybe I'm getting too old, but how a car looks is of zero interest to me.
It could look like it had just dropped out of a dog's botty, and I'd buy it, as long as it did 150 mph and got over 25 mpg with a big boot.
Bought a 330d for the wife late last year and don't regret it at all, it's a great car.
I didn't realise you could get folding rear seats, (we bought a showroom car) and this has been the only problem. The sport looks way cooler than the se, BMW hit the spot with the deep front bumper/spoiler IMHO, but then I am shallow.
The performance is cracking and the ride is firm but not uncomfortable.
Get one if you can, you won't regret it.
HTH.
I didn't realise you could get folding rear seats, (we bought a showroom car) and this has been the only problem. The sport looks way cooler than the se, BMW hit the spot with the deep front bumper/spoiler IMHO, but then I am shallow.
The performance is cracking and the ride is firm but not uncomfortable.
Get one if you can, you won't regret it.
HTH.
Every 330D should come with a factory fitted sticker for the benefit of every other small saloon car out there reading...
"Warning, I kick ar5e for the Lord"
I've got a 52 plater sport auto and I can cross country as quick in it as my E28 M5 but half the effort.. everything about it is awsome.. except the quality of the leather but I'll let it off because everything else is so damn good!...
Do it... you'll never look back...
"Warning, I kick ar5e for the Lord"
I've got a 52 plater sport auto and I can cross country as quick in it as my E28 M5 but half the effort.. everything about it is awsome.. except the quality of the leather but I'll let it off because everything else is so damn good!...
Do it... you'll never look back...
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