E92 330 / 335?

[Johnnywb]

So. I'm looking at changing my golf for something a bit smarter for work.

I've whittled the list down to;

330i
330d
335d

I'll be doing about 10,000 miles a year in it. Anyone got any thoughts? Iv'e been looking for a 330i manual as they seem reasonably bullet proof (i'm planning on running it for a while), but they seem rarer than rocking horse shit.

So, is the auto any good or will it annoy me after the SMG? Is the 330d as good day to day?

[Jon8710]

iv got a 330d manual as well as the CSL and its spot on iv done 95k in it without any problems and avarage 38mpg,
my brother had a 335d it was a bit quicker but i could not live with the sloppy gear change as you can only have them in auto and it is a bit more thirsty,
the 330i in my eyes it exactly the same performance without the tourque or the mpg i dont know why any one would get one.
i had a 325i on loan from the garage and i was forever filling it up but maybe that because i was driving it like i stole it as i could give it back at the end of the day :-D

[LeinsCSL]

I sold my 335d for the CSL. As a daily it was great, gained about 8MPG in real-world driving over the 325ti I had before it, the autobox was excellent, and even in unmapped form it really did feel as fast as the CSL for 95% of driving situations. The overtaking shove in the thing was all you'd need, and it was about as quick in a straight line as a 993 C2 (both from what I remember of driving one of those, and from the traffic light grand prix :-D), although the performance is delivered in a totally different way with all that torque


However, a few bad points:

- the flappy paddles are a complete waste of time, as they work push/pull for changing on either side and you have to permanently keep your eyes on the rev-counter otherwise you just keep banging it off the limiter. Rev-range is just too short in these to bother, so better to let the auto do its own thing. There was a D/S mode too that held onto the revs a bit longer, but didn't bother much with that either

- It was a heavy old beast. I took it over the Cat&Fiddle a good few times, and around the EVO Triangle, but you could always feel all that weight heaving around in the corners. You'd get out of the corners pretty quickly though

- There was a lot of stuff to go wrong in the thing, and I had to bring it into the dealers on 4 separate occasions just to get the seat-belt arms replaced alone (it was an E92). I wouldn't fancy one without warranty, and that's coming from someone who doesn't have a warranty on his CSL!

- RFTs are the work of the devil, but that's an easy enough fix

As a combination of excellent performance with reasonable economy it takes some beating for a daily IMO

[mattCSLnut]

iv got a 330d manual as well as the CSL and its spot on iv done 95k in it without any problems and avarage 38mpg,
my brother had a 335d it was a bit quicker but i could not live with the sloppy gear change as you can only have them in auto and it is a bit more thirsty,
the 330i in my eyes it exactly the same performance without the tourque or the mpg i dont know why any one would get one.
i had a 325i on loan from the garage and i was forever filling it up but maybe that because i was driving it like i stole it as i could give it back at the end of the day :-D

+1 for 330d Manual 6 Speed :thumbs:
I've had an E60 530d Manual for the past 2 years and it's a very crisp manual transmission which suits the straight six Dieseasal well and gives a bit more driver involvement over the Slush-O-Matic. Also the Manual is 100% reliable, unlike the AUTOs "Sealed for life" nonsense :banghead:

[Johnnywb]

Thanks guys, helpful.

The reason i was looking at 330i's was down to their simplicity. With a manual gearbox, there's not 'much' to go wrong. Both the 335's (i and d) have a lot to go wrong in terms of autobox, turbos etc. Given that i'm planning on holding on to it and the fact many of them have done higher mileages, that's a big consideration for me.

330d manual is appealing though. Off to have a look at what's about!

[LeinsCSL]

If you're only going to be doing about 10k miles a year, would you not consider something like a manual 135i? Plenty of scope for re-mapping too if that's your thing

The main reason why I considered the diesel was because I was doing > 20k miles a year at the time, although the 428 lb/ft of torque did appeal for a while too

[mattCSLnut]

Thanks guys, helpful.

The reason i was looking at 330i's was down to their simplicity. With a manual gearbox, there's not 'much' to go wrong. Both the 335's (i and d) have a lot to go wrong in terms of autobox, turbos etc. Given that i'm planning on holding on to it and the fact many of them have done higher mileages, that's a big consideration for me.

330d manual is appealing though. Off to have a look at what's about!

It's a valid point you make Johnny about the simplicity of a 330i Manual. Indeed there is very little to go wrong with one of these :thumbs: unlike modern Dieseasals :banghead: + it's a proper, classic BMW lay out, Straight SIX, RWD with a bullet proof manual g/box :smokin: If most of your miles are on motorway, the 3 litre petrol + 6 Speed Manual combo can easily deliver high 30 MPGs economy wise + they are cheaper to buy then the equivalent 330d, in the first place. Just make sure you go for the M-Sport model as anything less just looks plain wrong :(

[Johnnywb]

Yep, looking for a manual m-sport. SE's just all wrong...

Looking for 330i's and 330d's.

Most of the driving will be around London and out along the M4 / M40 for meetings.

It's slightly about having something more economical to use for work (poxy 21p a mile (Yes i know i can get the other bit back)), but something that can be a bit of fun as well.

330i manual m-sports appear to be rarer than rocking horse sh!t. Ideally looking for one with iDrive and that narrows the field further.

there aren't that many more 330d manuals kicking around either.

Could go auto, but a) it's something to go arong and b) i like driving manuals.

[Jon8710]

Yep, looking for a manual m-sport. SE's just all wrong...

Looking for 330i's and 330d's.

Most of the driving will be around London and out along the M4 / M40 for meetings.

It's slightly about having something more economical to use for work (poxy 21p a mile (Yes i know i can get the other bit back)), but something that can be a bit of fun as well.

330i manual m-sports appear to be rarer than rocking horse sh!t. Ideally looking for one with iDrive and that narrows the field further.

there aren't that many more 330d manuals kicking around either.

Could go auto, but a) it's something to go arong and b) i like driving manuals.


iv got a 330d se manual with m sport seats and 19" star alloys for sale if you fancy it, m sport shocks are so hard and unless you throwing it round in the twisty stuff its just not worth it for the discomfort and what ever you get loose the run flat tyres ASAP.

[Johnnywb]

If you're only going to be doing about 10k miles a year, would you not consider something like a manual 135i? Plenty of scope for re-mapping too if that's your thing

The main reason why I considered the diesel was because I was doing > 20k miles a year at the time, although the 428 lb/ft of torque did appeal for a while too

The torque of the diesel is attractive. The reason for going for something larger (i'm actually looking at the E91 touring, only realised i meant to put E91 after i posted!) is firstly because i want something i can throw my kitesurfing gear in with a couple of mates.

Also, i occasionally have to take clients out, so a four door is key. Had to get 4 clients into my Mk4 Golf GTi recently and it's not exactly great!

[Johnnywb]

iv got a 330d se manual with m sport seats and 19" star alloys for sale if you fancy it, m sport shocks are so hard and unless you throwing it round in the twisty stuff its just not worth it for the discomfort and what ever you get loose the run flat tyres ASAP.

Actually looking for a touring, but thanks Jon, hope you manage to move it.

[leaded]

I run a 335d touring as a daily. It is comfy, effortless and returns 36mpgs. It's perfect for what I want from a daily runner.

The flappy push/pull paddle steering wheel is far too odd so I changed it for a leather M3 paddle wheel, down left, up right. I leave it in auto most of the time but great to flick it to manual and turn traction control off for a bit of fun, it's no pure handling M car but it is sporting enough for those odd occasions on the road. Ideally i'd like to put a Quaife diff in it as it likes to spin up the inside wheel when putting the power down although it does drift quite well as is. I was a bit apprehensive about getting an auto but it think for everyday driving it's a lot more comfortable.

I had mine mapped and also removed the partical filter so it surprises quite a few. It ran 550ftlbs of torque and 370bhp on the dyno at MRC tuning. The dog's not quite as much of a fan of the torque surge as I am. :-D

[Neil M]

Also, i occasionally have to take clients out, so a four door is key. Had to get 4 clients into my Mk4 Golf GTi recently and it's not exactly great!

Lets hope it was a 4/5dr GTI? I have on occasion driven an Anni TDi, a great little car but getting passengers in and out of the rear can be a bit problematic.

I run an E46 330d M Sport Touring Auto as a daily driver and wouldn't be without the versatility, comfort and economy that it offers.
I'm waiting to see if they put the M3 Touring into production next year, if they do, I afraid it'll might be bye bye economy.

[Johnnywb]

Lets hope it was a 4/5dr GTI? I have on occasion driven an Anni TDi, a great little car but getting passengers in and out of the rear can be a bit problematic.

I run an E46 330d M Sport Touring Auto as a daily driver and wouldn't be without the versatility, comfort and economy that it offers.
I'm waiting to see if they put the M3 Touring into production next year, if they do, I afraid it'll might be bye bye economy.


Nope, it's a 3dr Anni! Great car, but not practical for taking clients in when there's more than 1 of them...

It's chipped so it's a bit turbo-lag tastic, but a lot of fun.

[Johnnywb]

Found one i'm off to take a look at next week as the seller's away until then. E91 330i M-Sport manual...

Last service was an oil service 3 months ago, do these work on the same basis as the E46? oil / insp 1 / oil / insp 2?

[mattCSLnut]

Found one i'm off to take a look at next week as the seller's away until then. E91 330i M-Sport manual...

Last service was an oil service 3 months ago, do these work on the same basis as the E46? oil / insp 1 / oil / insp 2?

No, they don't Johnny. It's what BMW call a CBS Servicing (Condition Based Service) all displayed in the car's iDrive, if the E91 you're looking at has one.
Not all E90s have iDrive, unlike all the E60 5 Series which do.

[Johnnywb]

No, they don't Johnny. It's what BMW call a CBS Servicing (Condition Based Service) all displayed in the car's iDrive, if the E91 you're looking at has one.
Not all E90s have iDrive, unlike all the E60 5 Series which do.

Ah goodo. Yep this one does, i've been looking for one with iDrive.

[mattCSLnut]

Ah goodo. Yep this one does, i've been looking for one with iDrive.

Yeah I remember you said iDrive is a must ;) U go into iDrive and press the centre (i) for Information, scroll across to CBS and then scroll down the list of separate servicing items like Oil, Inspection service, Cabin filter, Statotury Annual Inspection (aka MOT) front /rear brakes, etc.. It will show you how many miles/time left till next service. Double check with the service history book to make sure it correlates with the iDrive :thumbs: