Diablo

Fair enough - the mags can be wrong though

My 120d has DTC & DSC.

Edit - just read the pistonheads article, the comments about the suspension componemt materials apply to all 1 series cars.

Quote:- the M package comprises slightly stiffer suspension, the bodykit, 18-inch wheels, fatter rear tyres and some cosmetic jewellery on the interior.

Other than that its the same as the 130i, which is the same as the 120d in all aspects except engine.

Not knocking it - you've got a seriously good car there

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I test drove a new shape 320d and really wasn't impressed - vague steering, gutless engine, and the new symmetrical interior smacks of cost-cutting to make the LHD and RHD variants more similar.

I ended up with an E46 330d Touring with all the toys, and I love it. It's nowhere near as quick as my previous car (a MY05 JDM STI), but it's more compliant, more fluid and more confidence-inspiring. Build quality is on another level entirely.

The best bit by far is the engine, though, which is (of course) torquey and flexible low down, but also amazingly smooth and happy to rev all the way to its 5000 rpm red line. Look at it like this: with 300 lb.ft of torque available, the only time an STI engine is producing more power is between 5k and 8k rpm, and how much time do you spend in that range?

I get between 35 and 45mpg too - 500 miles on a tank - which is hard to argue with.

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

Maybe I should save a little more and buy a 330 Cd as they are a little out of my price range at the moment. I'm not too bothered about it not being as quick as my subaru. The quality and handling will make up for that. I know subarus handle really well but BMW's seem to have this confidence about them which I like.

rav123

iTrader: (1)

test drove the 330ci before i bought the my05 sti. both brilliant cars in their own right, the bmw is quite quick, interior compared to the impreza is in another league altogether, just feels really smooth and much more refined. bought the sti in the end coz in my mind a subaru is a subaru and have wanted one for as far back as i can remember! best thing is go for a test drive and see how it feels

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

There's no substitute for a test drive, IMHO. Of similarly sized and priced cars I definitely preferred the E46; I tried an Audi A4, Volvo S60, Lexus IS200 (old) and IS220d (new) and a new 320d, and did't rate any of them as highly.

Be aware, the 330d's engine gained an upgrade from 184bhp to 204bhp in '04, accompanied by a change from a 5 speed box to a 6 speed. I've not driven a car with the older engine, but it might be worth seeking out reviews comparing the two.

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

I'm getting more good feedback than bad so I will go for one. I'll have to pop down my local BMW dealer and have a test drive. I hate going to BMW dealers even the salesman think they are the doggies danglies!!

I really want the LED rear lights but think its only on the really new ones i'll have to see how much BMW charge for them. Probably an arm and a leg!!

big MO

The LED things can be bought after market. If you check in the BMW enthusiasts mags at the newsagent there are pages of them.

Go and test drive the BMW, you won't be disappointed by the quality and refinement. As the others say, it all up in another league. Yup, the thrill one gets from a Scooby is unmistakable and one for which I will never forget (all that cornering on rails, DV's going off, the chatter of the wastegate, the massive TSL Firestorm backbox and complete decat and the endless banter from kids saying they want my car when they grow older), but after owning the 330ci vert, all I can say is that open air motoring in my vert was absolutely brilliant.

Now as I sit here I often think "what if I went to buy another one tomorrow...the weather's perfect for the hood down??". But alas I have to admit I have moved on..... growing old gracefully as they say......and gone onto better things

big MO

Oh!!!....another thing.... BMW verts pick up nicer chicks (my opinion and experiences)..... past it now.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

I'd go with the turbo diesel and a custom remap, that way you'll have the car/quality you want and the placebo power hit of the Impreza.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

I had a MY01 330CI Sport - which comes with nicer wheels and lots of M sport stuff.

It is pretty much the same as the MY03 car.

I owned it alongside a highly tuned classic Sti. I now own a MY06 Spec C so feel I can give a comparison.

The 330CI is an outstanding car. It is MUCH quicker point to point than most BMW drivers will ever discover. It will keep up with the majority of Scoobs on the road. The linear power delivery really does fool you into thiking it is slower.

Throttle response is not as thrilling as you might expect from a 3.0 litre and the engine likes revs to get the best out of it.

The steering, especially on the earlier cars, is sublime. Grip is excellent, even in the wet which will surprise some Scooby drivers. These cars do not understeer, they have a fabulous balance, far better then the standard Scoobs. Only my Spec C gets close to the balance (although the Spec does have better handling )

The chassis has two very distinct characters. Initially is will play like a rapid cruiser. Go beyond this and the car feels as if it has lowered two inches and really tightened up. In this zone (which I suspect only 1% of BMW will ever find) the chassis is really excellent.

The downside is that you can feel the weight of the car at times and it is not as raw as a Scoob.

It also has excellent fuel economy. My average during all ownership was 29mpg. It was often over 30mpg and only a short journey going mad did it get into the low 20s.

In many ways I regret selling it. It held it's value pretty well but it was a lot of car for the money when I sold it. And when I did sell it, it was to buy a 993 which was great but has gone now as well

If I had to choose to have the 993 or the 330CI back I would take the 330CI.

One final thing - rear tyres are stupidly expensive especially the Michelins. I retyred the whole Porsche with PZero N4 Rossos for less than the cost of two rear Michelins on the Sport 18ins!!!!!!

Rannoch

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the info guys. Its a great help.

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

Hi

Finally got to test drive a 330 Ci today and all I can say is its excellent. I do like the imprezas don't get me wrong and I loved mine but this just seemed to be a better drivers car. You can't fault it!! The quality is leagues better then the impreza and just seemed a better all rounder. I must buy one as soon as possible.

Brendan Hughes

^^stone him^^

rossi_classicwrx

Im going down a similar route in December when i hopefully get my 330d. I'm still saving for it at the moment and my impreza's up for sale. You should take one out for a test drive they are seriously awsome cars to drive and if you think that there too slow standard (i personally think there pretty quick considering) then you can have it chipped straight up to 280bhp. If you get top gear magazine there is almost always an advert from the people that do it. Thats whats going to be done to mine but im not sure on how bad the effects will be on the fuel consumption

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

I would like one but as I said before the 330 Cd is a fair bit more than the 330 Ci. Mappers always say your fuel consumption is improved but I think its rubbish. To get more power you need to inject more fuel so I can't see how MPG is improved. Don't think it will be too much worse though.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

When flat out this is true, but on average you may well get better economy due to the mapper removing fuel when it's not needed.

Dan J

I know several people with 330d's that have been re-mapped. The transformation of the car is huge from standard and I've driven both. It pulls like a train and yes it has slightly increased overall mpg in every case. DMS are a great company for the remap thought not the cheapest.

Dan J

Also with regard to the 330 petrol it's a great engine too. Silky smooth and has a nice deep exhaust note. I was going for a 330d though due to the unbeatable package of performance (especially with a remap) and economy. Came very close to buying one twice but for whatever reason didn't.

I've always hankered for a 330 Sport vert though and went and drove a 51 plate today. Topaz blue, blue hood, beige leather. Very nice! You need that roof down to really appreciate that straight 6! I'm seriously considering going for it...

bob r

iTrader: (46)

just as a comparison.............................

my old clio 172 was as quick as a 330 ci up to 3 figures, and we all know on sn about the 172s.

Rabid

The n/a 3ltr petrol unit can be remapped to give 250bhp and better torque curve for around £150.

The comments about a Clio 172 being as fast are laughable as well. They aren't.

Mike123

I think the guy actually said up to about a 100 though - we had a 330i and there certainly wasn't much in it between the very hot hatches like 172s and Type-Rs.
There's about a second difference between the 172 and a manual 330i to 100.
The big engine comes into it's own at big 3-figure speeds

Rabid

A second slower isn't 'as quick'. Some accuracy is needed in 'other marques'.

I'm sick of hearing things that aren't true, particularly regarding high powered diesels. Skabia a quick car indeed!

Mike123

Not a big difference from a rolling start though as that's where the Clio's disadvantage lies. Unless you do drag strip starts I'd be surprised if you could pull a car length in an E46 330i over a 172 from a 30 mph roundabout start.
To my mind, that's literally no difference.

On the road you would need a faster car than a 330i to put any space over a 172......M3 should do it though

Rabid

I'd like to see it done.

matchmaker

My boss has a 330i. It has the same power as my remapped Octavia but less torque. Lovely smooth car, but feels slower than the vRS

You miss that "boost on" feeling

SJJ84

I've got a 330ci sport and for the money there isn't a lot that rivals it for a complete package. Yes there are faster cars, better handling cars for the same price or less, I'm talking second hand prices here, but with the comfort and luxury aswell it's hard to find. I initially wanted a P1, but the extra premium in insurance I couldn't justify. Now the insurance is less I have looked at them again, but the interior of the bmw is so much better and more comfy I don't think I'd be prepared to swap. I wish I'd just plumped up the cash for the P1 originally and then got the bmw after having some all out fun.

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

Any naturally aspirated car will feel slower that a turbocharged one.