Anyone had or have much experience of these? Going to be working in London so big commute each Monday and Friday and need something fairly efficient but also a bit of fun? Looking at a nearly new one as they come with unlimited mileage warranty and will be doing 500-600 miles a week.

Never been the biggest fan of BMW but they seem to have the best performance/efficiency combination too - drove both yesterday and they are both very good - the 3.0 6 cylinder Diesel is lovely and smooth and goes well - engine is smoother than the Audi 3.0 diesel as well (IMO).

Any other suggestions? Needs to be a bit of fun as well as a comfy cruiser/motorway muncher.

Thanks in advance

 

The 330 will see over 40 mpg, knackers to the 4 pot

 

My brothers just ordered a new 335d X drive he highly rates the 330'

 

I have a63 plate X3 with the 30D engine and love it. I wanted the twin turbo 35d but could not find one in the right colour with option I was after.

The 30D is very flexible and works well with the 8 speed auto box. Very smooth round town in traffic etc but flick it into sport mode and it gives most hot hatches a run for their money. People dont expect it.

Tax is £180 a year. My avg mpg has been 35 but I have a shortish commute and have a heavy right foot. Plus the X3 heavier than a 3 series. Range is 500 miles. £60 to fill it up.

 

I'm very tempted with a 335D M sport and with the adaptive M sport suspension - but the adaptive suspension seems to get mixed reviews (not just from magazines). Some love it and some say it's completely unnecessary.

The 335D is also 5K + more than a 330D!

HMMM...

 

Before you settle for a 330D, try a 530D. I've had mine for a couple of years and I'm very happy with it. Over 40mpg is normal on any run long enough for the engine to warm up.

I drove a current model 3 series last year; by comparison it definitely felt a step down in interior quality, and it was no smaller or easier to park. Really smooth petrol engine, though... think it was a 320i.

 

Already test drove the 530D touring at same dealer. Also tried a 320d xDrive. Test drove all three back to back. 530D was and is a lovely car and if I wanted just a luxury tourer that would be it (already have a big Volvo xc90) but I want something with a bit of fun as well. And all importantly they don't do 5 series with xDrive.

The day after test drive it snowed/sleeted/hailed and had an inch on the roads - travelling up Kit hill near me in the Subaru for a dog walk I passed 4 cars at the side of the road and a transit van had spun out and was in a hedge at the top. I know some people will say impreza's are rubbish in snow and ice but I disagree.

4WD (even a switchable 2WD/4WD) is a must.

 

330d i tested both 330d and 520d 330d was like a bullet 5.x to 60. and anything that has 6 and lower is fun

 

If you want x drive in a 5 you get the GT. Mmmm what a looker those cars are!

 

I've had a 320d xdrive m sport auto, all be it a saloon, since new (about 18 months now). I really rate it as a cruiser, commuter and something that surprised me as actually reasonably fun on smoother surfaced twisty A roads. I did test the 330d too and would have loved it, but personally couldn't justify spending the extra cash on that over putting it into my Impreza. Given the opportunity, obviously would have gone with the 330d or 335d.

In the recent cold this week I've struggled to get 40mpg. Above 5 deg seem to get about 43-45 and then when it's warmer and on a long run best I've had is about 51-53.

Within a couple of months of having it, my wife and I did 2000 miles in a week down to northern Italy and back. Perfect trip for it. There was only one road on the great St. Bernard pass where I wish I'd had the scooby instead!

I will say that I've very rarely used the paddles though so that's a bit of a waste. Just not a car that needs them in my opinion.

Guess my final thought is that it feels a good car to drive, grippy, handles well, seats are good and punches nicely at the right revs. It feels better and better the longer I drive it and not the subaru. Then I get in the subaru (just a turbo 2000 with prodrive suspension) and I'm reminded how much better the subaru is instantly! Which oddly is actually quite a nice way to find both cars.

 

I have the paddles on my 330 (2008) and only really use them for kicking it down a gear to increase engine braking when coming to a junction or off a motorway for instance. The gearbox is just a little slow to use them for fun purposes.
Does your car have the 8 speed? I'd be interested to know if the box was much quicker changing than mine. I guess that would be a difficult question to answer if you have never driven one with my box though

Having just written all that, it's also just occurred to me that my Dad has a 2014 330 so I should just go and try his out

 

The new 8 speed on the F* series is absolutely superb.I have the older six speed on an E91 335d and its like night and day.The changes in sport and sport+ are so much quicker-you'll love it!

 

The wife has a 320D M sport - its comfy, returns between 50 and 70 (yes !! 70) mpg, it is however - not quick, bit iffy in the snow - other than that solid car, built well.

330d would be MUCH better

 

Brun, yes 8 speed auto as billyray says. I can only compare to an e46 auto though so I can't personally make the comparison to the e90 era. So interesting to hear what billyray says. You can certainly feel the difference in the changes when you go to sport from Eco pro or comfort.
Let us know what you think once you've tried your dad's.