Stryder

Going to look at a few 330d this weekend. Is there anything I should be looking out for?

Rabid

Turbo failure, turbo failure and turbo failure.

Followed by wishbones.

I'm looking at a 330 as my next car. The premium for a diesel 330d over petrol 330i is approx 2K model for model, spec for spec. 2K buys an awful lot of petrol so I'm going for a 330 coupe instead of a stinky oil burner, which is what I've got at the moment. I'm sick of narrow power bands and sounding like a taxi all for the sake of saving a few quid at the pumps. Especially considering the initial saving on purchase price means I'd have to do 40K miles before I started gaining.

Andy M3

Chap at work has a 52 reg 60k 184hp Sport saloon.

So far, it has been largely reliable, however more recent problems have been:

Radio packed up - (TV / Sat nav version)
Reverse sensors [packed up twice]
Cracked exhaust manifold [warranty job + engine out job]
Clutch is just about ready.
Front anti roll bar bushes have been replaced.
10k / set of rear tyres - 25k - 30k / set of rear.
Discs and pads every 25k miles.

Other than that it is a nice motor - i have discussed the MPG on this forum before, and from new his average has been 33 mpg. Some people claim 45+ minimum, but it depends on your driving. He lives in the country and drives to the city - 50 mile return daily trip.

Watch out for insurance, it is dearer than expected [i thought anyway] and that is it so far.

Good luck

MattW

Just sold mine. Have to say power band on the 330 is very much petrol like in comparison with other diesels namely VAG. Of course not as wide as an actual petrol car.

Mine returned 36-39mpg according to fuel computer (manual).

Rabid

Matt, 36-39 isn't really that great when you consider that a petrol 330i will return 31 on the computer. Was it an auto?

I drove the 330D and while it's better than the VAG stuff it still doesn't have that top end rush I crave.

RS Grant

Our 330d Cabrio produced 233bhp and 322ft/lb as standard on a Rolling Road recently.... It pulls like a train, returns c40mpg and looks the business. The power band, IMO, is great, it pulls hard from about 1500rpm and gets better until it starts to tail off at around 4500rpm. My friend's Celica GT4 with c270bhp couldnt pull even an inch from 30mph to around 90mph the other night.

IIRC the 330 petrol Cabrio produces a quoted 231bhp, not sure on torque.... but making the same progress as the 330d I would expect you to return a maximum of 28mpg on average, it'll still look the business though.

For any problems, there is a comprehensive warranty.


Cheers,
Grant

MattW

Agree with RSGrant, I averaged 36 on the motorway, 39 overall, however if I drove it like miss daisy 43/44 was possible.

The Auto averages low 30s AFAIK.

jcullen

surely it will also command a premium when u come to sell it?

Rabid

True but I plan to keep it for a while so at sale time we'll be talking a few hundred quid.
40K miles does me for 4 or 5yrs so that's a lot of money saved by buying the petrol which economy aside I think is a miles better engine. All depends whether you like instant in gear grunt like the 330D has or prefer something a bit more interactive that sounds great like the petrol.

Stryder

Well I currently drive a Vectra GSi 2.6, and I am only getting on average 20-23mpg, and that's taking it easy. Granted it's all town use, but I'm sure you will now understand why I need the diesel. But I want something with a decent bit of punch but with decent economy. I was orignally after a 2.5 quattro sport A4, but there are none local to me. But from what I have read, the beemer goes better (power and torque figs) and is more economical the the Audi.

sgcooby

The original 3.0d has exactly the same stats as the 2.5 audi diesel i.e 180bhp and 280lb/ft. There may be fractional mpg differences due to the 4wd transmission. I had a 2.5tdi quattro auto and it is not that economical at all.

RS Grant

Yes, with the Quattro you'd be looking at a drop of 3-5mpg over the 2WD model... I would expect low 30's on average and they come with 163bhp or 180bhp. A re-map is available, which will take it to around 210bhp. But the BMW starts there from standard!!

IMO, the 330d makes a nice noise when on the move.. good turbo whistle and a throaty straight 6 sound which isnt "diesel-ish" in the slightest. At tickover and low speed, you can hear the tell-tale noise from outside.. but from the cabin, you'd be hard pushed to call it noisey or rough sounding.


Cheers,
Grant

RobHardy

them 330s are quick i remember chasing one in my old type r! was suprisngly close really.

mike_330

sold mine recently and really enjoyed it for the time I had it, never spent anything bar a oil service on it. However did chip it, stainless exhaust, aircleaner and it went so much better

Petem95

Almost bought one a while back. Had 115k on it, and had had new wishbones.

Tyres are apparently quite pricey for the 18" MV alloys, best part of a grand for a set.

Owner reckoned he got about 41mpg, and reckoned 45mpg was possible on a run if you took it steady. Not really as good as I expected, seeing as you pay a big premium for the 330d over a petrol car, and the fuel costs 4-5p a litre (around 20p/gallon more)

Only really worth it if you do a high mileage, over 20k.

Petem95

Edit; I bought a petrol Audi A4 instead, and that averages almost 40mpg on a motorway run at about 80-85.

TopBanana

I don't know if you've already tried a 530d but if not, it can't do any harm. I prefer it to the 330d