Hey everyone i've just put the deposit down on my 330d its a late 2002 but the 2003 model (got the later engine in and facelift from what bmw have told me)
Its going to be the car that replaces my modded classic (350bhp) and was wondering if anyone else has gone down this route? If so what do you think of them.
From what i can tell and the test drive it seems like a really nice car and a lot more practical for the long journeys im going to be doing now.
Anyone know anything that i should look out for on this particular model or any common problems?
Oh its an se model but i know its not as nice as the sport but still a nice car!!
I am planning on getting it chipped later next year as i have been told by dms that they can get it up to over 270bhp with a bucket load of torque! But at 800 odd quid it definatly leaves a sting (has anyone else had theres chipped)
Thanks
Pete

 

Sorry mate I cant give direct experience mine was a 530D se, same engine I think tho. it was a great car with enough power/torque to get you into trouble in the wet/ice as std. great mpg, smooth and refined, great build quality etc.
Drive it for a while and then think about the chip is my advice, horses for courses etc.

Hope it goes well for you.

 

lovely looking cars with great engines,power wise not too different to a standard impreza just a lot smoother. i liked all the toys you get with them and the quality but it just didnt do it for me. only real downsides for me was that the cabin felt a bit cramped and the msport suspension was too stiff on a and b roads. we had a 2004 sport with 210 hp and used to get the same sort of economy that i now get from an a3 2.0tdi!

 

excellent cars, definitely get it remapped. I loved mine....

If you are prepared to travel to DMS in Andover then go to Ray West at Thruxton instead, will probably work out cheaper and he does a stirling jobs

 

I have driven the older 530d and now the newer 530d for work - I have to say I would now consider a 330d or especially now the 335d without a second thought .... they have impressed me no end. They are OK in real terms on real roads and go really well.

I don't like the noise at idle and the rather shortened rev band but they do go quite well to say the least

 

I have to make do with a bloody Corsa!! And they took the proper twos off us and we now have stupid ice cream music to play..

 

Hi Pete - I went from 8 years of Impreza STI (and a Discovery V8) to one car: a 330d Touring.

First, if your car is a late 2002, I doubt it's the 2003 model as that came out in April 2003. Apart from 204bhp instead of 184bhp it's got a six speed gearbox (if manual).

It's an excellent car but the experience for me has been repeated bad experiences at the dealer. You'll widely read on the internet that they do 40mpg. Most of these comments are based on trip computer figures. Mine does "40" but tank to tank is 35mpg (an auto will be 5mpg less).

Driving experience: In some situations it's faster/more responsive than the STI (mostly urban roads) and could be described as nippy, as you're getting low down torque.

Remapping: DMS have a good reputation, but take a look at bmwland.co.uk - others will do a similar job for less money.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I just paid off the balance on it late last night lol!. I've been assured its the 204 bhp engine model (i have that in writing) but it only has the 5 speed box. Its seems a really nice car and for the time being it looks like i will still have both cars when i get hold of it!! It seems a shame to waste my current classic as it has had a stupid amount of money spent on it and it is going to just sit on the drive in just over a months time until it is sold!
I'm really looking forward to picking the new car up and im going to take the advice of you guys and leave it standard at least for a couple of months until i get used to it as it is bound to be a completly different car to drive.
I may PM some of you to find out about these other tuning companies when i come to get mine sorted.
Thanks again for the advice
Pete

 

Pete,

You have the 184bhp version. Still pretty good though. You'll be able to get 230bhp or so from it but no more. I'd leave it standard for a while at least. From experience, a chipped 184 is about as quick as a 204bhp model. I've posted numerous times on threads about 330d's as I've had one of every incarnation. They're a brilliant car and I'd recommend one to anyone.

Cheers
Matt

 

thanks for the replies guys. I have been officially told by bmw it was one of the first cars to have the 204bhp engine. Its got a slightly bigger displacement or something 2993cc or something as opposed to 2918 i think they said. They have also put it in writing for me that it is the 204bhp engine fitted!! So should be all good!

 

Then why doesn't it have the 6 speed box then?

 

I've never seen a 204bhp 330D with a 5 speed box. My 330XD is one of the first 204bhp models and it has a 6 speed box, albeit the car is LHD.

 

I agree - the 6spd box came in at the same time as the 204bhp model.

It may have had a cheap replacement gearbox fitted? The 204bhp engine code is M57N, the old one is just M57.

 

Pete,

Is it really a 6 speed box and someone's put a 5 speed **** on the gear lever? If it's 204bhp from the factory, it's 6 speed.

Either way, so long as you're happy and the car is "right", then buy it and enjoy it.

Matt

 

I know the car is definatly right as i know the previous owner! But ive taken on board what you guys have all told me and guess that the BMW dealer that i have spoke to is talking out his ****. I even have it in writing off them which is strange.
But i guess it must be the 184 bhp model as it definatly has a 5 speed box in it. I'm took it out for a drive and i'm really happy with it. Its just a shame i can't start driving it until i go back mid December! I was annoyed at first because i wanted the higher bhp model but after driving it im more than happy. Its such a smooth refined car and by far the nicest car i've owned yet! Looks like I must be starting to grow up a bit more and go for comfort and practicality!!
Thanks again for all the advice guys. I'm going to try and use it to my advantage and get a bit more off the car but I doubt i'll have any luck!!
Pete

 

To be honest mate, I'd be more than a little p1ssed off if a main delaer was lieing to me about something as blatant as this.

Plus, if you've got the lie in writing, you should have some good leverage against money off. Just start kicking up a fuss and mentioning head office.

 

Maybe its had a replacement engine ?

 

worth a post on www.bmwland.co.uk

v.knowledgable chaps on there who will be able to set you straight when the facelift change occured.

 

Pete,

The most simple check is to look under the bonnet. Is there a small oil cooler (with plastic cold air funnel) on the right hand side of the engine, next to the oil filter? If there is, it's a 184bhp engine.

Matt

 

Don't get carried away just because you're excited about the car. Ring BMW UK Customer Services on 0800 325 600 who should be able to tell exactly what it is if you can't get down there yourself to make the underbonnet check as suggested by Matt.

If it's a 184bhp car it's still a fine drive but worth considerably less than the later cars. Don't pay over the odds on the say so of some salesman. He'd tell you that black was white if he thought he'd get a sale out of it.