BlkKnight

Morning all,

Just thought I'd tell you about my 330d M-Sport.

I sold my JDM my97 STI (v-ltd) Wagon as I couldn't afford the fuel

After about 3 months of waiting for a decent 330d to come on the market at the right price I finally found one.

Talk about a different ride. OK, so she's not as fast as the scoob, that as much is obvious. But the torque is amazing and for a diesel the powerband is fairly long.

I opted for a 6 sped manual (for the extra economy and feel of driving), and the box is smooth. Getting it into reverse can take some getting used to, and the clutch pedal is annoyingly too far to the right - but that aside is very good.

Luckily, I managed to find one with xenon's - which are a huge improvement over the scoobs lighting (and I had uprated bulbs).

Interior - nice black leather black trim & mats, with M-Sport styling all round.

The ride is firm (with the M-sport setup) but is not "harsh" like the scoob was. Corners very well, and is solid on the motorways at speed.

MPG - this is the good bit! On a tank full which was £60.00 I got about 590 miles - this was a mixture of urban and motorway. The onboard computer recons it was about 42 mpg +/-.


Over all I'd say it's a brilliant car for anyone who needs to find something more wallet friendly that the scoob. It's a great motorway cruiser, and is still fun to drive on the twisties.

(I do miss the scoob sometimes though)

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I sold my '05 JDM STI to buy one - a 330D M Sport Touring with all the toys: sat nav, Bluetooth, TV and so on.

I agree with everything you've said - and IMHO it's actually easier to drive around town because all that lovely torque (over 300 lb.ft - same as an STI!) comes in below 2,000 rpm. I've had it 18 months and, aside from the slightly numb steering, I really can't find anything much to criticise.

That said, during all the time I've had it I've only bothered to wash it a couple of times, and I still have pictures of Subarus up all over my garage. Somhow it just hasn't captured my interest in quite the same way.

Andy M3

We have an older 330d Sport at work, 184hp, but with a DMS tuning box, miltek catback and green cotton element - well worth the investment into those items, esspecially the filter [although it is a bitch to fit!].

I think I too will be moving to the dark side very soon........

CyprusScooby

Ive just bought a new 320d and it bloody shifts!!!!!!!

satanbaby

also agrees i miss my 320 D.

i have pic of it on my phone. when i drove to portsmouth from yorkshire following a hgv all the way at 45-50mph. it said 78MPG on the clock!

Andy M3

I take it you left your wallet in Yorkshire and had only 3 gallons of fuel left

ScoobyJawa

Were there engine changes in the life of the 330d, or just achieved by different mapping from BMW?

rossi_classicwrx

Theres an engine change aswell. In 2003 the 330d engine is slightly larger and has 204bhp. Easily identifiable by the 6 speed box (the newer model with the newer engine has this)
I currently have one aswell and absolutely love it. Mine is the se and not the sport though. Awsome car. If your having it tuned dms is not the way forward places like chipped uk are much more cost effective and arguably better

BlkKnight

I'm thinking about getting it chipped - 40BHP & 60 torque is not to be sneezed at.

Just planning to run it for a year and see how it goes.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

'Chipping' can in some cases blow autoboxes and cause fuel leaks from the injectors.