HankScorpio

How does the 320 diesel compare to the 330?

Huge difference or is it one of those occasions that in real world driving, the difference is not that significant?

Not getting one (yet ) but saw an ad for a nice looking 320 and was just wondering...

Luke-Avfc

Massive difference mate - It's a bit like comparing a Wrx to an STI.

As I've mentioned in other threads I'm privileged enough to get to drive these cars virtually every day. And In the 3 series range my favourite car is the 330/335d - Not inc the M3 of course..

HankScorpio

Cool, nice to know.

So an 03/04 330 Cd M Sport worth having then...?

HankScorpio

starts at 05

little bit off yet then...

Luke-Avfc

Sorry mate I was comparing E90..

Although I have driven both the 320d and 330d in E46 form and again the 330d comes up trumps.

HankScorpio

Ah, clue was in the title

Cheers for the info.

330dan

i have an e46 330d and only today got it remapped by superchips. Bearly had chance to drive it post remap but even before it was a quality, powerfull motor. Having driven an e46 320d i can tell you the difference is night and day. Also if you have any plans to modify / remap etc you will get far more out of the straight 6 engine in the 330d. Bear in mind if you go for the 330d that some of the facelifted models still have the older 184bhp engine rather than the newer 204bhp. Also 330cd's are very rare - ive only ever seen one!

You'll be able to pick up a good deal now. Dont be worried about picking up a high milage example - the engines are bullet proof.

Avalyn

I've an 04 330CD M Sport, facelift model, 204 BHP (well it was), 6 speed manual. They are like hens teeth to find. Not too many options - silver, black leather. Only done 31K miles

Remapped (to about 245-ish) and now goes like stink

No competition compared to 320D, much smoother, nicer noise (but a bit more thirsty) .. lots of grunt.

Miss the scooby sometimes but it's a lovely car

Avalyn.

Simon K

If you get the newer 330d engine with the 204bhp, then beware of the inlet manifold issues. Well known issue, where bits of the inlet break off, goes into the engine, distroying the engine / turbo.

Go check out the various bmw sites and see how many owners have had that problem. The earlier 186bhp engine wasnt as bad.

Apart from that, good cars. Auto gearboxes can eat into the mpg though, I would like a 330d auto conv.

SBK

Andy M3

I think I have responded to a similar thread. The 330d is a much quicker linear bit of kit. Remaped/zorst/filter = seriously handy.

RS Grant

We've got an '05 330d M-Sport Cabrio with the 6spd manual... and its a pretty quick car, although, I think the extra weight of the Cabrio kind of blunts the performance a wee bit. According to the computer, we see 38-39mpg on average with 20% town driving, 30% country a-roads and 50% dual carriageway @ 70-ish.

From the other thread running at the moment, the e-maps stuff looks like a really good 'bhp-per-pound' upgrade for them if you are planning to boost the output over standard.

Haven't had any problems with ours in the 3 years and 60k we've had the car apart from a rear diff going a few months ago. That said, the air con unit is sounding a bit unhappy at the moment, but the extended warranty should cover that.


Cheers,
Grant

HankScorpio

Thanks for the input chaps, in reality I'm not close to buying but nice to have the info.

Would really have to be a coupe for me and sounds like the manual with emap is a nice way to go.

Info filed but I'll have changed my mind by next week

Simon K

My m3 has had numerous diff's and AC units, all down to the extended warranty. If you get a car with no warranty, be warned these items cost big ££££££££££££££££

SBK

330dan

hankscorpio made a deision on the bm yet?

HankScorpio

oh no, a while away yet, redundancy blunts the desire to spend!

Just accumulating info really.