Jump to content

330d/335d Saloon or Coupe?


Wh|t3R@bb|t
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

Well, after a long of year of 3 different cars I've decided to change for a BMW 3 Series Diesel. I currently have a MkV Golf GTI DSG but drive so many miles is not a practical option. Averaging 28/29mpg just isn't good for the wallet. Ironically, my 3.2TT which I changed from was better on fuel (go figure?)

So...I am torn two/four ways...

330d M Sport Saloon or Coupe?

335d M Sport Saloon or Coupe?

Prices (as expected) seem considerably higher for coupes, especially the later ED models. And the 335d seem a lot harder to find than the 330d.

My heart says 335d but perhaps a 330d would do the job. I am a sucker for that exhausts on the 335d rear too.

So...can anyone add some light to my darkened tunnel? Is the "much" difference in drive between the coupe and saloon? What are the real world figures for MPG on both cars (I do mostly motorway miles, long distances)

What are the must haves in terms of spec levels to look for? It has to be an Auto for sure and I want the Pro Sat Nav w Bluetooth.

Thanks for you help all

Andy +++

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to Tyresmoke. :beer:

Coupe vs Saloon is your choice really, the saloon is a little softer and will be easier to live with from what I've read, I went for the saloon and its been great for me.

As for 330d vs 335d, if you get the newer / latest 330d its not much slower than the 335d and its got even better economy. But if you want ultimate power then get the 335d and chip it.

Me I think the 330d Saloon with Sat-nav / leather etc. as a spec would be the best combination of performance / cost. +++

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi All,

Well, after a long of year of 3 different cars I've decided to change for a BMW 3 Series Diesel. I currently have a MkV Golf GTI DSG but drive so many miles is not a practical option. Averaging 28/29mpg just isn't good for the wallet. Ironically, my 3.2TT which I changed from was better on fuel (go figure?)

So...I am torn two/four ways...

330d M Sport Saloon or Coupe?

335d M Sport Saloon or Coupe?

Prices (as expected) seem considerably higher for coupes, especially the later ED models. And the 335d seem a lot harder to find than the 330d.

My heart says 335d but perhaps a 330d would do the job. I am a sucker for that exhausts on the 335d rear too.

So...can anyone add some light to my darkened tunnel? Is the "much" difference in drive between the coupe and saloon? What are the real world figures for MPG on both cars (I do mostly motorway miles, long distances)

What are the must haves in terms of spec levels to look for? It has to be an Auto for sure and I want the Pro Sat Nav w Bluetooth.

Thanks for you help all

Andy +++

:grin: welcome to TSN! +++

:grin: not that I'm biased at all...but I'd get a 335d saloon and chip it (am getting 35-37mpg at present) - I prefer to look of the E90 and those extra doors do come in handy more that I thought they would. If you do go 335d then they are all auto's, Pro Nav + bluetooth are musts - comfort access and the hifi pro dsp (logic7) are all nice to haves.

330d or 335d you'll be getting a cracking car +++

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. All views appreciated. I am very surprised about how popular the saloons are. But I think they do look gorgeous and are extremely practical.

For me, I need to see the effect on my wallet with regards to mpg. As I said, I get about 29ish in the Golf combined. But most days I jump on the motorway and straight off so no mix of driving. Even then at best I only get 33 in the golf. 40 or more I would be very pleased. Is this possible in the 335d?

What effect does chipping have? I've heard/read good things, searched a lot of threads on here too. Would a 330d chipped be good fun?

I know its a hard line to follow, the old "driver v's economist", but I am a driver at heart, and want something that will make me smile at weekends when I don't need to worry about mpg. Will the 330d be any better than the 335d, and would the coupe be any better than the saloon?

I suppose what makes this all very hard, is I am struggling to find a 330d or 335d in any form near me to test drive. My local dealers sell em quicker than they find them. Arrggghh

EDIT: Also, does anyone on here actually "use" the flappy paddles regularly. I have a DSG on my golf and my previous TT but don't use them as much as I thought I would? Are they any good? Make any difference compared to D or S mode?

Edited by Wh|t3R@bb|t
Addition
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi.

I have a 535d ED and my commute returns about 30mpg whereas a good run can achieve 40mpg. Obviously the 335d will be a bit lighter so you may get better numbers, but it is quite easy to get worse numbers too :-) So you need to be careful, if you are hoping to get mega-mpg out of these cars then a mapped 320d is probably a better option.

My wife has a GTI DSG, so I can compare it with my 535D SAT. I am similar to you in that the M modes soon get dropped. You can get a lot out of both cars even in D mode using the accelerator appropriately. The main difference I have noticed between the BMW and the VW is that S mode in the BMW is a nice usable extension of D mode, but in the VW it is a horrible over-revvy lunatic mode (i.e. use M) - I guess this may be Diesel tourque at work though.

I reckon (for my driving style) I get comparable MPG from the GTI and 535d, so a lighter 3 series may give you some improvement

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks punas mate, thats very interesting. Yeah, think the 3 will be slightly better. If I can improve by say 10mpg on my longer journeys I will be more than happy. Not too worried about town journeys.. My biggest expense is motorway mileage.

Question: Can things like Bluetooth prep be retro fitted? I noticed a lot of cars with Pro Nav etc but no bluetooth. Can this be added after?

Still looking around but nothing yet....arrgghh

Oh sorry...one more.. Is there much difference in mpg/overall drive etc between the ED cars and the earlier ones?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ED cars offer better emissions so lower tax and yes they do offer better economy through various devices.

Not sure about retrofitting bluetooth.

What are you looking at price wise? Someone at work is about to get a new 330i coupe, its meant to be a combined of 39mpg and as diesel is 10% ish cheaper could be another option. Got a fully loaded 330i M-sport coupe with just about everything fitted 6 miles on the clock for £29k

When I did the calcs of Diesel vs Petrol it took me 100,000miles to get the at the time 3k higher purchase cost back. I'm not high mileage but its worth considering. +++

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hey carmad. Interesting figures there on the 330i...however I want the diesel.

Money wise, I have various options. But really have a top bugdget of £25 so am looking at a 57/08 plate at best. And that would be a financed option.

The reason I asked my question about pre-ED cars is that you can get 56/07 plates for under £20k. But am unsure how much difference in mpg it actually makes.

I suppose for me, I've alwyas filled up with Super unleaded so am not going to notice the big hike in fuel prices (premium vs diesel). so thats one bonus perhaps?

Either way...just got find one....like rocking horse dung near me (with the right spec) of course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the ED cars gained about 4mpg on the combined figure compared to pre-ED. Specifically, the 535d went from about 36mpg to 40mpg.

As far as petrol vs deisel, I had a 325ti previously and enjoy the straight six diesel just as much as that in the 325 petrol. I guess the costs are fairly similar, but I prefer the 'thrust' of the diesel even though the petrol engines are superb - I'm too old to go over 5000rpm :-)

A 330d might be a good option to consider, I would think that 40mpg is achievable in both pre-ED and ED?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The saloon is much better looking, the couper is a bit of a dog :P

Garcon loves them too :grin:

Bah. :P

The coupe is a great looker, but the rear space isn't great ... ok if you only rarely use the rear seats, not so good if they'r eused alot.

Funnily enough, one of my next options could well be a 335d, but that'll be a saloon for practical reasons ... otherwise I'd definitely be going for the coupe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks mate...

Right....I have found a 335d Saloon in exactly the right spec and close to me at a very good price. But its a 56 plate so pre-ED.

Now....would a remap not only increase power by give me an increase in mpg. I'm very tempted with this anyway, and if I can get those precious 1-2mpg it would make the decision I think?

Quick help would be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You will pay more for an ED car and therefore potentially more in financing charges therefore you need to factor that into the equation. If you save 1 or 2 mpg with an ED car but it costs you say £2000 more then there is a cost in that. Also will it be worth the same margin more when reselling because potentially it could loose some more and therefore there is another cost.

What kind of prices are 335d saloons going for now? There do not seem to be too many around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very good point Davyk31....make a good point.

Well...heres the spec

Bmw 335d sport

Nov 2006, 56 Plate

40k Miles

Titanium Silver

Full black dakota leather,

Sat Nav Pro, iDrive

Bluetooth,

6 disc CD player

Front/Rear parking sensors

Electric mirrors,

Factory tinted glass

Cruise

Guy wants 19k for it... if it had Voice Control would be literally perfect"

I'm very tempted...what do you guys think? The bonus also, is at this price would mean I wouldn't need to finance it and could just pay cash.

I suppose I know I will be doing big miles cruising on motorways and reckon I will see 40mpg so will notice big differnce already. To my 29 my golf does.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With all that power and the fun of using it you may not achieve the mpg you expect but at least the smiles should be big. Sounds a nicely specced car, cant really comment on price as i have seen so few for sale but sounds decent enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can get voice coded for around an hours labour.

The 3 series has always been a lot better MPG wise than the 5 series until the 5 series got the facelift and the newer ally block engine like the 3 series.

I wouldn't expect to save too much money at the pump though, not with diesel being the price it is, if you get 28/29 mpg from the golf I would expect to get around 36mpg from the 335d in saloon form, maybe 38mpg from a coupe.

Do the sums, for someone doing 30k miles a year that is £335 a month in the diesel and £352 in the Golf, so a massive saving of £4 a week!!

If you only do 15k miles a year you will be saving £2 a week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers gizze. Interesting calculations though ?!?! I have done them all myself. I even have a chart in excel thats compares the GTI to the 320, 330 and 335d's. How sad

The main thing for me is the time between fill ups too. Perhaps its more of a mental thing. But I get like 350 to a tank in the Golf, and paying about £53 to fill it. In the BMW I am expecting to get 500 to a tank and paying £62ish. Call me daft, but for me thats an extra days travelling between fill ups.

Take for instance today...I did just over 200 miles. Of which 190 miles of was motorway. I only averaged 30mpg in the golf. Its just not designed to cruise at 85/90. If I wanted to drive at 70 perhaps I would save myself a bit of money. But I don't get paid to travel, so I want to get to site as quick as possible ;-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can offer some advice on E46 330d M Sport Saloon 6-speed manual. Average around 45-50MPG - mainly country roads 45-50mph speeds ,and the odd 150 mile round trip to London at 75-80mph. I drive reasonably moderately with the odd blat here and there. Driven like a sportscar, the consumption drops to the mid to high thirties. Then again a 2.5 or 3.0 l petrol driven in the same manner would drop to the low twenties as well.

Mine has been remapped, but don't know who by and what exact power gains are. Bear in mind I am no road tester, but I have achieved a real 0-60 in 6.7 sec, 0-100mph in 16.5. 30-70 through the gears in 5.2 sec. This is despite what I would describe as a notchy gear change, and a worn clutch and poor traction off the line. Clutch has since been replaced but have not had the chance to strap on a Vbox mini to get new results.

I would imagine a perfected launch technique and lack of clutch slip would take the 0-60 time to around 6.0 seconds and probaly 15ish for the 0-100. Further performance increases wouuld require a performance exhaust and a high power (claimed 290bhp) remap from a firm like Speed Religion. On the move 5th and 6th gear for overtaking are absolutely effortless. 50-70 in 6th is something stupid like 7 seconds. Alternatively you can potter around 30mph in 5th gear with around 1000rpm showing on the clock - it is sooooooo smoth.

Launch technique for full blooded starts is really difficult due to no Limited slip diff. If you want to start challenging 335d's and M3's,. you will need to invest in the quaife LSd from Birds automotive which should help channel the power to the road, particularly from a standing start. This is also applicable to later E90 330d/ 335i manual models,. Probably the quaife LSd a better tuning investment than a remap. Autocar commented on the lack of LSd for the latest 245bhp 330d.

Note: Bear in mind that Speed Religion BMW Performance Tuning for Road and Track. BMW Diesel Specialists. - offer a 275bhp upgrade for the 325d (which is a detuned 330d). Their remapped 330d offers just 15bhp more (*290bhp). However they do claim to offer 350bhp from a remapped 335d.

Money no object , I would go for the v latest 330d manual and have an LSD fitted followed by remap. My experience has been that auto 30.d engines always struggle to achieve 40mpg, whereas 45mpg easily attainable with manual box. Otherwise an earlier manual 325 or 330d with money spent on LSD and remap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 335d is such a good engine setup that it takes a strong person to not exploit even half of its abilities during a drive. Sure you might be able to get low 40's out of it on the m-way if you resist the temptation to overtake with gusto. But it is the combined figure that matters at the end of the day and i would put money on it that you won't take it easy.

I'm impressed seeing the readout on the m-way showing great economy but as soon as you come back to reality and drive to work the next day on a cold engine, out of town your doing 25mpg and the combined soon changes. Even if you hop straight onto the m-way, your oil is still cold and more fuel is required to get the same amount of power whilst the engine warms.

Edited by OldSkoO1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is that not true of all engines? On round town journeys, I'm not too fussed if its no difference to the golf. I can take that on the chin. Its the motorways where I'll make up the difference.

If I screw the arse off the golf, when bored on my private runway, I'm lucky to see early twenties. Sport mode and Manual Mode....wooo hoooo. And as for Launch Control at traffic lights....(sssssh officer)

Luckily for me, my office is 290 miles away and don't have to go in that often. So when I'm not on the road, doing my minimum of 100 miles per day. I'm sat at home. And trust me...all cars are at there most economical whilst sat on the drive!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you need to take one out and see what you get before buying, unless you just fancy a change of course? If that is the case just go for it. +++

I know a few of the guys have never seen above 30 unless on a very steady run, and I mean sitting at 70mph, ragging them you can get sub 20mpg. Sat at 90mph expect more like 32mpg.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers all, some great info! Going to look at one this weekend and see how I get on. If I don't like it, may well go for a 330d. Keep you posted. But I have decided, the a 3 series diesel will be mine at some point in the coming weeks. Keep you posted!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...