I've not seen another car thread on the front page…

BMW 330i

Talk me out of it.

On paper it ticks all the boxes: Fast, reasonably economical, good space for bikes, can be picked up for reasonable money and doesn’t run on tractor fuel.

Is there something else similar I’ve missed?

reasonably economical,

Compared to what ?

Compared to what ?

this

Compared to what ?

Compared to my Leon FR that returns 29mpg

I looked at Challenger tanks, good on road presence but hard to manouver round town

I almost bought a 330i the day after I passed my test, STW talked me back into the real world of safe driving 🙂

I’m assuming you are buying used? My other half was working for bmw at the time and i asked the head mechanic guy for his opinion, he said that he hoped I was handy with a spanner because I could be in for an expensive year.

That tank is actually pretty economical, I bet it’ll go further between fill-ups than the 330.

mine (manual touring)gets better mpg than the gutless 1.6 petrol focus I had (29 versus 27). I looked at imprezza wagons and similar but all would be much more costly to run. Putting a bike in a saloon or coupe is a pain and very few came with split fold rear seats.

repairs/parts etc are however more expensive but always check dealer for prices before buying off Eurocarparts as thing like discs and pads for e46 are now in valueline and are easy enough paid for.

make sure you drive a few as one that’s been looked after will feel much better than a neglected one. A good car with 100k is better than a bad one with 60k. Timing chain means one less thing to worry about and no turbo/swirl flaps/dme control units that give trouble on 330d and 320d

Was I meant to talk you out of it………

don’t forget to book in your ‘how to drive like a complete twunt’ advanced lessons if you do buy the beemer 😉

1,592 litre fuel tank, just cheked. So yes, it probably will go further between fill-ups.

What economy are you expecting out of the 330i?

My manual gets about 32-34mpg on a motorway commute at 70-75mph. More like 30-32mpg at 80mph.

Around town that drops but overall I probably see 29.6mpg on the digital dash.

If you’re looking at an Auto, you’ll get less than the above figures.

sssimon

What year is yours?

The post 2008 models with the 272PS engine – which actually has better economy figures than the preceding slightly lower power engine – is the one I’m after, they are now around £10k.

I’d probably go for the touring too. I would prefer a manual but bigger engined BMW’s with manual boxes are like hen’s teeth, so an auto would do.

I’ve not heard too many horror stories about BMW reliability and an NA petrol is a lot simpler than a turbo diesel.

don’t forget to book in your ‘how to drive like a complete twunt’ advanced lessons if you do buy the beemer

SurfMat awesome lessons are also booked

Saloon does not have folding seats as standard whereas coupe and estate do (assuming talking about the E90, E92 etc series).

Also, the post 2008 have more reliability issues than the pre 2008, but improved mpg. Can’t remember the issue, but search Pistonheads for it.

I hope the one you’re looking at has had it’s indicators removed? Not a proper Beemer if they still work..

mines a 2000 e46 so a good bit older than what you’re looking at. If you’re in no hury sit tight and wait for a manual, e92 doesn’t have any more issues than the e46 other than tyres being runflats wear to edges if pressures aren’t right

IMO, unless it’s under 3 years old, any premium brand car makes me think the owner is trying too hard to drive something to make them look good that they can’t really afford.

Totally flawed logic and wrong the majority of the time I’m sure, but can’t help it.

Blimey bearnecessities…… Chip+shoulder…. 🙁

My ‘premium brand’ is now over 3 years old though had it from new. Where does that fit into your tortured sweeping logic?

Totally flawed logic and wrong the majority of the time I’m sure

Tortured? Shoulder chips?! 😯

Yeah sorry but you did say it 🙂

IMO, unless it’s under 3 years old, any premium brand car makes me think the owner is trying too hard to drive something to make them look good that they can’t really afford.

Let someone else take the hit on depreciation. That’s my logic.

It’s not really about badge snobbery for me – I currently drive a SEAT!

I just can’t think of another car that isn’t a diesel, is quicker than my current car and the same or better on fuel

I was wondering if others could which was the point of the thread

the tfsi engine in your car is about as efficient (power v economy) as a petrol gets to be fair

Is there something else similar I’ve missed?

That it’s a BMW?

the tfsi engine in your car is about as efficient (power v economy) as a petrol gets to be fair

Nah…

Not the version I have anyway. 200PS and 35MPG

Versus 272PS and 39MPG in the beemer.

The CO2 tells the same story 191g/km in my Leon and 175g/km in the BMW

aye but you will end up getting the same mpg in the real world

Have you been on the Pistonheads forum today by any chance?

sssimon – Member
aye but you will end up getting the same mpg in the real world

And the power/economy ratio will still be better in the beemer.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/330i
Probably not going to return 39mpg.

I just can’t think of another car that isn’t a diesel, is quicker than my current car and the same or better on fuel

My current car, Jag 3.0i X-Type. AWD and 27mpg.

Not sure where the ‘space for bikes’ comes from with a 3-series saloon though – and also look at 530i/535i’s, same performance and often cheaper. Either way, towbar rack solves bike issues and provides reversing protection 🙂