Derby_Gav

I have managed to land a job on the books so I won't be needing my van anymore. I have always fancied a diesel BMW and it would have to be a touring to chuck my tools in at the weekends.

Everone raves about 530d's but not a lot is really said about 330d's. Or is a 320d with a remap just as good without the running costs?

The car will only be used at evenings and weekends so I guess I could get something with fairly high miles and it would soon balance out.

I'm looking around 3.5k to spend.

All opinions and views welcome!

Gavin.

Elwood

Go for a 330d. No need for a 5 series if it's only a weekend thing.

Jim Galbally

3.5k will get you a ropey 530d SE touring

dont think you coudl get a 320d or 330d touring for that money in any guise either im afraid

petrols are cheaper tho

Chip

iTrader: (3)

Remapped E46 320D does go pretty well, more or less a match for the 330D in standard form.

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

if you're after a saloon my bro has a 320d for sale and so my bro-in-law has a 330d for sale

dojj

iTrader: (3)

I've seen early 330's going for Ł1500 for the petrol version so I think a d will be easily within reach

Chip

iTrader: (3)

No one wants the petrol, they go for pennies cause they are bad on fuel.

That said, if the OP doesnt do many miles they are actually a good car and far less likely to throw up a big bill than the diesel version!
Just terrible on fuel, but thats pretty much the only downside.

Derby_Gav

How bad is bad? I think I would have to have a 330 for some poke! A friend had a 320i and said it liked a drink but never mentioned numbers.

I'm also thinking insurance will be cheaper on a diesel than a petrol because despite being 28 with 7 years ncb I don't expect it to come cheap!

Gavin.

Chip

iTrader: (3)

20-25mpg ish on a 330 petrol, versus about double that on the diesel.

If you do 1000 miles in both, you are looking at about 300 quid in the petrol, and about 150 quid in the diesel.

So if you do 10,000 miles a year or more, go for the diesel and it will soon pay for itself.

TIFF

If you get one......GET THE SWIRL FLAPS REMOVED ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Put a search in and you will see why

But the 530d Manual never came with them.........so im lucky