[makkan00]

Guy
Need your opinion.

Scenario:
- owner of 320i and happy with it
- I do only 20-22 miles round trip to work and back per day.


Expected change in 3-4 months time (80% certain)
- become self employed
- Will be doing plenty of mileages
- It can be 100 miles round trip per day

Now I have three options.
1- Change the car now.
2- Change the car once when I change the job and will know the circumstances better at that time so easier for me to decide. However job will be changing every 3-6 months due to its nature.
3- Do not change the car and drive 320i and keep saving for the mortgages. If anything breaks, I will have to pay for the repair bills. Its a high mileage car but all the common faults of 320i has been dealt (massive list). All the modules are up to date. It has not given me any problem in last 6-8 months.


So if I go with 1st option and change the car now, half of me says that get LCI 2010 318D/320D auto. Economical and £30 tax / annum. Gives you plenty of mpg especially if you are doing motorway miles.

But other side of me says get 335D auto and enjoy your trip. Do not worry about mpg, road tax, service charges.

Idea is to get a car with 60-70K miles and change it in 2-3 years time (possibly at 120K).

My partner strongly suggests keeping 320i and keep my savings in the bank for the mortgages.


It is a very difficult decision but would appreciate input of some who has gone through this stage and can share their wisdom.

Thanks.

[Sparky68]

Keep current car or buy a 335i and live in that

[AzRiz]

I do 100 miles round trip every day for work and purchased a 330d specifically for this reason.
Verdict: perfection.

It is like a rocket on the streets and pulls hard at motorway speeds for effortless overtakes etc.

On top of that, I regularly get 50+ mpg on the trip computer on each commute if I stick to 60-65mph on the motorway which is about 35 of the 50 miles each way.

Doing about 600 miles per tank when not racing around, haven't really booted it around a huge amount yet so can't compare.

You've given the options of opposite extremes. I would suggest going bang in the middle with a 330d which gives very reasonable economy as well as good power when you want/need it. This is coming from a power addict with a 300bhp Golf GTI btw, I'm no granny

Az

[Rudz]

My recommendation would be to keep the car until the job situation becomes clear, u might find that ur next job is in Essex, so not many miles to travel? Lol

Mortgage first over a new car mate, else there is a nice 330d estate on the classifieds for not that much money, u could look to buy that ? Bullet proof engine, perfect economy/perf balance, the perfect car really. U could recover atleast 75% of ur cost outlay by selling ur car, I know for a fact that ur car is a great example, lot of due care and attention has gone into it, should sell easy

U should get a 330d over any other in ur list for the aforementioned reasons

Congrats on the job move, very positive

[FRG]

My only advice would be to settle into the new job first before outlaying cash on a vehicle.

If you're not over sure on either a 318d or a 335d then why not go for one in the middle(ish) and have a balance of things.

[CustomColours]

You could always buy my car sam. Will be uo gor sale soon. Does 35+mpg on motorways and is an animal anywhere else. I had a 535d and seriousoy it was worse on fuel thatn my 335i tuned.

[skelts]

Not a bad scenario to have Sam.

I think you should get a 335d . I used mine as a mile muncher for 18months and it didn't miss a beat but serviced it regularly. You will get 30mpg around town and 40mpg on a run comfortably, I'm guessing that is no worse than your 320 and maybe better.

If you can afford it then its a no brainier for me

[E92Dan]

I would also suggest that you wait until you know what you will be doing, it could all change in a few months.

I got my 330d because it has (for me) the perfect blend of power and economy

[AlanYoro35i]

F,,k that... Get an M3 haha

As the young un's say it now: YOLo!!

[AlanYoro35i]

I smell a new retrofit peoject coming!! 335d m3 retrofit!!

[Danny.B.]

330d Sam mine was a beast all the power it needed and great on fuel! And generally the most reliable of them all!

[F104]

I would also first get into the new job, and then decide. I've driven a tuned 330d (non M-sport), but find my tuned 320d the more nimble car, and better value for money than a 318d. Today the (new) 328i engine would be a great alternative to me, but all depends on local taxes.

60-65 mph motorway speeds is not for me. Grandmas drive faster. Sure 60 vs. 80 mph is about 60^2 vs 80^2, or 40% savings in fuel economy. Nothing magic about that.

I guess the real question is you need to use your car for business, and you need it to be cost efficient. On the other side the business pays partially for the car, so could justify a more fun car. I was in the same position years ago, and got the 320d.

Realistically, I can hardly go WOT in todays traffic, my 320d accelerates too fast. On the other side it also doesn't keep up with the Porsches etc in Germany, but it does try very nicely all the way up to 120mph. After that it is slow but I've seen 150mph on the speedo quite a few times
And simply easier too keep a DPF regeneration going on a 2.0 ltr engine, then on a 3.0ltr. And on a 2.0ltr you'll drive more often outside the EGRmap vs. a 3.0ltr, in theory less deposits in the intake manifold.

If you need to be a bit carefull with where the money goes, and/or have other interest that cost money (for starters I've two BMW bikes in the garage), then the 320d seems a reasonable solution.

cheers,

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Why not a 330d?

That is probably the sweet spot for economy vs performance.

Having said that I am waiting on an F30 335d!

[acerboo]

335d they are the nuts!

[TheBlondeFella]

Get the mortgage and a property sorted for your loved ones first.

Property prices are always going up and the sooner you get on the property ladder the more financially secure you and yours will be.

Cars, however much fun, will always go down in price, so the car you want now will be cheaper when you can eventually afford to buy it.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Sparky68

Keep current car or buy a 335i and live in that

335i suffers from so many issues. It will be spending more time at dealers than I enjoy it. Please do not get me wrong. Excellent car and top class but not for me.

Originally Posted by CustomColours

You could always buy my car sam. Will be uo gor sale soon. Does 35+mpg on motorways and is an animal anywhere else. I had a 535d and seriousoy it was worse on fuel thatn my 335i tuned.

If I wanted a 335i, I would have bought yours without thinking twice mate. Such a lovely car and so many extras. But I am after diesel this time.

Originally Posted by AzRiz

I do 100 miles round trip every day for work and purchased a 330d specifically for this reason.
Verdict: perfection.

Az

Originally Posted by Danny.B.

330d Sam mine was a beast all the power it needed and great on fuel! And generally the most reliable of them all!

Originally Posted by Apl335d

Why not a 330d?

That is probably the sweet spot for economy vs performance.

Having said that I am waiting on an F30 335d!

Questions to 330D lovers. What if you get used 335D at the same price on which you buy 330D? Would you still prefer 330D or would you go for 335?

What is real life difference in motorway mpgs b.w these two?
I drove 330D and yes, it is lovely motor but AFAIK, lci 330d has some issues.

Originally Posted by Rudz

My recommendation would be to keep the car until the job situation becomes clear, u might find that ur next job is in Essex, so not many miles to travel? Lol

Mortgage first over a new car mate

Originally Posted by E92Dan

I would also suggest that you wait until you know what you will be doing, it could all change in a few months.

I got my 330d because it has (for me) the perfect blend of power and economy

Originally Posted by FRG530

My only advice would be to settle into the new job first before outlaying cash on a vehicle.

If you're not over sure on either a 318d or a 335d then why not go for one in the middle(ish) and have a balance of things.

Excellent words lads. I guess most sensible approach would be to wait for new job and then review the circumstances.

Originally Posted by Rudz

else there is a nice 330d estate on the classifieds for not that much money, u could look to buy that ? Bullet proof engine, perfect economy/perf balance, the perfect car really. U could recover atleast 75% of ur cost outlay by selling ur car, I know for a fact that ur car is a great example, lot of due care and attention has gone into it, should sell easy

U should get a 330d over any other in ur list for the aforementioned reasons

Congrats on the job move, very positive

Rudz
Thanks for the wishes. I am after LCI car this time.

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

I smell a new retrofit peoject coming!! 335d m3 retrofit!!

No Sir. If I cannot afford it, no replica stuff.

Originally Posted by skelts

Not a bad scenario to have Sam.

I think you should get a 335d . I used mine as a mile muncher for 18months and it didn't miss a beat but serviced it regularly. You will get 30mpg around town and 40mpg on a run comfortably, I'm guessing that is no worse than your 320 and maybe better.

If you can afford it then its a no brainier for me

Originally Posted by acerboo

335d they are the nuts!

335D

I get 25-28 mpg when driving in the town and 35-37mpg on the motorway. No 335D is win win situation.
Exception is 335D common faults. On my car all issues have been cured so 1-2 years it will be trouble free motoring. On 335D (which I am considering) has full bmw service history.

Originally Posted by F104

I would also first get into the new job, and then decide. I've driven a tuned 330d (non M-sport), but find my tuned 320d the more nimble car, and better value for money than a 318d. Today the (new) 328i engine would be a great alternative to me, but all depends on local taxes.

60-65 mph motorway speeds is not for me. Grandmas drive faster. Sure 60 vs. 80 mph is about 60^2 vs 80^2, or 40% savings in fuel economy. Nothing magic about that.

I guess the real question is you need to use your car for business, and you need it to be cost efficient. On the other side the business pays partially for the car, so could justify a more fun car. I was in the same position years ago, and got the 320d.

Realistically, I can hardly go WOT in todays traffic, my 320d accelerates too fast. On the other side it also doesn't keep up with the Porsches etc in Germany, but it does try very nicely all the way up to 120mph. After that it is slow but I've seen 150mph on the speedo quite a few times
And simply easier too keep a DPF regeneration going on a 2.0 ltr engine, then on a 3.0ltr. And on a 2.0ltr you'll drive more often outside the EGRmap vs. a 3.0ltr, in theory less deposits in the intake manifold.

If you need to be a bit carefull with where the money goes, and/or have other interest that cost money (for starters I've two BMW bikes in the garage), then the 320d seems a reasonable solution.

cheers,

If I put my sensible hat on, then waiting for new job would be most sensible thing and then considering 320D would be next step if I do 50-100 miles / day.

Anything less, possibly 335D.

But the type of work would be changing every few months so traveling distances will be changing regularly.


Just to add a bit more twist, I have looked at 2009 Honda accord. 150 BHP if I am not wrong and fully loaded with sat nav, auto dip mirrors and many other gadgets. It gets excellent reviews except crashy suspension.

However its not as economical as 320D, lack the boot space compared to E91.


Thanks chaps. Anybody else who says prefer mortgages over car.....

Any other suggestions or ideas.

[Alex.J]

Add my spin on this mate:

Waiting, why wait?!

You know the job will require more mileage, you know it will vary, you can rough estimate this!

So for me, that's solid ground to purchase !

The question is,

If you didn't get a new motor would you be happy with the mpg and running costs of your current car?!

If so, then a 335d won't be far off and you get the car you really want!

It's obvious, you don't want a 318d, but, it's sensible, thus meaning after a while, you will find an excuse to change and buy a 335d anyway!

I was in the exact same situation a year ago and I made the wrong choice!

[AWebster]

Another vote for 330d, perfect balance between performance and economy.

[Oxygen Thief]

+1 on the 330d, I've got one, I do about 20k a year and it'll be the first main car I've kept for more than a year. It's a great combination of performance and economy - for me at least.

[rs32]

keep the current one and depreciate 1 car rather than 2 - once when you change, then again when you load the new one with mileage.

that's the sensible answer out of the way. Now go buy a 330d

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Alex.J

It's obvious, you don't want a 318d, but, it's sensible, thus meaning after a while, you will find an excuse to change and buy a 335d anyway!

I was in the exact same situation a year ago and I made the wrong choice!

Alex thanks for sharing. I guess going for 335d is the way forward, however after starting the new job to see how much I travel.

My view is that I stay on the one side of the spectrum or go for the other extreme. If I buy 330D, then every 335D will tempt me to go for one.

Originally Posted by TheBlondeFella

Get the mortgage and a property sorted for your loved ones first.

Property prices are always going up and the sooner you get on the property ladder the more financially secure you and yours will be.

Cars, however much fun, will always go down in price, so the car you want now will be cheaper when you can eventually afford to buy it.

Very wise opinion sir. My Mrs says the same. I guess I will feel guilty if I go for a car now.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by AWebster

Another vote for 330d, perfect balance between performance and economy.

Originally Posted by Oxygen Thief

+1 on the 330d, I've got one, I do about 20k a year and it'll be the first main car I've kept for more than a year. It's a great combination of performance and economy - for me at least.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the opinion. O2 thief, your fuelly profiles looks very good. That is excellent mpg out of 330d.