[Toy4me-zn]

hey guys ....need sum advice .... i wanna buy a f30 335i but im having second thoughts and rather go for the 330d ? whats your opinon? which is the better car ?

[KellerKiller]

The biggest question is probably what do you value more? Mileage of deisel or power/sound of petrol. Deisels get great torque and good mileage compared to the petrol engines, but they just don't have the same sound or hp, from what I know. Other than that, the cars can be practically identical, if properly equipped.

[bizzyqu]

335 is faster, 330d is more economical, all that matters is which is the better car for your purposes.

[ft1338]

I think 330d is more torquey than the 335i, so it may accelerate quicker?

[BJB]

Your resale value on the 330d will be vastly superior to the 335i.

[Mav12]

Depends if you need to balance economy with enjoyment. Personally petrol/naturally aspirated is my ideal.. Generally smoother, free revving, better sounding. I have only been able to take out the 335i a couple times so far but im happy with it. Unless you are doing serious mileage, with petrol/diesel prices today (i.e. comparable) the economic argument is less significant than it used to be. So for me, the pleasure i get from the 335i was greater than the value i put on the economic benefit when i am doing 5-10k miles a year. With that said, if this is a do everything car for you and you will be commuting/racking upthe miles, you may prefer the diesel.. Im sure the bmw diesels, even if they dont match the petrol for character, are still among the best out there, and betterthan they used to be. Plus im sure down the road a used diesel is easier to move than a petrol in the UK specifically.

[metrathon]

330d will feel FASTER than the 335i, regardless of the official 0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph). It's much more torquier and elastic.

I would go with the diesel in a heart beat, I love swimming in waves of torque at 1,500 rpm

[JonoNZ]

Originally Posted by metrathon

330d will feel FASTER than the 335i, regardless of the official 0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph). It's much more torquier and elastic.

I would go with the diesel in a heart beat, I love swimming in waves of torque at 1,500 rpm

Don't worry there is tons of torque in the 335 from 1200rpm.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by JonoNZ

Don't worry there is tons of torque in the 335 from 1200rpm.

I know, I drove both extensively. It's just more torque FEEL in the 330d. Somehow. By far.
Obv if you like high revs, the diesel won't do. Personally I wouldn't mind a car with 5k rpm max, and 500 lb-ft at 1.5k rmp

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I know, I drove both extensively. It's just more torque FEEL in the 330d. Somehow. By far.
Obv if you like high revs, the diesel won't do. Personally I wouldn't mind a car with 5k rpm max, and 500 lb-ft at 1.5k rmp

Don't understand that you seem to ignore that the feeling of more torque is entirely and objectively based on the fact it also has massively more torque! 40% more than the 335i is a world of difference.

So on the dragstrip or on the circuit the 335i will probably be a little faster seen the advantage in hp, but in daily conditions, the 330d eclipses the 335i in the low and mid ranges by miles.

Seen the performance, I don't believe that you'll be exploiting the 335i above 5000 rpm during many occasions. Except when you commute over a closed high speed circuit? Consequently, the small benefit of the 335i is entirely in your head when you're dreaming.

When you like spirited driving, the consumption of the 330d will also be 30 to 40% less. Maintenance costs will also be a bit lower. The sound is not important to me, I personally dislike the free revving 6 inline noise of my 530i, certainly since it sounds dramatical, but the car has no poke to go along!

I can't deny: 330d for me all the way! The 335i is a very nice car, but the 330d is just so damned perfect.

[F30AM]

If you love spending time gas stations, buy a 335i. The 330d will whip the pants of a 335i in midrange acceleration. The 330d is the better car and will also hold its value better come selling time. Head and heart rule equally with a 330d.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by F30AM

If you love spending time gas stations, buy a 335i. The 330d will whip the pants of a 335i in midrange acceleration. The 330d is the better car and will also hold its value better come selling time. Head and heart rule equally with a 330d.

+1!

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by KellerKiller

The biggest question is probably what do you value more? Mileage of deisel or power/sound of petrol. Deisels get great torque and good mileage compared to the petrol engines, but they just don't have the same sound or hp, from what I know. Other than that, the cars can be practically identical, if properly equipped.

Since you're living in Germany, you can test the 330d. I would bet on it that you'll be surprised to discover all prejudices are unfounded.

The d sounds a bit muted but certainly not unpleasant, the revving experience is not leading to a frustrating or invasive cut off and the power delivery is easily eclipsing the one of the 335i in the midrange.

The bonusses you'll get are clearly reduced running costs and the comfort of mind that you inject much less CO² in our atmosphere and higher trade in later.

[Jparker82]

Have you considered the activehybrid 3. With all the incentive money it's a great deal. Rebate/loyal of $1750 Eco credit of $3500 and depending on the dealer up to $4000 of MSRP. So up to $9250 off. It made my decision real easy. It's quicker than the 335 and gets great mpg if you want it to. I bought it because it fast.
I did buy a 2012 diesel X5 and its a wonderful truck.

Best of luck. Both cars are super nice.

[DrivenByE30]

330d

I know i would if it was made available here in the States...

[KellerKiller]

Originally Posted by KoenG

Since you're living in Germany, you can test the 330d. I would bet on it that you'll be surprised to discover all prejudices are unfounded.

The d sounds a bit muted but certainly not unpleasant, the revving experience is not leading to a frustrating or invasive cut off and the power delivery is easily eclipsing the one of the 335i in the midrange.

The bonusses you'll get are clearly reduced running costs and the comfort of mind that you inject much less CO² in our atmosphere and higher trade in later.

I'm an American, so I still can only buy and take home a US spec car. That being said, I've driven my buddy's diesel bmw. (not a 330d, but a d none the less) I've also driven diesel trucks back in the states, vans here, even a volvo c70 cabrio with a diesel engine. While that last one was a fun car, I am just not a fan of diesels. I admit, that yes, the economy is not to be ignored, and they can be very quick, but they just don't feel/sound the same to me and for whatever reason, I will always prefer a petrol engine.

[MarkW83]

I came from a 135i with DCT (faster than the F30 335i), and the 330d - due to its torque advantage - does feel stronger in normal driving, eg overtaking and just getting up to speed. It's not quite as smooth, won't be as fast when completely flooring it and opening it up, and doesn't sound as good (though the constant drama for me on every single drive soon got tiring); but the 330d is such a smooth and responsive engine for a diesel, and it doesn't sound half bad either! It's a joy to drive, and all the torque really shouldn't be underestimated - it's not simply economy that you should be considering, the torque makes the playing field potentially uneven - even considering the HP advantage of the 335i - so just give them both an extended test drive and see which of the two engines suits your situation better!

[Toy4me-zn]

THANKS GUYS FOR THE AMAZING FEED BACK !!!! I decided to go with the 330d.
Every1 i have spoken to ravs about this car....F30 330d M Sport Mineral Grey / Coral Red >>>@ Mark i copied your colour every1 in South Africa is buying a white or blue ...6 more weeks and my baby diesel will arrive

[DerekS]

My previous car was a 2009 E90-335d, which I regret selling. I am very happy with my F30-335i M Sport, which offers many improvements over the E90. However, had the new F30-330d been available in Canada, I would have ordered it without any hesitation.

The 330d (an improved version of the 335d) is a much more fuel efficient car than the 335i and the torque is amazing. There isn't a huge difference in acceleration between the two cars, the d being slightly slower in 0-100 kph. In SA or in Europe, I would expect the re-sale for the 330d to be much higher than the 335i.

[MarkW83]

Originally Posted by Toy4me-zn

THANKS GUYS FOR THE AMAZING FEED BACK !!!! I decided to go with the 330d.
Every1 i have spoken to ravs about this car....F30 330d M Sport Mineral Grey / Coral Red >>>@ Mark i copied your colour every1 in South Africa is buying a white or blue ...6 more weeks and my baby diesel will arrive

That's a good choice I think, particularly the colour combo

[up_north]

First post from me so hi everyone.

I've also gone for mineral grey with red leather 330D after changing from EB with beige.

Roll on end of April.

Ian

[wannes]

i also tested the 2 different engines and the 330 is realy quick but as i love to use the flippers at the steering wheel it felt like it was cutting down the power to fast by reaching it's max rpm . In the 335i the power stays on all the way . And as i dont do lots of millage the petrol one is the better chose for me .