[b16jsy]

Hi all,

I'm looking to replace my ageing E91 330d auto with an F30 or F31,

Can any of you members offer any advice on running costs particulary between the 330d and 325d models, I am at the bottom end for budget (£12-14k) but notice a few 325d's on the market in that price range (not so many 330ds).

Now i know they are 4 cylinder and I am used to 6, but are they really all that bad?

Performance and MPG stats look nothing short of amazing on paper (0-60 in 6.7 seconds and URBAN MPG of 50mpg, COMBINED claimed to be 58mpg, and 218bhp standard)

Cheers
Joe

[Kiddy1]

330d I get about 35mpg - 440 miles to a tank

[Jeff123]

I went from an E90 325d to an F30 330d X drive. Both 6 cylinder. Virtually the same MPG, insurance etc.

I would imagine in your case that the 0-60 time of 6.7 is accurate, but that the MPG is grossly over-stated. If its an auto that you are looking at I would guess that you might get 3-4 mpg better than the E90 at best.

I cant imagine what other running costs could be different.

[Dave-ncl]

I looked at the 325d and wondered about its relevance.

On paper... 0-62

320d 7.3
325d 6.7 (take you word)
330ds 5.6
330xd 5.3
335xd 4.9

The gap between one and a 320 is half a second. That at least doubles when looking at the official 330d data.

I personally won't buy one as already having a 320d the step is marginal speed wise and quite a negative mpg. No worth it imo.

I'm not sure what the E data is but I'd be wanting to progress to something a little nicer, little bit quicker etc...

I've seen 2015s 330d (probably pre lci) with 40k miles for about £17k. Cheaper if your happy with a 14 plate.

Good luck. I enjoy the chase of looking for the perfect car.

[Chris335dF31]

Hi

I get 40mpg from my current 330d F31 auto. Previous car was a 320d E91 manual and that was 41mpg.

So 1 mpg lost going from 4 pot E9x to 6 pot F3x!

[Hooded]

330d in your price range will be high mileage or lower trim like SE not M Sport I guess. If you can stretch to 15/16k you should find a decent one though if you look around and take your time.

If you really struggle to find a good 330d in your budge then the 325d aren't bad though, yes they're a 4 pot, but they make 260bhp+ after a remap so they go pretty well then, and you will get slightly better MPG than the 330d I'd imagine.

[dopper99]

If you get the 325d after a while you'll be wishing you got the 330d. The 4-pot is a bit rough, especially compared to the 6 cylinder. Try them both out and you'll see.

The f3x 330d economy for the performance you get is very good and would beat your current e9x 330d on fuel.



BTW we'll always help to spend your money on here.

[robbiep]

As probably one of the very few with a F31 325d ...

running around, generally 43-45mpg.

On a decent run with cruise set at 75, 50-53mpg.

Do note that my car has a manual gearbox. With an auto you'd probably expect better economy, especially on the motorway trips.

And no, they aren't that bad at all in terms of refinement compared to the 6 pot. And yes, they are decently quick. That twin-turbo has a nice level of punch.

You could even say they've got a handling advantage over the 30d, as you've got a lot less weight up front pushing the nose out and that the suspension has to deal with.

[Consett Mag]

My 330d gets about 43mpg, and on a run, near enough to 50mpg. And it goes quick enough for me! Nice and smooth and doesn't sound like a tractor. Perfect balance I'd say.

[Scottiedog]

Originally Posted by robbiep

As probably one of the very few with a F31 325d ...

running around, generally 43-45mpg.

On a decent run with cruise set at 75, 50-53mpg.

Do note that my car has a manual gearbox. With an auto you'd probably expect better economy, especially on the motorway trips.

And no, they aren't that bad at all in terms of refinement compared to the 6 pot. And yes, they are decently quick. That twin-turbo has a nice level of punch.

You could even say they've got a handling advantage over the 30d, as you've got a lot less weight up front pushing the nose out and that the suspension has to deal with.

Just for comparison iv got a mapped 435d GC and I can easily achieve 50/53 mpg with cruise set at 70mph on a run, Bearing in mind that's x drive too. My dads got a 430d and recently achieved 60.2 mpg on a 4 hour drive sticking to the speed limits. Not poo pooing the 325d at all but if you're used to a 6 pots smoothness you might find it lacking in refinement and for not that much gain in mpg.

[DonDP]

Originally Posted by Kiddy1

330d I get about 35mpg - 440 miles to a tank

Same, I get 35mpg on average out of my 330d S drive.

Its starts to creep up to 37mpg or so if the wife has been driving it.

Those people getting 40+ mpg out of a 330d might as well of bought a 325d... ;-)

[....,,,,..,,..]

One of the things with the 330d is having MPG's between 25mpg and 53mpg.

Anyone not getting under 30mpg with a 330d is really taking things easy and should have went for a Yaris.

On a decent motorway run it is easy to hit 50mpg.

I had a year or so of runs up to North Wales in my 330d, a work colleague had a 325d, on quite a few occasions my returns with that single turbo where better than his two turbos.

[jdrally]

Went from Saltash in Cornwall to York last week and managed 630 miles on a full tank in my F30 335d. Normally mixed driving I get 500 miles with my mpg since new indicating 45.9.

[HighlandPete]

To me, the 325d should make much more sense as the model to have, than it does in reality.

Acceptable performance, with promises of 4-pot economy in most situations, good chassis balance with its lighter front end.

The problem (if you can call it a problem), is BMW's ability to make very efficient 6-pot diesels, which also lift the car to another level. The 3.0d being the 'sweet spot' engine, in all key areas, decent blend of performance and economy, plus top tier diesel refinement.

The use of sequential turbos on the 2.0d engine is great for added performance, but does cost in economy. Use of boost costs. The 3.0d develops acceptable performance without much boost at all, helping it to sip diesel, closing the fuel gap between the two engines.

[lethbridge]

What you really need to do is stretch your budget and get a high spec 15 plate 335d M Sport Plus GT for £17k - I'll be selling mine late July! Reason it will be a bargain is that it will be somewhere between 70-75k miles but that is nothing for these engines. Not offering mine as a serious suggestion for you but I do think a well serviced high mileage car that has spent most of its time on the motorway is well worth considering as you get much more car for your money and it will have probably no more wear than a lower mileage diesel that has spent much more of its time in an urban environment - just factor in a Full BMW extended warranty into your budget for extra assurance (mine would cost £622)... Personally I'd go higher mileage/wait a little to get an LCI 330d - always lots about - they should be falling into your price range especially once the G30 is out...

[teaston]

6.7 to 60 sounds bloody slow to me!

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by jdrally

Went from Saltash in Cornwall to York last week and managed 630 miles on a full tank in my F30 335d. Normally mixed driving I get 500 miles with my mpg since new indicating 45.9.

You must drive like a girl then .. I average 36mpg in my 330d ..but then I don't drive it like I should have got a 320d instead

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by teaston

6.7 to 60 sounds bloody slow to me!

Agree ... but forget 0-60.. a remapped 325d (260/270bhp) will be slightly quicker than a stock 330d from a rolling start.

[A15X]

I average around 32-38mpg and getting around 410 miles to a tank mixture of city and motorway driving. I have a convertible tho so I’m sure the additional weight makes a difference...

[jdrally]

Originally Posted by Hooded

You must drive like a girl then .. I average 36mpg in my 330d ..but then I don't drive it like I should have got a 320d instead

I was in no rush, but averaged 65 mph. Max speed was 80. Cruise set at 75 most of the way.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by jdrally

I was in no rush, but averaged 65 mph. Max speed was 80. Cruise set at 75 most of the way.

I was thinking more the 45.9mpg since new on a 335d

[Soul_Glo]

My 320d averages 62-68 mpg. Around 650 miles to the tank. Comfort mode. Motorways.

My 435d X is 40-42 mpg on the same run in comfort mode. I toyed with the idea of a remap for fuel economy but then thought... I would probably end up using the power and it would negate the costs. No point making an already fast car any faster as it more than meets my needs.

I like the 320d for it's economy but I came from an E92 325i and I prefer 6 pots. I drive both. At motorway speed the tractor sounds melt away until you have to wring the engine out. If I had to part with one it would be the 320d. I would much rather enjoy the refinement of the 435d X and pay a little extra for diesel.

I don't need to push the 435d X and as the power is already there it makes for a relaxing cruiser in my opinion.