The whole 330d vs. 328i question was a bit lopsided for me. Comparing a 3.0 6-cylinder diesel against a 2.0 4-cylinder petrol (even if they did have similar bhp) was a bit like comparing boxers of different weights. A welterweight might be close to a light heavyweight on a 'how hard do they hit' scale, but in the ring it's not an even contest.
I'd be more interested in how the 330d powerplant stacks up against offerings from Audi and Mercedes? For example, looking at Audi's 3.0 diesel on paper there's:
- 3.0 TDI Multitronic, 0-60 7.0 secs, 149 mph, 201 bhp, 400 Nm 295 lb-ft
- 3.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic, 0-60 5.9 secs, 155 mph, 241 bhp, 580 Nm 428 lb-ft
- 3.0 BiTDI Quattro Tip Auto, 0-60 4.9 secs, 155 mph, 308 bhp, 650 Nm 479 lb-ft