Pick a car from this list

Simon said:
I think I might organise a 330i test drive after reading this thread. I have been thinking what to try next. Cheers Fox!
Click to expand...

I would be really interested in your thoughts. Most owners opinions tend to be pretty useless, the 335i owners swear blind nothing comes close and that everyone who disagres just couldnt afford a 335i, the 330i owners swear blind that the 335i is pointless and the 330i is a better package.

I suspect the truth is a little more in the middle.
 
I would definitely have an e92 over e60 on looks alone. I wouldn't need all the space in the back. I would prefer convertibles and in sport guise, but they're not for everyone (I was converted to the 3 convertible after driving my mum's).

Difficult choice between the engines though. I don't think I could bring myself to buy a diesel coupe/convertible unless it was purely for economy reasons and so would take the ridiculously frugal 320d even if the performance is rubbish. Hence I would have the 330i or the 335i. In fairness I'd most likely go with the 330i as there are reliability issues with the 335i, they're cheaper to buy (and run) and if I really wanted something sporty I wouldn't get a 3 series. 6 seconds to 60 is reasonable performance, you're not exactly taking it on a track.

In conclusion: 330i
 
[TW]Fox;17053696 said:
I'm not suprised that as a point it went right over your head. I'm talking about the engine itself.

I'll humour you for a bit and explain it a tad more. On the one hand we have a 3 litre petrl engine developing 272bhp. Yet on the other we have an engine which emits circa 172g/km of CO2 and as result costs £170 a year to tax, is in a reasonable low company car tax band and, in theory, is capable of almost 40mpg combined.

In these days of everyone being obsessed with CO2 I think such figures alongside each other are quite an acheivement.



I don't think there is an awful lot of point us discussing this if you think I have a 'hatred for ANYthing diesel'. I think its fairly obvious from my posts on this forum that this isn't the case. I'm not a fan of the whole diesel culture and the obsessiveness with 4 cylinder diesel engines as if they are always the answer to everyones problems, and I prefer petrol engines. If you wish to translate that into a hatred for everything diesel, well, thats your perception issue.



Look down my nose? Amazing. If that was the case I'd look down my nose at my own father who not only drives (Well, until recently) a diesel, but bought it on my recommendation.

And it's far from a dream car list! My dream cars, like most people, have far more exotic badges on the front than BMW!



Nobody else but you is having any issue. Mind you, you are not having an issue are you, as from your previous posts its pretty clear your motives around here are a tad different from others.

The point was to stimulate an interesting discussion about peoples perceptions and thoughts on a selection of cars. I didn't want it to descend into typical 'spec me a car' land with all sorts of other recommendations coming out of the woodwork, etc etc, which is why I chose that route. It turned into a spec me thread anyway so I figured I might as well declare my interest.

Nobody but yourself appears to have had any issue with this.



Not really, well except for hurfdurf with the M3 thing, because an M3 costs £30k+ so its a bit pointless, really.

Everyone else seems to be either:

a) Ignoring the thread as it is not of interest to them
b) Discussing/debating/whatever without a problem.

Is there a reason why you are different? You are trying very, very hard to turn a thread which been almost exclusive about Motors, in the Motors forum, into some sort of fight...
Click to expand...




I see. Well I wish you had clarified about the engine. I must however disagree, and my own opinion is that despite the engine being a damn good engine, its not exactly an engineering masterpeice by any stretch of the imagination. The new McLaren engine has one of the lowest emissions per bhp, is that an engineering masterpiece also?

With reference to the diesel comments, I was only going on what other things I have seen in a few other threads with regards to your opinion about these engines, 4 cyl or otherwise.

Guess what? I prefer petrol engines too!, but I prefer certain diesels for certain types of driving, and furthermore wasn't the SEAT Touring car a 4 pot diesel? Cant be too shabby as it was pretty rapid.

I have not been a member long, but already I see a repetitive theme with regards to the diesel debate, with the same people (cough cough) saying exactly the same things over and over and over again. Its bizarre.

I cant be bothered to do a search, but I distinctly remember you having a RIGHT go at someone in a diesel thread, going so far as to be quite obnoxious with many sarcastic comments and fake chav speak. It was stuff like this that prompted me to think, "whats the point of this" when I saw your list contained two diesels.

I dunno, maybe I am just having a moan, but it seems like you are really happy to have a go at everyone else, but no one is allowed to criticise or have a "joke" at BMW's or your expense!

I guess Im probably saying if you cant take it, dont dish it out.

But hey, Im having a bad day so im probably being like a grumpy old man.
 
[TW]Fox;17053696 said:
I'm not suprised that as a point it went right over your head. I'm talking about the engine itself.

I'll humour you for a bit and explain it a tad more. On the one hand we have a 3 litre petrl engine developing 272bhp. Yet on the other we have an engine which emits circa 172g/km of CO2 and as result costs £170 a year to tax, is in a reasonable low company car tax band and, in theory, is capable of almost 40mpg combined.
Click to expand...

BMW and their shifting calibration / EPROM flashes before NEDC are cheating this a 'little' and that same map would not make 272bhp. The car pricing allows the powertrain cost to be swallowed aswell so in terms of engineering which is usually against a tighter cost constraint to then produce something remarkable doesnt really get the acolade spoken of here IMO.
 
TangoSixteen said:
I see. Well I wish you had clarified about the engine. I must however disagree, and my own opinion is that despite the engine being a damn good engine, its not exactly an engineering masterpeice by any stretch of the imagination. The new McLaren engine has one of the lowest emissions per bhp, is that an engineering masterpiece also?
Click to expand...

I too am an idiot who does not understand hyperbole and its use on internet forums.
 
TangoSixteen said:
I see. Well I wish you had clarified about the engine. I must however disagree, and my own opinion is that despite the engine being a damn good engine, its not exactly an engineering masterpeice by any stretch of the imagination. The new McLaren engine has one of the lowest emissions per bhp, is that an engineering masterpiece also?
Click to expand...

Absolutely it is. We need to see more things like this in the car industry. It beats the hell out of the Prius, right? Maybe I was a little strong in the terms I use but I definately feel it's one of the best engines in the last 10 years.

With reference to the diesel comments, I was only going on what other things I have seen in a few other threads with regards to your opinion about these engines, 4 cyl or otherwise.
Click to expand...

What I think about diesels summed up in a quick paragraph:

4 cylinder dealers are generally unrefined, noisy, and trick people into thinking they are quick because of the power delivery. People are far too keen to assume diesel = best without checking the alternatives or doing any sums, so far too many people doing under 10k a year are doing so in noisy 4 pot diesels. 6 cylinder diesels are far better but obviously still don't quite compare to the lovely silky smoothness of a nice petrol engine. But the higher up the range you go, the better the engines become. I've said on numerous occasions how impressed I was with the new engine in the F10 530d, for example.

Besides, makes for a more interesting discussion if there are some more variables in the mix.

I have not been a member long
Click to expand...

I don't think many people beleive that, somehow :p

I cant be bothered to do a search, but I distinctly remember you having a RIGHT go at someone in a diesel thread, going so far as to be quite obnoxious with many sarcastic comments and fake chav speak. It was stuff like this that prompted me to think, "whats the point of this" when I saw your list contained two diesels.
Click to expand...

That was because some chap popped into a thread and posted using a single badly written sentance about how basically a TDCi 130 was as good as an ST220. This is EXACTLY the sort of thing that winds me up about people who like diesel.

I dunno, maybe I am just having a moan, but it seems like you are really happy to have a go at everyone else, but no one is allowed to criticise or have a "joke" at BMW's or your expense!

I guess Im probably saying if you cant take it, dont dish it out.
Click to expand...

I'm quite capable of 'taking it' thanks - I'm doing so now, for example ;) I even openly invited criticism in the opening post.

But you are not criticising the cars or the thought processes, I don't really know what you are trying to do but it isnt just me who has noticed it.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
BMW and their shifting calibration / EPROM flashes before NEDC are cheating this a 'little' and that same map would not make 272bhp. The car pricing allows the powertrain cost to be swallowed aswell so in terms of engineering which is usually against a tighter cost constraint to then produce something remarkable doesnt really get the acolade spoken of here IMO.
Click to expand...

Whilst I'm sure there is more than a little massaging and fiddling going on, it remains the case that its a pretty powerful engine thats also very economical. Heck even the older 230bhp M54 was particularly frugal for its power output, this one is more powerful and more eonomical which can only be a good acheivement. Probably a poor choice of phrasing, but I think you see what i mean.
 
[TW]Fox;17053851 said:
Whilst I'm sure there is more than a little massaging and fiddling going on, it remains the case that its a pretty powerful engine thats also very economical. Heck even the older 230bhp M54 was particularly frugal for its power output, this one is more powerful and more eonomical which can only be a good acheivement. Probably a poor choice of phrasing, but I think you see what i mean.
Click to expand...

Yeah I do.

I wish I had a BMW 3.0 for my trip to Devon/Cornall at the weekend, would have bettered my Focus 1.8 thats for sure!
 
[TW]Fox;17053836 said:
Absolutely it is. We need to see more things like this in the car industry. It beats the hell out of the Prius, right? Maybe I was a little strong in the terms I use but I definately feel it's one of the best engines in the last 10 years.
Click to expand...

If the BSFC is lower than 210 g/kWh Ill agree with that?
 
Haven't driven E92 but answer is:

2) BMW 335i M Sport Coupe (E92)
Click to expand...
There's more regret in driving a 330i and seeing a 335i whistle past than driving a 335i and seeing a 330i, erm?!!!
 
[TW]Fox;17054142 said:
Hardly, you said they were slow and poor value and too old. So I am asking you what is newer and faster for the same money?

Why won't you tell me?
Click to expand...

Give me a Lotus or a real mini any day. cars with real handling.

even an old 911 has more appeal
most Modern Jags
 
eatcustard said:
Give me a Lotus or a real mini any day. cars with real handling.

even an old 911 has more appeal
most Modern Jags
Click to expand...

Neither are faster or newer, look how dumb you are.

At least my questioning on how close the 335i was to the actual sports orientated BMW was relevant to the thread in a tiny way in weather or not I would have that or failing that, none at all.
 
[TW]Fox;17052968 said:
So what's faster and newer and less than 20k?
Click to expand...

You're looking at 2007 E90s are you? Well look no further than the BMW stable to find a Z4M roadster for the same money that is faster and the same age.

Anyhow, that's not the point since I don't suppose you're in the market for a sports car. Of your list I'd go for the 335i and here's my rationale.

The diesel benefit of mpg is not overly relevant to you so the petrol will be a better driving experience and quicker. The other negative you highlight about the reliability of that engine I don't think comes into play. I don't suppose you're picking up a three year old BMW without a BMW warranty so why concern yourself with if something catastrophic goes wrong. It'll be covered.
 
[TW]Fox;17054887 said:
I see. So your recommendation of an alternative to a 300 bhp 3 year old car with full navigation etc is..... an old mini?
Click to expand...

maybe.....



....I dont like BMWs and would prefer a real mini, pocket the change and have a Split VW camper for good measure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom