Tell me about the 330d.....for my dad....

Type_R

Type_R

Type_R

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My Dad is thinking of changing his car. He has a budget of ~£23k as his 10 year old Civic is giving up the chase. He will be doing about 12k miles a year, motorway driving to work and inner city when not at work. I was thinking a 2 year old 330d would be a good idea, although he seems totally relaxed about the car as long as it has the following:

  • Automatic gearbox (yes he is past 60!)
  • Up to 2 years old
  • Low mileage (whatever that equates to on a 3 series)
  • Saloon with 4 doors


We have two VW Golfs in the house (my MK5 GTi and sister's MK5 GT TDi) so I'm not really interested in another one being parked in the drive. We also have a Merc in the household and tbh Im not a big fan (neither is he!). The alternatives in a Volvo S40, Audi A4, Honda Accord, all seem to be similarly priced and not as highly rated as the BMW.

I guess the alternatives in my mind to a 330d would be a 3-series with a different engine, 320d, 325i, 325d.

Which one is the best buy for the budget? Anything to look out for on a recent model and what to expect price wise (discount) if we buy from BMW?

Thanks

Also remember I will be insured on it so it needs to have a little bit of poke to put a smile on my face!
 
Any reason for the diesel? You can get a better petrol one for this money and at the current prices, over 10,000 miles you save approximately £350 on fuel.
 
If he wants a 330i his budget far exceeds the car. You can pick up one of the last of the saloons (because they have stopped making them) for around 19k with every option you can imagine.

Also, would he prefer a "M-Sport" model, with harder suspension and sportier imagine, or an SE which is a bit more low-key and comes with a softer setup (i presume the latter)?

Something like this maybe? http://bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details/0,,1156___ask-9,00.html?ch=_V0JBVkIzMjA4MEFXNTE0NjM=
 
Last edited:
Gaygle said:
Any reason for the diesel? You can get a better petrol one for this money and at the current prices, over 10,000 miles you save approximately £350 on fuel.
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Nope not at all. Talking to other peeps it seems the 330i might be a better bet for him!
 
Morba said:
Petrol version surely?
Nice choice though, should get a belter in that budget :)
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Totally. Accept nothing less than a perfect condition car at this budget. Is he specifically after a 3 Series or is he just looking out for stuff at the moment? Since he's almost 60, has he considered something like a XF Jag or a 5 Series? I'm not really versed on either of these cars at this budget so i'll let someone else tell you about them!

Either way, go to bmw.co.uk and look at the approved used cars they have on their website. However, if he's specifically after a 330i Saloon he should be aware that they stopped making them around Summer 2008 IIRC.
 
As he's over 60 and not too fussed about the car requirements why get a 330d? 6.6 sec 0-60 seems like slight overkill when the slower 320d Autos are still managing 8.3. I know nothing about BMWs but I would assume you'd get a nicer/newer 320d for your money?
That said if there's no need to diesel I'd get a petrol!
 
Stringy said:
As he's over 60 and not too fussed about the car requirements why get a 330d? 6.6 sec 0-60 seems like slight overkill when the slower 320d Autos are still managing 8.3. I know nothing about BMWs but I would assume you'd get a nicer/newer 320d for your money?
That said if there's no need to diesel I'd get a petrol!
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The real question is WHY get a 4 cylinder diesel when you have 23k to spend? 19k gets him a 330i in pretty much top spec with under 20k miles. However, you do raise a good point - does he really want to spend £23k on a car? Is he bothered by cars? If not, there are perfect cars avaliable for him for £12-14k.
 
Gaygle said:
The real question is WHY get a 4 cylinder diesel when you have 23k to spend? 19k gets him a 330i in pretty much top spec with under 20k miles. However, you do raise a good point - does he really want to spend £23k on a car? Is he bothered by cars? If not, there are perfect cars avaliable for him for £12-14k.
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I think its time he had a nice car, having driven a 1.4 Civic for the last 10 years! If I can find a good 330i for £19k Im sure he will definitely have it!
 
Gaygle said:
Totally. Accept nothing less than a perfect condition car at this budget. Is he specifically after a 3 Series or is he just looking out for stuff at the moment? Since he's almost 60, has he considered something like a XF Jag or a 5 Series? I'm not really versed on either of these cars at this budget so i'll let someone else tell you about them!

Either way, go to bmw.co.uk and look at the approved used cars they have on their website. However, if he's specifically after a 330i Saloon he should be aware that they stopped making them around Summer 2008 IIRC.
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BMW seems to have a very limited selection of 330is from 2007 (nothing newer) and each around ~£21k.
 
Another vote for an XF get your dad to drive one of those, superb.
 
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