330d Cab Vs 320d Cab

Ben Cole · 1 Jul 2011 at 20:41

Any of them really.

I gathered you've changed to a 335i. What made you go for one over the 330?

I read the mini review you posted and it sounded like you were leaning toward the 330.

What kind of difference in consumption should one expect between the 330 and 335 (coupe for example)?

[TW]Fox · 1 Jul 2011 at 20:44

Lack of availability is the only reason I went for a 335i over a 330i. I would have preferred a 330i but there are so few around in the specification I was after I couldnt really be fussy over whether it was a 30i or a 35i.

I would expect the 330i to be 10-20% more economical than the 330i. The 335i is delivering almost exactly the same fuel economy as my 530i - 20ish around town, 35-38 on a Motorway run.

My fathers E60 - with the same engine as the 330i - does about 25mpg around town and over 40mpg on a run quite easily so I'd expect the same if not better from the 330i as it's lighter and has more Efficient Dynamics features than the E60.

Ben Cole · 1 Jul 2011 at 20:50

Thanks. What about reliability? Are the newer ones much worse than the e46?

[TW]Fox · 1 Jul 2011 at 20:53

Ben Cole said:
Thanks. What about reliability? Are the newer ones much worse than the e46?

Yes. There are known reliability issues with the newer N53 and the N54 twin turbo petrol engines. The N53's have injection issues and both the N53 and N54 have issues with the high pressure fuel pump. It seems with the extra technology required to extract what is simply staggeringly good fuel economy for the level of performance on offer from a petrol engine, the reliability takes a dip.

I would happily run an E46 without a warranty but not an E9x.

Ben Cole · 1 Jul 2011 at 22:39

Thanks, you really are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to BMW.

Morba · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:01

The newer engines are worse for injectors and HP fuel pump?! That's bad lol

[TW]Fox · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:04

Morba said:
The newer engines are worse for injectors and HP fuel pump?! That's bad lol

The older engines have neither high pressure injectors nor a high pressure fuel pump. It's direct injection, the same concept that turned diesel engines from bomb proof into nightmares but at the same time improving fuel economy

Morba · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:33

Mine has a HP fuel pump, doesn't it?

Wait, your taking petrol now not diesel?

Ben Cole · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:49

I'm just looking at all avenues. There's a lot to consider.

It could be 320d on a 06 plate for cash or a new 335 Petrol Cab on the never never.

The former being more likely for obvious reasons. Every permutation in between is still an option also. I mean, who wouldn't be tempted by a two year old 335 coupe?