E93 - Still a 3 series?
- Thread starter NVP
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Caporegime
[TW]Fox;18620536 said:
Kinda makes sense. Still, those men need to hit the gym!
In the E46 and E36 days, ignoring the M3, the 330Ci and before that the 328i was a complete no brainer. There was simply no reason other than cost not to just buy the top one.
It's a bit more different these days - it seems the 330i and 335i are quite different in how they drive. I look forward to finding out just how different, and suggest you do the same
That's interesting, my M54 still pulls smoothly up through to 6k and a bit and that's just the 2.5. Why do you think the N54 is a bit less rev-happy? I suppose it's not really about revs though. I'm curious as to how they differ actually, I must make sure to try the 330 as well.
EDIT: Axeboy confirms
EDIT: Axeboy confirms
Both cars require a driver though, so will still have the same relative starting weights.
The 330i.
If I am honest I think the 330i appeals to me more. Sure the midrange performance wont be the same as a 335i but it's still a quick car - on paper. I need to drive one but if the paper stats translate properly onto the road then it's one of the most impressive cars I've seen - 272bhp, 0-60 in 5.9 yet 38mpg combined seems like the winning combination as we tip over the edge into a world of £1.50+ a litre fuel. Thirsty cars are going to become more and more irrelevent in the future unless you are properly wealthy, and the 330i itself isn't long for this world. I think its probably the last ever N/A BMW Six
In reality I suspect the choice will come down not to which engine is best but which car I can actually find. There are less than 250 330i M Sports with a manual gearbox, and even less of these will have navigation *and* be 57, 08 or 58 plate cars. I may well end up with a 335i simply because I cannot find a 330i.
There are twice as many manual 335i M Sport as 330i M Sport.
Yeah I see your point, the benefit of a little bit more power is vastly outweighed by the practicality of the "lesser" engine. But still, quite a big part of me hopes the 335 doesn't disappoint. I guess it's primarily down to the test drives for now, who knows, they could both underwhelm so much that it spurs me on to fork out for the M3 instead... but then the choice of coupe or conv is a much simpler answer
Just out of curiosity, where do you get all your stats about model quantities and such?
Just out of curiosity, where do you get all your stats about model quantities and such?
Yeah I see your point, the benefit of a little bit more power is vastly outweighed by the practicality of the "lesser" engine. But still, quite a big part of me hopes the 335 doesn't disappoint. I guess it's primarily down to the test drives for now, who knows, they could both underwhelm so much that it spurs me on to fork out for the M3 instead... but then the choice of coupe or conv is a much simpler answer
I guess I'm hoping that the 335i blows me away so much so that it becomes a no breainer. E92 M3 would be wonderful but kinda defeats hafl the purpose of my change really - perhaps I'll have an M power car in the distant future.
A friend of mine used to work for an automotive data firm, he ran off some stats for me about BMW's as he knew I was a fan. Thats why my Data only goes up to the end of 2009
It's registrations with the DVLA.[TW]Fox;18621211 said:The 330i.
If I am honest I think the 330i appeals to me more. Sure the midrange performance wont be the same as a 335i but it's still a quick car - on paper. I need to drive one but if the paper stats translate properly onto the road then it's one of the most impressive cars I've seen - 272bhp, 0-60 in 5.9 yet 38mpg combined seems like the winning combination as we tip over the edge into a world of £1.50+ a litre fuel. Thirsty cars are going to become more and more irrelevent in the future unless you are properly wealthy, and the 330i itself isn't long for this world. I think its probably the last ever N/A BMW Six
In reality I suspect the choice will come down not to which engine is best but which car I can actually find. There are less than 250 330i M Sports with a manual gearbox, and even less of these will have navigation *and* be 57, 08 or 58 plate cars. I may well end up with a 335i simply because I cannot find a 330i.
There are twice as many manual 335i M Sport as 330i M Sport.
Why this pre-occupation with a manual gearbox? Are you really going to get up early on a Sunday morning to experience the thrill of driving and just go for a fang over the moors, or do you really enjoy stirring the box when crawling through traffic?
I suspect a 330i will suffer less issues with oil contamination and 'coking' of the cylinder head than the 335i as it doesn't have two leaky devices in the inlet system.
I like manual gearboxes - it's a part of driving I enjoy
Not much of my driving involves crawling along in a traffic queue - so the benefits of an auto would be lost on me. I'd rather have that little bit of extra involvement. And as a free bonus, the performance is better and they are a tad more economical too, happy days
Not much of my driving involves crawling along in a traffic queue - so the benefits of an auto would be lost on me. I'd rather have that little bit of extra involvement. And as a free bonus, the performance is better and they are a tad more economical too, happy days
Really they are just as much fun as each other as you really cant push it that hard on uk roads. However when you put the top down and put your foot down its a completely different story.
This is not to my taste but it will give you the fun factor you are looking for.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494198
Haha, 20 thousand quid for a 56 plate SE with 55k miles?!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2552956.htm
It gets worse, it's not even got Navigation and has an Alpine stereo fitted so you've lost most of the OBC functionality
And he wants £20k?!!?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2552956.htm
It gets worse, it's not even got Navigation and has an Alpine stereo fitted so you've lost most of the OBC functionality
And he wants £20k?!!?
X
Like Fox says that does seem a tad expensive but cheers for the tuning idea, it's definitely a viable option. I wonder how much more than 400bhp you can get? Would tuning cause issues for the convertible with it being less structurally sound?
I always assumed it would until this thread, stats wise it seems like a decent enough car for me but I just hope it feels decent too.[TW]Fox;18621472 said:
I too prefer a proper manual 'box, I think outside of the major cities there isn't really enough traffic to be lazy and purchase an auto, it would male the drive boring imo.
It's a shame these engines have problems, they used to be so solid and without flaw. My friends E36 is 200k plus and has never broken down on him once, great engines.
The top down feeling is the main appeal for me, otherwise I might go for a bigger car instead. As long as it is fun without the hassle of leaks and rattles then I'm sure it will be more than adequate.
Like Fox says that does seem a tad expensive but cheers for the tuning idea, it's definitely a viable option. I wonder how much more than 400bhp you can get? Would tuning cause issues for the convertible with it being less structurally sound?