[p1tse]

ok, to be honest I'm looking at E60 models, but assume similar changes on the e90s, as the E60 LCI had lighter engine, better, smoother gearbox, better MPG.

which would you choose
LCI 330d or Pre LCI 335d

[Sir_Pigley]

LCI 330d.

You'd be taking a double whammy on economy with the 335d. The MY 2010 I am using at the moment can only manage 33.2 mpg average versus my pre LCI 330d which used to average 40.3 mpg and was a sweeter sounding engine with more a responsive nature courtesy of the manual box.

[Martin 335d]

You'll not get an LCI 330d for your budget though?!

I was in a similar situation last year but both were pre LCI, I opted for the better specced 330d and regretted it, as good as it was it wasn't a 335d

My opinion is still the same, the LCI model is good but I'd still choose a 335d over a 330d everyday of the week

FWIW my first 335d once remapped was actually better on fuel than my stock pre LCI 330d

[SO8]

I tried both LCI 330d and 335d. I preferred the 330d ... and bought one - it just felt more alive - and averaged 10mpg better on the test drives ! Speed wise at higher speeds the 335d was far more responsive but at 'normal' speeds the 330d actually felt better ... just my views FWIW

[p1tse]

wow, really you prefered the 330d over a 335d when both LCI.

was the 330d manual?

[SO8]

No, both auto ...

To be totally fair I couldn't find a coupe in the spec I wanted unless it was a 330d. The 335d I tried was a touring - which if not in white I would have considered. Again, 335d touring in a spec I liked was simply not about.

The LCI 330d felt far more lively than I thought it would and because it only has one turbo seems to feel quicker low down - even when it isn't than the more linear 335d.

The fact the 330d felt better coupled with the lack of any 335d's in the spec I wanted + the mpg difference tipped me towards the 330d.

[p1tse]

fair enough.

if the 335d was in the spec and colour you wanted, i wander if the mind would be saying the same thing?

[SO8]

Might not have been ... but if I went for a 335d I would have been just greedy ... which could well have happened

The thing was the 335d touring did nothing for me where I came back from driving the 330d coupe with a huge grin on my face - maybe the touring reminded me too much of driving 530d's at work ... and I don't want a private car that reminds me of what I drive at work - no matter how good

[dopper99]

I tried a 335d last week and I guess it felt a bit quicker than my pre-LCI, although I spent most of the time driving it steady. When I did floor it, it seemed fast but undramatic in its linear power delivery. I certainly would like a play in one for a couple of hours without a salesman sitting next to me to see what its really like.

However, not sure if I could justify more insurance, more road tax, worse fuel economy, slightly heavier car etc... - for what appears to be just a tad more poke than the 330d LCI in the real world?
Also going for a 330d you have a choice of manual or auto box.

[Vaheed1]

Personally, I picked the 330d for it's Manual option. Re-map it and it turns into a bit of an animal and certainly quicker than a stock 335d (in manual)

I've not yet driven a re-mapped 335d. I'm sure it'll be pretty darn quick - but there's a little more enjoyment when driving a manual. IMO. I don't get the same enjoyment on country road blasts in a Auto - no matter how good it's gearbox is.

[p1tse]

there's a LCI e91 in the car park, i do prefer the front bonnet, bumper looks alot better, in terms on appearance.

[jquan1]

Originally Posted by Vaheed1

Personally, I picked the 330d for it's Manual option. Re-map it and it turns into a bit of an animal and certainly quicker than a stock 335d (in manual)

I've not yet driven a re-mapped 335d. I'm sure it'll be pretty darn quick - but there's a little more enjoyment when driving a manual. IMO. I don't get the same enjoyment on country road blasts in a Auto - no matter how good it's gearbox is.

I could not agree more. Looked for ages for a graphite manual 330d with black leather. The Auto, even with paddles is just not the same.

Once my warranty runs out, a remap is on the cards.

[p1tse]

The E90 LCI saw more improvements especially the engine update compared to the E60s which I'm really looking at, which is a shame, never the less still decent car.

I've not driven a sporty manual diesel, but i got to agree I do prefer a manual for the pure pleasure of driving. The DSG I had in my VW was awesome, quick, smooth, unnoticeable slick gear changes, when cruising it will get to 6th before you know it, and never really got used to the paddles on spirited drives.

With traffic and baby in the back, 95% of the time the auto is the perfect option for us.
If I had the choice I would have something fun, petrol, manual as a second car.

[dopper99]

I would certainly like to try a 330d M Sport LCI manual. Trouble is...these are as rare as rockin horse sh*t. Seems most people go for the auto.

[dxb335d]

For me, I would deffo get a 335d again over a 330d.

[willhollin]

For me, I would deffo get a 330d again over a 335d.

[MRD]

I tried both when I got the 330d.

Have to say, didn't notice that much difference in "normal day driving" situations, even when I pushed harder. I guess the 0.1s from 0-62mph shows there isn't that much of a difference. You'll probably only notice the extra hp on the 35d when accelerating through 100mph on the highway.
On a daily basis the 330d will feel punchier, the 335d more linear. But they'll be just as fast driving off a trafic light onto the next intersection.

I went for the 330d mostly because it seemed to me they'd be just as fast during 90% of my driving, plus the 335d would have worse mpg and the extra 20g CO2 emissions meant paying higher taxes!!

[SteveC]

I was in the market for a new 335d when the 330d LCI was launched, so I tried both and ended up with a '30d.

The main thing that swung it for me was the auto box, which I felt took the edge off the 35d's performance (especially that wait as it decides which gear to go for when you pull away or mash the gas) vs. the MT 30d's instant thrust.

0-60 times on the 35d are marginally faster but again my impression was that the '35d didn't accelerate quite as hard but shifted faster.

At very high speeds, the '35d feels faster, probably because the gearbox is out of the equation. At lower speeds, the '30d MT feels like it pulls slightly harder.

If both cars had been ATs it probably would have gone the other way but I really didn't like the AT for the reasons mentioned.