[magic77]

Well no matter what the itch is getting worse and I'm sick and tired of my diesel. Not helped by mate swaping to a stunning A4 Sline Back 2.0T.

So with only about 6months left on current car lease decisions. Do I go and look for 2nd hand estate, saloon E9x 330i or the new 328I

Auto is going to be in order I think thought depending on fuel economy as I'm already going to take battering going from a 320D which gives around town 42-45 with a lead foot.

[shrink]

i hate to admit it, but i'd think the 328i would be the way forward.

newer 8 speed auto gearbox is better than the one in the E90. The 328i has more torque, and is faster in most situations than an E90 330i. Being turbo and a 2.0 it should be possible to get good economy from it too, if you keep it off boost.

PLus you'll benefit from all the new toys inside, the larger boot, more rear legroom, and IMHO slightly more solid feeling seats too.

I've sat in a few F30's now.. and i prefer how they feel inside to the E90 by far. The F30 has more of the old E46 feel to it, with the driver focused centre console. Get the sliding arm-rest though, the standard one is far too small.

[Nick the Greek]

Having tried them both. I opted for the 328i MSport with six on the floor. The auto works ok with the petrol but not as well as with the diesel. Me, I wouldn't have another diesel as I really like to drive the car, so manual petrol was the better choice.

[magic77]

thanks its a tough I think the key will be the mpg a straigth six sounds tempting but the hit at the pump will take getting use to. I think time to get some test drives under the belt

[J44KPR]

that new 328i engine sounds nice! but I'm a huge fan of turbos... :/

[///Marko]

I would like to have 328i F31 to my next car, but my only concern is mpg after my 320dA. I want xdrive and manual. I´m in the same boat with Nick the Greek because I want petrol car with manual transmission.

[parapaul]

If economy is a concern then stay away from the auto. Don't know about the F30 specifically, but in almost all other cases the auto box knocks a good few mpg off compared to the manual equivalent.

Effortless to drive, but never quite as intelligent as a good driver.

[no golf clubs]

I nearly chopped my e92 330d for the f30 328i SE, was getting a cracking deal or so I thought but the sales donkey had screwed up his figures then insisted it would cost me another £70 per month!

Took the 328i out, 4 doors and non diesel were a requirement, loved the car loved the new interior. It wasn't quite as urgent as my 330 but all around I preferred it.

Get a test drive if you can, the trip computer showed 17mpg tho on my spirited drive through Scottish twisties however on the motorway that jumped to 45mpg.

I reckon now that I don't do the miles that a petrol will be ok for me.

I know what you mean re the "itch" since the above I've explored a few options finding it hard to get away from bmw though for overall quality and drive plus they are doing favourable finance terms at present.

Btw anyone I know who gets a "normal" Audi has got a bit bored quite quickly.

[225_AB]

Originally Posted by parapaul

If economy is a concern then stay away from the auto. Don't know about the F30 specifically, but in almost all other cases the auto box knocks a good few mpg off compared to the manual equivalent.

Effortless to drive, but never quite as intelligent as a good driver.

Are you sure as the official BMW figures quote a better mpg for auto vs manual

[shrink]

the modern 8 speed auto, has been programmed to lock up as early as possible, has quicker shifts than the previous generation and a pretty good torque converter. As well as having more ratios to choose from. In most cases the modern autos are more fuel efficient than the manual.

Yes you "could" get better economy from the manual, but you'd need to be thinking about it constantly and driving with your attention more on the economy than actually being safe on the road. These days the auto is almost a no brainer.

[J44KPR]

manuals are more fun, more involving... WIN
you'll pay extra for the auto option, how much fuel could that buy?

[shrink]

i dunno... an auto with flappy paddles can still feel quite involving

not quite a manual I know, but as someone who lives near a major city, i spend WAY too much time just sitting in traffic, even on the outskirts. To the point where I actually end up with a sore foot from constantly changing in and out of 1st and 2nd gear. Its just irritating.

In modern UK, an auto makes more sense 95% of the time. for the 5% when I want to have fun, flappy paddles work well enough for me.

I wanted my current car to be auto, but the manual just happened to be a better spec and better proposition. But i guarantee my next car will be an auto, as i'm sick of the manual already, and have 3 more years of it!

[J44KPR]

true, if I was in central london I'd want an auto too, but luckily I'm not
the double clutch are actually pretty good, so as a gran tourer car I wouldn't mind

[magic77]

this is the thing manual do tend to be more fun. Problem is reality the amount of time we spend in traffic and town an auto makes sense. ITs why generally the family trips are done in wifes B class CDI Auto as its easier to drive

[JRINNS]

well, im in the same boat, fancy a 328 m sport F31 to replace my 325i Msport 2006. Its been a fantastic motor and im torn between running it into the ground but long for a change. Dont like diesel as the family motor is always one, the evoque 2.2 is not for me but the wife likes it.

Went on the build and once you add a few bits and bobs it 37k for the 328 !

Auto for me this time as i do a lot of miles in traffic,might hang on until the new year and see what offers are out before MFR and dealer year ends.

[magic77]

Mine is due May onwards so plenty of time. At same time I do prefer the look of the E90 externally might even just jump of the new car wagon and get a approved 330i if I find the right now. I think it be a case of driving them.

Since removing the clutch delay valve my 320D has become nerrly easy to drive in traffic as auto but few times on m25 I have still wished I had one