[Paul330d]

Stopped by a non-local dealer this morning & they had a 330d Steptronic demonstrator like the one I have on order. As they didn't know that, I pretended I was interested in buying one so they would let me have a test drive.

The gearbox is a delight, far smoother than the supposedly brilliant DSG box I had on my Golf TDI, but it seemed to absorb quite a bit of the engine's power. Don't get me wrong, it is a very comfortable & powerful car that blitzes most other vehicles on the road, but I couldn't help but feel it needed still more power.

I will definitely have to see about getting mine remapped once it's run in properly. I reckon with about 270hp & 600Nm, it should be OK

[EnI]

E90 335d with 272HP and 560Nm is coming in September - same VTT 3.0L I6 diesel engine as 535d.

I guess that will enough for you.

[Paul330d]

Too late, my 330d is already on order, but remapping turbo-diesels is realtively easy and very popular in Europe. I should be able to get as much hp & torque as the 335d for about $500.

[330m]

The Steptronic is a conventional (all be it 'electronically controlled') slush-matic which probably wastes 20% of the power in the converter and gear change process.

The DSG is totally different however with conventional manual-type positive gear selection mechanisms (hubs/forks/layshafts etc) and with multiplate clutches, so its not meant to be as smooth as a proper automatic, but it is as efficient as a manual.

I drove the 330i auto and it seamed way down on power to the manual, and not a patch on the audi DSG i'm selling.

[E90Fleet]

One thing people dont realize is how the E90 ( or any BMW for that matter ) hides its speed/acceleration.


Went on a test drive in a 330i with a friend last year ( he owns a Golf Gti ), and when he stoped accelerating from a standstill to what he thought would be 100Km/h ( 62mph) I told him to look at the speedo and it was showing 160Km/h (99mph)

[Paul330d]

You're right: in absolute terms, there's ample power, but the Step seemed to blur the sensation compared to the manual.

I had driven the manual before I ordered, but the automatic felt as if it was absorbing 20% of the power. A remap should sort that out, though I was disappointed with the DSG, because I had bought it solely on the strength of glowing press coverage. However, I found it hesitated far too much around town between 1st & 2nd and produced quite a bit of drivetrain shunt. It was efficient all right, but too rough for me.

[Broken1]

Complain about a 330d with free Proffessional Nav

*Grunts from the drivers seat of his 320d with no navi*

On a side note, when I had a car with Navi, I only used it 2ce or 3 times in the whole year of ownership. Now I wish I had it...and boy - i miss that tv. Even when there was nothing on - it beats listening to the radio when sitting waiting...wishing.

Anywhoo... My life is not over yet...so another BMW with no roof and Nav is in my future....