[whateva411]

Hi guys
After some quick advice.
Im looking at a 3 series coupe and am trying to decide between the 320i or the 330i, i now that they are the opposite ends of the spectrum but its either performance or economy.

Both the ones I;m looking at are the ED versions. I read somewhere that the early ED models especially the 330i were quite prone to a lot of problems later on?

I'm looking at a high mileage one, is there anything that I should look out for or be aware of?

thanks

[Jay2301]

Originally Posted by whateva411

Hi guys
After some quick advice.
Im looking at a 3 series coupe and am trying to decide between the 320i or the 330i, i now that they are the opposite ends of the spectrum but its either performance or economy.

Both the ones I;m looking at are the ED versions. I read somewhere that the early ED models especially the 330i were quite prone to a lot of problems later on?

I'm looking at a high mileage one, is there anything that I should look out for or be aware of?

thanks

If you take the economy route why not a 320D? more economical/reliable.

[whateva411]

Originally Posted by Jay2301

If you take the economy route why not a 320D? more economical/reliable.

Not a fan of diesel
Also will be doing about 10k a year

Would love a 330d or 335d but out of my budget!

[Bungle009]

320i is not BMW's finest effort. Lots of reliability issues. 330i is much better.

[ChubbsBmth]

Albeit mine isnt an ED version but when I was looking at petrol cars, because myself like you, dont like diesels, I found the manufacturers quoted MPG's were not that different between the 320i all the way to the 335i.

I think you could be disappointed with a) the performance of a 320i and b) the economy of a 320i

You get so much more car for your money with a 335i but can still get 30+ mpg on average.

Just my 2 pennies worth.....

[whateva411]

Originally Posted by ChubbsBmth

Albeit mine isnt an ED version but when I was looking at petrol cars, because myself like you, dont like diesels, I found the manufacturers quoted MPG's were not that different between the 320i all the way to the 335i.

I think you could be disappointed with a) the performance of a 320i and b) the economy of a 320i

You get so much more car for your money with a 335i but can still get 30+ mpg on average.

Just my 2 pennies worth.....

Sounds like good advice!
I recently sold my e46 m3 so don't really want to get something that powerful like a 335i. The ED 330i sounds good on paper but I have heard about some of its issues like the coil packs. I've seen a few keenly priced ones on autotrader so thats one thing that tempts me.
I think I should start to consider the ED 325i with the 3.0L as opposed to the older one!

[ChubbsBmth]

If your not looking for something that powerful then the 325i could be a good shout as its 6 cylinder and not the 4pot that the 320i would be......

I went from an e46 325i to the 335i and have loved every minute of it....great cars and sound lovely too.

[whateva411]

Originally Posted by ChubbsBmth

If your not looking for something that powerful then the 325i could be a good shout as its 6 cylinder and not the 4pot that the 320i would be......

I went from an e46 325i to the 335i and have loved every minute of it....great cars and sound lovely too.

I went from the e46 318ci to the m3, which is why i think I could live with a 320i but after a bit i would probably be bored!

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by whateva411

I went from the e46 318ci to the m3, which is why i think I could live with a 320i but after a bit i would probably be bored!

yeh but the step back from an m3 to a 320 would a big one im sure since you have probably got used to the pace of an m3

go for the 330i!

[dobbo99]

325 will give you a lot more oomph, for not much less economy. mine churns out circa 28mpg on general hammering about. plus, theres plenty of choice now when buying.
i didnt want a densel, and if your having a beemer go for what they are reknown for - 6 cylinders

dont know what the 320i figures are, but they wont be what BMW quote thats for sure, and for the extra poke it will more than worth it.

[Falmouthboy]

I think the 'Sticky' thread on the UK Technical Forum should contain all the information you need to be persuaded away from a 320i. As others have said, consider a 325i as an option too as ED 330i cars are rare and the later 325i still has the 3.0L engine.

[dxb335d]

I never get when people are deciding between to completely different cars.

I was choosing between a 135i and M3.


Not between a 120i and M3.

[Jay2301]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

325 will give you a lot more oomph, for not much less economy. mine churns out circa 28mpg on general hammering about. plus, theres plenty of choice now when buying.
i didnt want a densel, and if your having a beemer go for what they are reknown for - 6 cylinders

dont know what the 320i figures are, but they wont be what BMW quote thats for sure, and for the extra poke it will more than worth it.

Wow thats good, I only get 28mpg on the motorway then lucky to see 23mpg general driving.

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by Jay2301

Wow thats good, I only get 28mpg on the motorway then lucky to see 23mpg general driving.

dont worry, I can dump a tank of petrol in 200 odd miles if Im really excited!

week to week I can squeeze 370 miles from a tank, Ive seen more but only with decent length motorway driving.

mines on 2.5 as well, maybe that helps slightly.

[edowen]

appreciate you don't like diesels, but just drive a 320d - there is nothing better about the 320i.

If it must be a 320i v 330i decision, then this is a no brainer. 330i. The 320i is the elephant in the room for BMW.

[whateva411]

Hi guys
Just drove the 320i and a 320d in the last few days and yep the 320i was fairly gutless and awful.
The 320d was suprisingly good for a diesel.
So looks like I will have to amend my sights on which model to get!