[Not a Diesel!!!]

Well I picked up my 330i manual back in Jan and have only been really using it for shortish runs dodging snowfall.

Had a run up to Bath about 120 miles each way.

What a fantastic engine. I can only assume its limited sales was due to peoples love of diesel or the headline grabbing 335i.

I took it very gentle & hit no traffic but averaged 37mpg each way.... from a 3.0 litre petrol estate fully loaded.

Back home all warmed up & family and luggage unloaded when you rev it through to 7k any comments about it not being quick can be forgotten.

I think we are getting lazy with low pressure turbo's and easy low end torque. I came from a Megane R26 but had a Clio 200 at the same time. Both cars shared the same bhp/tonne but the Megane had loads more torque. End result the Megane was easy to drive quick but you had to work the Clio to 10/10ths. When you did it was more fun.

My advice is get yourself an NA engine while you can as we have plenty of years of turbo's ahead of us.

It even got me considering a M3 V8.

[m1bjr]

Indeed.

I miss my S2000.

F20C Honda lump = 240bhp N/A at 9k rpm.

[Robin330i]

Ditto - I miss my S2k as well.

[dxb335d]

I do like the look of the S2k and I bet it's a lot of fun.

[GP87]

Originally Posted by Not a Diesel!!!

Well I picked up my 330i manual back in Jan and have only been really using it for shortish runs dodging snowfall.

Had a run up to Bath about 120 miles each way.

What a fantastic engine. I can only assume its limited sales was due to peoples love of diesel or the headline grabbing 335i.

I took it very gentle & hit no traffic but averaged 37mpg each way.... from a 3.0 litre petrol estate fully loaded.

Back home all warmed up & family and luggage unloaded when you rev it through to 7k any comments about it not being quick can be forgotten.

I think we are getting lazy with low pressure turbo's and easy low end torque. I came from a Megane R26 but had a Clio 200 at the same time. Both cars shared the same bhp/tonne but the Megane had loads more torque. End result the Megane was easy to drive quick but you had to work the Clio to 10/10ths. When you did it was more fun.

My advice is get yourself an NA engine while you can as we have plenty of years of turbo's ahead of us.

It even got me considering a M3 V8.

It's almost like Jekyll and Hyde, how the 330i can be an effortless motorway mile muncher driven placidly, however you can transform it into a high revving monster on fast paced back roads.

The process of placing the car in the correct gear/rev range makes the experience so much rewarding- something that I believe the 335i is not sympathetic about.

It is all about the quality of the power delivery that a N/A engine delivers, and likewise I would only swap it out for an M3 V8- very similar power delivery characteristics notwithstanding the fact that it's an absolute beast!

[Telly Addict]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I do like the look of the S2k and I bet it's a lot of fun.

You would be sorely disappointed I'm afraid, the s2k, while revs very high is very low on real power and from the experiences I've heard from owners (first hand), quite a disappointing and unusually unpredictable car to drive on the limit. Notwithstanding the comments already on this thread - Lots of them in breakers yards having being driven sideways into a solid objects...

I might add that I'm a long term Honda fan having owned a (concourse condition) Crx vtec with 190 bhp for 9 years. The B series are awesome engines and a lot of fun, but ultimately the hard core (Honda) fraternity end up turbo-charging or swapping out for larger capacity.

I hate to say it, but you've already driven more fun cars...IMHO of course...

[RagingKileak]

The S2000 is a very capable car and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. A lot of motoring press rightly compared it to the Boxster for several years, and it is in the same league - even if it is more Man City than Man Utd.

Back to the ops car though, yes absolutely - the 330 engine is great. A few people on babybmw who own 130's think that their cars make a better hot hatch than the 135 (and other turbocharged 1's) because of the zippy, willing nature of the engine. I agree with them - its a real cracker and I can imagine it working well in a 3 too (although I've only experienced the 130 first hand.)

Hope you continue to enjoy.

Matt

[a11y]

Echo what others are saying. Each to their own, but I find a nice n/a engine more "fun" to drive than a turbo with more torque. And it's how your definition of fun differs to others that determines your preference.

I admit that for everyday driving that a tad lowdown torque would be nice, but that's just being picky and lazy. When it comes to driving to enjoy then it comes into its own.

[Robin330i]

A well set up S2000 is a lot of fun both on the road and on the track - this is first hand info as I have owned one.

[Miss Cat]

i miss my s2k as well =(

[Telly Addict]

I suppose my comment was a bit negative, they are good cars. I was really referring to dbx compared to what he has already experienced that's all.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Telly Addict

You would be sorely disappointed I'm afraid, the s2k, quite a disappointing and unusually unpredictable car to drive on the limit.

Only the drivers are unpredictable.

The limit of the driver generally comes before that of the car.

Which speaks volumes about the mentality and lack of ability many have to drive RWD sports cars fast.

All the BMWs I have driven pilot themselves. A lot like FWD Hondas.
Hence the lack of driver involvement you get versus a 240bhp N/A cart like this.

I owned mine and modified it quite a lot for track days, over about five years.
I never kept any car that long before. Sold due to new baby and lack of use. Otherwise it would still be here.

IMO

[philmots]

You're completely correct. I had a 197 Cup and a Megane a few cars before that. The Clio was a riot when you were really on it..

The reality is though that 95% of the time (for me at least) a turbo car with plenty of low down easily accessible ooomp is a better road car. Hence why they're so popular.

Looking at some videos of the new F30, the 328I looks like a revvy lump so maybe not all is lost!

[Robin330i]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Only the drivers are unpredictable.

The limit of the driver generally comes before that of the car.

Which speaks volumes about the mentality and lack of ability many have to drive RWD sports cars fast.

All the BMWs I have driven pilot themselves. A lot like FWD Hondas.
Hence the lack of driver involvement you get versus a 240bhp N/A cart like this.

I owned mine and modified it quite a lot for track days, over about five years.
I never kept any car that long before. Sold due to new baby and lack of use. Otherwise it would still be here.

IMO

Completely agree and I sold up for the same reason.

The BMW's handling and fun isn't a patch on what the s2000 was like.

[phil200tdi]

Driving a tuned 335i at 10/10ths on the road for a prolongued period is not a clever way to keep your licence. And ultimately ain't that much fun as the speeds involved become very silly quite quickly.

A sweet sounding high reving NA engine with 200ish bhp seems to be the right balance for a blast on the road.

[E92Dan]

Something light and chuckable with a revy low ish powered engine is always fun. Something hired is the best

[RichJ]

Couldn't agree more. 4 years on still have my 330i!

[BanziBarn]

Yep, miss my Civic Type-r EP3. I still remember the first time I drove it and the cam profile changed at 6k Bloody awesome.

[Mani59]

I still miss the beautiful engine from my E90 330i (and even E46 325!), which is why I will be going back to one soon!

[Davidlindsey]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

Driving a tuned 335i at 10/10ths on the road for a prolongued period is not a clever way to keep your licence. And ultimately ain't that much fun as the speeds involved become very silly quite quickly.

A sweet sounding high reving NA engine with 200ish bhp seems to be the right balance for a blast on the road.

imo driving anything at 10/10ths on the road is not clever, especially when almost all drivers are nowhere near capable of 10/10ths driving.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Raj59

I still miss the beautiful engine from my E90 330i...

Ditto, my 06 E90 330i was a peach straight out of the box.

The 335i was always a let down standard, so i ended up modding it to try and make it the car I wanted it to be.

[MrPogle]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Ditto, my 06 E90 330i was a peach straight out of the box.

The 335i was always a let down standard, so i ended up modding it to try and make it the car I wanted it to be.

+1

I deliberately chose a 330 over a 335. I drove them both and the 335 was obviously better but somehow not as good.