[andyj00]

I am thinking about getting a 231bhp 330d and was wondering what the power delivery is like with a manual box?
Is it smooth and linear or like a prod in the back?
I've got to get around to trying one when I find the time.

Last night a mate came around who has a company car 535d M-Sport Tourer auto and I took it out for a drive. I was quite suprised that the power delivery was smooth and linear and didnt feel as "fast" accelerating as I thought it would. Dont get me wrong it got up to speed quickly, but didnt feel too exciting or exhilarating.

Hoping the 330d would feel better????
Thanks.
Andy.

[G33]

if u want a smooth ride where u cant feel the gearchanges the auto box is flawless. if u like to drive spritedly get the manual. thats what i reckon anyway. ive got a manual and its not smooth....

oops sorry forgot to say i know nothing about the 330d but im sure principle is the same!

[andyj00]

Cheers for that. What I would like is kinda "shove in the back" performance, rather than smooth! (Still a boy racer at heart even though I'm 37 lol).
I'd of thought with 231bhp, it should feel quite quick?

[beemerbird]

What about getting it re-mapped then for the 'shove in the back' feel?

Admittedly I've only driven a very limited number of beemers with manual boxes, but found that the gear change was smoother when driven in a 'more spirited fashion' I found trying to change gear in them 'correctly/gently' they were a bit notchy. But then I was used to Ford boxes and 'love em or hate em', the manual gear boxes IMO on Fords are good.

[G33]

u best ask needforspeed. hes around here in the uk forum...hes a manual 330i owner i think

choosing between manual and auto is very personal im afraid. its down to u. if youre really sitting on the fence about it go and take a test drive, if at all possible. i know i didnt

good luck!

[andyj00]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

What about getting it re-mapped then for the 'shove in the back' feel?

Yep, I think could be an option if/when I get one . I think that could well be knocking on the power of a 335 then?
Personally, its got to be a manual for me, on a 330d

[mjh93sa]

It all depends how you catch it really.

In 3rd from less than 1k rpm it is a bit lethargic and wakes up with a kick in the backside before it headbutts the horizon. However, from even moderate revs I find it to be linear, smooth, refined and quick when required. Peak torque is achieved from 1750 - 3000 rpm, so it's got all the torque right where you need it for normal driving.

It's not as quick as the '35s, but it'll put most things on the road in their place.

Get down the dealer's and try one. The only question then will be toys and colour.

[dxb335d]

get a 335d, you will certainly get a shove in the back then, much much faster than a 2 ton 535d for sure. I know this as have a 335d and my dad used to have a 535d

[red-max]

I'd say that you really need to drive one for yourself, and if you want a manual, don't let the dealer put you off and sell you an auto (that's what happened to me when I went to buy a 530d a couple of years ago). The autos are fine, but they're still autos and you are not as involved or in full control as you are with a manual. I'm happy with my 335d, it's a great car, but some days I wish I had a manual box. In fact I have promised myself that my next car will be a manual ...

[andyj00]

Cheers for your comments chaps. I'll have to go find me one to test

[NFS]

Originally Posted by G33

u best ask needforspeed. hes around here in the uk forum...hes a manual 330i owner i think

I am the proud owner of a manual 330i

Originally Posted by andyj00

I am thinking about getting a 231bhp 330d and was wondering what the power delivery is like with a manual box?
Is it smooth and linear or like a prod in the back?
I've got to get around to trying one when I find the time.

Last night a mate came around who has a company car 535d M-Sport Tourer auto and I took it out for a drive. I was quite suprised that the power delivery was smooth and linear and didnt feel as "fast" accelerating as I thought it would. Dont get me wrong it got up to speed quickly, but didnt feel too exciting or exhilarating.

Hoping the 330d would feel better????
Thanks.
Andy.

Like some of the other guys I'd suggest that you drive a manual.

My previous car was a 530d auto - my first auto car. It was a quick car and the 330d is even faster (335d is a step beyond again), but I personally found the auto box removed a bit of driver involvement and some of the 'feeling' of speed.

The power delivery of the 3.0l diesel comes in a great big lump rather than in a linear delivery.

In the 530d, you hit peak torque just above idle and it was available in all gears until just before the redline. This is great as the car will pull hard in any gear, but on the other hand it can also be a little bit uninspiring because there is little point in changing down for that 'kick in the back' sensation when your car is already pulling hard.

So whilst the manual will give you a little more control, with the massive and constant torque delivery of the deisel it's not entirely necessary.

[Ulrikgm]

You could get a 325d and get it chipped to 271 hp by Hartge. I think the conclusion in the 325d thread was that the 325d has the same gearbox and engine as the 330d as long as you stay with the manual trasmission.

[dagjohnsen]

Originally Posted by andyj00

I am thinking about getting a 231bhp 330d and was wondering what the power delivery is like with a manual box?
Is it smooth and linear or like a prod in the back?
I've got to get around to trying one when I find the time.

Last night a mate came around who has a company car 535d M-Sport Tourer auto and I took it out for a drive. I was quite suprised that the power delivery was smooth and linear and didnt feel as "fast" accelerating as I thought it would. Dont get me wrong it got up to speed quickly, but didnt feel too exciting or exhilarating.

Hoping the 330d would feel better????
Thanks.
Andy.

The 3 series is smaller and lighter than a 5 series, and it feels faster.

With a manual you will get more involved, and feel the power more when you shift to the next gear and drop the clutch at 3500 rpm, thats a rush
With an auto it just slips seamless into the next gear with no drama at all, but its just as fast or maybe even faster compared to a manual, unless you shift superfast with the stick.

With a remap you will absolutely get a FAST car, but you could just as well buy a 325d then, it has the same engine and can be tuned to the same power as a 330d, just as Ulrik mentioned above (Hartge, or ESS in Norway)

But you will still be appr. 30 hp shy of a stock 335d
They measure between 300-310 horsepower stock. Chipped I think Beemerbird has 350

If dont want a remap go for the 330d or 335d.

I have experience with both manual and auto e92, since my friend has a chipped e92 325d auto and mine is the same car with manual.
The autobox is supercomfy and smooth, but I love my manual, the drive gets more involving and exciting in my opinion.
But if you get the shiftpaddles thats available now on the auto then thats really great too.

DJ

[tisme]

I shall be ordering the 330D M Sport in 3 months. My dealer cannot and does not get manual 330Ds, all they have are autos. I am just going to order it and wait to be surprised.

Also, I am not going for leather as it is sticky in summer and cold in winter,

[mjh93sa]

Originally Posted by tisme

...My dealer cannot and does not get manual 330Ds, all they have are autos. ....

See if they have a 325d demo. It has the same engine, just developing less power. It was the same with the dealer I used, no manual 330d so they gave me the 325d manual for the day.

[hmi1750]

I have a 330d, its smooth to drive and I don't mind the auto.. though sometimes miss changing gears.. but the torque curve and delivery means you rarely need to kick it down.. and mostly do it just to hear the engine note.

Sometimes the auto can be in the wrong gear for what I want, but I have come to adjust it better using my accelerator so it doesn't kick down, or stay in 3rd when 2nd or 1st are needed.

Generally very smooth, very capable and great for London traffic and effortless on m-ways. On the B-roads, I do use the steptronic a bit, but its not instantaneous enough for me, so only used whe in the mood.

[andyj00]

Cheers guys.
Interesting point about re-mapping a 325d to give 275bhp. So technically, whats the difference between the 325d and 330d? If its the same engine, what do they do to the 330d to give 231bhp?


So would a re-mapped 325d have the same bhp as a re-mapped 330d?

[dagjohnsen]

Originally Posted by andyj00

Cheers guys.
Interesting point about re-mapping a 325d to give 275bhp. So technically, whats the difference between the 325d and 330d? If its the same engine, what do they do to the 330d to give 231bhp?


So would a re-mapped 325d have the same bhp as a re-mapped 330d?

The map is the difference, the 325d are just detuned because then in many markets it will be a lot cheaper. In Norway it costs 12.000 euros less than the 330d because of our taxes.

Hartge says both end up at 271 hp.
Ess says the 330d gets 10 hp more than the 325d.

[mjh93sa]

It looks like the only thing is the mapping.

looking on realoem even the turbo has the same part code.

[jingle68]

ive a 330d auto with 'paddle shift'. the auto can be annoying when overtaking or pulling onto roundabouts when its in the 'wrong' gear. I find using the paddles eliminates this and is much smoother. So if you go for an auto, order the paddle shift option!

[mjh93sa]

Even with the manual you sometimes find yourself in the wrong gear. It's so smooth, refined and pulls well across the rev range that you lose track of what gear you are in if you're not paying attention.

It will pull off in 3rd without much hassle, but uphill in 4th can be embarrassing when you inevitably stall it.

[Serjames]

I agree with matt here... the advantages to me of the step FAR outway any "feel" benefits I had with the manual Z.

I NEVER crunch gears
I NEVER miss a shift
Step can change gear WAY faster than I ever could whilst allowing me BOTH hands on the wheel
My engine is protected from miss-shifts etc etc

it just feels and sounds weird as the revs don't always seem to follow what the car is doing, i.e. the torque converter offers less FEEL to your foot, but you do get used to it.

SJ