[European320d]

I will buy the E90 in the next few months here in Belgium (most likely in august). I'm still hesitating whether to buy the 320d (163 HP) or the 330d (231 HP). In fact, I have driven the 320d and like it a lot but I've never driven the 330d: would this be a major difference?

The price difference would be a few thousand euro's (taken into acccount the extra options I would have standard on the 330d).

My main question is about motor performance and if the difference is noticeable and worthwile... will I enjoy the 330d really more than the 320d?

(Right now I have a satisfying 2-year experience with the E46 320d 150 HP)

Best regards,

Werner

[James Bond]

The best tip for you: Also drive the 330d, after this the decision will be easier
for you.
I had the same engine in my Ex-120d and I wasn´t disappointed!
And before I drove the "old" 2-litre-Diesel in the touring, but with 5 gears...
the same best experience as yours.
The German 330d-owners are very satisfied with the new machine, so they
will certainly recommend the "big" engine, no question.

[Broken1]

Well, the 330d has alot more power and more torque. If you do alot of driving in open roads, where you can use the power then I think it's worth it. Cars however, are an expense. If you are happy with a 320d, and you think it has enough power - there isn't much more enjoyment in a 330d. Rather take the spare money, invest it and in 4 years time you could be buying something alot nicer.

Alternatively, take the extra money - take yourself overseas, or buy a camera or use it to buy some goodies for the car.

Clearly it seems it's not down to money - in my case it was, as a 330d was 1/3 more expensive than a 320d making it way out of budget (R100 000more). I'm very happy with my 320d, it's such a fun car.

I leave it planted in 4th, and just cruise. When I see a nice sweeping bend, tap the accelerator and let the torque pull me through the corner. There isn't a better feeling. (Ok ok maybe revving that straight six to 7000rpm, but we are talking tractors here)

[- Paul -]

Originally Posted by Broken1

but we are talking tractors here)

[stressdoc]

The 330d is faaasst! That is a serious sports car. 320d is a joy for its efficiency.

[jjbirch]

330d will win hands down, but you are paying more, if i was going for one ill get the 320m sport gonna be cheaper than the 330d se but i do like the 330d power so i remapped my 320d to 200bhp and it keeps up with 328i no problem,and does 50mpg,very pleased, insure gonna be cheaper too, only a 4cl not 6cl

[Paul330d]

The 330d is very expensive and, frankly, offers 'too much' power. However, buying a BMW in the first place is an indulgence, so why not go the whole hog & get the one you really want. I rarely use all the power I have at my disposal but still intend getting a remap to push output to 285hp/610Nm from this guy in Belgium, as soon as my car has done 5000km. Why? Because I just love having all that power available 'just in case'. If BMW made a V8 340d, I'd be first in line

[N1]

Over 200 hp is always other match but the investment could be unworthy if you make city driving for 50 % / 70 %. In everyday use the 2.0 is enough but the 3.0 is up LOL

[ital320d]

I think the 320d is more reliable than the 330d. At least that's what the dealer told me. I've driven the 330d, yes it is more powerful, but the 320d is quieter and engines revs more fluidly. (My 2 cents)

[Paul330d]

Originally Posted by ital320d

The 320d is quieter and engines revs more fluidly. (My 2 cents)

At 140kph the level inside the cabin of the 330d is 67.3dD, whereas in the 320d it is 69dB. I agree with you on the revs though; fewer cylinders will always rev more easily, since there is less inertia. That's why a 1-cylinder scooter revs to the max in a split second.

[N1]

And the final arguement was that i would lose more money in resale value. As the car is the worst investment, 59.375 EUR and the resale value is one item to think about, the gap here was by 20.000 EUR, i choosed 2.0. But in germany i would have bought the 330d to make the freeways / autobahn with other power as they dont have the problem of speed limit as we have. A few behave like jerks and we pay because of them.

[medrep]

A freind of mine onced owned a subaru impreza wrx sti, and claims his new 330d is quicker 'on the move'!

You will go through tyres very quickly though,i'm going through a set of rears (michelin ps2) approx every 15k miles, and mines only a 320d!

If you can, get the 330d!

[Carnage]

Go for it all. Get the 330!

[Paul330d]

Originally Posted by medrep

A freind of mine onced owned a subaru impreza wrx sti, and claims his new 330d is quicker 'on the move'!

I can believe that: at normal driving speeds (say, 30-70mph), the 330d feels just like the e39 M5 my dealer used to give me as a loaner. Of course both cars have identical torque.

[Broken1]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

I can believe that: at normal driving speeds (say, 30-70mph), the 330d feels just like the e39 M5 my dealer used to give me as a loaner. Of course both cars have identical torque.

*jelous*

[Senninho]

I see you're from Brussels. Then you must know Jean Michel Martin
and guess what he sells: the Alpina B3. The ideal compromise between a 320d and a 330d.

[Paul330d]

Surely the whole point of buying a BMW is not to compromise

[Senninho]

perhaps, but that is exactly one of the gaps that Alpina is trying to fill

[dtelle]

one more time, i am asking me why BMW didn't release a 325d???
Otherwise i am driving my 320d on french, Belgium and german highway.

the 2.0 is fine in all case, but on GErman Highway in order to avoid to be pushed by a "big" 6cyl diesel on the left line, i need to shift 1 gear down ( when you need to accelerate after a slower car leave you a clear left line...). For sure the 330d is in this case the must. But i chosed a 320d because of the taxes in BElgium (TMC) and since i am driving a lot ( about 35000 kms/year) the lower consumption of the 2.0d (6,9 L/100 kms - 145 km/h mean speed )was my choose in order to keep my money for other purposes.....

[Paul330d]

The 325d should be arriving in September. I personally can't see the point, but BMW must have researched the market.

[dtelle]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

The 325d should be arriving in September. I personally can't see the point, but BMW must have researched the market.

For sure the market is existing!!!

Depending of the country the 3.0D is much more taxed (i didn't speak about insurance prices which are of course higher)
a lot of driver want a 6cyl but are not sure that they need the 500 Nm of the 3.0
the price gap 320-330d is high and a lot of people have to make a compromise (330d with less extra). I know i am speaking about compromise...at least sometimes you have to find a compromise with your bank

both engine (2.0 and 3.0) are excellent...but since there is a 318i,320i,325i and 330i why not a 325d ?
For sure it will make the pleasure to drive a 6cyl diesel less exclusiv and could reduce the 330d sales

[vant]

If you can afford the extra € on the purchase and the taxes, I would go with the 330d. I drive a 320d Touring and am not that impressed at all with the performance... Especially in 3th and 4th it is a bit of a lame car... You need to shift down and rev it up to the redline in order to keep up with others. I still think there is something wrong with my car (failing turbo pressure???) but my father in law (who has been a car mechanic all his life) drove it and said it is fine and that it only needs to loosen up a bit more (even after 18.000km...).