[PumaGuy]

Hi, I am a Newbe to this forum and I am looking for help on deciding if to go for the new 245 bhp 330d or the 335d. I have checked through the forums but I can not find the answer I'm after.

My previous car was one of the first M-Sport 335d Coupes which I loved but was not practical enough for me. I'm now looking at getting a new Touring but I have been told by the dealer that the difference between the 330d and 335d is 'slight'. He may be right in most circumstances but he is probably going on how they felt.

My head says that given the better consumption and lower price it the logical choice. But the pathetic testosterone driven 'must-have-the-best' 'look at those rear pipes' part of me wants the 335d.

Has anyone driven them back-to-back? Is there much to choose between them? I imagine the big difference (if there is one) would be in the mid-range.

I would appreciate advice from anyone who has experience of both, but please note that I don't need opinions on what looks best etc - my head/bal*s can make that decision - it's just that I need an honest appraisal on whether the 335d is really worth the extra in terms of performance whilst taking into consideration the running costs.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by PumaGuy

Hi, I am a Newbe to this forum and I am looking for help on deciding if to go for the new 245 bhp 330d or the 335d. I have checked through the forums but I can not find the answer I'm after.

My previous car was one of the first M-Sport 335d Coupes which I loved but was not practical enough for me. I'm now looking at getting a new Touring but I have been told by the dealer that the difference between the 330d and 335d is 'slight'. He may be right in most circumstances but he is probably going on how they felt.

My head says that given the better consumption and lower price it the logical choice. But the pathetic testosterone driven 'must-have-the-best' 'look at those rear pipes' part of me wants the 335d.

Has anyone driven them back-to-back? Is there much to choose between them? I imagine the big difference (if there is one) would be in the mid-range.

I would appreciate advice from anyone who has experience of both, but please note that I don't need opinions on what looks best etc - my head/bal*s can make that decision - it's just that I need an honest appraisal on whether the 335d is really worth the extra in terms of performance whilst taking into consideration the running costs.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Carlos will be hear shortly to tell you about the differences.

Expect to learn much about quarter mile times and remapping.

[squeezebm]

Here we go !!

[MOB]

Test drive both, see which you prefer

I went for a 330d as I preferred it, but mine is the older engine

If you want 335 twin pipes £600 will get you the conversion

[PumaGuy]

I guess I'll have to book a test drive - surely fake pipes is like wearing a fake Rolex?

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by PumaGuy

I guess I'll have to book a test drive - surely fake pipes is like wearing a fake Rolex?

+1 or an M badge on a 320

[PumaGuy]

Originally Posted by MOB

Test drive both, see which you prefer

I went for a 330d as I preferred it, but mine is the older engine

If you want 335 twin pipes £600 will get you the conversion

Mob, why did you prefer the 330d over the 335d?

[MB London]

Originally Posted by squeezebm

+1 or an M badge on a 320

+2 or a woman with fake breasts (no thats not right cos we like them)

[MOB]

Originally Posted by PumaGuy

I guess I'll have to book a test drive - surely fake pipes is like wearing a fake Rolex?

LOL if you are trying to imply it's a 335 then yes, but I do prefer the twin pipe look

[MOB]

Originally Posted by PumaGuy

Mob, why did you prefer the 330d over the 335d?

the 335 is more revvy and linear, bloody quick

The 330d felt more old-school diesel - huge thrust

It really is down to personal preference - I've driven 2 335d's and a 535d and never felt like I needed to upgrade to one

[PumaGuy]

No, it will be either the 330d or 335d - not a single pipe 4-cylinder! So I guess you would call the 335d's spread pipes??!

Clarkson Quote: "The only thing worse than a fake Rolex is a real one"

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by MB London

+2 or a woman with fake breasts (no thats not right cos we like them)

Lol I like that, oh yes and I also like them !!

[MattOz]

I'd go for the new 330d over a 335d. That's mainly because I like a manual 'box rather than the auto. One of the key elements to a diesel purchase is economy. The 330d is considerably better in this aspect, especially in manual guise.

I had a 535d after my E90 330d and the 330d was just more enjoyable, and about 15mpg more economical!

Try both. The turbine like thrust of the 335d is compelling, but the 330d is a more enjoyable drive.

Matt

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by squeezebm

Here we go !!

Ii dont understand your motives for posting in this thread. A pointless contribution you just made.


PUMA, the 335d power delivery is very linear, just one linear movement it feels like. Pulls like a train with no let up. A 330d has a little lag and drives like a single turbo car.

For out and out performance the 335d is a faster car. Suits the autobox well and responds well to a tune. (As does the 330d, although ive not heard of a new 245bhp being tuned yet).

If you want a manual car, think about an M3. That suits that well.

I think by the way your posting you really want a 335d and will always think ''why didnt i'' when you saw one.


Also Try and make a 330d do this to a 335i... aint gonna happen.

(Tuned 335d left lane, stock 335i with camera)

[PumaGuy]

Hello dxb335d, that is a very compelling video. Having recently owned a car like the one on the left, you are right, I would probably be saying too often ''why didnt i''. It wasn't chipped was it?

MattOz, thanks for your reply. Interesting comments about the manual gearbox, but I must be getting old as I now prefer good auto's. I do consider the consumption - especially after last year's fuel price scare - but seeing as I don't commute far I guess it is not such an issue for me. Lets face it what other car has that much performance and averages mid-30s mpg! Mind you, the 330d's consumption is much better.

The point is that when people say you won't notice much difference in performance but the 330d returns far higher mpg then it makes you think - not forgetting the saving in purchase price.

I think I will return to my original question in that it is a balance between heart and head. I will book a test drive to help me make my mind up.

[dxb335d]

Stock for Stock 335i and 335d are evenly matched.

Modded vs Modded very evenly matched. But the Petrol has higher tunablity therefore can go quicker in the long run and with some £££.

But regarding 330d and 335d. I think you cant go far wrong with a 335d.

[Scoot]

Have a look at Coast2coast prices for M touring's and if you take into account having to spec the auto on the 330D there is bugger all in price difference.

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Ii dont understand your motives for posting in this thread. A pointless contribution you just made.


PUMA, the 335d power delivery is very linear, just one linear movement it feels like. Pulls like a train with no let up. A 330d has a little lag and drives like a single turbo car.

For out and out performance the 335d is a faster car. Suits the autobox well and responds well to a tune. (As does the 330d, although ive not heard of a new 245bhp being tuned yet).

If you want a manual car, think about an M3. That suits that well.

I think by the way your posting you really want a 335d and will always think ''why didnt i'' when you saw one.


Also Try and make a 330d do this to a 335i... aint gonna happen.

(Tuned 335d left lane, stock 335i with camera)

Ii ?? think everybody else will get it St Carlos thats the main thing as you have proved

Next.........

[alcook]

My 2 peneth is that I find the 335 paddles and auto box so driver friendly and so well suited to the car that I can find nothing bad so say about them. It makes driving hard a real pleasure... I much prefer it over a manual.

The changes up and down are simply sublime and the control you get is pretty near perfect (though there are a few 'oddities' that have to be mastered)

For a measly £380 you can go from 286 BHP to ~330 with and increase in torque to about 500 Ft Lbs. This is a conservative Superchip Bluefin, but for a few hundred more you can get a specialised map that makes the most of you car and increase these figures again.

If you want MPG, then get the 320D. There's no point getting a twin turbo 6 pot for MPG. Though mid to high 30's, even when pushing is staggering..

But that simple mod transforms the car into a real world performance motor. OK, some people will mention it's a D, the weight and the luxury barge tag, but stepping from a decently modded Scoob, I don't have the slightest wish to go back to it. Plus, as you seem to be thinking that way, you will never have to say 'I wish' when one passes you in your 330.

[G82Dude]

Hmmm, never quite understand why people compare modded cars with unmodded cars and then claim victory and say ha ha mine's faster. Not quite apples and apples. May as well put it up against a rocket car...

[dxb335d]

Well i have a video of a Modded 335i vs modded 335d if your interested.


Spose you think its pointless people moddin' VW's to make them quicker. People mod all cars, in essence to beat other cars.

[G82Dude]

Thought that might elicit a "defence" response!

I have no objection to anybody wanting to spend lots and lots of money on modding their cars - it's a personal choice based on what they want to get out of it, how long it will last and potential warranty and insurance issues. Although not quite sure what it's trying to "prove" and it's not just restricted to VWs either of course. It's just kind of funny to see the boys trying to say that their Golf GTI/Seat FR (having spent n thousand pound on mods, so the engine doesn't give in after 1,000 miles) is much faster than a stock Audi S3 for example. I live 20 miles from Great Yarmouth, so see it all the time! Is it apples and apples though: a couple of grand spent on an S3 - that's over 400BHP. And 4 wheel drive. And will eat M3s and spit them out... If you're after performance on a budget, get a cheaper stock car and mod the hell out of it I suppose and hope it lasts; if you want a "performance" car, buy one! After all, the manufacturer designs their engines to have a service life of x years and y miles - any additional stress will have a detrimental effect no matter what the likes of Superchips say.

But then, that's just my opinion. We're all different (thank god you say!).

PS the modded 335i vs the 335d would be good to see...