[gtsussex]

My car's gone back in (again) for a buzzing noise to be rectified.

As a replacement I have a Manual 318d Sport. It's been interesting comparing both ends of the 3 series ladder and my ultimate conclusion.

I moan in the 335d about the lack of refinement and the tyre noise primarily because of how much the car cost me. Funny thing is the tyre noise in this car is near non existent compared to my car and I'm just willing to accept slight wind noise at higher speeds as this is a £30k car and not one that retailed the wrong side of £50k.

Performance wise, it's perfectly acceptable. Okay it's not ballistic like mine but it surprised me how nippy it was. MPG I'm kicking around late 50's with ease.

Suspension wise, it's a lot nicer than my car. Just up the road from the dealer, we've got speed ramps and it doesn't wallow. For a standard setup, it's much better.

So what do I miss? Sunroof, heated seats and Pro Nav are first things that struck me. Also dipping passenger mirror to avoid curbs. Interior is cloth and actually all the better for it. I've never been a bit fan of Dakota leather and there's something rather nice about the interior with cloth in not pretending to be anything it's not and somehow the plastics work better.

And that's the thing. This car is not trying to punch above its station and is all the very much more attractive for it. I've actually really fallen in love with it.

This has brought even more dilemma in the should I/shouldn't I buy M3/4 debate as it brings home just how much money it is for a 3 series. I actually have been seeing what else my money would buy - it's been fun and eye-opening.

Yesterday was a beautiful 2 yr old V12 Vantage - monthlies worked out near identical (yes I know it's more to run). The noise!! Dear God!

All food for thought but if you've got a 318d and feel jealous about people having 335's (i or d), don't be. You're driving a damn good car and are quids in every month as well. Sounds like a smart move to me.

[dopper99]

Interesting to hear your thoughts on the 318d Guy....

Although, I'm guessing a 320d would be a better bet? Its only 10kg heavier but performance 0-62 is 7.5 vs 9.0....
...but then its more to buy I suppose.......but should handle about the same?

So, you shopping yours in any time soon for one....

[J33lus]

318d is a good all rounder, however I am struggling to make 44mpg.

Car has just over 2500 miles, so hopefully will improve as mileage increases.

[Nick the Greek]

Interesting observations.
The sweet spot of any car range is rarely the most expensive version.

[Meds]

Curious now. Wondering how much different a 325d is compared to a 318d.

[vigalent]

I've had my 318d sport for just over a year now (coming from e90 320d), and I must say I'm more than happy with it.

It has got a few extras including pro nav so it makes up in a few departments.

So far it's averaging 58.9 mpg (approaching 42k miles) which is outstanding.

If I didn't do 25k+ miles a year, I'd be tempted with something more exotic

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Interesting to hear your thoughts on the 318d Guy....

Although, I'm guessing a 320d would be a better bet? Its only 10kg heavier but performance 0-62 is 7.5 vs 9.0....
...but then its more to buy I suppose.......but should handle about the same?

So, you shopping yours in any time soon for one....

Funny thing really is that I'm not that fussed about having my car back. I'm not missing it at all (apart from heated bum, pro nav and sunroof).

Apart from lack of refinement and crap suspension, my 335d does most things pretty well but value for money there's no contest here. It's been an eye opener.

[Torquein]

Originally Posted by J33lus

318d is a good all rounder, however I am struggling to make 44mpg.

Car has just over 2500 miles, so hopefully will improve as mileage increases.

WOW my 330d is hitting 42 at 1200 mls ish and I've not been shy with the right foot. I'd have that back to the dealer!

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Funny thing really is that I'm not that fussed about having my car back. I'm not missing it at all (apart from heated bum, pro nav and sunroof).

Apart from lack of refinement and crap suspension, my 335d does most things pretty well but value for money there's no contest here. It's been an eye opener.

I know what you mean. When my old E90 330d was in the dealers for some work I had a 1 series (old shape) on loan. I think it was the "Olympic performance edition" or something. It was only a 118d but had sport suspension - but - what FUN!! Soooo much more chuckable than my old 330d and the only thing I really missed was the power of the 330d.

[pmgreenwood]

It is why the likes of What Car and Autocar recommend the 320D over the 330d etc.

I prefer the phrase "all the car you need for the real world". Every time I do a long journey at the end I ask myself what opportunities were there to use and what need was there for the extra power of the 6 cylinders compared with the fuel and insurance costs and better balance of the 4 cylinders.

Also the 6 cylinders are more likely to be over tyred. A friend much preferred to ride in my old E91 320 D Se than another friend's E92 335D M sport.

[Torquein]

I had an e90 118d for a few weeks and it also surprised me, great fun but given the choice and with the very low traffic volumes in NI (compared to the mainland generally) the bigger engine is more often usable.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Funny thing really is that I'm not that fussed about having my car back. I'm not missing it at all (apart from heated bum, pro nav and sunroof).

Apart from lack of refinement and crap suspension, my 335d does most things pretty well but value for money there's no contest here. It's been an eye opener.

One of the main issues with the 335d (amongst other things) is weight. At over 1700kg it’s a big of a porker…..(and it obviously doesn’t help with standard suspension and high centre of gravity etc.......). I've no doubt this reduces the fun factor.

Looking up the new M3 weight it seems to be around 1520kg. If that is the case then that’s just 35kg more than the 318d you are driving at the moment – BUT - with M fettled suspension……I’d be looking forward to that test drive, for sure if I were you!!!!!!!

[MWA]

I have to agree with you their mate. My 335d is in for some bits, and as a loaner I got an F31 318d M Sport with 19's. automatic.

Pretty basic specs, compared to mine, and felt extremely sluggish when I jumped in from the 335d, however it took a day and soon I was used to it. It drove fantastically, fast enough for our roads, handled perfectly. Although at first i felt the ride very firm and almost felt sick on the first journey (coming from adaptive) I did get used to it.

Would happily buy and use a 318d and or an F31.

Things I didn't like, the non sports automatic gear stick, felt like crap, proper plasticky. The dash looks old dated without the black panel display. The rest of the 10k optional extras i got, I could have lived without

[Jack_is_Back]

Interesting discussion.

I seriously considered a 320d before opting for the 330d, after all, who really needs the power of a big 3-litre 6-pot engine? For how much of your driving do you use that power, and even then do you need to use it?

In the end I went for the 330d, figuring the extra power and refinement would prevent me getting bored too quickly, whilst still having reasonable running costs. Still many days go by when I could have been driving a 310d for all the power I've needed.

You could also argue that nobody needs a car as luxurious as a 3-series at all, but that's a whole other argument...

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by dopper99

One of the main issues with the 335d (amongst other things) is weight. At over 1700kg it’s a big of a porker…..(and it obviously doesn’t help with standard suspension and high centre of gravity etc.......). I've no doubt this reduces the fun factor.

Looking up the new M3 weight it seems to be around 1520kg. If that is the case then that’s just 35kg more than the 318d you are driving at the moment – BUT - with M fettled suspension……I’d be looking forward to that test drive, for sure if I were you!!!!!!!

Just had letter through from BMW this morning - 21st June (or 52 sleeps...). Well it'll actually be longer as demo needs to get some miles on before I drive it. The one thing I am really interested in finding out (non performance related) is how noisy the tyres are - mine's unbearable on M25 Junc 8 area concrete - can't hear yourself think. This 318d is massively quieter. Be interesting to see what non runflats on the M3/4 are like.

And I might just be interested in seeing what the handling's like....

BUT in the back of my head, I still can't shake the cost...

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

The one thing I am really interested in finding out (non performance related) is how noisy the tyres are - mine's unbearable on M25 Junc 8 area concrete - can't hear yourself think. This 318d is massively quieter. Be interesting to see what non runflats on the M3/4 are like.
...

I was there last week too!!! Why are they so noisy? I mentioned this on my initial test drive but the salesman couldn't believe what I was saying. He thought they were much quieter than most cars on the road. Although he would say that I guess!
I just don't want to get rid of my RF tyres as I know I'll get a flatty straight away

[happycow6171]

What sort of monthlies are they quoting for the m3 m4, m products are bespoke sports cars 335d isn't but it fulfils my neeeds.

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by happycow6171

What sort of monthlies are they quoting for the m3 m4, m products are bespoke sports cars 335d isn't but it fulfils my neeeds.

Was in the £1,200's but I was also trading in my car so straight swap out. Another year down the line, I'd expect it about £200-250 cheaper.

[chiark]

Only on here could you have a thread starting with the position "a 318d is all you need" and then get to a post asking what the monthlies on an M3 or M4 would be

[Eccles Ken]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

It is why the likes of What Car and Autocar recommend the 320D over the 330d etc.

I prefer the phrase "all the car you need for the real world". Every time I do a long journey at the end I ask myself what opportunities were there to use and what need was there for the extra power of the 6 cylinders compared with the fuel and insurance costs and better balance of the 4 cylinders.

Also the 6 cylinders are more likely to be over tyred. A friend much preferred to ride in my old E91 320 D Se than another friend's E92 335D M sport.

I saw a motoring journalist used a near phrase "is this the best car you would ever need in the real world" about a year ago BUT he used it about the 330D I'm afraid because he insisted on top performance as well as economy etc. etc. I think the same applies to the 335D whch is why I bought one!!

[chrisymarr]

Getting one in two weeks time when my 330d is in for a service, actually looking forward to trying it lol

[FSE23]

I bet all you need would be fex. Vauxhall Astra diesel with 60+ mpg and much cheaper than BMW, or maybe Focus, especially a one year old. Is it not car enthusiast forum anymore?
We agreed sometime ago that what we need and what we want are two different things usually on the opposite side. Who in this country would need anything faster than 10s to 60mph? how many times in your everyday driving you can go faster than that? So basically everything above the level of £20k is the total waste of money.
But I'm happy that I wasted around £30k