[Maddness]

My first post and I'm looking for some guidance please!
So I've just changed jobs and I am getting rid of my Golf R which I love but I am now going to be doing about 30,000 miles per year so the 25 mpg from the Golf is just too costly.
I had initially thought of a 335D as a more frugal but similarly quick replacement but after reading a lot of posts here I am thinking a 330D S drive might be a better replacement.
I'm in Ireland so will be buying second hand and bringing back home which means I pay Irish vehicle registration tax. It's based on Co2 and therefore a £22,000 330D will cost me about €30,000 but a £22,000 335D will cost me closer to €35,000.
I can get a LCI 2015 330 for about 19-22 depending on spec or a basic 335 for the same plus local tax. I'd like Pro Nav, HK and a few other options but they are not a deal breaker.
So what's better, a basic 2015 335 or a better spec 2015/2106 330?
Thanks
I had thought of a 430 but don't see the point in paying more for less space.

[Hooded]

Welcome to the forum

I would personally save the extra 5k registration tax and get the higher spec 330d .. unless you really need xdrive.

The sdrive 330d is almost as quick as the 335d once moving (at speeds you won't lose your licence at anyway).. in the dry at least, and will have better handling with stock suspension if you get the M Sport. Of course you can change the springs on the 335d though!

Cheers

[dopper99]

Yes many things to consider here, only you know what you want TBH at the end of the day. A few thoughts.......

Do you want more spec 330d or less spec 335d? Your choice with regards the how well spec'd you want it to be.
Slightly better fuel consumption of the 330d sdrive which is better for your 30K a year.
Dont bother with the 330d xdrive - seems pointless to me when you can get a 335d xdrive that has near identical fuel consumption.
The age old sdrive vs xdrive debate .... several threads on this.
The 335d is very quick off the mark being xdrive and will keep up with your Golf R (from personal experience of owning one )
xdrive suspension is crap straight out the box and needs ACS springs or the like. Wont handle like a Golf R lol

[goodbyalfa]

330d s drive all day. Best bang for the buck bmw make. Pro nav essential. You look at it every day and it really lifts the interior.

[goodbyalfa]

And hk audio

[MashinBenzin]

If the 430D is a GC, don't dismiss it on space grounds. The boot is much more accessible, but the rear is only for two adults.

4-series has nicer spec as standard; pro nav and electric, heated, memory seats. Frameless doors and looks make it feel a little more special.

LCI changes came in 2015 on the 3, little interior improvements that the 4 already had afaik. Make sure you get the LCI if buying a 3, at least if you can.

I'd definitely go 30d sdrive in your situation.

[DriveS]

Everyone has an opinion on this. Here is mine.

I came from the RWD 335d E92 and got fed up with the lack of traction due to having 700Nm torque.

xdrive is absolutely amazing. Love it. And when it gets colder soon I am sure I will be loving it even more.

However you may need to sort out the suspension (personal preference) with better spring and ARB

[JD6]

In the OP's situation I would probably go for a 330d sDrive, given the substantial tax penalty the 335d gets in Ireland by the sound of it. The 30d is probably 4mpg more efficient which also makes a difference for a high mileage user.

I still rate the 335d very highly, and the difference between it and the 330d is more than just pace off the line, but if it means a newer, better equipped car, the 30d is still an excellent engine and the one to go for. You could also add the BMW power kit assuming Ireland will let you do that without taking your first born.

[Ti Rich]

I have just moved from a 330d S-Drive to a 435D and do 20K a year.

Given your mileage I would go for a 330d S or 430D S. The X35d is about 10% worse off on MPG and feels much heavier to be honest.

I averaged 43 mpg out of the 330d and expect to get about 38 mpg out of the 435d as a long term average.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

If the 430D is a GC, don't dismiss it on space grounds. The boot is much more accessible, but the rear is only for two adults.

4-series has nicer spec as standard; pro nav and electric, heated, memory seats. Frameless doors and looks make it feel a little more special.

LCI changes came in 2015 on the 3, little interior improvements that the 4 already had afaik. Make sure you get the LCI if buying a 3, at least if you can.

I'd definitely go 30d sdrive in your situation.

Absolutely this. I love my 430d GC, and while it's down on power vs. the 435d, it's still way more than enough in most real-world situations.

The back does feel a little more cramped than a 3 series, but important to say that the GC is better in this regard than the 3-door coupe. The GC has 3 proper seat belt points, and a fractionally higher roofline. You can't really get 3 adults in the back, but I do a school run with 3 kids in the back, so fine for short journeys with the nippers if you have any.

Go and see one - I changed my mind from a 330d at the last minute based on having seen it in the flesh.

[Alscoob]

Somewhat bias here but I bought a 330d S drive M sport, liked the idea of the 335 but it only came as x drive & was more expensive.

At the time x drive reviews in terms of capability were....well shall we just say not a 'quattro' by comparison, couple that with the fact that the x drive has the SE springs and huge ride height, it didn't look that good to me either.

I drove both and preferred the S drive plenty of grunt and felt far more planted, mid range especially felt better than the 335 to me. Personally if if I was to consider it again I would still opt for the 330d as I feel the rear wheel drive in the general conditions today is still more of a drivers car.

If poor weather conditions and snow are a motive for the x drive, then just get some winter wheels/tyres for the s drive far better than x drive on normal tyres in same conditions.

If it's a performance thing (& coming from a Golf R it maybe) just fit the M performance pack or as I have fit the Steinbaur kit on the 330d this will take it to the same level on paper as the 335d but with much more shove in the back.

In terms of options on both I would suggest that in M sport guise, m sport + pack is a must, gives you the HK sound system, 370mm discs & blue 4 pot calipers, privacy glass (a must on the estate) & some other bits i think (heated seats).
Professional Nav, just such a better screen & functionality, Electric memory seats & electric folding heated mirrors.

There's lots of other add ons if you are tech person, but for me these are the key to enjoying the drive.

Hope it helps!

[matty81]

Id personally go for the 335d, but power and speed is more important to me, I went in a 330 and wasn't that impressed with it, you might be disappointed coming from a Golf R, the 335 will be a beast if you get it remapped

[Lynxi2k]

Have a 335d, test drove the 330d and that made my mind up so I would suggest drive them both first if you can anyway.

Yes ride height is high but gap doesn't look so noticeable on 19's and I still think it looks great. A lot of complaints re suspension, but I have found that the standard springs actually make the long drives more comfortable(compared to an E90 320d msport) and the adaptive dampers make it more than capable for twisty corners, it won't handle like a track car or M car, but nor should it.

Xdrive, superb in the wet and cold even on the standard rf tyres the grip is ridculous in the dry and you can still spin the rears if that's your thing.

330d is more than enough car as mentioned above, the 335d is probably too much in both cases but still can whack a huge smile on your face when you want it to and the rest of the time is easy and comfortable to drive as a little cruiser.

But only you will know what you want, or more importantly want to afford, but certainly drive both and see/feel the differences yourself.

HK and pro NAV essential in either case...

P.S. you will start another 330d vs 335d debate here, both great cars so you won't be disappointed in either.

[Ronstein]

Originally Posted by Lynxi2k

Have a 335d, test drove the 330d and that made my mind up so I would suggest drive them both first if you can anyway.

Yes ride height is high but gap doesn't look so noticeable on 19's and I still think it looks great. A lot of complaints re suspension, but I have found that the standard springs actually make the long drives more comfortable(compared to an E90 320d msport) and the adaptive dampers make it more than capable for twisty corners, it won't handle like a track car or M car, but nor should it.

Xdrive, superb in the wet and cold even on the standard rf tyres the grip is ridculous in the dry and you can still spin the rears if that's your thing.

330d is more than enough car as mentioned above, the 335d is probably too much in both cases but still can whack a huge smile on your face when you want it to and the rest of the time is easy and comfortable to drive as a little cruiser.

But only you will know what you want, or more importantly want to afford, but certainly drive both and see/feel the differences yourself.

HK and pro NAV essential in either case...

P.S. you will start another 330d vs 335d debate here, both great cars so you won't be disappointed in either.

This.

335D has a little extra roll, but ride comfort is the payback. X-Drive grip is astonishing in all conditions. Only car I've driven that you can floor on a wet corner and it it just grips and goes - no drama. I've has several local run-ins with M3's and M4's on damp/wet roads and they're not even close

[Maddness]

Thanks for all the advice, certainly lots of passionate 330/335D owners here.
I'm leaning more towards a 330D M sport with a nice spec or even a 430 I feel it's within budget.

[smithers330d]

Originally Posted by Maddness

Thanks for all the advice, certainly lots of passionate 330/335D owners here.
I'm leaning more towards a 330D M sport with a nice spec or even a 430 I feel it's within budget.

Good man! You won't be disappointed, and with a good remap or tuning box, the 30d can hold its own against a 35d anyway (albeit a standard one).

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by Maddness

Thanks for all the advice, certainly lots of passionate 330/335D owners here.
I'm leaning more towards a 330D M sport with a nice spec or even a 430 I feel it's within budget.

I would get one that was built after Jul/Aug 2015 and is an LCI. There is virtually no price differential between that and the pre-LCI, but at least you will have the current model. IMO, the lights look better and there are supposedly many changes "under the skin" that you might not be aware of. I think that they all have pro nav as well.

There is also very little price difference between Xdrive and Sdrive, but it seems like there is a small price to pay in terms of MPG, perhaps 3mpg.

[Cero ceto]

I own the 335d m sport plus and love it, owned the 330 prior to this and they are both great engines. The only advice I will give you is DO NOT BUY EITHER WITHOUT THE HEAD UP DISPLAY (HUD). It's brilliant

[kevinm03]

I was in your position 6 months ago. I was coming out of a Performance Pack GTI. The tax, vrt and fuel penalty on a x35d is too high here. I was looking in the UK too. I would only buy from a BMW dealer so that warranty work can be done in Ireland. BMW Ireland are a subdivision of BMW UK, hence why the spec is the same in both countries, and warranties are honoured here. Just note that the used dealer warranty in the UK is only 1 year versus 2 years on cars sold in Ireland.

I bought a 162 430d in Ireland in the end. The deal I got meant there was no saving in going to the UK. With flights, the ferry and fuel, it costs the bones of €1k going over for a car. Also you are pretty committed if you go over and teh dealer knows it.

A remapped x30d will be very similar to a Golf R in a straight line. I saw a 12-15mpg improvement in the 430d over the GTI so you will get nearly 20mpg over the R.

There are very few 330d's in Ireland but a lot of 430d's for some reason. If you do buy in the UK, you have to ring BMW up to get the car switched from the UK ConnectedDrive website to the Irish one.

Where are you based?

[Maddness]

Originally Posted by kevinm03

I was in your position 6 months ago. I was coming out of a Performance Pack GTI. The tax, vrt and fuel penalty on a x35d is too high here. I was looking in the UK too. I would only buy from a BMW dealer so that warranty work can be done in Ireland. BMW Ireland are a subdivision of BMW UK, hence why the spec is the same in both countries, and warranties are honoured here. Just note that the used dealer warranty in the UK is only 1 year versus 2 years on cars sold in Ireland.

I bought a 162 430d in Ireland in the end. The deal I got meant there was no saving in going to the UK. With flights, the ferry and fuel, it costs the bones of €1k going over for a car. Also you are pretty committed if you go over and teh dealer knows it.

A remapped x30d will be very similar to a Golf R in a straight line. I saw a 12-15mpg improvement in the 430d over the GTI so you will get nearly 20mpg over the R.

There are very few 330d's in Ireland but a lot of 430d's for some reason. If you do buy in the UK, you have to ring BMW up to get the car switched from the UK ConnectedDrive website to the Irish one.

Where are you based?

I'm in Dublin.

[225]

If you are going to be in the car alot then I'd go for a newer 330d with a better spec. Pro nav makes the difference in terms if looks and definately HK. As mentioned a 330d with msport plus and pro NAV should be doable as its a common spec and anything else on top is a bonus.

Look at the Surrey rr results thread and the 330d lump really responds well to a tuning box and even in std guise it gives a nice kick in the back.

You know the x40i lump is suprisingly frugal and can easily hit mid 30s on a motorway.....

[ADS-UK]

I'd say go for 430d any day. Best car I've owned for the past 12 years. Maybe you have