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Petrol, unless you're doing big mileage or running costs are a primary consideration. The 330 makes a nicer noise, and is smoother, quieter and ultimately faster.
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Personally i would much rather the diesel version
However, as someone buying an executive sports saloon may not be too bothered by economy, and i can accept that the driving style required to 'enjoy' a diesel car may not be to everyones tastes, there's one more pointer that hasnt been mentioned yet -
Range. Basically you will have to visit a fuel station about once every 550(i'm guessing) miles as compared to maybe every 350ish in the petrol version. That can be useful if you travel large distances, or simply if you don't like the hassle of queueing for the pump!
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What sort of driving do you do?
I hate diesels, but if you're doing lots of motorway miles one might make sense.
However, in the urban jungle (or on twisty roads) petrol is king.
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However, in the urban jungle (or on twisty roads) petrol is king.
Er, no. I rarely change gear around town and on the open road I just leave mine (156 2.4JTD) in 3rd or 4th (depends on the road) and let the huge range of torque do the rest. I love hammering it along twisty roads.
'slovely.
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It also depends if you go abraod in it much. If so, diesel is far cheaper in nearly all continental European countries, by quite some margin.
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I drove progressivly more powerful petrol 3s as my age increased over the last decade and a half. When I went for the 330d I read all the tests but was unconvinced. I drove one on a test-drive and I never looked back, I have never loved a car so much.
It hurt to give it back (although it did stay in family). A delight to burn off so called sports cars on bendy bits. And nothing approached it on Motorways (except perhaps and only perhaps my current 530d). Superb car in every respect. The best engine in the business.
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What sort of driving do you do? I hate diesels, but if you're doing lots of motorway miles one might make sense. However, in the urban jungle (or on twisty roads) petrol is king.
Indeed petrol is the joker. Try common rail my friend, just try.
Regards.
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Tango, Outright enjoyment - No Brainer - Petrol Compromise - 330D - much better value for money, all that torque low down - much lower running costs. The most important thing that one must never forget is that if you are buying a sports saloon for 25k pounds economy is everything. If you cover average miles pa you will probably save several hundred pounds a year. But then you knew that of course!! The diesel Ferrari(when produced) will be fantastic and will probably get over 50 mpg and you will never need to rev above 2500rpm - thats what a sports car is all about. C
I do love it when the pro petrol lobby gets all technical and objective. That is as opposed to retorting with sarcasm as per normal.
Horses 4 courses imo. No single right / wrong answer.
FiF
(both diesel & petrol in our stable)
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I suppose the sentiments can be expressed as this:
As he drove down the sweeping A road, the throaty diesel engine revving to manic 4000 rpm, as Jeff (the most senior of local sales reps) rushed the gearbox into 4th sending another puff of thick, black soot into the air. 'Eat my sulphur' shouted jeff to the Mondeo behind. 'pah, wannabe BMW driver' he exclaimed. Suddenly Jeff, alarmed, heard the thunking noise similar to a tractor crossed with a washing machine filled with bolts. Oh no, dont worry he thought. Thats just the diesel engine.
Suddenly the fuel guage started flashing. 600 miles. Yep, time for a fill up. Better put the gloves on like a proctologist so as not to have hands covered in muck like i've milked a male dog.
£60 and 5 mins later he sat with pride. 600 miles on a single tank. nice. Then he slowly trundled off on the wave of torque....
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See what I mean :)
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yeah i do add a bit of sarcasm but i'm in the same dilemma. I wouldnt know which one to pick as i've heard some very good things about the diesel. My local independent said its cheaper to service than the petrol version too.
I did mention the wave of torque, the big range. But also the negatives of soot, diesel fill ups and low revs.
The rep thing was at BMW's generally ;-)...
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OK Pheonicks.
I'll put the wooden spoon away and get my coat. (you can assume smileys wherever you like )
Interesting that low revs are cited as a negative. For example one (ahem) interesting road on the way to work is a single carriageway NSL. Never above 3rd gear for me and that includes up to the limit (honest ossifer) still with plenty to go.
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I like torque but i do like to rev an engine. Its less frustrating in a Petrol version. Whenever i driven a diesel (and i've driven a few) its gets a bit tense when you suddenly realise you hit the rev limiter when overtaking.....
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I like torque but i do like to rev an engine. Its less frustrating in a Petrol version. Whenever i driven a diesel (and i've driven a few) its gets a bit tense when you suddenly realise you hit the rev limiter when overtaking.....
If you've hit the rev limiter you haven't changed up when required old boy!
Regards.
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I suppose the sentiments can be expressed as this: As he drove down the sweeping A road, the throaty diesel engine revving to manic 4000 rpm, as Jeff (the most senior of local sales reps) rushed the gearbox into 4th sending another puff of thick, black soot into the air. 'Eat my sulphur' shouted jeff to the Mondeo behind. 'pah, wannabe BMW driver' he exclaimed. Suddenly Jeff, alarmed, heard the thunking noise similar to a tractor crossed with a washing machine filled with bolts. Oh no, dont worry he thought. Thats just the diesel engine. Suddenly the fuel guage started flashing. 600 miles. Yep, time for a fill up. Better put the gloves on like a proctologist so as not to have hands covered in muck like i've milked a male dog. £60 and 5 mins later he sat with pride. 600 miles on a single tank. nice. Then he slowly trundled off on the wave of torque....
Me thinks you're not well!
Regards.
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FiF
Sarcasm? facetiousness? humour? or teasing?
C
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Nice to see there is a board looking at the 330i's from bmw - i was going to post a topic on this, as this is most likely what my dad is going to swap his E36 M3 for.
I personally think the 330D is the better car - and its endorsed by jenson button...:D But seriously, the torque issue has got to be a + and also the MPG has got to be significantly better. However, I think my dad will go for the petrol - coming from an M3, hes has a job convincing himself he needs an estate, let alone a diesel :D
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I have a 204 bhp 330d Touring. Swapped it last week for a few days for a new 330i Sport. Lovely noise (hard suspension) and quite economical. Maybe quicker 0-60 but in real world driving the 330d is much more tractable, economical and holds its value better too. Quite a few car mags rate the 330d as one of the best cars in the real world and I agree. You need to rack up quite a few miles on each and any dealer (stealer) worth its salt will let you spend some time with both.
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FiF Sarcasm? facetiousness? humour? or teasing? C
C,
You tell me, I was teasing, all in the best possible taste of course. ;)
I do find it amusing though, and others have commented before in a similar vein.
USA! are we V6/V8/V10?
my renter this week is a petrol 1.6 veedub, flat as a pha....
FiF
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>> FiF >> Sarcasm? facetiousness? humour? or teasing? >> C >> C, You tell me, I was teasing, all in the best possible taste of course. ;) I do find it amusing though, and others have commented before in a similar vein. USA! are we V6/V8/V10? my renter this week is a petrol 1.6 veedub, flat as a pha.... FiF
FiF,
Well I like to think it is a combination of teasing and humour.
If I could be serious on the diesel v petrol debate. Firstly I have owned diesels in UK since the days when you stopped at the truck DERV pumps and the attendant ran out to tell you that it was the wrong fuel you were putting in the car.
I am fully aware of the huge strides the common rail engine has made and they are an eminently sensible compromise between performance and economy. I have driven recent diesel cars from Merc/BMW/VW/Peugeot and an enormous V8 Ford? pickup here in the USA. I am also aware of the different driving technique required with the need to keep changing gear to use that torque.
That said I personally prefer the free revving smooth characteristics of a petrol engine. As you say its a matter of personal choice.
IMO there are many in the Backroom who overstate the performance aspects of diesels e.g. a 130 VW diesel has the same performance as a VW 190BHP turbo and other claims about the Merc 320D performance - faster on a race track etc.
What I do take exception to is those contributors in the BR(usually owners of a diesel with a vested interest) who attempt to ridicule as uninformed anyone who feels petrol has certain advantages over diesel. The recent thread in which Clarkson was rational , but critical, of the BMW 530D from a performance aspect brought forth the typical howls of protest - he doesn't know how to drive a diesel etc.
What am I driving here? A 2004 Chrysler 300M V6 3.5l 255BHP which is as nice as most of the US barges I have driven - apart from the chromed wheels. I don't think its a diesel!
C
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www.channel4.com/apps26/4car/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=211&...3
News item on the 330d!
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Will this beemer be an automatic?
Good-sized diesels come into their own with an automatic transmission, you need the torque converter to stop that heartsinking lag.
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A couple of people have mentioned nasty diesel fill-up's.
I had a 306DTurbo for 10,000 miles and had absolutely no problems filling the tank, if anything its easier as the petrol nozzles i now need for my petrol Escort (economics forced the change) seem to drip everywhere.
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Just like to comment on that Clarkson piece - (I may have said this before here)
That car had 200+bhp, 300+ lbs/ft torque, did 0-60 in 7 secs, top speed 152 mph.
It cannot be possible to not be able to drive quickly in a car with those attributes, but he reckoned he couldn't.
Autocar.com has the following on their website:
The best car in the real world
Category: On the road
Spent the weekend driving in Austria and Germany: it was great to be in a country where BMWs have no image problem, where they fit in perfectly with the conditions and the culture, where they can just be brilliant cars with no question marks attached (in my mind at least).
There can be no denying there is an image issue with BMWs in the UK: they are often driven by pushy fools who care not a single jot for any other human being on earth. The badge is coveted, yes, but by people who tend to drive without courtesy, to whom image is all, and they'll barge their way past you without a thought for your wellbeing on their way to their next big decision. If you own a BMW and are reading this, you are excluded from this sweeping generalisation, because you've bought the car because it's a great car... you're interested in it, in other words.
Bombing along the autobahn in my 330d Touring automatic, I couldn't help thinking that it might well be the best car in the (real) world. Perfect size, useful space inside with two snowboards and a big chunk of luggage swallowed easily, engine giving over 35mpg at a steady quick cruise and a big fuel tank giving a long touring range. Comfortable, quiet, fast, economical, nimble, well-made, good-looking, spacious and (important, I suppose) wearing a coveted badge. Best car on the planet? No arguments from me.
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