thanks all, I'll just wait for the cycle to come around and more stock to make it's way on to forecourts and auctions.
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As others have said, (please!) consider the E39 530d (Sport).
Mine is a manual on the standard 17's and the ride is superb - really!
Extremely capable of naughty speeds (so I'm told!), yet returns 40 - 42mpg.
Good luck with whatever you decide on though.
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Sold it recently with 65k for £11500.
if that was the 3.0 version, and the car was is good condition, the buyer got a fantastic deal. You would pay a lot higher at the auctions.
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The thinking man's 330d is the old shape 530d, far more understated a prettier car and probably the best car, dynamically and astheticallly ever made for under a 100k. They are less of a "problem" for the ill-informed anti-BMW brigade.
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I tried a 330D Sport Saloon for a weekend a few years ago but found the suspension way too hard. Very quick and handled nicely but in the end I bought a Merc C270 CDI
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I know the craze is for 18" alloys and sport suspension, but by far the best compomise for ride/handling is to opt for the standard SE spec which has a far more comfortable ride, zero tramlining and standard wheels - so IMHO try the 330d SE before opting for the sport version, but as PU has already mentioned, go for an E39 5 Series for the best BMW made to date.
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Agree the E39 5 is a great car, have to say though, my current E46 330i has it knocked into a cocked hat for handling, and performance. The old 5 did however, feel more relaxed over bumps, however the standard SE E46 set up on 17" alloys is still very good.
Watch for uneven front tyre wear and check wheels are balanced correctlyetc. BMWs seem to have a very sensitive front end set up. Unless everything is spot on, the can shimmy through the car or steering wheel. 55 - 75mph seems to be the most common window for the shimmy problem...
Good luck with the 330d hunt. Bag yourself a good one!
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Just sold mine - very reluctantly - to fund some serious home improvements...
As others have said, a brilliant 'real world' car combining useful economy with a good drive and practicality. Mine was expensive to keep in tiptop nick. It had a MAF go, needed a new propshaft coupling, demanded expensive tyres (I had the SE soec Touring with 18" wheels) and the BMW services can be pricey, even at independents. It had wishbone wear and replacing worn out braking components wasn't cheap either! Oh, and the parking sensors often go.
But, if you buy right and get a good warranty they're a great motor. Standard stereo system tends to be rubbish too. The Sport spec is the one to have but it has a hard ride on large wheels - so the SE spec is a great compromise. Xenons are a useful option and leather is a must!
They really have a classic shape, especially the facelift models which cames with a bit more grunt as well. I had a manual but the auto drives very well. It's a fair bit thirstier so decide whether ultimate economy is important to you.
Keep your eyes peeled on the BMWLand Forum at www.bmwland.co.uk
Good luck!
R
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Revisting this thread now that I'm in a position to buy soon.
I was thinking I'd try buying at one of the BCA auction sites, can anyone suggest which sites and which sale days will be most likely to turn up 330d saloons or tourings?
Thanks,
Lou
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