330d SE

You may see a few coupes around, but there is a good reason for it.

I have now had my E92 330d for over 3 years and completed 68,000 miles. I buy cars for people for a living, so I get to drive everything including the odd DB9 etc. I still think this is this best thing around and would buy another tomorrow if it were not were for the fact mine is still as good as new.
My car has an unusual spec. manual box with prof. nav. telematics, sports leather seats,folding mirrors, dreaded 19 inch alloys and automatic lights to name a few options. It cost £42,000 new and now would trade at around £12k. It must be the second hand bargain.
I appreaciate all things relating to speed are relative, however I would venture to say it still feels very fast. with superb in gear overtaking ability. Whats not to like about 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. Average MPG is 42 which for a car of this pace, is only surpassed by the newer models with efficient dynamics. No whines,knocks squeaks or rattles, just superb.
First set of boots lasted 28,000 miles, and that is driven enthusiastically, so not as heavy as some commentators might have you believe. I destroyed one alloy, replaced from ebay at a cost of £120. The first I knew about it was a slow puncture which showed up on the automatic tyre pressure sensor as air was leaking through the hairline crack. BMW not interested.
Ride is superb, just watch out for potholes. Bit like being a motorcyclist in that regard.
Metallic black paint is still superb, gets waxed every few months and lives outside. Divers seat bolster leather needs blacking out every now and again but still in excellent condition.
Build quality out of this world, only issue In have had is 2 worn suspension bushes caused by our poor Fenland roads, the parts were less than £90.
So much is excellent about these cars that much gets overlooked. For example the front discs are original with pads lasting me 60,000 miles, I really use the excellent brakes, massive front discs are superb. Strong cam chain engine which is just so well engineered. I regularly see ex police 530ds sell at the sales with mileages exceeding 250,000 and super sounding engines.
All the ancillary switches are still like new and in all I cannot praise these cars quality high enough, especially for the price.
In summary, I have friends with faster cars but the bills are so large the do not get enjoyed as much. The biggest joke must be either my friend with a 54 Maserati 4.2 V8, who averages 11 mpg and gets service bills that you would not believe or maybe my other friend with a 59 plate Nissan Skyline who has lost 20k in depreciation over 9,000 miles, 2 services a one £2k set of tyres! That would take any fun out od it for me.

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