[E92Dan]

Nice choice.

Evolve will give you 300bhp+ and 500lb ft of torque

[bazz780]

Originally Posted by E92Dan

Nice choice.

Evolve will give you 300bhp+ and 500lb ft of torque

i have been to evolve with my previous 335d which resulted in 341bhp 530 ft of torque, it was insanely quick!

[MattOz]

I was in a similar dilemma when I sold my M5. Didn't know whether to go 330i, 335i or 330d. All had to be manual as I can't stand Autos. Eventually went for a 330d. It was a known quantity, having had a couple in years gone by.

Naturally after the M5 anything is going to feel slow, but the 330d has been a great car so far. It's a pre-LCi E90 with lots of spec to keep me happy and it just eats up the miles. It's also 200%+ more economical than the M5, so that helps!

In your position, I'd probably go 330d, but wouldn't dismiss the 330i. I've driven an LCi 330i manual and it was a lovely thing. Prefer the delivery of the 330i to the 335i. Somehow purer and more refined. Just a shame BMW has ditched it now.

Happy hunting!

[Not a Diesel!!!]

I got a LCI 330i manual.

I do little miles & to be fair it don't even get warmed up.

But when I get a chance to rev it wow. I am old enough to remember M cars with high revving straight 6 engines being the cream of the crop and the power output of the 3.0 people are dismissing is not far off what the M cars through the 80's and 90's were putting out.

I came from a remapped 2.0 turbo & missed the torque. But that makes you lazy!

[bazz780]

Well guys, just got back a few hours ago from a trip to southampton to pick up the new car,

2006 56 330d m sport, 66k fsh and sat nav, tints, lip spoiler, independant heating/ventilation,

Quick pic to follow in a few mins, car needs a good clean and clay bar session

Thanks for all the help and advice guys

[bazz780]

Quick pic

[E92Dan]

Looks tidy. Any plans?

[335d Rocco]

Nice choice mate, you were onto a winner which ever you chose, both the 330d & 330i are fantastic engines, I've had both and you can't go wrong, enjoy it.

[bazz780]

No plans yet, may get black grills for front soon and an evolve remap to really bring out the fun,

Its got rear tints and the lip spoiler which i would have done anyway so saved a few bob there.

From pressing the start button to getting home and a few trips here and there has really put a smile on my face and i do not regret choosing the diesel at all, insane torque and thats without remap

[Shaz130]

It has been over a decade since this thread, how do folk feel now about the 330i vs 330d debate in 2025, for the E91 mainly N52 vs M57, auto vs manual etc what is paired better with each engine or both gearboxes ok, reliability as well being a factor to.

[jaffles]

I just guided my son into an E92 330d m sport for his first car, right or wrong. I believe the 6cyl 330d has less timing chain issue than a 2lt 320d. I expect to change it around 230K from what I can tell, and a history of 10k km oil changes helps a lot with longevity. Great economy for a 6 cyl compared to a petrol equivalent also.

From what I can see its a terrific car. Amazing responsive from the box and questionable weather it needs a tune, which can see 250 kw (335 hp) for doing nothing but the tune. Pulls like a train standard, and jumps from 60 to 140kmh+ in less than 100 meters, and pulls up hard. The 19' wheels are shit, no Nuremberg rink around hear.

I liked it so much I had a rush of blood and bought a 330d E93 m sport 2 weeks later for the wife and I. But I swapped the 19 for a square set of 235/45/17

At 160K and 170K klm and both 2010 there appears little wrong with them bedsides a glow plug controller. Which is possible, but fiddly to replace without removing the induction box. The 92 had its induction box replaced at 100k, and I just replaced the 93s at 170K. It still worked fine but on inspection it was pretty clear to see what the EGR does. Think we will getting the EGR turned off on both. Neither have any DPF issues and will be staying, but will run a catch can to keep the turbo and intercooler free from tappet cover vapors.

One has had new shocks all round, which I presume from buggered bump stops. The 93s shocks are still OE and not leaking, but bump stops are buggered so need replacing before the shocks leak from bottoming out. Guess that relates to all of similar age.

Both (reportedly by a mechanic) need engine mounts, not hard to do yourself really and hard to tell why they are buggered. The 92 has a leaking sump and maybe a tappet cover. This is also not that hard to do yourself with a bit of gear, you tube, and forums. Work shops have quoted me a fair bit so given I have a few tools or purchased the specific tool, access to a hoist, and willing to have a crack it has not been hard.

They both have had crank case pullies. Think the rubber ages and it can all go pear shape after that, but from what I can see its just 4 bolts also and the car will tell you anyway. Easy to remove the radiator fan (one screw) and serpentine belt to get access.

Being m sports, they have paddles. Being auto you can smash them up and down and its all computer monitored so you can't (or it won't) let you hurt it. If your hanging on for grim death in 3rd and push it into redline because you are distracted, it changes for you. Same with going down. You can't drop it in over redline, so for me that's helpful and potentially saving your wallet if you get it wrong. You can drive it like a manual in sport or eco or just leave it in D it doesn't care.

So I'm bias and ignorant as I have only experienced the diesels, but I'm also happy enough I don't need to ponder on what a petrol or a manual would be like.

[31amk31]

In a lot of European countries, there have been many restrictions for diesel cars in certain city centers or other regions. This has been a thing in many places for 10+ years already and it's only getting more strict for diesels. Next to that, what you gain in fuel economy can easily be offset by the crazy fucking taxes and other added fees depending on where you live.

Yearly mandated car checks and other similar stuff that checks your emissions is also killing man. Having to clean out your catalytic converters or other similar stuff so it still filters particles correctly all racks up.

I can't see this getting more lenient with the big shift that incorporates environmental factors. "After this hour" as we say, I can't recommend any diesel for regular private owners unless you drive for commercial reasons (meaning MANY MANY MANY kilometers a day).

Also the comment about automatics holding their value better is so funny to read nowadays. Little did they know.

Personally, manuals are a lot of fun. I'd only consider an automatic if it's just a regular commuting car with no crazy power at all. Or it's performance car with insane amounts of power for mere mortals with a super fast shifting gearbox. Otherwise it's just added weight, cost, more components to break.

[Shaz130]

Originally Posted by jaffles

I just guided my son into an E92 330d m sport for his first car, right or wrong. I believe the 6cyl 330d has less timing chain issue than a 2lt 320d. I expect to change it around 230K from what I can tell, and a history of 10k km oil changes helps a lot with longevity. Great economy for a 6 cyl compared to a petrol equivalent also.

From what I can see its a terrific car. Amazing responsive from the box and questionable weather it needs a tune, which can see 250 kw (335 hp) for doing nothing but the tune. Pulls like a train standard, and jumps from 60 to 140kmh+ in less than 100 meters, and pulls up hard. The 19' wheels are shit, no Nuremberg rink around hear.

I liked it so much I had a rush of blood and bought a 330d E93 m sport 2 weeks later for the wife and I. But I swapped the 19 for a square set of 235/45/17

At 160K and 170K klm and both 2010 there appears little wrong with them bedsides a glow plug controller. Which is possible, but fiddly to replace without removing the induction box. The 92 had its induction box replaced at 100k, and I just replaced the 93s at 170K. It still worked fine but on inspection it was pretty clear to see what the EGR does. Think we will getting the EGR turned off on both. Neither have any DPF issues and will be staying, but will run a catch can to keep the turbo and intercooler free from tappet cover vapors.

One has had new shocks all round, which I presume from buggered bump stops. The 93s shocks are still OE and not leaking, but bump stops are buggered so need replacing before the shocks leak from bottoming out. Guess that relates to all of similar age.

Both (reportedly by a mechanic) need engine mounts, not hard to do yourself really and hard to tell why they are buggered. The 92 has a leaking sump and maybe a tappet cover. This is also not that hard to do yourself with a bit of gear, you tube, and forums. Work shops have quoted me a fair bit so given I have a few tools or purchased the specific tool, access to a hoist, and willing to have a crack it has not been hard.

They both have had crank case pullies. Think the rubber ages and it can all go pear shape after that, but from what I can see its just 4 bolts also and the car will tell you anyway. Easy to remove the radiator fan (one screw) and serpentine belt to get access.

Being m sports, they have paddles. Being auto you can smash them up and down and its all computer monitored so you can't (or it won't) let you hurt it. If your hanging on for grim death in 3rd and push it into redline because you are distracted, it changes for you. Same with going down. You can't drop it in over redline, so for me that's helpful and potentially saving your wallet if you get it wrong. You can drive it like a manual in sport or eco or just leave it in D it doesn't care.

So I'm bias and ignorant as I have only experienced the diesels, but I'm also happy enough I don't need to ponder on what a petrol or a manual would be like.

Great to see the M57 lumps have served you well! With an auto-box it seems a better fit!

[Shaz130]

Originally Posted by 31amk31

In a lot of European countries, there have been many restrictions for diesel cars in certain city centers or other regions. This has been a thing in many places for 10+ years already and it's only getting more strict for diesels. Next to that, what you gain in fuel economy can easily be offset by the crazy fucking taxes and other added fees depending on where you live.

Yearly mandated car checks and other similar stuff that checks your emissions is also killing man. Having to clean out your catalytic converters or other similar stuff so it still filters particles correctly all racks up.

I can't see this getting more lenient with the big shift that incorporates environmental factors. "After this hour" as we say, I can't recommend any diesel for regular private owners unless you drive for commercial reasons (meaning MANY MANY MANY kilometers a day).

Also the comment about automatics holding their value better is so funny to read nowadays. Little did they know.

Personally, manuals are a lot of fun. I'd only consider an automatic if it's just a regular commuting car with no crazy power at all. Or it's performance car with insane amounts of power for mere mortals with a super fast shifting gearbox. Otherwise it's just added weight, cost, more components to break.

For longevity, in the UK we have ULEZ etc for sure petrol is a better option and especially a manual with the N52, but it can be a pain in congestion for a commuter car, and the ZF6 may not be a good fit for a NA engine either sadly, tricky stuff deciding between a manual 330i or a auto 330d for daily duties

[esskay]

why would anyone choose a diesel unless you are doing mileage... petrol all the way, n52/n53 smooth as silk