Thinking of buying a f30

[shedrool83]

Anyone running one of these and what engine/experience have you had ?
Keep reading stories of failed timing chains on the 320d and i was thinking on the 330d which is more or less the same engine for what i can see .
Wondering if i should go for a petrol engine ( only reason i'm thinking 330d is the power/eco figures) or break a habit of a lifetime and go audi or merc this time .

Any thoughts guys and gals ?.

TIA

[flybynite]

Good mate of mine had 330d and then 330i. That straight six diesel was a weapon with the torque it had. 330i was probably faster but for double the consumption.

One thing he never got on with was the ride, rock hard on both.

For me I own nothing BMW newer than 2004 . Nothing they have done since then has done it for me. Sad to say all the daily cars are turbo petrol 4wd VAG cars no regrets with any of them.

[shedrool83]

Good mate of mine had 330d and then 330i. That straight six diesel was a weapon with the torque it had. 330i was probably faster but for double the consumption.

One thing he never got on with was the ride, rock hard on both.

For me I own nothing BMW newer than 2004 . Nothing they have done since then has done it for me. Sad to say all the daily cars are turbo petrol 4wd VAG cars no regrets with any of them.

I own a few bmw myself none older than 2000 and my daily is a renault trafic haha. This is to replace the wifes e90 330i , i have never owned a diesel car before always been petrol be the stats on the f30 330d with a stage one remap seems to one to go for in the f30 range . I have read the suspension is an issue more so on the xdrive .

[miks15]

I bought a F31 (touring) 330d around 6 months ago and its been a great car so far. It's my first diesel but I think the engine is great and just keeps pulling. The engine noise from in the cabin sounds pretty good IMO, I test drove the 320d as well and that sounded like a tractor. The 330d is much smoother and less "diesely". My previous car was a 2012 Audi S4 and at times the 330d feels nearly as quick, just without the burbling exhaust and supercharger whine. Biggest benefit is 50mpg minimum instead of the low 20's of the S4!

I also had an E91 335i a few years ago and the 330d is quicker than that car was, again doesn't quite have the same noise but double the fuel economy.

We bought it for me and the Mrs to share ( I daily drive my E30 and just use this for joint trips mainly) and she loves it too, drives very smooth and comfortably. I find the suspension fine, but then the S4 was pretty firm so the 330d is definitely more comfortable.

[shedrool83]

I bought a F31 (touring) 330d around 6 months ago and its been a great car so far. It's my first diesel but I think the engine is great and just keeps pulling. The engine noise from in the cabin sounds pretty good IMO, I test drove the 320d as well and that sounded like a tractor. The 330d is much smoother and less "diesely". My previous car was a 2012 Audi S4 and at times the 330d feels nearly as quick, just without the burbling exhaust and supercharger whine. Biggest benefit is 50mpg minimum instead of the low 20's of the S4!

I also had an E91 335i a few years ago and the 330d is quicker than that car was, again doesn't quite have the same noise but double the fuel economy.

We bought it for me and the Mrs to share ( I daily drive my E30 and just use this for joint trips mainly) and she loves it too, drives very smooth and comfortably. I find the suspension fine, but then the S4 was pretty firm so the 330d is definitely more comfortable.

Cheers the 330d does seem to be a good all rounder specially in the f31 form .

[Satan]

Are these the ones that swallow the swirl flaps?

[shedrool83]

Are these the ones that swallow the swirl flaps?

Not that i have read . They do seem to have issues with timing chains going slack .

[rix313]

I had an LCI F30 320d. It was new and I had it two years and did close to 40k in it. I miss it to be frank. Got good fuel consumption from it I had a TDI Tuning plug and play box fitted to it and it was really good. I towed with it and it pulled really well.