Pick a car from this list

NightShadow · 29 Jul 2010 at 17:37

335i coupe, really don't see the point in going for the 330i if I could afford either, no real need for a bigger car and don't like diesels. Fuel consumption isn't an issue as all of the cars listed are better than my current car. Servicing will probably be more on the 335i along with more to go wrong but some money aside and a decent warranty (probably from Warranty Direct) will cover most things, leaving me with the fastest possible choice of 3 series bar an M3.

Alex UK · 29 Jul 2010 at 17:52

Out of interest Fox are you dead set on an M Sport? Given that the SE 335's have the same suspension, is it really worth paying the extra? The SE looks better anyway IMO.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:19

Alex UK said:
Out of interest Fox are you dead set on an M Sport? Given that the SE 335's have the same suspension, is it really worth paying the extra? The SE looks better anyway IMO.

This isn't a spec me a car thread

But obviously if I was to chose a car to replace mine then it would be an M Sport

Moeks · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:28

I would probably go with the BMW 530i M Sport Saloon (E60 LCI) myself, simply because I would miss the conveniance of back doors and because I prefer larger cars. If I was going to have a 2 door car I'd go with a Corvette, so from this list the 530i it is.

Rich_L · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:42

530i saloon

Petrol (gas!) is cheap as chips here so no real benefit to having a diesel. Prefer 4 doors to 2 for flexibility and convenience. And 'big' over here is relative too, lol

Oh and looking at Fox's earlier post, I'll take the 535i then

Eliot · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:44

Ive been in a 335 d
It was epic
Going by that i would get a 335i as its the same but with not satan Fuel and would sound awesome

mjt · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:45

Having not driven a 33x i/d I can't really comment.
What sort of price are we talking here?

I don't think I could take the 335i without seriously considering the 335d though. I'd have to drive both and make a decision there.
But the fuel consumption figures really need to be taken into account.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:49

Rich_L said:
530i saloon

Petrol (gas!) is cheap as chips here so no real benefit to having a diesel. Prefer 4 doors to 2 for flexibility and convenience. And 'big' over here is relative too, lol

Oh and looking at Fox's earlier post, I'll take the 535i then

I was going to say, you can have a 528i or a 535i not a 530i

Meridian · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:50

335i M Sport. It's currently second on my list of possible replacement cars, and none of the other four are on that list.

M

iaind · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:50

Just spotted in the op - 38mpg from a 530i? Is that downhill with wind assistance?

physichull · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:51

I'd go for the BMW.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:51

iaind said:
Just spotted in the op - 38mpg from a 530i? Is that downhill with wind assistance?

I must admit I was similarily sceptical but the new 525i appears to be firmly in the 40's on longer trips :eek:

So perhaps its possible? I'll know before long!

iaind · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:57

Longer trips is one thing, but a combined figure would suggest an element of urban use

If it is true, I'd take either the 530i or the 335d - simply because the cons you list for both of them are, IMO, pretty trivial

Kenai · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:59

330i for me, it'd be plenty enough power for me and I prefer the 3 to the 5.

As for you, probably the 335i, as I can imagine being used to 230bhp already, 272 wouldn't feel much of a jump as 300+ would.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2010 at 18:59

Thats a bizarre choice Iain. You'd have a 530i over a 535d but a 335d over a 330i.

Why?

iaind · 29 Jul 2010 at 19:05

Well I'd eliminate the 335i because it offers the same performance as the 335d with just as many reliability concerns but higher fuel consumption - all its costing you is the noise, which, as you know doesnt bother me.

330i or 335d is a bit tougher, but the performance of the 335d would sway it for me.

In the 5, I think it's a different sort of car - so much more suited to the petrol engine for refinement. Given the downsides of the 535d were more than the 335d (same problems, but added potential issues finding a good one etc) and the claimed fuel economy of the 530i, I couldnt see the justification for the diesel in that case

realscot · 29 Jul 2010 at 19:10

Personally I think the car you drive fox is better than any of the ones you listed, the build quality on all those new ones isn't as good as your E39. I also prefer the look of the E36/9 to the newer ones but thats just my personal preference.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2010 at 19:11

Good answer, though the 335d doesnt offer the same performance as the 335i.

iaind · 29 Jul 2010 at 19:12

Close enough, I dont think you'll notice the .4 seconds to be honest!

Plus, all the torque will make you faster than an M3

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2010 at 19:12

iaind said:
Close enough, I dont think you'll notice the .4 seconds to be honest!

It's sad that 0-60 is the only readily available performance indicator because I think that none of these cars can be accurately judged on that basis alone.