osso Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 I am currently in the market for a Diesel car which has a luxury feel and plenty of toys, something which would make a 600 mile round trip bearable and cheap on fuel. I started looking at the Audi A3 TDI 2.0, and the Vauxhall Astra CDTi 1.9 150, but then I came across a BMW which offers an attractive spec, its the BMW 330d 2003-2005 model, I also came across the Audi A4 3.0 v6 TDI Quattro so I started looking at other compareable models in the market! and I cant decide! Audi A4 Saloon 3.0 TDi TDV quattro S Line 4d (05 ON) Weight 1610 kg 0-60 mph 7.0 secs Top Speed 146 mph MPG 36 Power Output 201 bhp Torque 332 lb-ft Insurance Group 15 Road Tax Band F = £195 BMW 3-Series Saloon E46 330d Sport 4d (03-05) Weight 1615 kg 0-60 mph 7.0 secs Top Speed 150 mph MPG 42 Power Output 204 bhp or 248 bhp (chipped) Torque 302 lb-ft or 371 lb-ft (chipped) Insurance Group 16 Road Tax Band E = £160 Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback 3.0 V6 CDTi SRi 5d (05 on) Weight 1593 kg 0-60 mph 8.2 secs Top Speed 143 mph MPG 40.9 Power Output 184 bhp @ 4000 rpm Torque 295 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm Insurance Group 12 Road Tax Band E = £195 The more I look at the BMW spec, the more attractive it seems! Which one would you choose? discuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 What about the BMW 335 Twin Turbo Diesel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D3xt3r Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 The 330D hands down. With a chip its an incredible daily driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sunnyG83 Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 OSSO mate i think your have the best one picked. i have just bought a 530d- Sport and the engine is fantastic. its not the usaual power at once then die-a-death power struggle i have felt with other turbo diesels. And im saying this about the 5-series which is heavier than the 3-series, felt the build quality in the Vectra was very Vauxhall to say the least so no points there, Audi is a good choice too but i was after a car that would give me a decent average too and the Audi aint too impressive in this field. like you have stated, once its Chipped its even better, Smiles all round from me BMW gets my vote;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osso Posted November 17, 2006 Author Share Posted November 17, 2006 What about the BMW 335 Twin Turbo Diesel? I've thought about that, unfortunately i've discovered that they only available for 2005 onwards... ie the new fugly facelift model and therefore you are also paying a premium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 my mate's just bought himself a 330d Sport and says it's awesome mate....wishes he'd bought one sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Look up the BMW 3.0ltr D engine, it won 3ltr engine of the year twice My mapper has remapped his 530D with new injectors and it has 430ft/lbs, I am looking at a 330D or 530D for daily driver. 2000 Winners Best Eco-friendly: Toyota Hybrid Prius Best Fuel Economy: Honda Hybrid 1-litre Insight Best Concept: DaimlerChrysler Necar 4 Sub 1-litre: Honda Hybrid 1-litre Insight 1-litre to 1.4-litre: Toyota 1.3-litre VVTi 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre: Honda 1.8-litre (Accord) 1.8-litre to 2-litre: Honda 2-litre (S2000) 2-litre to 2.5-litre: Alfa Romeo 2.5-litre V6 2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre TDi 3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 4-litre V8 TDi Above 4-litre: Ferrari 5.5-litre V12 International Engine of the Year 2000: Honda Hybrid 1-litre Insight 1999 Winners Best Eco-friendly: Toyota Prius Hybrid Best Fuel Economy: Volkswagen 1.2-liter TDi Best Concept: DaimlerChrysler Necar 4 Sub 1-litre: Toyota 1-liter 1-liter to 1.4-litre: Volkswagen 1.2-liter TDi 1.4-liter to 1.8-litre: Toyota Prius Hybrid 1.8-liter to 2-litre: Volkswagen 1.9-liter 110PS TDi 2-liter to 2.5-litre: Audi 2.5-liter V6 TDi 2.5-liter to 3-litre: BMW 3-liter TDi 3-liter to 4-litre: BMW 4-liter V8 TDi Above 4-litres: BMW 5.34-liter V12 International Engine of the Year 1999: Toyota Yaris 1-liter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Fair enough Osso....agree about the lack of looks of the new one, but strangely enough these new american shapes do grow on you. Certainly the case with a 5 series. 7 series still looks horrible though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osso Posted November 17, 2006 Author Share Posted November 17, 2006 OSSO mate i think your have the best one picked. i have just bought a 530d- Sport and the engine is fantastic. its not the usaual power at once then die-a-death power struggle i have felt with other turbo diesels. And im saying this about the 5-series which is heavier than the 3-series, felt the build quality in the Vectra was very Vauxhall to say the least so no points there, Audi is a good choice too but i was after a car that would give me a decent average too and the Audi aint too impressive in this field. like you have stated, once its Chipped its even better, Smiles all round from me BMW gets my vote;) Just out of interest, why did you go for the 5 series instead of say the 3 series? I assume that the space was an important factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osso Posted November 17, 2006 Author Share Posted November 17, 2006 Judging by the responses already, I am surprised that I am not the only one considering the 330D! I will have to check out the 530D although I think it might be too big for what I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Lexus IS220d....???????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Why is the Audi A4 in a higher tax bracket? I'd go for the Audi A4, cause I think the BMW's are crap looking good engine or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sunnyG83 Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Osso mate i went for the 530D sport cause to be honest i liked the space and also liked the look of the 5-series over the 3-series plus my dad has a 330d sport so can swap with him if i need to lol. Love the 3.0d all day long and Imi is wright the looks do grow on you. i was using the Supra for a daily driver and decided i needed a car with loads of space and have a few niece's and a nephew who could'nt all fit in the Supra (legally:rolleyes: ). plus the insurance on the 3.0d range of engines is not bad at all, as im 23 i needed to watch this too as using the no claims on the Supra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class One Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 The only thing about the 3.0d from BMW is the reliability of their engine. We found that the injectors or turbos would often go pop on the 5 series diesels at work, although admittedly they do get rather a hammering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sunnyG83 Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 some dude at crail this year pulled a 13.9 quarter mile in his modded 330d which wow'd me big time and used the my dads chipped 330D sport at knockhill and suprised a few people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Some of todays sport Diesel cars are quite incredible, just rather pricey, if they get them to do 4-4.5 sec o-60 and 180 MPH at 40 +MPG then i will have to reconsider;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonnybsupra1 Posted November 19, 2006 Share Posted November 19, 2006 330d for definate - the others just aren't in the same league! Get it chipped + big intercooler nd you'll get a load more power and better economy too! Have you seen the diesel beemer that did the gumball 3000? I think it was a 330d - they got it to do 0-60 in just over 5 seconds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osso Posted November 20, 2006 Author Share Posted November 20, 2006 Well looking at the new 330D range, the engine has been upgraded to push out 369 lb-ft of torque, and has a 0-62mph at 6.5 and thats in standard form! I wouldnt be surprised if you could push 400 lb-ft of torque if it was chipped! and hit the 5 second region! Sadly, it is slightly out of my price range, and the new facelift 3 series do look rather fugly dont you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 You guys focused on power only, but you forgot about comfort and "toys". I think Audi is more comfortable to do 600 miles round trips, BMW can me more reliable and quicker (well A4 have almost same parameters anyway). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvershark44 Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 what about a new golf gt tdi with all the extras? 65miles per gallon! Pretty nice and comfortable if you get the sports interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 Pray tell .. What is wrong with a lexus 240 D ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 What about the 330 Diesel Coupé? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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