BMW 330d Reviews

One of the dumbest reasons to buy a diesel is to save money. The maths often doesn't add up when you take into consideration the extra showroom cost versus potential fuel savings.But there are also some very intelligent reasons to buy diesel: you don't have to go to the servo as often, for one. BMW presents another great reason to buy a diesel - the 330d Coupe. It doesn't feel or sound like a diesel and it is an absolute joy to drive.It comes in under the Federal Government's 7L/100km cutoff so it qualifies for the 33 per cent luxury tax concession up to $75,000.At $94,700, its two-door diesel coupe comparably priced competitor are the Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI at $91,900 and the much cheaper Mercedes C250 CDI coupe ($69,900) which is more economical, but down on power to both the BMW and Audi.It costs $10,886 more than the petrol-powered 325i, but has double the torque which makes it almost as puntable and pleasurable a drive as the 335i which costs $22,550 more.The 3 Series coupes are now standard with Dakota oyster-coloured leather, voice control, anti-dazzle mirrors and a better audio system.There are also many options available to personalise the vehicle, but they lift the ticket price substantially. The best way to add extra kit is to go for one of the option packages.For example, you can save more than 25 per cent with the Innovations Package which includes a range of LED light features, adaptive headlights and satellite navigation.Our test vehicle was fitted with the $8900 M Sport Innovations Package which includes M trim inside and out, adaptive headlights, a satnav with colour monitor, Harman/Kardon surround sound system, sports seats, voice control and sport suspension.It was also fitted with an electric glass sunroof ($2920) and one of 15 metallic paint options ($1840) which brings the list price up to a whopping $108,360, but still $8890 short of the 335i.The BMW turbo diesel has slightly more power than the Audi, but sips fuel at a slightly reduced rate (6.2L/100km compared with 6.6) and takes the same time to hit 100km/h (6.1s).Economy is aided by BMW EfficientDynamics features such as brake energy regeneration and electric power steering with Servotronic.Because it's a coupe the front doors are huge and that means the seat belt is a long way back. BMW gets around this with an automated mechanism that hands you the seat belt.This graceful coupe has all the proportions just right. It looks strong and muscular from every angle and the swooping roof doesn't impede rear headroom.There are three new metallic paint options lifting the choices to 15, an extra interior trim choice (bamboo grain anthracite) making it six options and nine wheel designs - four of them new - across three wheel sizes (17, 18 and 19-inch).Apart from six airbags and a crash-resistant shell, there is a raft of hi-tech primary safety gear to keep you on the black stuff. They include stability and traction control, cornering and dynamic brake control, and a brake function on the cruise control to prevent you from picking up too much speed down hills.The smooth-running 330d Coupe is almost undetectable as a diesel, except for the tachometer which shows a low 4500 rev limit and the diesel sign inside the fuel filler.Even when you wind the window down, there isn't the usual disharmonious exhaust note. It's actually quite fruity. The engine is a lusty performer from low revs with a quick and responsive transmission that deals well with the narrow power band of the turbo diesel.This makes for an effortless drive experience that leaves you feeling calm and collected, even when punting along at a good clip. All 3 Series point and shoot with aplomb (except for the convertibles) and the heavier diesel donk up front doesn't seem to introduce extra understeer.BMW has gone a long way to taking the torture out of its run-flat tyres and even its M Sport suspension by replacing the disc spring valves with coil spring dampers. Ride is firm but fair in most instances, considering the extremely low-profile tyres.However, our test drive took us through the NSW Northern Rivers area where some roads are a pocked as a teenager's face. On several occasions it hit the bump stops with a deafening bang and when we hit a rapid succession of jolts such as corrugations the suspension could not rebound fast enough to keep the wheels in solid contact with the road. The result was a nervous sideways twitch.The cabin is typical BMW fare with macho dashboard and lots of black and silver trim, a firm but supportive set of optional sports front seats and controls that take a little bit of getting used to, but are serviceable.There is only space for two in the back and the legroom is very limited when you have tall front-seat passengers. Yet it's not claustrophobic back there with plenty of headroom; a real surprise for a coupe. Cargo space is generous with a flat, carpeted floor.This diesel coupe is a real coup. It doesn't sound or feel like a diesel, but it accelerates and sips fuel like one. It's also stylish and safe.

BMW gave the 3 Series a final upgrade before an all-new model breaks cover mid-way through next year.

It takes a while for BMW to effect a mid- model change because they are staggered to happen over a period of up to two years. That's why we are only seeing the mid-model upgrade to the 3-Series Coupe and Convertible now while the sedan model went through its changes about 18 months ago.And essentially, the sedan changes are reflected in the 3-Series Coupe and Convertible.  That means a new visage - new grille, lights with eyebrows, bumper changes and something similar at the back. Changes have been made to character lines on the body and the car's overall appearance has been lifted with new colours and wheels.MechanicalIn line with the modest exterior changes are a range of engine upgrades that yield better fuel economy and more power.  Across both Coupe and considerably more expensive Convertible ranges there are two turbo diesels in 2.0-litre four and 3.0-litre six cylinder while the petrols are a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated straight six and a 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six in the 335i Sport that replaces the earlier twin turbo engine.This engine has the same power (225kW) and torque (400Nm) as the twin-turbo but delivers maximum torque at a low 1300rpm and uses less fuel into the bargain.  The 335i Sport only comes in M Sport spec' and is available with a seven-speed double clutch "manumatic" transmission as well as the standard six-speed manual.The entry level diesel 320d Coupe ($65,600) gains 5kW to 135kw and 30Nm to 380Nm and is available with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed auto with sequential change.  Other engine have been tweaked for improved economy and lower emissions but are essentially the same as before.Suspension changes offer a new damper with softer initial ride qualities increasing stiffness as more demands are made on the car.  Upholstery upgrades include a sun reflective treatment on the Convertible's seats that keeps them cool on hot days in direct sunlight.Drivetrain and PricingVarious option packages are available across both Coupe and Convertible ranges that include the Innovation Package and the M-Sport Package.  We drove most of the new variants last week and all have characteristic BMW traits like sporty dynamics and a solid feel on the road. The 335i Coupe is approaching earlier six cylinder M3 performance levels and is capable of putting away a 0-100kmh sprint in the low 5.0 second bracket.It has impressive throttle response from extremely low in the engine rev range and sings sweetly up to the 7000rpm redline.  Even the 330d is good for a low 6.0 second split.  The cars have superb dynamics even in Convertible form which bears a weight penalty of up to 150kg.The segmented hard roof on the Convertible takes less than 20 seconds to retract or deploy and when place, looks almost the same as the Coupe model.VerdictPerformance from the other models is similarly impressive - they are great to drive While it would be great to have the 335i in your garage, the reality is that the entry level 320d in auto would do the job just as well around town with the added benefit of being able to cover 1000km on a tank driven carefully and it's a decent performer too.  It's the one we'd buy.BMW 3 Series Coupe and ConvertiblePrices: 320d $65,600 (coupe), $78,500 (convertible); 325i $84,900, $98,700; 330d $94,700, $107,700; 335i M Sport $116,700, $129,900; M3 $158,300, $176,700; ($2965 for 6-speed auto on 320d and 325i, standard on 330d; $3500 for 7-speed double clutch option on 335i)Engines: 1995cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel (320d); 2497cc straight 6 petrol (325i); 2993cc straight 6 turbo diesel (330d); 2993cc straight 6 petrol (335i); 3999cc V8 petrol (M3)Transmissions: 6-speed manual with auto stop-start (320d, 325i, 335i, M3), 6-speed automatic (320d, 325i, 330d), 7-speed DCT (335i, M3 with auto stop-start).

While there are subtle interior and exterior design changes, there is also a host of extra features and some improvements in engine performance and economy.Price and positionPrices start from $65,600 and are up as much as $1440, but BMW Group Australia corporate communications manager Piers Scott says that is due to the extra features. Scott expects diesel uptake to increase "substantially" across the coupe/convertible range."Sports coupes and convertibles are the last bastion for diesels, but the exhaust note on this is so good, it will attract people," he says.MechanicalThe top-of-the range 335i coupe and convertible are the latest models to switch from bi-turbo to single twin-scroll technology, leaving the Z4 35is and 35i as the only BMWs still with bi-turbos. Power and torque remain the same at 225kW and 400Nm, but there is an eight per cent reduction in fuel consumption thanks to the twin-scroll turbo.The 335i models now get the M Sport package as standard equipment. It was previously a $2760 option. For those who don't like the hard suspension, it can be deleted at no extra cost. BMW Group Australia 3 Series product manager Alan Swanson says the coil spring dampers in the M Sport suspension package have been replaced by disc spring valve types for a more compliant ride. It makes a difference and overrides the harshness of the run-flat tyres that are standard across the range.Unfortunately, the new dampers don't come with the M Sport suspension package in the convertible, which is the body style that most needs a more compliant ride to reduce scuttle shake.The M sport package is also available in the 320d, 325i and 330d as before, with largely the same inclusions, but slightly different trims. The new 320d models are now available with a manual transmission and all manuals across the range feature stop/start technology as well as the M3 with double-clutch transmission.BMW claims the technology delivers fuel savings on the 320d manual coupe of 0.8 litres per 100km. That is despite the diesel engine pumping out an extra 5kW of power and 30Nm of torque (135kW and 380Nm).Scott says they were unsure how many customers would opt for manual transmission to get the stop-start feature. "It may be a surprisingly high proportion, but we don't have an exact target as yet," he says.Equipment and designStyling changes are minimal and only the BMW anorak will notice. And while there is the same number of models available as before, there is now an Innovations Package available for the 320d, 325i and 330d that includes a range of LED light features, adaptive headlights and satellite navigation, while the 325i and 330d also get voice control anti-dazzle mirrors and a better audio system.Swanson says savings on the package are greater than 25 per cent and he predicts more than 60 per cent of customers will take up the option. While Dakota oyster-coloured leather is now standard, there is a variety of options available to personalise the vehicle.There are now three new metallic paint options lifting the choices to 15, an extra interior trim choice (bamboo grain anthracite) making it six options and nine wheel designs - four of them new - across three wheel sizes (17, 18 and 19-inch). There has been no change to the operation of the hard-top folding roof. It still goes up or down in about 22 seconds and will only operate when stationary. The only change to the M3 are redesigned rear lights, white metallic exterior paint, stop-start on the DCT, and slightly better economy and CO2 emissions.DrivingBMW supplied only the most altered models, the 320d and 335i, on the national launch through the Brisbane hinterland this week (August 4-5). There has been a slight performance boost in the 320d and I would be lying if I said it was noticeable.However, I can say it is a remarkably lusty performer at low revs which means a driver can hustle it along and still feel calm. I harassed the rear end of a 335i going up the twisty hotmix on the northern approach to Mt Mee and when we arrived at the next stop my nerves were at peace while the other driver got out of his high-revving 335i with his trousers on fire.The 320d rewards a lazy driver. The 335i mainlines caffeine into its pilot. The main difference to be felt on the test drive was in the new M Sport suspension.BMW's damper tweaking has been very effective, taking the harsh bang out of sudden jolts, while keeping the car sitting flat and unrattled. The cars felt composed over the craggy tar that runs around Somerset Dam and our kidneys and the fillings in our teeth were still in place at the end. While the four-cylinder diesel engine sounds less raucous, the real advantage in the manual convertible is that auto stop-start completely silences it when you are stopped at the lights.

As an example of a cutting-edge diesel, the BMW oil-burner beneath the 330d's snout is right up there. Engine and transmission The new 3-Series is an accomplished machine and the addition of the three-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder did nothing to deteriorate the small German's abilities.  Granted, the 3-Series

Diesel power is set to drive BMW sales further over the next few months. In the past five years since introducing oil-burning engines to its fleet in Australia the German brand has increased the proportion of diesel sales to 34 per cent.A number of new diesel BMW 1 and 3 Series models, including the first BMW diesel convertibles, will hit the market in December followed by a diesel 5 Series Gran Turismo in March and two diesel X1 models in April.BMW Australia product communications manager Tim James said he expected the proportion of diesel sales in the fleet would increase with the new models. The 1 Series is currently one-third diesel, but in December BMW will add the 118d hatch and convertible in six-speed auto and manual with prices starting from $42,170.The 118d Sports Hatch is the 2008 World Green Car of the Year with its two-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine developing 105kW of power, 300Nm of torque, but sipping fuel at 4.5 litres per kilometre and emitting 119g of CO2 per kilometre. It will feature in its twin-turbo format in the 123d hatch, coupe and convertible with prices starting at $50,790 and going up to $69,480.However, it does not attract the luxury car tax because the two-litre twin turbo's fuel economy is well below the 7L/100km requirement for exemption. Depending on the vehicle, it returns economy figures of 5.2 to 5.4L/100km while delivering 150KW and 400Nm. The single turbo two-litre diesel also arrives in the 320d Touring, Coupe and Convertible in December with prices from $61,500.The 3 Series Coupe and Convertible also get the three-litre diesel straight six used elsewhere in the fleet with prices from $91,900 and in the new 5 Series GT coming in March with prices starting from about $140,000.BMW's smallest SUV arrives in April in diesel guise only. The X1 xDrive20d uses the two-litre, four-cylinder diesel and the xDrive23d uses the twin-turbo engine. James said a 1.8 diesel engine was also being considered for the X1.Diesel penetration in BMW cars is highest in the 5 Series with almost 50 per cent now diesel and the 520d the volume seller, James said. It is followed by the 1 Series with one-third and the 3 Series with 17 per cent. James said diesel was even making inroads in the 7 Series. "The 730d was launched in June and already signs are it will become the volume model," he said.The car returns fuel economy figures of 7.2L/100km, but from this month, new production models will achieve 6.8L/100km and not attract the luxury car tax. James said this was already factored into the pricing, saving buyers $5000. BMW now has 21 cars with fuel economy less than 7L/100km.The X models have been the real winners for diesel. James said diesel represented 85 per cent of X3 sales and 80 per cent of X5 sales, while petrol was the most popular choice among X6 owners.Driving BMW supplied a 118d hatch, 123d hatch and convertible and 330d coupe for test through Bavaria last week. With a mix of autobahn, country road and tight village lane driving, each returned fuel economy figures on their on-board computers similar to official claims.At 200km/h on the autobahn, even the 118d three door (we will get the five-door) still felt like it had more to give, the diesels not only having low-end grunt but plenty of meat throughout the rev range.They are quiet, refined and have less idle clatter than is common among diesels. But it's the twin-turbo model that really stands out, sounding and feeling more like a petrol engine with its free revving and mid-to-top-end power. Handling is not adversely affected by the extra weight of the engines, although steering may be marginally heavier.The manual models feature auto stop-start which cuts the engine when it is stationary and in neutral, starting again when the clutch is pushed in. While this same function feels rough in the new X1 and Mini diesel, it feels much smoother here, maybe because of the engine positioning.James said the auto stop-start function had not yet been engineered for automatic transmissions, but they were working on it. The six-speed manual gearboxes feature well-chosen ratios, although first is a little short and sixth will be wasted in Australia where the highway maximum speed limit is 110km/h.NEW BMW DIESELS (From December)118d Sports Hatch (6-speed manual) $42,170118d Sports Hatch (6-speed steptronic auto) $44,370123d Sports Hatch (man) $50,790123d Sports Hatch (auto) $53,070123d Coupe (man) $57,900123d Coupe (auto) $60,180118d Convertible (man) $52,900118d Convertible (auto) $55,019123d Convertible (man) $67,200123d Convertible (auto) $69,480320d Executive Touring $61,500320d Coupe $67,500320d Convertible $80,400330d Coupe $91,900330d Convertible $104,850From March)530d Gran Turismo from about $140,000From April)X1 xDrive20d and xDrive23d from low $50,000s 

BMW's first turbodiesel six-cylinder 3-Series has arrived in Australia, boasting more grunt and a lower thirst than its German rivals. BMW Australia marketing general manager Tom Noble said the company believes its new-generation diesel offers three-fold benefits — high-performance, low consumption and low emissions.“The new BMW 330d Sedan gives our customers the opportunity to mix V8 engine performance with four-cylinder fuel economy, but at the same time delivering the tangible delights of our highly-acclaimed straight-six cylinder engines."“BMW in Australia has been selling increasing volumes of diesel vehicles each year. “Our customers really appreciate the benefits of high torque, low consumption engines — now we can offer a truly muscular diesel performance option in our most popular body style,” he said.EngineThe 330d, which starts from $87,250 thanks to tax concessions for its lower fuel consumption, is endowed with 520Nm of torque — more than the twin-turbo petrol 335i and the M3 — accompanied by 180kW of power. The new-generation alloy turbodiesel is also claiming a four-cylinder sized thirst of 6.8-litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 180g/km, but is also capable of reaching 100km/h in 6.2 seconds — less than a second slower than the 335i — with its top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.Equipment The turbodiesel six competes with its petrol siblings on features as well — 17in alloys, upgraded brakes, leather trim, satellite navigation, bi-xenon headlights, a 10-speaker sound system, power-adjustable front seats, sports steering wheel with shift levers, cruise control, parking sensors front and rear and Bluetooth phone link.bbDriving First impressions of the car on Australian country roads were good, with only the tyres — in concert with the coarse-chip bitumen — providing any intrusive noise.The engine is smooth and quiet, delivering its outputs like a petrol engine and sounding much less like a diesel than the bulk of its forebears. Peak power of 180kW arrives at 4000rpm but it’s the 520Nm shove in the back from just above idle through to near the peak power arrival that makes the new diesel six so appealing.The 330d has civilised road manners, with a definite lean towards the handling side of the equation, but ride quality in the standard car is reasonable — anyone opting for the M-Sport package will really want to consider the ride, as experience suggests it's not really necessary.The alloy diesel powerplant is a little lighter than comparable diesels and its 1550kg kerb weight undercuts its less powerful, less frugal slower opposition. Fuel consumption during the launch drive through twisty, mountainous country remained respectable despite the engine being asked to work reasonably hard — the trip computer hovered around seven litres per 100km for the journey.The new-generation diesel 330d is an exceptionally quiet, comfortable cruiser that offers performance and economy that is difficult to ignore.BMW 330d Price: from $87,250Engine: three-litre 24-valve turbodiesel six-cylinder.Transmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drivePower: 180kW @ 4000rpmTorque: 520Nm between 1750 & 3000rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 6.2 seconds, top speed 250km/h (governed)Fuel consumption: 6.8 litres/100kmEmissions: 180g/kmRivals: Mercedes-Benz C320 CDI, from $95,956Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro, from $86,056.Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD Ti, $62,990.Citroen C5 2.7 HDI, from $66,490.