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      10-02-2012, 06:42 AM   #1
swanseahammer
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New car dilemma

I've had my 57 plate E90 320d for almost 4 years and am ready to change in the next couple of months. Am completely torn between a 1 year / 18 month old 335d E90 or an ex-demonstrator F30 320d with loads of gadgets for around the same price. Do around 16k miles per year, plan to keep the car approx 4 years again and am financing it myself. Any comments appreciated.
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      10-02-2012, 08:01 AM   #2
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There is a big difference between performance and only you know if you want the extra performance of the 335d.
Having said that, the 320d seems no slouch these days, looking at the performance figures. Will also feel more nimble being lighter. Also the F30 320d will bode much better in future years for depreciation as its the current model.

Heart = 335d
Head = 320d
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      10-02-2012, 01:00 PM   #3
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Refinement between the 2 engines is also a factor 35d much smoother. It will drink a lot more as well.

But I you are planning to keep for 4 years, the F30 could be a better option.
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      10-06-2012, 03:08 AM   #4
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Down to a choice of 3 F30 320d Sports. Two have sports auto & M Sport suspension with slight spec differences, the other standard auto with Adaptive Suspension. Any thoughts?
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      10-06-2012, 04:41 AM   #5
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Got to have sports auto IMO
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      10-06-2012, 04:43 AM   #6
swanseahammer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NISFAN
Got to have sports auto IMO
Why, apart from paddle shift, which I would use btw.
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      10-06-2012, 04:49 AM   #7
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Yes if only for that......it adds a 'useable' manual mode which is less natural with the lever change non sports version.

It has been discussed in length that gear changes are more aggressive in sports mode with the sports gear box. Not driven a non sports, other than older AT's which of course didn't have the paddles.

Drive both though and see if the adaptive is worth more than the sports AT.
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      10-06-2012, 10:03 AM   #8
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I have the Sport Auto and love it. Seems so damned flexible whether you want to waft around in 'D', or stick it in Sport/Sport+ and go for a paddle or play with your stick

I don't have the adaptive suspension but hear it is very good not only in making the car more composed when pushing on but also just sorting out our rubbish UK roads in Comfort mode. That said, I don't find the standard suspension bad in any way. If I had to choose between the two I'd go for Sport Auto only because it gives you a bit more to play with. I fear with the suspension I'd just get used to it and forget about it.

All down to what your personal preferences are, and what a test drive reveals for you
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      10-06-2012, 01:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swanseahammer View Post
Why, apart from paddle shift, which I would use btw.
There's a big difference between the standard 8-speed auto and the Sport auto. The standard auto is probably the same mechanically, but the electronics are very different and it feels a bit sluggish and un-responsive. The Sport auto is a complete contrast, changing quickly and intuitively, just when you want it to. The paddles are a bit of a gimmick, but the response when you use them is so quick that it's quite satisfying.

I drove two demo cars on back to back, as the sales guy wanted to show me the difference between a 328i and a 330d. I drove the 328i first and it had standard gearbox - felt like a very ordinary auto and certainly not special. The 330d had a sport auto and was a joy - to the extent that it persuade me to order my first ever auto! The sales guy confirmed that the two boxes are setup very differently.

So I'd go for the sport auto without hesitation. It's better all-round, whatever your style of driving.

By the way, the 320d M Sport handles a bit better than the 330d M Sport - it's just down to engine weight but you can really feel the difference. If you can live without the grunt of the E90 335d, the 320d has a vastly superior ride and, much better handling and will make you grin in the bends.

Good luck.
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