Tough decisions

paulf · 11-06-2013, 10:11 AM

I need some advice on my next car.... due to quirks in the company policy these are two options:

I can either go with a 320d M Sport with Bi-xenon
or
A 330d M Sport with HK.

Both auto and pro nav. I have both these options on my current car and only covering about 10k miles a year (mostly in the daytime!) and loving the HK... it seems a no brainer... 330d. I can also get a 125d M Sport, with both HK and visibility. But i'm thinking i'll love the 330d Auto much much more....

Please tell me im right! Thanks

kave · 11-06-2013, 10:26 AM

Get the 330d.

Jim-Bow · 11-06-2013, 10:27 AM

Everyone has their own priorities (interior/exterior looks, sound, performance etc) but for me this is definitely a no brainer, whilst the 320d is a cracking engine and i'm sure wont leave you disappointed, you'll have far more fun in the 330d and the refinement will be a big step up. - and will far outweigh the lack of Xenons.

Also with your mileage the MPG difference wont be too much of a bother either!

PopeHamish · 11-06-2013, 10:40 AM

Do you not have the option to opt out and take a cash allowance instead?

I'd have thought covering anything less than 15k miles wouldn't be worth it in terms of BIK tax - much better to plough the money into a lease which will cover for 10k easily.

As others - I'd go for the 330 - you can't see the xenons in the car.

paulf · 11-06-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopeHamish

Do you not have the option to opt out and take a cash allowance instead?

Yes I can but unless I put down a large deposit its not possible to get the same type of car privately, let alone the additional cost of insurance.

VonRat · 11-06-2013, 12:23 PM

I do approx 10K per annum and worked out I'd be better off financially by taking the car allowance and not paying BIK, but I didn't consider it enough to cover the risk of paying for the excess on insurance claims, punctures, minor damage and just having the ability to walk away from the lease.

Peace of mind has it's price...

If I leased a Ford Focus TDi with my allowance it would obviously make more sense!

Regarding your choice of car, it has to be the 330D

ewanmac · 11-06-2013, 02:17 PM

Has to be the 330d! The engine is an absolute peach. Also, although the xenons are good, the HK is one of the first things I would tick. If you like your music, you will find the standard system very poor IMO.

MRPoisson · 11-06-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopeHamish

As others - I'd go for the 330 - you can't see the xenons in the car.

Not sure I agree here. The illumination ahead is far superior with the xenons and the DRL's look great when reflected from the bumper of the car in front!

decisions........

gatsojon · 11-06-2013, 05:54 PM

Engine first then look at what you can wrap around it... So 330d it is

paulf · 11-07-2013, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRPoisson

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopeHamish

As others - I'd go for the 330 - you can't see the xenons in the car.

Not sure I agree here. The illumination ahead is far superior with the xenons and the DRL's look great when reflected from the bumper of the car in front!

decisions........

They are great, and if I could stretch to them, I'd spec them. But a straight choice between the HK, which I use every trip, or the xenons...... Audio it is....

I'm just a bit gutted these types of features aren't standard on a near £40k motor. Hay oh, we get dab as standard, which I'd have 'needed' anyhow.

paulf · 11-07-2013, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatsojon

Engine first then look at what you can wrap around it... So 330d it is

That's my thoughts! Plus the higher the model, the more features will come as standard... Like front and rear sensors, sports seats, black headlining etc

paulf · 11-07-2013, 01:36 AM

Also struggling to find a decent 330d video review.... You guys know of one?

Captain Cow Pat · 11-07-2013, 02:08 AM

I'd could listen to the sound of the 330d for a lot longer than a 320d. It's the snarl as you push on and the low woofle on pulling away. Which is one of the reasons I bought the 330d over the 320d. The HK has more depth of sound over the other set ups.

paulf · 11-07-2013, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Cow Pat

I'd could listen to the sound of the 330d for a lot longer than a 320d. It's the snarl as you push on and the low woofle on pulling away. Which is one of the reasons I bought the 330d over the 320d. The HK has m,ore depth of sound over the other set ups.

Having bought a one series in the past, with standard audio, the HK is worlds apart. The stock system was a pretty poor cousin!

Tengocity · 11-07-2013, 02:34 AM

Definitely the 330d. I once went from 330d to a 320d manual. i regretted it badly right up to the point i got myself another 330d.

paulf · 11-07-2013, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Definitely the 330d. I once went from 330d to a 320d manual. i regretted it badly right up to the point i got myself another 330d.

I'm in a 320ed now after coming from a Focus ST. And I certainly miss the "foot down , gone" bit. I'm awaiting a 330d demo now....

11-06-2013, 10:11 AM	#1
paulf Lieutenant 55 Rep 414 Posts Drives: 330e M Sport 2020 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ashby de la Zouch iTrader: (0)	Tough decisions I need some advice on my next car.... due to quirks in the company policy these are two options: I can either go with a 320d M Sport with Bi-xenon or A 330d M Sport with HK. Both auto and pro nav. I have both these options on my current car and only covering about 10k miles a year (mostly in the daytime!) and loving the HK... it seems a no brainer... 330d. I can also get a 125d M Sport, with both HK and visibility. But i'm thinking i'll love the 330d Auto much much more.... Please tell me im right! Thanks __________________ Driving - 330e M Sport 2020 Previous - 2017 F32 420d M Sport, 2014 F30 330d M Sport, 2011 E90 320d Efficient Dynamics
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11-06-2013, 10:26 AM	#2
kave First Lieutenant 19 Rep 329 Posts Drives: BMW 520D Touring 2012 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 520D Touring [10.00]	Get the 330d. __________________
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11-06-2013, 10:27 AM	#3
Jim-Bow First Lieutenant 131 Rep 320 Posts Drives: G16 840i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: South Wales iTrader: (0)	Everyone has their own priorities (interior/exterior looks, sound, performance etc) but for me this is definitely a no brainer, whilst the 320d is a cracking engine and i'm sure wont leave you disappointed, you'll have far more fun in the 330d and the refinement will be a big step up. - and will far outweigh the lack of Xenons. Also with your mileage the MPG difference wont be too much of a bother either!
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11-06-2013, 10:40 AM	#4
PopeHamish Private 0 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Audi A6 Black Edition Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	Do you not have the option to opt out and take a cash allowance instead? I'd have thought covering anything less than 15k miles wouldn't be worth it in terms of BIK tax - much better to plough the money into a lease which will cover for 10k easily. As others - I'd go for the 330 - you can't see the xenons in the car.
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11-06-2013, 12:23 PM	#6
VonRat Private 2 Rep 97 Posts Drives: F31 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kent iTrader: (0)	I do approx 10K per annum and worked out I'd be better off financially by taking the car allowance and not paying BIK, but I didn't consider it enough to cover the risk of paying for the excess on insurance claims, punctures, minor damage and just having the ability to walk away from the lease. Peace of mind has it's price... If I leased a Ford Focus TDi with my allowance it would obviously make more sense! Regarding your choice of car, it has to be the 330D
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11-06-2013, 02:17 PM	#7
ewanmac Captain 189 Rep 728 Posts Drives: m140i Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (0)	Has to be the 330d! The engine is an absolute peach. Also, although the xenons are good, the HK is one of the first things I would tick. If you like your music, you will find the standard system very poor IMO. __________________ M140i and Boxster S for Summer \| Previously F31 330dx, E90 335D, E92 335i, E46 320CD, E46 318ci x2... and some short-lived SUV thing
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11-06-2013, 05:54 PM	#9
gatsojon Lieutenant Colonel 498 Rep 1,502 Posts Drives: M4 CP SSII/SS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 CP [10.00]	Engine first then look at what you can wrap around it... So 330d it is __________________ Current: F82 CP SS/SS
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11-07-2013, 01:36 AM	#12
paulf Lieutenant 55 Rep 414 Posts Drives: 330e M Sport 2020 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ashby de la Zouch iTrader: (0)	Also struggling to find a decent 330d video review.... You guys know of one? __________________ Driving - 330e M Sport 2020 Previous - 2017 F32 420d M Sport, 2014 F30 330d M Sport, 2011 E90 320d Efficient Dynamics
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11-07-2013, 02:08 AM	#13
Captain Cow Pat Lieutenant 50 Rep 542 Posts Drives: VO F31 330d xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I'd could listen to the sound of the 330d for a lot longer than a 320d. It's the snarl as you push on and the low woofle on pulling away. Which is one of the reasons I bought the 330d over the 320d. The HK has more depth of sound over the other set ups. __________________ Last edited by Captain Cow Pat; 11-07-2013 at 04:12 PM..
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11-07-2013, 02:34 AM	#15
Tengocity General 8567 Rep 19,982 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	Definitely the 330d. I once went from 330d to a 320d manual. i regretted it badly right up to the point i got myself another 330d.
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