Bmw 3 liter petrol vs diesel vs auto vs manual

SpannerMonkey

hi i really want a 3 liter version like the E90 330i i had , dont have money now for that car but im looking at
E39 530i
E39 530d
E46 330d
E46 330i
Question is there are so many autos around but very few manuals especially in petrol models whats your opinion of autos
PS i like Spirited driving :P so i dont know if an auto would fit what you think ???

mick.fr

davy_b wrote: »

hi i really want a 3 liter version like the E90 330i i had , dont have money now for that car but im looking at
E39 530i
E39 530d
E46 330d
E46 330i
Question is there are so many autos around but very few manuals especially in petrol models whats your opinion of autos
PS i like Spirited driving :P so i dont know if an auto would fit what you think ???

Diesel = Plenty of torque, but annoying noise

Nothing wrong with auto unless you are a boy racer or think you are the King of Mondello. For sure the car will be a little bit slower over manual. So what? Nothing wrong unless you are planning to burn some gum at green lights...

Bluehair

For comfort and cruising while still retaining great handling take the auto E39 530D.

For regular 'spirited driving' take the manual e46 330i. Depending on your budget an early E46 M3 might take the place of the latter.

For a daily drive that includes urban driving, traffic, motorway and general saloon car stuff the 530D is hard to beat.

cashmni1

That kind of power will suit an Auto. As said, a manual might get you 0.5 of a sec from 0 to 60 but in the general driving you will find the auto just fine. In fact I would prefer an auto with the diesel. It makes for easier driving.
Auto all the way for me with a 3.0l - diesel especially, waves of uninterrupted torque in a smooth delivery.

SpannerMonkey

ya if i was going diesel it would have to be auto the limited rev range suits an auto so much better , just a little worried about swirl flap issue

Gumbo

i would go for the 530d option if possible. more space.

try get a face lift version too with 204bhp iirc, and as much of a spec as you can afford including leather, sat nav/TV, xenons and bluetooth.

Gumbo

davy_b wrote: »

ya if i was going diesel it would have to be auto the limited rev range suits an auto so much better , just a little worried about swirl flap issue

you wont encounter that on the X30d engine iirc
this only affected the early 150bhp 2.0d engines

SpannerMonkey

kceire wrote: »

i would go for the 530d option if possible. more space.

try get a face lift version too with 204bhp iirc, and as much of a spec as you can afford including leather, sat nav/TV, xenons and bluetooth.

how do i know if its the 204 bhp version

cianclarke

davy_b wrote: »

hi i really want a 3 liter version like the E90 330i i had , dont have money now for that car but im looking at
E39 530i
E39 530d
E46 330d
E46 330i
Question is there are so many autos around but very few manuals especially in petrol models whats your opinion of autos
PS i like Spirited driving :P so i dont know if an auto would fit what you think ???

I'd be inclined to go:
E46 330ci
E46 330cd
E39 530d
E39 530i
E46 330d
E46 330i

in order of preference - I know you didn't list the 330ci, but it's a seriously sweet looker and drive it has to be said..

On the issue of auto vs manual, I'd disagree with the above. I own an E46 325ci auto, and like the occasional spirited drive - read occasional, not a boy racer. I'd take the manual any day over the auto.
Although the BMW Steptronic box is probably one of the best auto boxes I've been in, it can still do clumsy things on the rare occasion and I still miss the manual a bit. Auto certainly wouldn't put me off a car in any way, and it's a great gearbox, but if I had like for like I'd take the manual.

Gumbo

davy_b wrote: »

how do i know if its the 204 bhp version

i think it was facelifted in mid 2003.
you would need to get the chassis number and check online or with a decent BMW dealer and ask them what engine is in it.

or if you got the engine code, you could check it up online.

SpannerMonkey

cianclarke wrote: »

I'd be inclined to go:
E46 330ci
E46 330cd
E39 530d
E39 530i
E46 330d
E46 330i

in order of preference - I know you didn't list the 330ci, but it's a seriously sweet looker and drive it has to be said..

On the issue of auto vs manual, I'd disagree with the above. I own an E46 325ci auto, and like the occasional spirited drive - read occasional, not a boy racer. I'd take the manual any day over the auto.
Although the BMW Steptronic box is probably one of the best auto boxes I've been in, it can still do clumsy things on the rare occasion and I still miss the manual a bit. Auto certainly wouldn't put me off a car in any way, and it's a great gearbox, but if I had like for like I'd take the manual.

i love the coupe but im 6ft 5 and i just dont fit i tending to lean towards the 530d, my last car was a 325i manual and it was sweet had it up around 218bhp beauty but from mods a bit heavy on juice :P

Gumbo

davy_b wrote: »

i love the coupe but im 6ft 5 and i just dont fit i tending to lean towards the 530d, my last car was a 325i manual and it was sweet had it up around 218bhp beauty but from mods a bit heavy on juice :P

what had you done to get it to 218bhp?

cianclarke

davy_b wrote: »

i love the coupe but im 6ft 5 and i just dont fit i tending to lean towards the 530d, my last car was a 325i manual and it was sweet had it up around 218bhp beauty but from mods a bit heavy on juice :P

You sure?! I'm a bit over 6'3" and there's still a fair bit of room left to go back!

SpannerMonkey

Just a remap
http://www.upsolute.ie/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,12/

and a K and N FIPK
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=57-1002
also gives it a sweet sound

tested it and it was running at 218 BHP:D

SpannerMonkey

cianclarke wrote: »

You sure?! I'm a bit over 6'3" and there's still a fair bit of room left to go back!

ya definate i fit but not comfortably my head touching roof

mick.fr

davy_b wrote: »

ya definate i fit but not comfortably my head touching roof

Yeah me too. I feel much more confortable in my 5".
Plus the 325i is slow

Gumbo

davy_b wrote: »

Just a remap
http://www.upsolute.ie/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,12/

and a K and N FIPK
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=57-1002
also gives it a sweet sound

tested it and it was running at 218 BHP:D

nice

Mr Benevolent

One issue is that auto 530d is 25% less fuel efficient than the manual. I'd still go for the auto though