BMW Advice

[SO8]

I know this is a Golf forum .... but diverse advice is always good  

I had an Edition 30 ... mapped to 300bhp.
I sold it and bought a Z4M Roadster
...and sold that due to it's awful gearbox and an impending work move ... and bought a BMW 320d auto coupe.

Now, I am suffering a bit on the power front - not that there is even one thing wrong with the mint 320d I own (well apart from the run flats) ... it's 8 secs to 60 and low down diesel pick up is fine - but I want more    Economy still matters and it must be auto.

I tried remapping the 320d via Superchips but didn't like the effect on the car with it's auto box so put it back to standard.

Now, do I try BMW's own performance kit : a remap / intercooler / fan kit for £1K which is half way between standard and the power levels of the Superchips map ... spend ££££  and buy a 330d which is 6 secs to 60 and 15 to 100 .... or have a look at a Golf R  

Opinions welcome .....

[swf7y]

Personally, I would have gone for the 335D after selling the Golf. You can spend money trying to make the 320D faster but Beemers are heavy cars and NEED a big engine. The 335D is fantastic with it's two turbos. I had a 330ci before the GTI, the build quality was far superior but it felt heavy and I had a manual box which was brilliant when driving enthusiastically but utter crap when driving normally and in traffic! However, I do love my DSG 

[Oli]

I know where there's a nice 335d for sale............

[Beddie]

How a bout a 123d coupe? Really impressive drive as standard and 250Bhp ish when mapped  

[SO8]

Drove a 335d .... liked it but the 330d feels as quick at the speeds I will do ... though won't rule one out.  FWIW the newer 330d makes a growl unlike any diesel I have heard - 335d included!  They must have done something to it .... it was addictive .... I was very surprised as under hard acceleration it sounded like a petrol '6 ....

Drove a 123d .... prefer the 3 series coupe size and looks - though the 123d is a mighty good car !

[swf7y]

I haven't driven the new 330D so can't comment on that but I wouldn't spend my hard earned cash on a 1 series, I have a personal dislike for them, especially in coupe form 

[SO8]

I haven't driven the new 330D so can't comment on that but I wouldn't spend my hard earned cash on a 1 series, I have a personal dislike for them, especially in coupe form 

They drive well .... but the looks are marmite.

The size is not too different from a 3 series on the outside but they are noticeably smaller inside for some reason.

[JLCoad]

I like the 123d. Looks like a top car.

Quick but not at the petrol station every 10 minutes.

[tony_danza]

If you want a fast car, first buy a fast car.

I'm fairly certain the 325d maps to the same as a 330d and doesn't attract the same 'tax'. maybe worth a look?

[SO8]

If you want a fast car, first buy a fast car.

I'm fairly certain the 325d maps to the same as a 330d and doesn't attract the same 'tax'. maybe worth a look?

I've always bought fast cars .... this has been my first 'sensible' car in 20 years 

The 325d maps to near the 330d but AFAIK has a different turbo and different injectors.  Having driven a standard 325d they are really nice ... and surprisingly quick - being able to keep up with a standard Focus ST ... but don't have the bite of a 330d.  RFL is the same.

As for remaps - I don't want to remap a diesel ideally as the way they feel post map is not what I want ... unless a mild map such as BMW's own.  Compared to petrol the mapped diesels have so much torque early on you get slammed in your seat for 2 or 3K revs ... petrol cars may not remap as well but are much more driveable IMO. 

I may try a 325d if I see one .... though a Golf R is still not ruled out at the price level I am looking at 

[tony_danza]

Ahh, I meant 'tax' as in terms of inflated sale price of 330ds compared to the 325ds.

Having driven mapped 330ds in both manual and auto flavour, I think you'll be much more pleased with the lump. It's just better.

My opinion is it is better to make an already fast car a little bit faster, than to try and wring every last ounce out of something that isn't trying to achieve the same result. You always end up with highly strung and compromised with the latter.

[Edition30]

You sound like your missing the 2.0TFSI so its obvious your wanting the R 


DO IT. You only live once and all that 

[SO8]

You sound like your missing the 2.0TFSI so its obvious your wanting the R  


DO IT. You only live once and all that  

I always have missed the Edition 30 ....  

330d or 335d would be nice but needs to be at the right price.  Now, if I can find an R at the right price 

[Nick S]

My mates E39 M5 got a bit of a surprise from the mapped e90 330d these guys used in the gumball

http://antandpete.vault5.com/tuning.htm

[SO8]

I can imagine how a 330d feels mapped .... it starts at 6 to 60 and 15 to 100 so should be good to keep up with a stage 1 Edition 30 ....