BMW 330Ci Test Drive.......and beyond!

[aka$h]

Im selling a Clk230k take a look in the classifieds, same engine as yours

 

[jimmy]

Having just bought a Golf as a second family car I am so impressed with it that I am even more disheartened with the Merc, if I could afford to change it I would be looking at a VW or Audi.

BMW's are nice but not too special in my opinion, a work colleague has a new 5 series and it is pretty average really, I was quite dissapointed with the driving of it, slow and boring.

When the time comes for me I shall be looking at a Audi A4 Avant (TDi Quattro) sound familiar?

 

[Aletank]

Here's somthin nice from the Audi stable Click Me

2002 AUDI A4 Saloon 3.0 Quattro Sport [6] 4dr
Dolphin Grey. 250 bhp, 18" TSW alloys, Blk Leather, privacy glass, 8 mths tax, ABS, FSH, 6 CD, Central locking, Air conditioning, Alarm, Audi Warranty, Electric/ Sports pack, Air bags, aluminium trim in & out, mint condition. 39000 miles. £18295.

 

[lotusmark2]

Having just bought a Golf as a second family car I am so impressed with it that I am even more disheartened with the Merc, if I could afford to change it I would be looking at a VW or Audi.

When the time comes for me I shall be looking at a Audi A4 Avant (TDi Quattro) sound familiar?

Could always do you a swap Jimmy, thinking about chamging for an estate in the near future

 

[GrahamC230K]

Today was test drive day.

Grumpy salesman aside, it went well. I really like the way the TT drives. The 225 Brake engine just launches into life pulling hard in any gear at any revs. Just how I want it.

So just down to money now to establish my maximum spend and selecting the car.

Who has p/x'd a late w202 recently? What insult did you get for it?

 

[guydewdney]

from autotrader... no C230K though



Prices


Dealer £9,798

Private £9,199

Part Ex £7,946

Trade £7,594

Cost New £28,260



2398 170 No data 14 Unleaded 27.2




Mercedes-Benz 240 Sport 4dr
Saloon 4dr
1999-V
Mileage 80,000





Prices


Dealer £11,645

Private £11,064

Part Ex £9,697

Trade £9,306

Cost New £24,470



1796 163 9000 13 Unleaded 32.5




Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor Elegance SE 4dr
Saloon 4dr
2002-02
Mileage 80,000



Great to drive, refined, well specced, practical and stylish - looks so much like an S-class limo that some won't tell the difference. Smooth autos. The Kompressor engine can be unrefined and foot-operated parking brake is awkward with manual 'box. Qualit

 

[guydewdney]

which reminds me - how the hell do you do a smooth hill start in a manual with the foot brake thing?

1 foot on accelerator
one foot on park brake to stop it pinging up
the third foot on the clutch
on hand on brake release,
second hand on steering wheel
third hand to put into gear...

 

[GrahamC230K]

which reminds me - how the hell do you do a smooth hill start in a manual with the foot brake thing?

1 foot on accelerator
one foot on park brake to stop it pinging up
the third foot on the clutch
on hand on brake release,
second hand on steering wheel
third hand to put into gear...

No probs, but parking brake has to "clonk" up and you have to do all operations involving applying handbrake in neutral

 

[Aletank]

Below is from www.parkers.co.uk and only have the Auto option

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon
C230K Sport 4d Auto 1999/T
Average mileage: 50,000 miles

Original Price £ 28625
Dealer Retail £ 11270
Private Good £ 9830
Private Poor £ 6610
Trade £ 8050

 

[GrahamC230K]

Private Poor £ 6610

With the dealers adjustment for manual and miles, the offer wan't even close to this!

LOL, no fear of me letting it go that cheaply. Hopefully not ready for plan B (run it into the ground) yet though.

 

[pammy]

So you're a TT convert then

 

[Sp!ke]

No probs, but parking brake has to "clonk" up and you have to do all operations involving applying handbrake in neutral

Spot on description here.... means you cant pass your test in a MB however as the textbook says you have to have the handbrake on b4 changing into neutral.

Surely it wouldnt be too difficult to damp the damn release mechanism to avoid the clonk... even a slightly weaker spring would help.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

why not spend a couple of grand on something different .....like droppuing a 3.2 in a 202???

 

[Shude]

why not spend a couple of grand on something different .....like droppuing a 3.2 in a 202???

Wouldn't be any faster than a c230k and it'd use more fuel and cost more to service, plus in Graham's case he'd also struggle to find a manual transmission for it!

 

[ChrissyBoy]

Have to disagree on the 330i. My previous 330Ci was an absolute rocket, keeping up with a friend's WRX P1 (280bhp) - although I'm sure if he'd sacrificed the gearbox with a full throttle launch he could have had me. Also another friend who has a 225TT commented on the better low down torque on my 330 after having driven it. Give me a 3.0l normally aspirated straight six over a 4 cylinder turbo every time.

The seat of your pants aren't always a reliable yardstick of performance.

 

[lotusmark2]

why not go the whole hog and blow the extra wod on a Nissan 350 £25,000 or Mazda rx8 £20,500 over a couple of extra years on the never never.

 

[Tan]

If your heart was set on a 330 it may be worth test driving another, only way to know if that car was normal of had a fault. Always best to look and drive a few of the same model to really get a feel for what you are buying.

 

[GrahamC230K]

If your heart was set on a 330 it may be worth test driving another, only way to know if that car was normal of had a fault. Always best to look and drive a few of the same model to really get a feel for what you are buying.

Good suggestion, but I am pretty sure the 330Ci was OK. One of the BMW technicians (not the sales man) came on the drive with me. He was happy the car was OK (apart from the brakes felt poor on 1st touch due to surface corrosion on discs where it had been sat). He encouraged me to really drive the car and said that's just the way the engine is. He said he didn't rate them either and said they were great with a Supercharger conversion that never took off due to cost!

why not go the whole hog and blow the extra wod on a Nissan 350 £25,000 or Mazda rx8 £20,500 over a couple of extra years on the never never.

I know I can't really talk about exclusivity looking for a TT, but count how many RX8's you see next time you go out. Are they giving them away free somewhere?

A mate has a 350Z and it is simply awesome. It is a very very impressive car all round. Remove badges and review and you would never guess Nissan. His 1st srvice cost £150!

If I had £30K, I would not be buying a new TT over the 350Z, but sadly the 350Z is too new, the Jap version is actually different and the TT just about the age to make it affordable at the alrready higher end of my reach.

Unless, I get some serious P/X offers for my car, this is all pie in the sky. I though I had a realistic idea what mine would P/X for, but I have been vastly mistaken so far.

 

[Koolvin]

Audi's Rock.... but not the TT sorry!

 

[RichardM]

I know I can't really talk about exclusivity looking for a TT, but count how many RX8's you see next time you go out. Are they giving them away free somewhere?

I agree with you there, they are everywhere, can't believe the number I see on the road everyday.