I have a 52 plate 330CI which I have had from new. It's approaching it's 7th birthday, and in my opinion is a supurb machine. There was a few nigging faults when it was new, with the windows, quite a common problem, and the central locking has a fit every now and again. It has been through a couple of coil packs too, but they are quite cheap to replace.
Enough of the negative points, this car drives like a dream, fast, and responsive when you want. Plenty fast enough to have your partner shouting in your ear to slow down, when you see some open road, but a quiet comfortable cruiser on long motorway runs. It is pretty fuel efficient too. I often get mid 30's MPG on the motorway, and mid 20's around town. Lets not forget this is a 3 litre in-line 6 cylinder engine with 231 BHP and 300 NM torque, so if you are heavy with your right foot you will certainly scoff fuel, and leave large amounts of rubber on the road.
The SE specification car is identical to the sport underneath, (sport spec if just cosmetic) but is a bit softer mainly due to 17" wheels. I have updraded these to the MV1 Sport wheels which have hardened the ride, but increased the grip considerably, which I would reccommend.
Servicing is not as expensive as the brand would suggest. The variable service indication allows 15,500 or 2 years whichever is sooner. It does adjust to differing driving styles, and if you drive with too much spirit too often, which I did at the beginning, it needed a service at around 10-12,000 which I thought was pretty excellent. I have to also mention the quality of this machine. For example my car has covered 35,000 miles and is still on the original discs and pads on the front (due to be changed soon). That's a lot of driving!
The main dealers are much beter than they used to be, and get a quote from a couple before you book. Any car over 4 years old should get a 10% discount on servicing. The 330CI should cost in my experience around £150 for a basic oil service, Then around £200 for an Inspection one, then it would have another oil service, then the big one the Inspection Two which is the major service at around £300. The brake fluid needs changing every two years costing around £90.
I know people with Mercedes and Audis who pay far greater sums for some inferior vehicles in comparison to the 330.
To sum up a great car, and if you can get hold of an older low milage vehicle fantastic value for money. A good one from a dealer should only set you back around £8,000, which is amazing for a car which costs over £30,000 new. A newer one from a main BMW dealer wlll of course cost a lot more. The BMW warranties when buying from a dealer are bullet proof, just the same as the first year new car warranty, so well worth the piece of mind.
I could go on, and on - drive one and you will see what I mean. - Great - Not the ultimate, but great never the less.
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