Day of testdrives - The feedback (hope you are sitting comfortably !)

[CraigW]

Congratulations on the choice Andy. Hope you stick around the forum to share with us your thoughts on the new car when you get it 

[am1w]

Plus as the Americans say, there ain't no substitute for cubic inches and I have got a bit bored of the 2 litre 4 cyl hatch thing if I am honest, I hope the 330d will be a more refined experience, and fast enough when I need it..

It will and in spades. BMW engineering is second to none.

[monkeyhanger]

Plus as the Americans say, there ain't no substitute for cubic inches and I have got a bit bored of the 2 litre 4 cyl hatch thing if I am honest, I hope the 330d will be a more refined experience, and fast enough when I need it..

It will and in spades. BMW engineering is second to none.

Their 3L diesel units seem far more reliable than their 2L units - my mate's 2010 320d dropped its swirl flaps into the turbo last year (41k miles on it), one of many who BMW won't help out on goodwill and admit to a design fault. Both the BMW 3L and the VAG 3.0TDIs sound very nice (while paying a visit to DTUK last year there was a very sweet sounding 3.0TDI Q5 getting a box fitted).

[Raffe]

Read all of your thread, very interesting comparison of all cars and how you got to the final decision.

You seemed to battle with the RS3 with desire versus cost, in my view the RS3 is the only 'special' car amongst them where as the rest will blend into anonymity with very subtle looks.

Have seen a few of the RS3's on the road and they just have immense presence and a purposeful stance, coupled with the sound of the 5 cylinder engine and 'RS' badge kudos IMO it's a very special car.

The obvious difference is also the price with the RS3 as ultimately making something more painful financially to own keeps the rarity and exclusivity with the masses sticking with the cheaper choices.

I have no doubt you will be very pleased with your choice of the 330d as its a peach of an engine with the 8 speed auto, my 320d MS has now covered 88k very enjoyable miles since 2013 and its a great workhorse.

Enjoy

[drisser]

Raffe

Thanks for your comments, I think we all had an interesting debate.

In the end, the fact that my fiat coupe sailed through its MOT a couple of weeks ago made my mind up, also being furnished with 5 cylinders.  I just couldn't run an RS3 as an everyday car I would put too many miles on it... So my decision was 330d + keep the fiat for £34k and have a nice fast every day car, or buy the RS3 and sell the fiat and still have to buy a cheap runabout.. It didn't make sense to spend £45k or more to do that when actually my fiat sounds as good if not better than the Audi ( yes really )

Of course money no object an RS3 in the garage would be nice but we live in the real world !!

[wigit]

I've come to the conclusion for my fleet there will now be cars i will rent and cars i will own

On the rent front to replace the Polo its a GTD or BMW of some sort and I'm liking the 4 grand coupe, something both over above my utility principles for the work horse

On the purchase front I'm going back to limited run VW or something with a M badge

M2 is getting more excited than the R400 at the moment and will probably overshadow the RS3 which for me totally misses the point

[Raffe]

Raffe

Thanks for your comments, I think we all had an interesting debate.

In the end, the fact that my fiat coupe sailed through its MOT a couple of weeks ago made my mind up, also being furnished with 5 cylinders.  I just couldn't run an RS3 as an everyday car I would put too many miles on it... So my decision was 330d + keep the fiat for £34k and have a nice fast every day car, or buy the RS3 and sell the fiat and still have to buy a cheap runabout.. It didn't make sense to spend £45k or more to do that when actually my fiat sounds as good if not better than the Audi ( yes really )

Of course money no object an RS3 in the garage would be nice but we live in the real world !!

All makes fair/logical sense.

I'm in a similar position as I have an S2000 as a toy to accompany the 320d which is my company car. The wife has a new Fiesta ST-2 so we have a nice mixed fleet.

Unfortunately I am a serial car modder with the S2000 in for a rotrex supercharger next year accompanied by chassis/brake upgrades....aiming for 400bhp.

Family members think I'm nuts throwing money away, but when I point out the depreciation all of their new cars are achieving in comparison to my car which is paid and rock solid value wise, I'm spending a lot less money and getting something I really want........

My point I suppose is this is a similar comparison to your Fiat vs the RS3...great to have the latest fast car, but it costs ££££ if you want to play that game and you can achieve your car thrills many different ways.

Enjoy your 330d, I have no doubt you'll love it