2019 BMW 330d verdict
With a new six-cylinder diesel engine under the bonnet, the BMW 330d promises pace with palatable running costs...
There’s no doubt the 330d’s straight-six diesel is the best engine we’ve yet experienced in the 3 Series. Not only is it rapid and refined, but we also saw well over 40mpg on the trip computer without too much effort at all. For a 3.0-litre engine, that’s not bad at all.
But let's be sensible for a second. The 320d isn’t exactly what you’d call slow, emits up to 20g/km less CO2 and is nearly £3000 cheaper, assuming you want an automatic gearbox. Furthermore, no standard 320d breaks the £40,000 mark, while all 330ds do, increasing your yearly car tax. That’s enough to keep the 320d as our recommended version, even if we’d be sorely tempted by the 330d.
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Read our full BMW 3 Series review
What Car? says...
Rated 5 out of 5
2019 BMW 330d M Sport specification
Price £41,565 Engine 6cyl, 2993cc, diesel Power 261bhp at 400rpm Torque 428lb ft at 1750-2750rpm Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 5.5sec Top speed 155mph Fuel economy 47.9mpg (WLTP) CO2/tax band 133g/km, 32% (NEDC)
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