BMW 330d M Sport: final report

Arrived: September 2008
List price (including options): £38,870
Average economy: 42.8mpg

The BMW 330d M Sport has been -

On board another ferry (thank you Irish Ferries - www.irishferries.com) from Ireland to Wales and then back to its rightful owner in Bracknell. In what could have been a long, dull day of motorway driving, I decided to allow a little more time to take the scenic route through the middle of Wales. My gamble paid off with good weather and remarkably empty roads. The scenery is pretty spectacular in this part of the world too, but anyone that enjoys driving would have come away smiling from ear to ear like I did.

We're loving the -

Whole package really. Having spent nearly a year with the 330d it stands out as a great all-rounder that will appeal to different types of buyers. It's a classy family car on one hand, which refuses to return less than 40mpg no matter how it's driven, yet it's also a real sports saloon with masses of reserves for safe overtaking and mountain road tackling alike. In such circumstances we really appreciated its rock solid body control too.

But not so impressed by -

The flip side of that iron fisted body control is a compromise in terms of ride comfort. Although I personally would be willing to live with it for the handling and stability benefits, I can understand how many will not. Until recently the only option was to go for the less extrovert SE model, but BMW has seen the light and now allows buyers to opt out of the sports suspension that used to form an integral part of the M Sport make-up. Good move.

We're looking forward to -

Using the BMW's replacement to get over its loss! As I write this, the 330d is already being polished up for redistribution through the BMW dealer network. It'll make a great second hand buy, though the 3 Series does hold its value. We have a rather different car from the BMW stable to replace it: a MINI Clubman in full-on John Cooper Works guise. Should be an interesting few months.

Shane O' Donoghue