Faults:

Being firmer and lower, the suspension causes premature wear on bushings, shock absorbers, and tires, resulting in sharp noises or imprecise handling.

The plastic intake manifold swirl flaps can wear out and be ingested by the engine. It is vital to inspect them or install a blanking plug kit.

Internal rubber seal of the crankshaft pulley tends to crack over the years and kilometers.

The particulate filter gets clogged if the car is driven too much in the city. Every now and then, you need to take it for a drive on the open road to avoid this problem.

General Comments:

Who said diesels can't be agile and fast?

This 330d is a real marvel. With 231 hp, it has power to spare, but it’s the massive torque that makes it so quick. On long highway stretches, this car flies, as fast as the petrol 330, I’d venture to say, even though the diesel has 41 hp less.

330d's 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbo engine generates 369 lb-ft of torque at just 1,750 rpm—133 lb-ft more than the gasoline-powered 330i, which operates at higher revs.

The powerful torque works beautifully with the automatic transmission. You can drive leisurely, letting the torque carry you smoothly without barely touching the tachometer, or you can floor it and take advantage of the transmission's kickdown function. Like most BMWs, it has a sporty character, featuring direct steering and precise handling. It is very agile. It also offers a semi-automatic mode, allowing you to shift gears manually if you want to have some real fun. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in roughly 6.8 seconds and accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in five seconds. Impressive performance for a diesel!

It comes fully loaded with optional extras; while this raises the price, they are truly worth it. It features leather upholstery, xenon headlights, a six-speed automatic transmission, a Bluetooth phone kit, and sun-protection glass.

The xenon headlights are incredible—if you do a lot of night driving, they are well worth it. They project a beam of light much further than standard headlights.

It also comes with a standard iPod connection. The M package (featuring 18-inch wheels, low-profile tires, a body kit, and a more aggressive stance) also makes the 3 Series silhouette much more attractive. All in all, it is a pleasant place to be.

The 330d M-Sport is an ideal car for those seeking a fast, attractive vehicle with four doors and a spacious trunk, such as young families or drivers who prefer cars that are quick yet understated. You will appreciate its power and (relatively) low fuel consumption.

Like every BMW, it has its own charm.

Faults:

Sensors, ABS, suspension, brakes, oil leak, etc the usual stuff for age and miles.

General Comments:

Even as a 2007 car, this 3 series feels fresh. Bought as a second car to cruise in comfort and it has delivered well.

Expensive to run but that is expected. You can buy them cheap enough used however. The car also barely returns more than 27 - 30 mpg, but you should go for the diesels or smaller engines if that is a concern. The 2.5 petrol has a nice balance of power however, and is very refined.

SE model has plenty extras and a comfy interior.

Overall I like it, an appreciating classic I now plan to keep. Modern enough to use, yet not old enough to cause me any major problems, ideal second car for anyone!

Faults:

I had a leaking oil filter housing shortly after buying.

The SEALS go for everything; so far I replaced the power steering container, valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket.

Admittedly I do drive it quite hard.

Front rotors were warped and replaced them; no issues since.

I have the stock BMW rims and they warp easily.

General Comments:

I like the car for the way it drives and was okay with replacing seals here and there.

The sports suspension and sport seats are really comfortable, perfect sports/luxury combination!

The engine and manual transmission have never given me issues and the body holds up extremely well given the harsh conditions and SALT.

My favorite feature is that it will take cheap gas...