2002 BMW 3 Series 330d from UK and Ireland - Comments

Side repeater indicator fell out on the motorway and left a nice gouge in the front wing.

Suspension noise and vague steering caused by worn balljoints. Thought this was a bit odd on a (then) 29,000 mile car.

I will admit that I wouldn't have chosen this car, but took it over from a previous employee when I started a new job last year.

The car has won me round with its brilliant engine, astonishing performance and surefooted handling, although it doesn't feel quite as taut and responsive as my previous ST200 Mondeo once off the motorway. A bit disappointing considering it is RWD, to be honest, although the 330d is quicker which is very impressive considering its diesel powered. Sounds almost as good too.

The interior is brilliantly designed and finished - exactly how you would expect a BMW to be, but I've noticed the odd squeak creeping in over the past few thousand miles. Overall though, progress is smooth and refined, and that big wave of diesel midrange torque gives eye opening acceleration for overtaking.

It's a lovely car, but for a couple of silly quality issues. My biggest issue though is its image. I've had all the usual jokes "WOW, these things ARE fitted with indicators after all!", "Where does the little pass go that gives you exclusive use of lane 3?" and from a good friend when I pulled onto his drive in it for the first time: "Funny Dan, I never took you for a t*sser". If there is a car that road users in general have a lower opinion of, I haven't driven it.

The only constructive critsism I can say about your review is if you prefer a FORD to a BMW then my friend you don't know your cars.

I agree completely with the comment given how you can compare a sheer brilliant German machine to a Ford Mondeo. I mean come on.

Typical of the blinkered thinking of the typical 3 series driver/owner which I humbly suggest contributes to the image of the car. Sad.

I think if you actually use turn signals and drive a BMW you have to give the car back!!! Den.

To the first commenter - if you automatically dismiss or prefer a car based solely on the badge it wears, then I humbly suggest it is you who doesn't know your cars. The ST200 was critically acclaimed by every motoring magazine as having a fantastic engine and a chassis which, despite the handicap of front wheel drive, bears comparison with pretty much anything else on the market. But it's a Ford, so it's automatically crap, right? Get real.

I have covered extensive mileage in both cars, and feel qualified to make the comparisons I made. The fact is that the Mondeo's torquey, smooth engine, razor sharp turn-in, throttle adjustable chassis balance and effortlessly powerful, perfectly servoed brakes make it a driver's machine which, if you look beyond the badge, can hold its own with pretty much any similarly powered mass produced car on the market. The fact is, both cars have similar power, performance, chassis ability (Mondeo has the edge here without a doubt) and interior space. To say one doesn't compare with the other because of badge prestige, and then suggest that saying otherwise suggests a lack of knowledge of cars is ironic to the point of being hilarious, not to mention betraying a staggering level of ignorance. You clearly know your badges, but I suspect your knowledge of the hunks of metal they bolt on to needs some careful fine tuning.

These guys are defending the 3 series when the review actually mentions parts FALLING OFF THE CAR!!! HAHA. Granted, the # isn't bad, but as above-mentioned, a badge don't make a car. Just look at the 7 series!!! Thing breaks something new before you fixed the first problem!!! It seems the last few years NONE of the german companies have what it takes.

I had my nephew once ask me how come he hadn't heard anything about it when I mentioned the 540 & 530 engine failure rate. (Admittedly, since corrected). Like I told him, "Do you really think someone is going to spend 60-80 000 dollars on a car and admit it's a piece of junk!!!"

Now the 5 series IS a great car and as we know, comparing Ford to BMW is apples to oranges, BUT only on the surface. Look at pricing. IS a BMW really 2-3 times the car the Ford is? I love ALL cars (mostly), but let's live in the real world! Den.

I totaly agree with the other comments. I have gone through heaps of BMW'S and I have had no problems. They are great cars. Why compare a BMW to a ford???

Interesting comparison with the Mondeo ST220 - I haven't driven the Ford so it wouldn't be fair to comment.

Surprised with the various comments re build quality - my last 5 Series (523i SE) and my 330D Sport Touring have both been bombproof.

With regard to image I confess that I was initially put off the 3 because everyone's got one (in Aberdeen they're more common than the aforementioned Mondeo). However, once I tested the 330D Sport Touring I was absolutely blown away: the performance (204bhp) and handling are simply awesome. Similarly in Sport guise the car looks and feels something special and stands out from the herd.

With regard to your comments about exclusive use of the fast lane, those cards are reserved for 316 & 318 drivers who usually travel in attack formation (as a certain J Clarkson has pointed out in the past)!

You'll never get a 'tosser' comment from anyone who knows their cars and, hell, if you do it's a small price to pay for one of the finest drives around.

I've had both a V6 Mondeo and BMW 330d. I think you've got to compare apples with apples. The Mondeo is a genuinely excellent drivers car - punchy, excellent handling. Of course, I'd prefer my 330d, but look at the price difference. Don't judge a book by its cover - if I was buying a car in that price range, I'd still buy a Mondeo. Get off its case!

I'm sure the Mondeo is a great car, but the reality is that the BMW is far cheaper to own and run - economy is different league as are residuals and if you bought one in the last two years you had 3 years of service free motoring thanks to the built in servicing package. It's a more expensive car to buy, but will actually cost less pence per mile to run than the Mondeo and that is a fact. That is why the lease values are cheaper.

To all you mondeo lovers out there no one has any probs against mondeo st, s if you talking about fords v bmw, s you loose hands down the fact is you get what you pay for as far as bits falling of cars fords have a very good share in that sort of market I have a 320d and have done close to 150,000 miles without one fault and to be honest the condition of the paint and interior is basically unmarked the fit and finish is just better.

BMW's are over-rated. I'm not knocking them - I've owned BMs and Fords in my time. The Beemers are quality cars, but they're not as brilliant as some would try to make out. If you buy new, use your head - the BMW has much better residuals and more competent dealers who treat the customer with respect (although you have to contend with the T****R image that most other drivers will have of you). Buying second-hand, go for the Ford as it offers the better driving experience, is cheaper to buy and run, and people don't have a negative image of it (just make sure you avoid the main dealers!).

Doesn't the BMW 3 series outsell the Ford Mondeo?

Surely that shows which of the has the image problem, and aren't the jokes more out of envy? If someone is calling you a T****R then they obviously don't like you very much.

Having said that, no car can be worst than VW's.

Is there anything worst than VW come on seriously you must be joking just look the C**p being sent over by the Japanese and Korean manufactures I honestly don't know how people buy a new Nissan or Toyota I know I know there reliable blah blah blah, but talk about boring, I own a 320D which I think is a smashing car 120,000 miles and not a squeak or knock out of it.

350Z, Supra, Skyline... yeah really boring.

Give me a four cylinder diesel repmobile any day of the week.