BMW 3-Series Saloon (2005 - 2011) 330d SE 4d Auto Owner Review

Having owned this car for over 7 years and about 50k miles, I can easily say, this car has surpassed my expectations. I have serviced it every year, driven it on the motorway and in the city equally. During these years, I had obvious problems with it, such as control arm, rear shock absorber leak, blocked DPF, squaky breaks, seized rear bolts when taking in for wheel alignment, known fault about the battery cable failing and as the most recent, alternator failure. However, I can say that even now, I would not want to sell this car. I average 30mpg in city and about 45-55mpg on the motorway. It is fast. Ridiculously fast. With proper maintenance and care this premium brand car will last you for a long time. In this day and age, everyone wants the newest, fastest, most high tech car. You pay stupid money on PCP or HP. But noone actually considers, that older cars are just as good, still high tech, maybe cost more to maintain, but in the long run it will eventually cost less to keep. The same car on PCP would possibly have cost me between 350 and 500 pounds. It is top spec. Owning for 7+ years, I calculated this cost per month to be around 100 pounds. Insurance costs me around 400 pounds with protected NCB, when I started out at 25 it cost me around 1200, but it depends where you live and where you keep the car. Would I change it to a new or newer one? No. It is well built, the engine is one of the strongest produced, reliable, high powered. This car is what you expect from this brand, and while the years will put a test to it, if you look after it, like you do with everything, it will not let you down and will keep on putting smile on your face every time you start up or put your foot down.