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 It's definitely a 3 series but which one (has to be new and will be post September model)?
- 335i M Sport saloon with no toys at all
- 335i SE saloon with a few toys
- 330i M Sport saloon with a few toys
- 330i M Sport coupe with a few toys
All views welcome???

335i m sport saloon with nothing, excellent drive. What about the 335d? fast and frugal or is it out of your price range?

still the 335i is superb.

330 M Sport Coupe every time.  Unless you've got very young kids.  The others are all great cars, but even with the M Sport kit the saloon looks deadly dull in comparison to the coupe.  I believe there are other differences between coupe and saloon in terms of the trim quality but I could be wrong.  Anyway, with the 330 coupe you still get storming performance and a great sounding engine, but you don't have to knock around in a car that looks like it costs closer to £18k rather than £30k. 

Whichever you get, it wont be the wrong choice if you enjoy it and it keeps a smile on your face.

To that end, have you thought about the 335d?

Second hand RS4.

More exclusive and you will look less sheep like.

Jon Hardcastle:

More exclusive and you will look less sheep like.

John's off again on his sheep / BMW thing. How many more times must we endure this piffle ? Ye Gods man, buy a car because its good not because you care what other people think !

I would definitely go with the 335d. Make sure you try one before you get a 330i or 335i because you will be amazed. A truly outstanding car. It'll hold its value better than a petrol, I reckon, too.

What about the very last of the previous generation M3 CS. Fantastic car, and had the pleasure of borrowing a friend's for a week.

 I'd only get the saloon if I needed the back doors for kids etc.

The coupe looks way better - especially in the white, dark silver or metallic black I've seen them in.

If you want to be less of a 'sheep' but still want a 3-series, why not try the coupe-convertible. I've only seen a few about, it looks like the coupe and comes with the added bonus of being able to have the roof down on the rare occasion that it is sunny. 

If you are a focused driver then go for the 335i Coupe, no questions asked. The 335d is good... fvor accountants! Real drivers drive petrol cars!

James Read:

John's off again on his sheep / BMW thing. How many more times must we endure this piffle ? Ye Gods man, buy a car because its good not because you care what other people think !

It's too easy with you James. You bite every time.

Have I ever said BMW's are not good cars? I believe they are, but for a premium car they are too common. As are Audi and Merc. And unfortunately they do not seem to deliver in the dealer back up etc. as one would expect with the image they have.

I know, I know, I hear you say 'you drive an Alfa', but my experience with them says they are improving.