[FManc]

Hi,
So the time has finally come to replace my partners car! I've currently got a 2017 420i which has been a brilliant car to own, so much so we're planning to keep it. My partner will have it and I'll be buying a new car We were originally looking at an LCI 2022/2023 X3 but trying to find one with the right spec under £38k-£40k is nigh on impossible (the chip shortage is mostly to blame I think).

So we've turned our eyes on a 3 series touring which we've always been interested in. We ideally wanted the ride height the X3 offers but we have to be realistic in terms of what's available. You can currently get a LCI 320i Touring with a very hefty spec list in the region of £36k from an AUC. There's a plethora of them available within the £36k-£38k price bracket from late 2022/2023. The other option would be a Pre LCI 330i Touring which seem much harder to come by and sit around the £34k-£35k mark.

I'm really torn as I guess it comes down to an older car/interior with more power or a newer interior/Idrive 8 with an engine I'm already used to. I've really enjoyed driving my 420i; it shifts when I want it to, especially in sport mode. However, I have always said I wouldn't mind something with just a bit more power. I should emphasise I don't need the extra power but a part of me would still like it! The M340i is 100% out of the question as it's too expensive to run (insurance etc) and too many scrotes about nicking high performance cars.

The ideal scenario would be a LCI 330i Touring but I think they were only in production for a few months before being binned so I don't even know what price they sit at used (none available) and I imagine they're wildly popular as well. I'm not overly convinced by the 330e and they charge a premium sitting around £40k for what we'd want spec wise. My partner is quite interested in the Volvo XC60 but the B5 engine seems dull!

Any advice?

[The_Tok'Ra]

AFAIK the 330i G20/G21 ceased production when the LCI cars were released.

Pre LCI 330i tourings are indeed hard to find, I looked for the right one for me for over 8 months and the finally gave up and bought 340i touring, and it's great car, but as you said, more expensive in every regard to run.

[Rhino at Work]

OP I would definitely go for a 330i with ID7 over a 320i with ID8. Of course I would say that as I have one!

[FManc]

Originally Posted by The_Tok'Ra

AFAIK the 330i G20/G21 ceased production when the LCI cars were released.

Pre LCI 330i tourings are indeed hard to find, I looked for the right one for me for over 8 months and the finally gave up and bought 340i touring, and it's great car, but as you said, more expensive in every regard to run.

I actually thought the same in regards to the 330i being dropped when LCI was introduced but then I did find a 2023 facelift one on Autotrader - it’s up at the moment for £44.5K http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401245864536
I did a bit of snooping around and found this thread which suggests they ceased production in April 2023. https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...highlight=330i

Similarly I don’t mind waiting really (within reason) as we’re in no mad rush but it’s hard not to get tempted when there’s a ton of 320i’s available. There’s a 330i up at the minute but annoyingly it’s been hit by the chip shortage and had Harman Kardon + Wireless Charging deleted!

Originally Posted by Rhino at Work

OP I would definitely go for a 330i with ID7 over a 320i with ID8. Of course I would say that as I have one!

How do you find your 330i? I'm mostly on city drives with the odd motorway/long run every 2-3 weeks and average 33.5mpg.
I am definitely tempted by the 330i! It'd be cheaper than a LCI 320i being pre-facelift and I haven't got that much of a preference in terms of exterior looks (they both look great). I guess it comes down to the interior/ID7 vs ID8 but no matter what it'd be a step up for me as my 420i has the old interior that precedes the pre LCI.

[The_Tok'Ra]

Originally Posted by FManc

I actually thought the same in regards to the 330i being dropped when LCI was introduced but then I did find a 2023 facelift one on Autotrader - it’s up at the moment for £44.5K http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401245864536
I did a bit of snooping around and found this thread which suggests they ceased production in April 2023. https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...highlight=330i

Similarly I don’t mind waiting really (within reason) as we’re in no mad rush but it’s hard not to get tempted when there’s a ton of 320i’s available. There’s a 330i up at the minute but annoyingly it’s been hit by the chip shortage and had Harman Kardon + Wireless Charging deleted!



How do you find your 330i? I'm mostly on city drives with the odd motorway/long run every 2-3 weeks and average 33.5mpg.
I am definitely tempted by the 330i! It'd be cheaper than a LCI 320i being pre-facelift and I haven't got that much of a preference in terms of exterior looks (they both look great). I guess it comes down to the interior/ID7 vs ID8 but no matter what it'd be a step up for me as my 420i has the old interior that precedes the pre LCI.

I'm always happy to be corrected. Nice find

That's a nice 330i Good spec too. TBH, for a 23 plate with only 7K on the clock, I think that's not bad. prices are certainly coming down.

I bought my 2021 M340i with 16,600 on the clock only 6 months ago when prices were really high, and it was not cheaper than that 330i

I knew I was paying over the odds TBH, but I was being very picky with the colour, it had to be Oxide Grey, and I also wanted a well speced car too, but maybe I should have been more patient...

[FManc]

Originally Posted by The_Tok'Ra

I'm always happy to be corrected. Nice find

That's a nice 330i Good spec too. TBH, for a 23 plate with only 7K on the clock, I think that's not bad. prices are certainly coming down.

I bought my 2021 M340i with 16,600 on the clock only 6 months ago when prices were really high, and it was not cheaper than that 330i

I knew I was paying over the odds TBH, but I was being very picky with the colour, it had to be Oxide Grey, and I also wanted a well speced car too, but maybe I should have been more patient...

I think hindsight is a wonderful thing but you’ve definitely got to live in the moment as well. Everything has been so volatile recently so a drop in prices has been hard to predict. I’m similarly looking for a particular spec so when it does come up I’ll have to make a decision eitherway.

The current market for used cars has definitely taken me by surprise though. In 2018 bought my 420i when it was 8 months old with 6000 miles for just £24k! Them days are long gone now