Make/Model: BMW 330d E90
Colour: Sparkling Graphite
New?: Yes
Engine: 3.0l 24v turbocharged longitudinal inline 6 diesel
Power/Torque: 160kW @ 4000rpm, 480Nm @ 1750-2750rpm
Average Fuel Consumption: 6.5 l/100 km
Performance: 0-100km/h in 6.9 s, 246 km/h top speed.
Owned: July 2006 - August 2007

Notes: I guess the extremely high fuel consumption of the GT got me a bit rattled, so I thought by purchasing a BMW 330 at R1000 per month less (got a better financial deal), and saving R1000 per month on fuel bills the BMW might just be the "better" deal even though the car itself was more expensive than the GT.

I originally wanted a 330i, but once I took a test drive in a 330d the apparent power difference was just too convincing. The 330i is fast, but not that you'd notice. The 330d with its huge 480Nm torque and turbocharged engine really kicks you in the back when you depress the fuel pedal.

The styling is very elegant, but after a while I did not feel special in my car anymore as everybody had a 3 series E90 sedan. That was the biggest frustration of this fantastic car - it looked like everybody else's car.

Technically I never drove a car that felt so responsive and powerful. From 0 - 100 it is not the fastest car - the GT was faster, but since the full torque is available from a low 1750rpm every day driving was much more exciting.

We took the car on a 5000km trip in Namibia - up to Etosha - and apart from a flat tyre (this car had run flat tyres) it held up perfectly on all those dirt roads. I can honestly say from all my cars (bar the Astra 2.0 CSX) this was the most reliable and stable car I ever drove. I could push it hard and still get 8.5 l/100km diesel consumption. I had to refill only 5 times during my 5000km trip through Namibia - that translates to about 6.3 l/100km.

So to summarise - it is good looking, but boring; it is devastatingly powerful, but boring (revs stops at 4500rpm); it is neatly finished in the interior, but boring; it is great, but boring.