[peikko]

Hi

I am looking at a 320d GT MSport 2015 and wonder how they are to drive in comparison to a 320d Sport?

The car has the MSport Plus Pack with 19" rims.

What sort of fuel economy is achievable would be interesting as well

[Billfitz]

The GT doesn't drive like a standard 3 series. Because of the longer wheelbase and increased weight it drives more like a 5 series.

[peikko]

Okay, I am driving a Volvo v40cc d2 just now so it will be like a Porsche in comparison to that anyway!!!

[dombi]

Originally Posted by peikko

Hi

I am looking at a 320d GT MSport 2015 and wonder how they are to drive in comparison to a 320d Sport?

The car has the MSport Plus Pack with 19" rims.

What sort of fuel economy is achievable would be interesting as well

Have you ever driven a 3Series GT?
Or any 3Series at all?

When you are comparing 320d GT MSport 2015 and 320d Sport, is the second option still a GT?
If so, I would imagine that they are about the same. Do both cars have the same type of transmission? Are they xDrive or RWD? What about suspension? Does any of them have the Adaptive Suspension? Without knowing the exact specs of the two cars, this is difficult to answer your question completely.

Go to a BMW website and try to configure the car for yourself. You will see that the MSport package is mostly an appearance package. It does not add any performance to the car.

My current car is a 2015 320dGT MSport Xdrive, and my previous car was a 2006 320d E91 RWD (station wagon model). The two cars drive quite differently.

I absolutely loved the E91. Even though it had "only" 163BHP, it had no problems keeping up with any kind of traffic. Not even in Germany. If felt amazing to drive and it felt like I could turn with it on a dime.

Now I have a family, and I really appreciate the extra room of the GT. The amount of legroom in the back just amazes everybody who sits in it. The trunk space is also more than enough. But the car feels quite a bit bigger than the E91.

I can feel the extra size and weight in handling. Even though the GT is almost 200BHP, and faster on paper compared to the E91, it feels heavier.

I have the Adaptive Suspension, which is a must I think. Where I live, the quality of the roads is far from ideal. So most of the time I leave the suspension in Comfort mode. Sometimes, on the highways, I switch it to Sports mode.

I have 18" rims (225/50/R18). They ride quite nicely, and don't feel too hard.
I would imagine that the 19" rims would feel a bit stiffer. You might want to drive it around on some lesser quality roads.

I am not light footed, but I don't push it too hard either. With the XDrive I get around 7,2 - 7,5 liters/100 kms (around 31MPG US, 38MPG UK). I could probably get better economy than this, but that would take the fun away, wouldn't it?

Generally I love the 320d GT as well. It is a really nice car to drive, and I drive it quite a lot. I drive quite a few other brand cars as well, but it always feels good to sit back in the GT.

I hope that this helps. Let me know if there is anything else you would like to know...

[peikko]

Thanks for the answer! I should point out I owned both a manual and auto box 320d in the past.

Going to test drive a 320d GT M Sport today but it has M-Sport Suspension and 19" rims...

Might be a big to jarring on U.K. roads or as the rest of the world calls them "dirt tracks"!!!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The GT doesn't drive like a standard 3 series. Because of the longer wheelbase and increased weight it drives more like a 5 series.

Funny you should say that...Given the exterior size and interior room/carrying capacity, I've been describing the car as my "bargain-almost-a-5-Series"! And, yes, it drives that way as well, with the ~3" greater height than a 3 Sedan raising the roll center, especially noticeable when compared to my 2 Series!

[dombi]

Originally Posted by peikko

Thanks for the answer! I should point out I owned both a manual and auto box 320d in the past.

Going to test drive a 320d GT M Sport today but it has M-Sport Suspension and 19" rims...

Might be a big to jarring on U.K. roads or as the rest of the world calls them "dirt tracks"!!!

So, how was it?

[peikko]

I am as surprised that it was pretty smooth - not as comfortable as a V40 CC but that was to be expected..

Early doors but I think I will prefer the GT to the saloon in terms of sitting position etc.

One thing though it was gale force winds so the drive was interesting for other reasons....

Really glad to be back in a BMW again!!!