[ducatiboy72]

Hi

I'm planning to replace my old E91 with a F31 this fall and can't decide if I should get the 320i or 320d.

Has anyone tried the F30 with both the 320i and 320d engine?

Would love to get the 328i, but due to extreme taxes here in Norway that would cost me more than $30 000 extra over a 320d

[SomeRandomer123]

320d. It's brilliant. No brainer for me.

[patrice03]

difficult to say, much depends on your need for diesel engines. i have always been somewhat disappointed with entry level engines such as 325i, low torque, no character etc.. imagine not better on 320i. 320d has plenty of power at low revs, nice for city drive, overtake but its more noisy and less refined. you could also consider the 318d, far cheaper than 320d but powerful enough, and with the savings on 320d have the automatic .. 318d +automatic is definitively a win-win

[EJIB]

Indeed; owner of a 318D automatic for few months now; brilliant, comfortable and amazing low consumption. Diesel versions not recommended for short trips below 10 miles. HUD / NavPro combination is fantastic and contributes to road safety. Also Xenons with HighBeam works perfectly.

[Naambezet]

Originally Posted by patrice03

difficult to say, much depends on your need for diesel engines. i have always been somewhat disappointed with entry level engines such as 325i, low torque, no character etc.. imagine not better on 320i. 320d has plenty of power at low revs, nice for city drive, overtake but its more noisy and less refined. you could also consider the 318d, far cheaper than 320d but powerful enough, and with the savings on 320d have the automatic .. 318d +automatic is definitively a win-win

Not enough torque at lower revs with the 320i?
It has 270 NM just from 1250 RPM till 4500, not low enough?

[ducatiboy72]

Originally Posted by patrice03

difficult to say, much depends on your need for diesel engines. i have always been somewhat disappointed with entry level engines such as 325i, low torque, no character etc.. imagine not better on 320i. 320d has plenty of power at low revs, nice for city drive, overtake but its more noisy and less refined. you could also consider the 318d, far cheaper than 320d but powerful enough, and with the savings on 320d have the automatic .. 318d +automatic is definitively a win-win

I found this test of the 320i vs the 318d:
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/9504F6D70A9A29EBCA257A0F0027895A

Would like to see a comparison between the 320i and 320d.

Also I'm getting the 8 sp automatic.

[SCBimmerKid]

I've always wanted to test drive a diesel bimmer.

[arnsbrae]

Originally Posted by ducatiboy72

I found this test of the 320i vs the 318d:
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257A0F0027895A

Would like to see a comparison between the 320i and 320d.

Also I'm getting the 8 sp automatic.

I would say that comparison is between the 320i and the 328i rather than the 318d, which is only mentioned in passing...

[ducatiboy72]

Originally Posted by arnsbrae

I would say that comparison is between the 320i and the 328i rather than the 318d, which is only mentioned in passing...

Sorry, I posted the wrong link. The correct one is this
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/#/54255/2012-bmw-320i-and-318d-first-drive-review

[dmontic71]

Of course, neither are available here in the US- but I'm guessing I would prefer the 320d for the torque...

[demge01]

320d is an immense engine for a blend of power and economy.
Here in the UK it is actually over £2000 more than the equivalent 320i

320d for me no question although the 320i would be quieter and smoother.

Performance wise the 320d and 320i are roughly even outright but in most day to day driving the 320d is going to feel much more punchy.

[Nick the Greek]

Remember that the 320d sounds like a canal boat though...

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by ducatiboy72

Hi

I'm planning to replace my old E91 with a F31 this fall and can't decide if I should get the 320i or 320d.

Has anyone tried the F30 with both the 320i and 320d engine?

Would love to get the 328i, but due to extreme taxes here in Norway that would cost me more than $30 000 extra over a 320d

I have a 320i and boy does it deliver on power! It has plenty of torque and I'm still blown away everyday with the power it has! I haven't tested the 320d, but I have to say that I heard it at idle and it is quite loud (sorry to those with a 320d but I'm biased towards my car!)

I say save some cash for more extras and go with the 320i! I doubt you will be disappointed with the performance..

[Carjack]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

Remember that the 320d sounds like a canal boat though...

This is rather a rubbishy statement. The 320D does NOT sound like a canal boat! I've driven both and the 320i! The 320D out performs the 320i in all respects, except it's original cost. It's torque is in fact higher than the 328i.
The 320D is well worth it's extra cost, believe me.

[patrice03]

torque is by far higher in 320d indeed, and always nice to feel power at low revs. however diesel as not as refined as petrol ones and these new twin turbo engines may have more character than old linear entry level petrol engines. say may because i never had the opportunity to drive one. Was rather disappointed by 325i e92. main motivation for diesel are still savings, would have perhaps consider 320i and not 318d if not for tax, fuel, and to lesser extend resale reasons.

[Carjack]

Originally Posted by patrice03

torque is by far higher in 320d indeed, and always nice to feel power at low revs. however diesel as not as refined as petrol ones and these new twin turbo engines may have more character than old linear entry level petrol engines. say may because i never had the opportunity to drive one. Was rather disappointed by 325i e92. main motivation for diesel are still savings, would have perhaps consider 320i and not 318d if not for tax, fuel, and to lesser extend resale reasons.

My main motivation for a 320D is not savings but for the extra performance it gives over the 320i, for the relatively small extra initial cost.
A diesel not as refined as a petrol? Perhaps only at tick over. Certainly not when on the move. The only real diff is the exhaust note, but for me, that's no worries.

[F30Driver]

I own the 318D, I had a 320i loaner the other week whilst mine was in the shop.

I was slightly worried I might feel like I made the wrong decision by buying the diesel after a week in the 320i... But I was glad to get mine back

Economy was nowhere in sight of the diesel, performance wise the diesel had much more usable day to day power. The 320i felt underpowered to what I expected. As far as I was aware, diesel should be slower than petrol =\ but the 320i needed to scream to get moving and it was just too smooth in power delivery. There's no punch to it, nothing that really puts a smile on your face.

For me it's a no brainier. The diesel is deeper noted and generally louder.. But the majority of new cars on UK roads seem to be diesels. It's becoming 'the norm' now.

From my experience: If you're wanting a petrol with a punch (and probably not needing 70mpg), pay for the top end models. Otherwise, get the diesel.

[arnsbrae]

If I was wavering between the 320i and the 320d, I would go for the 320i xdrive.

I personally strongly prefer the 320d but some suit at BMW decided it would be a good idea to offer the first xdrive in the UK as a 320i.

Crazy.

[Haarschmerzen]

Originally Posted by arnsbrae

If I was wavering between the 320i and the 320d, I would go for the 320i xdrive.

I personally strongly prefer the 320d but some suit at BMW decided it would be a good idea to offer the first xdrive in the UK as a 320i.

Crazy.

Why do you thinnk it is crazy? Why would you choose an 320i xdrive over the 320d or the 320i?

I actually ordered the 320i xdrive... Mostly because it's snowy in switzerland

[rob72]

I had little choice. The company I work for has a company lease car agreement with BMW, and the only model I can choose is the 320d ED (Efficient Dynamics).

Having said that, I'm generally quite happy with it compared to my previous E91 320d.

[patrice03]

Originally Posted by Arrows2100

From my experience: If you're wanting a petrol with a punch (and probably not needing 70mpg), pay for the top end models. Otherwise, get the diesel.

indeed, as said entry level 6 cylinders atmos, such as 325i were suffering from low torque, linearity and absence of character and a you believe that i d rather opt from some punchy diesel than anemic entry level petrol . however, latest generation turbos are to some extend suppose to correct that lack of "character" and behave at low revs like a diesel with more refinement. from what you say still not the case.

[dmontic71]

With direct injection, the engine sounds on the non diesel models are not what they used to be anyway. My wife has a Cadillac with a V6, and the direct injection makes it sound almost like my 328i...