[Soul_Glo]

We used to have one. On a run from London to Portsmouth I managed 70 mpg. The car was remapped by e-maps as well.

Post remap I fell in love with the car all over again.

My 435d X Drive averages around 45 mpg to 48 mpg on the same run. I'm not tight fisted about the fuel budget and know it's not going to be as economical as the 320d was. However, the 320d was respectable in terms of performance and economy.

Whenever I think of the 320d. This old video comes to mind:

Recently, I have been thinking about the G30, 320d...

My question is. Is it really the best of both worlds? The best blend in the range of mpg and decent 0-60? Or is there something in the BMW range others would consider?

[CraigUK]

I think if the G30 has refinement equivalent to that of the F10/11 and is also lighter than the f30 then in reality a 320D is all you will ever need. What you may want is of course another thing but that being said with today's speed camera society then IMO anything else would be a waste in our country.

[DpG Venom]

Well i may be biased (only owned my f31 320d for 3 weeks) but so far, it's all I need. I can say this having down graded from a Q7 S Line (3.0 V6 TDI remapped to 296 bhp) and prior to that I had a 2008 X5 3.0sd (remapped to 336 bhp). Yes the power of those 2 beasts was incredible however, this needs offset against fuel costs and general running costs. The 320d is only £125 to tax, a full tank only costs around £70. The Q7 cost £129 (100 litre tank) and they have the same range! As shown in the video Harris clocks 140mph with no remap. Try sitting in an X5 doing anything over 120mph and you'll need big coconuts.

A lot of people on this forum seem to believe the extra 2 cylinders make all the difference but I'm thinking, do they? Granted you will get better over taking grunt and in gear pull but, for all the time you can use it, is it worth it?

Can't wait to get my remap and see what the 320d can do when it reaches its full potential.

Personally, I agree with Harris. It's all the car I currently need.

[Hooded]

Remapped.. the 320d Could arguably be the best all rounder.

[robbiep]

Even not remapped. The really fun cars that I've had haven't been the ones with shedloads of power - I'm going back the the TVR, the Lotus Carlton, the 850 T5-R, along with other quick cars that I've owned in the past - but the ones where it puts a big grin on your face when you get it right. When you get that gearchange right, balance it on the throttle, keep it in the powerband, and just make it sing.

The 325d that I've owned for a few years now still makes me grin. It's far quicker and a complete hooligan for what should be a boring 2 litre diesel estate car, and it's genuinely quick to boot. Add that to the manual box, and you've got a car that you can actually drive - in the old sense of the word.
No electronics telling me I can't have the gear I want, RWD but very well planted, a lovely gearchange, and 218bhp. Oh, and 45mpg along with all that, and the space to lug 4 people and luggage in comfort up to the Scottish Highlands.

[73henny]

Having just moved from a F30 335d to a G20 320d the drop in performance was a worry for me. I eventually went with a fully specced 320d as I thought I'd use the toys more than the power and my business mileage is likely to increase. Today was a good example- 120 mile A road run where it was so busy it wouldn't have mattered what car I had. Overtaking next to impossible. Pleased so far, especially with the economy;

[pdk42]

I drove a friend's G30 320d and was extremely impressed with the refinement (and I say this as someone who dumped an f31 330d because of NVH). Performance was less than stellar, but in truth it's probably more than good enough for most people on UK roads.

[DpG Venom]

Originally Posted by 73henny

Having just moved from a F30 335d to a G20 320d the drop in performance was a worry for me. I eventually went with a fully specced 320d as I thought I'd use the toys more than the power and my business mileage is likely to increase. Today was a good example- 120 mile A road run where it was so busy it wouldn't have mattered what car I had. Overtaking next to impossible. Pleased so far, especially with the economy;

That dash.......

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by DpG Venom

That dash.......

Is horrible.

[73henny]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Is horrible.

I like it. Wasn't too sure to start with, but having had the car for just a fortnight I really think its great. When I get into my wife's X1 it looks very dated now.

Each to their own of course.

[Manivxr]

The new dash is less desirable than the classic looking 6wb

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Manivxr

The new dash is less desirable than the classic looking 6wb

I think the original black panel display in the F10/11 models, (have it in my F11), is a masterpiece in clarity and layout.

Saying that, was very surprised how I liked the new digital display in the G20, when sat in front of it. If we are going digital, I can live with it better than anything else I've seen offered by other manufacturers.

[G50]

I'm afraid that the day I get a 4pot diesel in any car, for my only car, will be the day I admit to myself that I know longer have an interest in cars.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by G50

I'm afraid that the day I get a 4pot diesel in any car, for my only car, will be the day I admit to myself that I know longer have an interest in cars.

The BMW in-line 6 was my first introduction to 6 cylinders. Since then I had nothing but 6. When the 4 pot is up to temperature, on a motorway it settles and, it is hard to tell the difference between 4/6. It's in town where it is gruffest and can sound like a bag of nails - especially cold.

[thescouselander]

When it comes to diesel discussions on fuel savings are irrelevant as any savings are wiped out by reliability/maintenance issues. For that reason I'd suggest the 320D is not the best all rounder.

[Wills2]

I've had a G20 320d for the last 6 days, it's a manual 320d sport, I've tried to like it but the combination of a manual box and that engine isn't great.

And yet I was out in a 420d conv with the auto the week before and I remarked how lovely it was, amazing what a different gearbox makes.

The G20 also seems small inside to me smaller than my old F80 which doesn't make sense at all.

[gippy]

if you don't track your car, anything more than 200bhp on todays roads is utterly pointless. I'm yet to be convinced of why you'd need more.
so yup, a well specced 320d is what 95% of people will ever need - i'd go for the estate, for practicality - the GT version looks terrible

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by gippy

if you don't track your car, anything more than 200bhp on todays roads is utterly pointless. I'm yet to be convinced of why you'd need more.

Can't agree with that, all depends on where you live and the roads you drive on but I can't do the overtakes I used to do in my F80 on the local moorland roads in my 740d and in the current loaner 320d I can't again do the overtakes that the 740d can.

Having a surfeit of power gives you options and the ability to pass slower traffic quickly and efficiently.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

When it comes to diesel discussions on fuel savings are irrelevant as any savings are wiped out by reliability/maintenance issues. For that reason I'd suggest the 320D is not the best all rounder.

Somewhat disagree. Our 320d was run from 0 miles to 36,000 miles. In one year 25,000 miles was covered. All she asked for was routine maintenance such as oil and brake pads. I think it depends on the mileage covered as well.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by thescouselander

When it comes to diesel discussions on fuel savings are irrelevant as any savings are wiped out by reliability/maintenance issues. For that reason I'd suggest the 320D is not the best all rounder.

When do these maintenance issues strike these Diesel engines? My 330d is at 160,000 miles with not a penny spent on breakdowns or added maintenance. After your post I'm now living in fear

[N-W]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Can't agree with that, all depends on where you live and the roads you drive on but I can't do the overtakes I used to do in my F80 on the local moorland roads in my 740d and in the current loaner 320d I can't again do the overtakes that the 740d can.

Having a surfeit of power gives you options and the ability to pass slower traffic quickly and efficiently.

Exactly this.

This is my first diesel in a long time having owned petrol turbos. I would only ever go for a 6 pot diesel, I had a 68 plate loaner 320d and just felt it was more a strain. Saying that, I'll be going back to a petrol for my daily.

[thescouselander]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

When do these maintenance issues strike these Diesel engines? My 330d is at 160,000 miles with not a penny spent on breakdowns or added maintenance. After your post I'm now living in fear

Sounds like you're a high mileage driver. For lower mileage use a diesel engine can be choked up with carbon in under 30,000 miles. In my experience more frequent oil changes are required too.