[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

If it is like my 5-series, it changes down a gear or two when you toggle to Sport+.

From another topic on this subject I wrote.



HighlandPete

Hi Pete

Not my experience on F30 modes, Sport gives the drop in gear, but Sport+ has same throttle resolution and gear change pattern as Sport. So unless you can jump from Comfort to Sport+ there is no difference to Sport. That would take 3 button presses.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Hi Pete

Not my experience on F30 modes, Sport gives the drop in gear, but Sport+ has same throttle resolution and gear change pattern as Sport. So unless you can jump from Comfort to Sport+ there is no difference to Sport. That would take 3 button presses.

If both chassis and drivetrain are checked, my 535i definitely drops a gear if cruising say at 60mph and I toggle to sport (selects 7th gear) if I then toggle to sport+ 'box drops another gear. It takes up the full sport gearbox configuration, just the same as if I'm in Drive and flick the stick to sport, where it drops 2-gears.

If only chassis is checked and I'm cruising at 60mph in sport, gearbox stays in 8th. Toggle to sport+ and the gearbox drops 2-gears to sport gearbox programme.

HighlandPete

[Englishbloke]

Thanks for your input guys. Defo going for adaptive suspension now!

You also made me wonder about the 330d, it's only about £2k more to buy. But after a lot of wondering I've decided to stick to the plan and get the 320d I have on order. The 330d would take 8 more weeks to arrive and cost more to run (part of my reason for changing was economy!). I've heard the 320d engine sounds bad though? Is it really that bad?

[bwrlane]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Thanks for your input guys. Defo going for adaptive suspension now!

You also made me wonder about the 330d, it's only about £2k more to buy. But after a lot of wondering I've decided to stick to the plan and get the 320d I have on order. The 330d would take 8 more weeks to arrive and cost more to run (part of my reason for changing was economy!). I've heard the 320d engine sounds bad though? Is it really that bad?

Hmmm well I'd have to say yes but this is a personal view. It can't be that bad or else it wouldn't sell so well. I guess the way to put it is that if the sound of the engine is important to you, you won't like the sound of the 320d, but if you don't care then it's probably ok.

I test drove a 320d and liked it very much. But I really hated the sound of the engine. It just sounded too much like a run-of-the mill diesel, was just a touch too loud for my liking and I didn't think it sounded compatible with a premium brand. At idle, to my ears it had a quite vulgar sounding dagger-dagger-dagger tone, while under acceleration it rose to an ugly raspberry noise.

But like I say, the sound of the engine is and always has been key for me and this is very much a personal preference. My children who accompanied me on the test drive weren't bothered at all. The 330d meanwhile is simply musical. It sounds like a deep-chested V8, while under acceleration it rises to the sound of an operatic baritone. It's the only diesel I've ever heard where the sound of the engine actually adds to the enjoyment of the car rather than detracting from it.

A 330d cannot hold a candle to the 320d's economy. That much is true. Whichever car you get, you will not regret.

I like this video below as it gives a good impression of the 330d's soundtrack.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

Hmmm well I'd have to say yes but this is a personal view. It can't be that bad or else it wouldn't sell so well. I guess the way to put it is that if the sound of the engine is important to you, you won't like the sound of the 320d, but if you don't care then it's probably ok.

I test drove a 320d and liked it very much. But I really hated the sound of the engine. It just sounded too much like a run-of-the mill diesel, was just a touch too loud for my liking and I didn't think it sounded compatible with a premium brand. At idle, to my ears it had a quite vulgar sounding dagger-dagger-dagger tone, while under acceleration it rose to an ugly raspberry noise.

But like I say, the sound of the engine is and always has been key for me and this is very much a personal preference. My children who accompanied me on the test drive weren't bothered at all. The 330d meanwhile is simply musical. It sounds like a deep-chested V8, while under acceleration it rises to the sound of an operatic baritone. It's the only diesel I've ever heard where the sound of the engine actually adds to the enjoyment of the car rather than detracting from it.

A 330d cannot hold a candle to the 320d's economy. That much is true. Whichever car you get, you will not regret.

I like this video below as it gives a good impression of the 330d's soundtrack.

Agreed, except for the economy quote. If your main driving is on the motorway, then the 330d is absolutely outstanding on the economy front. My fuel logs return 46.14mpg over 14,000 miles (47.6 on computer). If you read the 320d economy thread, many aren't achieving significantly better figures, maybe 10% better, but much less than 10% less performance.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

...It just sounded too much like a run-of-the mill diesel, was just a touch too loud for my liking and I didn't think it sounded compatible with a premium brand. At idle, to my ears it had a quite vulgar sounding dagger-dagger-dagger tone, while under acceleration it rose to an ugly raspberry noise...

Having owned a 320d for 3 years I would like to say this is nonsense. But I can't.

Whilst it's not the worst diesel engine for noise, it certainly isn't the best and not what you'd expect from a high end brand. It goes incredibly well and can be economical so you can't complain too much.

The problem is, since trying a 330d the other week (and placing my order ) I really have started to notice how rough and noisy my 320d is .

The moral - unless you are seriously considering the 330d - don't test drive it!!

[Englishbloke]

Hold on, I ticked the HK option! Who cares what the engine sounds like

I guess I need to bite the bullet and make a final decision, it's tough now though! Head says 320d heart says 330d! I may well end up in a tree if I go for a 330 though.

The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever (according to Richard Hammond).

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Hold on, I ticked the HK option! Who cares what the engine sounds like

I guess I need to bite the bullet and make a final decision, it's tough now though! Head says 320d heart says 330d! I may well end up in a tree if I go for a 330 though.

The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever (according to Richard Hammond).

Richard Hammond talk S**T.
Go for the 330D you will regret it if you don't and it is very economical out of town.

[bwrlane]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Hold on, I ticked the HK option! Who cares what the engine sounds like

I guess I need to bite the bullet and make a final decision, it's tough now though! Head says 320d heart says 330d! I may well end up in a tree if I go for a 330 though.

The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever (according to Richard Hammond).

I'm sure you will like it very much. Totally understand about the head/heart thing. For me the heart said 335i, while the head said 320d. In the end I went for a compromise, which was the 330d.

Indeed it is true that the 320d is one of the best cars ever and is more than powerful enough for most situations. But one thing I've noticed is this: when you hear F30/31 owners talking excitedly about their car, using strings of superlatives, they are rarely talking about their 320d, or even their 335i. And not even their 328i. It's a fair bet that such a person owns a 330d. Lots of little signs point to the 330d being the sweet spot of the range. (Although I have to admit I would kill for an s drive F31 335d).

It's true that the sound isn't THAT bad. But for me, the 330d's sound is far far superior. Personal preference.

[Stan876]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Hold on, I ticked the HK option! Who cares what the engine sounds like

I guess I need to bite the bullet and make a final decision, it's tough now though! Head says 320d heart says 330d! I may well end up in a tree if I go for a 330 though.

The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever (according to Richard Hammond).

If you have ticked HK among other bits it might be worth checking the sport plus pack to see if you can save a few quid it saved me enough to pay for a Panoramic roof!!

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=868239

[MRPoisson]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Having owned a 320d for 3 years I would like to say this is nonsense. But I can't.

Whilst it's not the worst diesel engine for noise, it certainly isn't the best and not what you'd expect from a high end brand. It goes incredibly well and can be economical so you can't complain too much.

The problem is, since trying a 330d the other week (and placing my order ) I really have started to notice how rough and noisy my 320d is .

The moral - unless you are seriously considering the 330d - don't test drive it!!

Great point. I've never driven the 330d but very happy with my 320d and not even noticed the engine noise. (very comparable to my E92.)

[Englishbloke]

Yep, already on the list...

Sports Auto
Sports Plus
Vis
Metallic paint

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

....The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever ....

Many rate the 320d as one of the best cars out there. Often viewed as the pick of the 3-series range, even the gem in the BMW range. But the criteria is a combination of factors. Including cost, economy, drive, size, real world needs, practicality, etc. May be the best set of compromises, but it certainly is not the best BMW.

We may forgive the engine 'clatter' and its rough nature, due to the other factors which put it top of the 'real world' driving choice.

Same applies in the 5-series range, where the 520d is viewed as the 'best buy' users choice. But no way is it as good a car as models further up the range.

HighlandPete

[dopper99]

To be honest, the only F30 I’ve driven was a 320d and I was quite impressed with it. It’s 0-30mph was easily on par with my E90 330d and felt very lively off the mark. It just after 40mph where is seems to lack in comparison to the 330d where the 330d takes off.
The 320d would be good for driving around town and would keep up with most things on 40/50/60mph roads, but on the motorway it would probably lack a bit.

Having said all of that I wouldn’t personally buy a 320d as there is just not enough GO compared to the 330d, but its not too bad a car at all.

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Hold on, I ticked the HK option! Who cares what the engine sounds like

I guess I need to bite the bullet and make a final decision, it's tough now though! Head says 320d heart says 330d! I may well end up in a tree if I go for a 330 though.

The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever (according to Richard Hammond).

Hammond is a midget with a rigid digit, Clarkson is a vassal with a flaccid tassel and May is as tight as a duck's arse.

Get the 330d. The 320d is slow, noisy and rattly in comparison and shakes when ASS is working. The two cars are night and day. If you have to live in a tree, at least you'll be gazing down at something far superior. The 330d sDrive is a truly fabulous car.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Hammond is a midget with a rigid digit, Clarkson is a vassal with a flaccid tassel and May is as tight as a duck's arse.

Get the 330d. The 320d is slow, noisy and rattly in comparison and shakes when ASS is working. The two cars are night and day. If you have to live in a tree, at least you'll be gazing down at something far superior. The 330d sDrive is a truly fabulous car.

TOTALLY Agree. Night and Day between them, 320d SLOW.

[languidmandala]

Go to a crossroads, sell your soul and get a 740d M Sport with all the options

[Englishbloke]

Thats kinda the point. Sadly we all have our budgets and this might just be pushing mine a little too far (already stretched for the spec I wanted). Plus I'm impatient and don't want to wait till November!

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Thats kinda the point. Sadly we all have our budgets and this might just be pushing mine a little too far (already stretched for the spec I wanted). Plus I'm impatient and don't want to wait till November!

What about the fabulous 328i M Sport? Great car.

[Banksy]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Hold on, I ticked the HK option! Who cares what the engine sounds like

I guess I need to bite the bullet and make a final decision, it's tough now though! Head says 320d heart says 330d! I may well end up in a tree if I go for a 330 though.

The 320d can't be that bad, it's winning awards and apparently is the best car ever (according to Richard Hammond).

I am in a very similar position..fighting the battle between heart and mind..but heart winning at the moment. Re Hammond/TG Award...this was before they drove the 330d..see this.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/3-seri...st/330d-driven

[mproudfoot]

Try not to let other people influence the decision over which engine to get too much - it's a very personal choice and if you have test driven the 320d, you'll know whether it meets your needs or not. The 330d is great, no doubt about that but how much do you need that extra power? At the rate we're going, we'll be driving like robots soon anyway (see the recent news regarding the implementation of permanent average speed cameras up the A9 from Dunblane to Inverness).

I found the F30 320d to be as quick, if not quicker than my old E46 325i (I also had an E46 330d and 330Ci as a basis for comparison) and yes, while it doesn't sound as good, neither do any of the diesels regardless of the number of cylinders. Drive it, and if it feels sluggish to you or the sound unacceptable, the 330d is probably a better match for you, if not, you can't really go wrong with a 320d (or 325d).

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by mproudfoot

Try not to let other people influence the decision over which engine to get too much - it's a very personal choice and if you have test driven the 320d, you'll know whether it meets your needs or not. The 330d is great, no doubt about that but how much do you need that extra power? At the rate we're going, we'll be driving like robots soon anyway (see the recent news regarding the implementation of permanent average speed cameras up the A9 from Dunblane to Inverness).

I found the F30 320d to be as quick, if not quicker than my old E46 325i (I also had an E46 330d and 330Ci as a basis for comparison) and yes, while it doesn't sound as good, neither do any of the diesels regardless of the number of cylinders. Drive it, and if it feels sluggish to you or the sound unacceptable, the 330d is probably a better match for you, if not, you can't really go wrong with a 320d (or 325d).

Fair comment, if the 320 Is all you want go for it.
I am in denial so M5 next Month and B**locks to all who are Green.