[deeebo8452]

Hi I am really in need of some advice.

I am stuck between choosing between a BMW 320i M Sport Coupe (2007) or a BMW 320d SE (2007). From what I have read the diesels are by far a better option given they give 58.9mpg vs petrols 42.1mpg approx. Also apparently the diesels are 6 cylinder whereas the petrols are 4 cylinder, is that right? And if so what does that mean exactly? However the M Sport looks much better than the SE. The obvious thing to do would be to get a 320d M Sport however they are about £1000 more, can I really justify that outlay and will I get that back on sale.

I have also heard a lot regarding issues with the 320i engines, however isn't the 320i M Sport engine different to 320i SE engine? What exactly are the issues concerning these engines. I have read mostly about sluggish performance (is it that bad when I drove it seems okay) and coil/plug/injector problems - are these costly? And if I check that they have already been replaced can the issue still remain or arise again?

The 3 cars I have shortlisted are as follows:

1. BMW 320i M Sport Coupe 2007 63k mileage - £10,000
2. BMW 320d M Sport Coupe 2007 74k mileage - £10,500
3. BMW 320d SE Coupe 2007 78k mileage - £10,000

Any advice please and thanks in advance. I am looking to make a decision within the next 2-3 days

[AnthonyR]

Do take in to consideration the extra service costs involved with diesels.

[creepy coupe]

A 320d is a four pot engine.

It's the same engine in either SE or M sport.The latter is really about cosmetic changes and suspension.

[#-JONAS-#]

I would go for one of the Diesel's, the power in a 320D is incredible compared to the 320i. Although you will have to get the diesel's checked by a mechanic because they do have some expensive problems.

[P 5UML]

Originally Posted by #-JONAS-#

I would go for one of the Diesel's, the power in a 320D is incredible compared to the 320i. Although you will have to get the diesel's checked by a mechanic because they do have some expensive problems.

+1 mate

[MEGA]

Get a 57 plate 320d mate, with efficient dynamics. The non ed version has MUCH MUCH worse fuel economy. Not to mention concerns about longevity of the turbo..

The easiest hint is the tail pipe: Straight means good, droopy means bad.

Both engines are 4 pot petrol v diesel.

I didn't answer your other petrol questions as there's no point. Get the 320d as the 320i is underpowered and riddled with reliability issues.

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by AnthonyR

Do take in to consideration the extra service costs involved with diesels.

Such as? I have had diesel BMWs for 5 years and am not aware of any extra service costs? Except for the DPF: But in that case I'd retort "Do take in to consideration the extra service costs involved with replacing the injectors and fuel pumps every few thousand miles on the petrols".

Without wanting to start a mudslinging match, I'd say it's as broad as it's long. The diesel engine garnering a slightly higher initial purchase price due to the initial cost of the engine but also boasting better residuals meaning you'll make that money back when you sell the car.

There's no justification imho to get any petrol E9x bar the 330 if your a naturally aspirated purist: Or the 335i - which is a great car.

[shrink]

well.. the 325i is pretty good

but yeah, the 4 pot petrol in the 320i is pretty weak, quite flawed and will leave you wanting more. the 320D is at least pretty potent in the midrange, quite refined and has tuning potential too.

[gIzzE]

Got to be the 320d.

I love my petrols, and love 4 cyl petrols that need revving but even my BMW dealer says avoid the 320i because of the failure rate.
Considering how few they sell, they see a hell of a lot in the shop.

[deeebo8452]

Sorry in advance for the stupid question but whats a 4 pot engine mean and if the diesels are 4 pot what are the petrols? And whats the difference?

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

A 320d is a four pot engine.

It's the same engine in either SE or M sport.The latter is really about cosmetic changes and suspension.

[deeebo8452]

Thanks for your reply mate. With regards to the DPF, what kind of costs would this incur and how likely/often does this need to be seen to? Thanks

Originally Posted by MEGA

Such as? I have had diesel BMWs for 5 years and am not aware of any extra service costs? Except for the DPF: But in that case I'd retort "Do take in to consideration the extra service costs involved with replacing the injectors and fuel pumps every few thousand miles on the petrols".

Without wanting to start a mudslinging match, I'd say it's as broad as it's long. The diesel engine garnering a slightly higher initial purchase price due to the initial cost of the engine but also boasting better residuals meaning you'll make that money back when you sell the car.

There's no justification imho to get any petrol E9x bar the 330 if your a naturally aspirated purist: Or the 335i - which is a great car.

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by tahirsplace

Sorry in advance for the stupid question but whats a 4 pot engine mean and if the diesels are 4 pot what are the petrols? And whats the difference?

4 pot = 4 cylinder

Both the 320d and 320i are 4 cylinder engines in respective diesel and petrol form.

325/330i and 325/330d are 6 cylinder engines, or "6 pot".

[ed330D]

It appears that some 320Ds built from late 2007 to early 2008 have a serious timing chain problem that is very expensive to fix: £2000 if caught before it breaks; upto £10,000 if it breaks. Be very careful. I wouldn't touch one without a very comprehensive 12 month warranty.

[AdamC]

Originally Posted by ed330D

It appears that some 320Ds built from late 2007 to early 2008 have a serious timing chain problem that is very expensive to fix: 2000 if caught before it breaks; upto 10,000 if it breaks. Be very careful. I wouldn't touch one without a very comprehensive 12 month warranty.

Any ideas on how this can be checked?

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by AdamC

Any ideas on how this can be checked?

It's not so common. The internet tends to blow things out of proportion.

However, if you can hear and rattles (other than the engine note! heh... ) don't buy that one

They tend to last 100k or so at a minimum.. So lower mileage ones aren't really an issue.

It's interesting to hear that it only happened for 6 months or so of builds? I'd not previously heard that part of the story..

[mob17]

Diesel, for pretty much what everyone has already said.

Tuning potential is something you don't want to overlook. On a 320D you can get quite large increases of torque, and hp, relatively cheaply. Some drivers will find a faster car fast at first (obviously), but after a while it can feel sluggish. Then if you remap/box it it's like driving a new car again

And i actually prefer SE's as the ride is better.

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by mob17

Diesel, for pretty much what everyone has already said.

Tuning potential is something you don't want to overlook. On a 320D you can get quite large increases of torque, and hp, relatively cheaply. Some drivers will find a faster car fast at first (obviously), but after a while it can feel sluggish. Then if you remap/box it it's like driving a new car again

And i actually prefer SE's as the ride is better.

Parallels with meeting woman in bars there. The plain one might give you a better ride, but I'd take the looker if I had the opportunity.

Plus ride is subjective. I prefer it hard anyway.

[AlanQS]

I'd echo a few of the comments here.
In terms of engines, the 320i has had a lot of problems and getting an older one is only going to make sure you experience them.
In terms of the 320d you really only want to consider one built from September 07. That was the start of the efficient dynamic models and is most easily identified by having auto start/stop. It has a more powerful, and cleaner engine and far better fuel consumption than the previous model.

The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is only potentially a problem if the car regularly does short journeys where the engine doesn't get up to operating temperature (or if you do many short journeys). This applies to all diesel engines with a DPF (now mandatory on new cars). Replacing it will cost in the region of £1,400. Sadly, I mainly do short journeys nowadays but, touch wood, at five years old, I have not had a problem with my DPF yet.

However, if it's OK when you buy it and you do regular decent mileage on your commute, I wouldn't bother about it.

It is believed (a certain amount of urban myth probably) that the diesel turbos can be suspect after 60,000 miles. This idea stems mainly from the previous 3 series model (the E46) which didn't seem to go past this figure with any reliability.

The ONLY real differences between the SE and the m-sport is in looks. You do get sports seats and 18" alloys as standard and you get a lowered suspension which, whilst it might look good, requires you to have a strong spine though cars after September 07 aren't quite as spine jarring as those before. The rest of the differences (amounting to £2,000 when new) are purely cosmetic and simply a matter of individual taste.

In terms of road holding and handling differences between SE and M-Sport, they are so close that it would take a skilled driver on a race track to demonstrate any differences between them - even then, the result could be affected by the amount of coffee the driver had, before going out to test them.

Anyone who says the m-sport is miles faster round the twisties is talking bullshit. The m-sport is purely about looks.

So your choices appear to be between a 320d m-sport or SE. Mind you, if fuel costs aren't an issue, you could get a 325i SE for less than a 320d m-sport.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by MEGA

Such as? I have had diesel BMWs for 5 years and am not aware of any extra service costs? Except for the DPF: But in that case I'd retort "Do take in to consideration the extra service costs involved with replacing the injectors and fuel pumps every few thousand miles on the petrols".

Without wanting to start a mudslinging match, I'd say it's as broad as it's long. The diesel engine garnering a slightly higher initial purchase price due to the initial cost of the engine but also boasting better residuals meaning you'll make that money back when you sell the car.

There's no justification imho to get any petrol E9x bar the 330 if your a naturally aspirated purist: Or the 335i - which is a great car.

+1

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by mob17

Diesel, for pretty much what everyone has already said.

Tuning potential is something you don't want to overlook. On a 320D you can get quite large increases of torque, and hp, relatively cheaply. Some drivers will find a faster car fast at first (obviously), but after a while it can feel sluggish. Then if you remap/box it it's like driving a new car again

And i actually prefer SE's as the ride is better.

Your 335d SE won't ride any better, it has identical suspension to te Msport

[mob17]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Your 335d SE won't ride any better, it has identical suspension to te Msport

Haha I know mate, we're talking about the 320 here

[coopersim]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Your 335d SE won't ride any better, it has identical suspension to te Msport

Depends if the M Sport suspension option was removed at the time of purchase, by default it has M Sport suspension.