[Whack01]

Firstly hello to everyone, am new on here. At the moment I drive a MKII Audi TT but that is going to a new home next week so have been looking at picking up a 2nd hand oil burner as I travel 120km daily, 6 days a week.
Have narrowed my search down to either 2009 BMW 320D m-sport (black or silver) or 2009 Lexus IS220d.
Lexus is less costly & comes with more toys but appears to suffer from reliability & quality issues. Also some owners have stated mpg returns as low as mid 30\'s!! ( I get that from my petrol TT) so am veering towards the BMW.
I know most on here will be slightly biased but what are your opinions and if I do go for a used 320D what do I need to be watchful for when buying?

Thanks people

[Sir_Pigley]

The Lexus is not a patch on the BMW. Engine is apparently crude and it does not handle. Go for a 320d or if budget is an issue a 120d is a much better car than you would think.

About 4 years ago I went out looking for a 320d (e46), I test drove an E46 320dSE a hated it. My budget would not stretch to an e90 320d so I bought a 120d. Before I bought it I thought of the 120d as a poor man's BMW but it was one of the best cars I have ever owned.

So whatever you do don't bother with the Lexus.

[Whack01]

Thanks for the reply, everything you have said matches with what I have read from various sources but it's alway good to hear owners opinions rather that that of motoring press etc.
Am currently looking at E90 320d m-sport. Only problem is that it's hard to find one with good spec. Not keen on the BMW alcantara interior, IMO looks much better in leather. Even half leather & half alcantara like Audi s-line would be better.

[creepy coupe]

If you go for a 320d coupe M Sport I'm pretty sure leather is standard. It was when I bought mine.

[Whack01]

That's part of my reason for changing I need a car with 4 doors! Unfortunately:-(

[edowen]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

If you go for a 320d coupe M Sport I'm pretty sure leather is standard. It was when I bought mine.

No. Standard is Alcantara (which I prefer apart from the resale aspect).

[zltm089]

BMW handles so much better!...it will piss all over lexus!....

Unless its the ISF or LFA.... :-)

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by zltm089

BMW handles so much better!...it will piss all over lexus!....

Unless its the ISF or LFA.... :-)

Afraid budget won't quite stretch that far...

[Kerr]

I'm driving about in a 120d M Sport until I get my car back.

Went of a scenic drive last weekend up the twisty coast road and albeit Sunday driver pace, I was amazed to see 60.1 MPG.

Still got the car for this weekend so see how it is on long motorway journeys.

I've have had a loan of quite a few 320d, 120d and a 118d and found at low speeds accelerating through the lower gears they have all been crude. My 2009 Citroen C5 had a smoother 4 pot diesel, or at least better sound and vibration dampening.

On the motorway it begins to make sense.

[magic77]

having test driven a IS a while back I could not wait to jump back into my 320D. Even though they are sold as prestige brand I found a 1 series feels more solid and better driven than the IS. If 4 door is your must then a 320D definitely.

[Whack01]

So far my gut feeling has been to go with the 3 series and by all accounts it sounds like a good idea! Had a feeling the Lexus was sold with all the toys in order to distract from a not so great engine. A test drive in one may finally put the nail in the coffin

[Whack01]

60.1mpg!!!! I like that. ;-) tbh anywhere round 45-50mpg would be perfect for my needs. Also really like the exterior styling of the m-sport, sporty yet classy.