[BMWXGOLF]

320i because i don't love diesel

[singh182]

320d.....its all about torque!!!!!!! lol

[F104]

so 320i or 320d? Depends.. I would say if you do the mileage (getting the car to 20+mls at least per day one way) get the 320d. It hardly can be beaten on performance after a remap.
If you get nowwhere close to that mileage get the 320i. In my view you don't want a diesel which runs continiously in EGR mode. At least it will clog up intake manifold and valves, at worst it will cost a very expensive DPF in maintenance as well
A diesel is not a short distance car. Its fuel system is damned expensive compared to petrol, and you need to consider that in costs/mile

[Rufio]

I'd take 320d.
Especially with upgraded engine (production model from MArch 2010)
According the press release:

"Like the new six-cylinder diesel, the four-cylinder diesel featured in the BMW 320d Coupé and the BMW 320d Convertible shows an increase in engine output by 5 kW/7 hp. Improvements in engine technology helping to increase the overall efficiency of the power unit serve also in this case to ensure maximum efficiency all round. This 2.0-litre now delivers maximum output of 135 kW/184 hp at 4,000 rpm; peak torque is up over the former engine by 30 Newton-metres/22 lb-ft to 380 Newton-metres/280 lb-ft at 1,900 rpm.
The new BMW 320d Coupé accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in a mere 7.5 seconds, the Convertible completes the same exercise in 8.3 seconds. Top speed is 237 km/h (147 mph) and , respectively, 228 km/h (141 mph)"

I think 184hp 320d is much faster than the 170hp 320i

[Cafe.Racer]

Cool, that's worth knowing, thanks.

[gavp]

just in the process of buying an E91 59 plate 320i

Chosen over 320d for:

Will often be used for short journeys
Want to keep it after the warranty expires without being nervous

Family car so who cares if its a bit slower

[dxb335d]

There are far more issues with the 320i already from new than the 320d.

Look forward to seeing pics of your new purchase when it arrives.

[jjbirch]

Originally Posted by gavp

just in the process of buying an E91 59 plate 320i

Chosen over 320d for:

Will often be used for short journeys
Want to keep it after the warranty expires without being nervous

Family car so who cares if its a bit slower

look forward on seeing pics,320i is still a good engine and needs to be reved hard but still has alot more power than other cars hope you will be pleased with it

[Kres7787]

F104 brought up a good point. That it's almost damaging to the engine to use it for short trips. Diesel wise.

My "problem" is that I work from home, I live in the center of the city, and hence I only did 25,000km on my Volvo C30 1.8i in 28 months of ownership.

I'm itching to get a new car, and having just seen BMW 3 new pics of the next facelift http://www.auto-info.hr/tekstovi/42-...bmw-a-serije-3 I may end up buying that one. Now I know that it will have a complete new line up of engines, but still this discussion between diesel and petrol is always a bit muddy to me.

So, 900km per month, would you buy "i" or "d", 320? 95% of my driving is for short trips between couple city blocks. During summer I go to beach too

Thanks,

[EDIT] How the hell can a car with an engine with 170HP, BMW, feel underpowered? What do you guys fly over there? So yeah, it's mainly a cash thing. 2,500 EUR difference here in Croatia between 320i and d in sedan. On its own, it must be a freking good engine.

[Chris100]

I recently purchased a 320i M sport Coupe and my choice was down to cost really, I wanted as new a car a possible for my budget. I ended up with a August 2009 model with 5k on the clock in the spec I wanted (sapphire black with Red leather) after 2 months of ownership I have to admit that for me the car is under powered, its not too bad when you are up to speed but if you need a burst of power to over take for example it really lets you down, I am currently in the process of asking the dealer to find me a 6 cylinder model within my budget that won't cost me a fortune to change to.

[Boyd1963]

I bought a 2008 320i as I have a fuel card and don't have to pay for my fuel so couldn't really justify spending the extra on a diesel. On reflection however I wish that I had gone for the diesel as it is a much nicer car. I would test drive a 320i and 320d back-to-back before making a decision. I wish that I had!

[Kres7787]

Mhm, so a diesel is that better... Well it seems that 90% of votes go in its favor.

[11ker]

Originally Posted by SnMalone

Sorry, no offense, but this makes me laugh. A real Type R like the civic EP3 or DC2 Integra will kill a mapped 320d easily. when i still had my integra, it was exactly as fast as a mapped 330d which had 265hp. so no way a 320d has a chance then. and i know since i owned both a 320d E92 Coupe and 2 different Integra Type R's as well as an S2000 which is also way faster than a 320d.

Just to put some numbers: a mapped 320d takes like 18s,19s from 0-160km/h, an integra easily takes that in around 15s. quarter mile mapped 320d, 15.8s, integra type r is a second faster at least.

i have a mapped 320d with 230bhp and 320lbft and all i can say is that i have whooped alot of civic type r's..my friends golf 1.4tsi 170 mapped to 230 pisses on type r's and i take him off the lights everytime...driver makes all the difference..

[Statler]

I had a loaner LCI E90 320i M Sport for two days and overall it's a good car to drive but I wouldn't want to keep it. It is a completely different driving style in the petrol car, you always have to be in the right gear to get some 'go'.

When you wind it up to the red line it does feel like it wants to fly but then it runs out of puff, that said it does sound rather good at 7000 rpm.... but you are doing rediculous speed at that level from 3rd gear on

The gearchange and clutch were a lot lighter than my 320d and made for an easier drive.

I'm not one for really pushing an engine, so the low revving torquey D does it for me in traffic and when overtaking on those interesting country roads around home.....

Steve

[markymark34]

No contest 320d every time. 320i is very very very slow. Had to drive one about a month ago and just couldnt believe how sluggish it was. if u have to have a 2L petrol engine look elsewhere - eg -Golf GTI

[Hairyarse]

Originally Posted by markymark34

No contest 320d every time. 320i is very very very slow. Had to drive one about a month ago and just couldnt believe how sluggish it was. if u have to have a 2L petrol engine look elsewhere - eg -Golf GTI

Agree with you, had one as a loaner from the dealer a few years back and was looking forward to the 320i thinking it would be real quick but felt and sounded gutless - sure it wasnt that slow but I certainly wasn't impressed with it.

[CoopersE90]

Originally Posted by gavp

just in the process of buying an E91 59 plate 320i

Chosen over 320d for:

Will often be used for short journeys
Want to keep it after the warranty expires without being nervous

Family car so who cares if its a bit slower

Back on topic...and shame on people in this forum getting riled up about bloody Hondas - nothing to do with the OP!

I was in the same position when looking for my e91 and all of the above points are sound reasons for getting the i instead of the d. Especially on the possible repair costs post warranty.

I got the 320i and have not looked back since.

Even had a courtesy 120d (177) coupe for a week and hated it through and through - felt - chuggy? The engine is way too loud for not alot of action and like for like, the price of diesel at the pump (at the time) vs the mileage return was not significantly cheaper than the petrol at all.

The I is silky smooth and hasn't missed a beat. I get a solid 34mpg from spirited driving, rising to near 40 if I am very leisurely. It does dip to 27 is I am caning it though. M way driving and the mpg is 50s +

(I do realise the d is almost a constant 39mpg no matter what you do!)

In terms of power and delivery, I found the d to run out of chuff after a bit of boosty acceleration and it was all delivered between 20mph and 40mph - above that it was wheezy. Remember this was in the lighter 120d.

My friend also has a 120d and can't keep up on the motorways or very fast country road driving as in the twisties the 320i feels poised, nimble. He says his car feels 'dull' in the corners and it didn't inspire confidence.

Overtaking a slower car from 30mph he has the initial jump on me but then I am away whilst he is changing gears again.

Just my 2p, but I would vouch for the 320i personally.

Good luck with your choice mate

CE90

[jjbirch]

Originally Posted by CoopersE90

Back on topic...and shame on people in this forum getting riled up about bloody Hondas - nothing to do with the OP!

I was in the same position when looking for my e91 and all of the above points are sound reasons for getting the i instead of the d. Especially on the possible repair costs post warranty.

I got the 320i and have not looked back since.

Even had a courtesy 120d (177) coupe for a week and hated it through and through - felt - chuggy? The engine is way too loud for not alot of action and like for like, the price of diesel at the pump (at the time) vs the mileage return was not significantly cheaper than the petrol at all.

The I is silky smooth and hasn't missed a beat. I get a solid 34mpg from spirited driving, rising to near 40 if I am very leisurely. It does dip to 27 is I am caning it though. M way driving and the mpg is 50s +

(I do realise the d is almost a constant 39mpg no matter what you do!)

In terms of power and delivery, I found the d to run out of chuff after a bit of boosty acceleration and it was all delivered between 20mph and 40mph - above that it was wheezy. Remember this was in the lighter 120d.

My friend also has a 120d and can't keep up on the motorways or very fast country road driving as in the twisties the 320i feels poised, nimble. He says his car feels 'dull' in the corners and it didn't inspire confidence.

Overtaking a slower car from 30mph he has the initial jump on me but then I am away whilst he is changing gears again.

Just my 2p, but I would vouch for the 320i personally.

Good luck with your choice mate

CE90

nice write up,
i used to have a 53plate 320ci 6cl one. when i was about to order the E90 it was like a step down and 320d was a step in my eyes maybe unmapped the 320d is like the 320i but mapped i can lose a 320i easy and can keep up with 325i on twisty roads easy, maybe its my driving where i keep the revs up in every gear,maybe when your driving the 320d your in too higher gear and not keeping the revs up,

[Mr Cane]

having chugged 13k miles from my 320i and having test driven the 320d I feel I can have some say in this matter.

My car felt very slow initially prompting me to be constantly thinking what have I done, but after about 5k miles the engine really loosened up, the power felt stronger, and it sounds great! Round the corners I find the car to be very nimble and recently on a tunnel run had no troubles in keeping with the pack of supercars (new gt3 was right in front of me) of course they disappeared at every straight but as soon as the corners came I had more than enough poise and grip to play with the big boys.

320i every time for me. it's economical and personally I hate the way diesels drive full stop.

I actually registered with the forum just to have my say : )

[willhollin]

[dxb335d]

PMSL.

[chrisbin]

320i is a nice enough car, but the engine problems are just far too common to make sense of

"Want to keep it after the warranty expires without being nervous".....

As for performance, the "i" goes OK if you thrash it, but the "d" is superior in every way bar sounding like a diesel....but then the "i" isnt much better!!