[Leom]

Hi Everyone,

I’m in the process in the getting a BMW. I’m currently on an assignment in Brussels for two years. My choice is a BMW(of course)but with the car allowance that I get I can only afford the new 318d – with a few options.

What do you all think? Is the 318d going to stand up to its name (BMW) or is just something that looks like a BMW.

I would love to hear your opinions?

Thank you,
Leo

[Stefan358]

i do not habe a 318d but what ever the guys here are posting thats allways very subjectiv. so get a car for a ride and make your own opinion.

i would not expect a rocket rather i would say its a solid engine with enough power/tourge as its a diesel. iam sure its enough to make relaxed and fast rides.

but anyhow the only person who knows best what you expect from a car is YOU !

[Oz]

What options does 318d have? Some members here have 320d and they have been happy with their car..

[davinet78]

i have the 320d and i love my car
so i suggest that you should go for it

[Broken1]

I have a 320d - it's got 115kw and 330nm of torque, and it's still very much a BMW. It's a real drivers car - plenty of get up and go when I need it!

Looking on the internet, the 318d has 90kw and 280nm of torque. Basically, you'll have similar power to the E46 318i on acceleration - and although the car is bigger - it's actually lighter. The torqe is high (thanks to the turbodiesel) so you'll have excellent midrange acceleration - and most likely be able to beat a 325i in the 80-120 overtaking in 5th gear!

I think it's an excellent choice of car, but I would reccomend driving one - just to be sure!

[rebelfocus]

Comparing it to the 320d....

I drove a 318d for a day (loaner from dealership).
It had enough power but I thought the engine sounded a bit coarser (more diesel sounding) than the 320d and didn't have that feeling of potentency.

If you can afford the 320d go for that instead. I think the 318d will be the least common diesel by far (a bit of an odd choice)... if budget were an issue I think I would consider a 320i instead (it's cheaper, allowing you to use money on options and should be easy enough to sell)

[LMBlau]

I ordered my 320d last week, the choice depends on how much you will use the car, the 318d would be great if you are going to put a lot of miles on it; you won't feel bad when refueling. For low mileage I'd go for the 320i.

[Paul330d]

The 318d is fine until you drive the 320d, which is fine until you drive the 330d, which will be fine until the 335d comes out in 6 months

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by Paul330d

The 318d is fine until you drive the 320d, which is fine until you drive the 330d, which will be fine until the 335d comes out in 6 months

which is fine until you drive the A8 4,2 TDI

[Broken1]

Originally Posted by Hula-Hula

which is fine until you drive the A8 4,2 TDI

which is fine until BMW launches their New D3 (a diesel M3) which produces 299kw and 7 000 000nm of torque.

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by Broken1

which is fine until BMW launches their New D3 (a diesel M3) which produces 299kw and 7 000 000nm of torque.

keeeewl car! There's always something better...

[fideba]

I never drove a 318, but read a review recently, where they called it a "very disapointing car". They actually called it a car for "grandpararents", clearly lacking power.
A few months earlier they reviewed the 320D, and were very impressed by it.
Maybe the reviewer was in a bad mood...

[GuillaumeSoete]

Originally Posted by Leom

Hi Everyone,
My choice is a BMW(of course)but with the car allowance that I get I can only afford the new 318d – with a few options.

For the same money, I'd rather get a 120d. Espcially if you're gonna use your car in Brussels. Lighter and more powerful sounds like more fun to me! Having driven a 120i, I can say this car handles really good

Guillaume

[seezzer]

What you can also do is buying a 318d and going for a reprogrammation of the calculator. U should go from 122 cv to 145 or 150 without problems. On a 320d, u go from 163 cv to 190cv. Of course, all these must stay in the BMW tolerancy (regarding torque, etc).
But anyway, testdrive yourself a 318d and go figures.
Good luck

[xit2050]

Originally Posted by fideba

I never drove a 318, but read a review recently, where they called it a "very disapointing car". They actually called it a car for "grandpararents", clearly lacking power.
A few months earlier they reviewed the 320D, and were very impressed by it.
Maybe the reviewer was in a bad mood...

I also read this review and let me tell you the reviewer doesn't know what he is talking about. The article is filled with errors and lies. I even wrote an e-mail to the editor-in-chief and guess what... I never even got a reply!


In case you wonder, the magazine is called "Autogids - Moniteur Automobile".
In other magazines ("Autowereld" and "Autoreview") the 318d and 318i got much better reviews.

[bobo1991]

I have a 318D since one week, my wife has a Jag. X-type and until the arrival of the BMW, I found it much better on the road than my previous car which was an Audi A4, the BMW beats both hands down. It handles perfectly and has decent power, if you can't have the 320d go for 318 rather than the 120. The 1 series is way too small, rear seat space and trunk space are dismal. In Belgium you can't normally get the 320D 163hp version due to tax reasons.

[xit2050]

Originally Posted by bobo1991

In Belgium you can't normally get the 320D 163hp version due to tax reasons.

Why not? Both are available, you make your choice at the dealer: 150 or 163hp. Yes the 163hp version is much more expensive in taxes, but the price of the two cars is exactly the same: 30.700 euros.

[bobo1991]

You're correct IF you're paying for the car yourself, I've seen many companies restricting the choice to the 150hp. Mine allows us to take the 163 version, but the taxes are higher ofcourse.