[bencookman]

Hi, this is my first post to the forum - I've been reading for a few months, but haven't heard much discussion about the new E90 model just released, the 320d EfficientDynamics.

I took delivery of mine at the start of this week, choosing it as a company car because of the decent performance stats and the 13% BIK which is I believe an incredible achievement by BMW.

First impressions are excellent. I have previously owned two 1 series, so it was interesting to compare the E90 to those. The ride comfort on the Michelin energy saving tyres that come as standard (non runflat) is really impressive, and the noise levels at a cruise are much lower than in the 1 series. Steering is nice and crisp and there is good body control.

Obviously the engine is still tight, so things can only get better, but I'm impressed at the smoothness and brisk acceleration.

In terms of the eco-credentials, the gearshift indicator has taken a little while to get used to - it suggests a shift up at around 1500rpm, which would normally just result in getting bogged down, but not in this car - the low-down smoothness and torque is excellent.

MPG average so far is a scarcely believable 61.4mpg, from a mix of country roads and motorways. I do very little town driving so that will obviously help, but you can't help but be impressed by that, right from day 1.

In terms of styling, the wheels are 16" which are a tad on the small side, but they have been attractively styled and the suspension is lowered compared to the regular 320d SE, so that helps. I have regretted not speccing sports seats - standard issue ones are flat and lack support. I've gone for the new colour, Vermillion Red, which glistens in the sunshine and I like it being rare so far.

Anyway, thought it'd be useful to give a bit of an insight into this new model.

Cheers.

[chrisbin]

Very interesting!

As you say, mpg is very impressive. I read in Evo one of the tricks with this model is extra refinements to the engine (balancers or something!) that enable you to select a gear higher than you would normally with no complaints from the drivetrain.

Not surprised by the desire for sports seats - imo they are an essential part of specc'ing a BMW.

[Tippo]

Quick question please?

With these new BMW models that do not have run flats do you get a proper spare wheel now or is it just a tyre repair kit?

[richd]

Great first post, now get some pics up!

[bencookman]

To answer the question regarding the spare tyre: there is no physical spare tyre with non-runflats... in the boot, under the floor, is a compressor and expanding foam.

Pictures of the car, in the new Vermillion Red colour, and the alloys specific to this model will follow later today or tomorrow when I've had chance to upload to the computer.

[doughboy]

Good stuff.

I read somewhere that your car has some new fancy pendular dual-mass engine flywheel which allows the engine to run at very low rpm without any juddering to save a few more mpg.

All well and good if you like driving like that!

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Good stuff.

I read somewhere that your car has some new fancy pendular dual-mass engine flywheel which allows the engine to run at very low rpm without any juddering to save a few more mpg.

All well and good if you like driving like that!

...thats the one!!

see my "balancers" technical comment earlier....

[xenon]

Is this the 163bhp diesel?

Amazing economy.

[creepy coupe]

Interesting engine in the 320d ED, it's 18 bhp down on the 184 bhp engine in the M sport, but the torque output is the same and at exactly the same 1900 RPM, with better MPG.

[bencookman]

Here are some camera phone pictures of the car...

The new colour, Vermillion, is really growing on me, particularly in the sunshine.

Yes it's the 163bhp version, so 60+mpg and 8sec 0-60 with 109g/km of CO2 are pretty impressive statistics.

[mobileadam]

I quite like the colour. Not sure about those wheels though - probably a better ride than mine.

[philreid]

That's a lovely colour

[TMP]

Welcome

Great car and that real world mpg is out of this world!

[themetz]

Eco-tastic - liking the colour

And perfect for company car users - quite incredible feat to get the CO2s to 109! Plus, it attracts 100% first year allowances for the company.

Wonder how the residuals will hold up - considering it costs the same as the standard, and better power rated 320d ?? (not an issue for the OP though!)

[Ham09]

Is it possible to swap the wheels to bigger (less efficient lol) ones or do they have KERS like the VW Blue Motions which means you can't?

[Tippo]

Originally Posted by bencookman

To answer the question regarding the spare tyre: there is no physical spare tyre with non-runflats... in the boot, under the floor, is a compressor and expanding foam.

Pictures of the car, in the new Vermillion Red colour, and the alloys specific to this model will follow later today or tomorrow when I've had chance to upload to the computer.

Thanks for the reply. Nice pics by the way. Only got 16 inch alloys on mine but yours look way better.

[AlanQS]

Lovely colour, one of my favourites, - and I like the wheels. What profile is the tyre? - 55

[banjo21]

I ordered mine the other day. Space Gray, Leather, black dash trim, DAB, Cruise, Sun Glass (rear), USB. I didn't get sports seats either. It was this or the new 520D but two new babies and a new house made it a no brainer for the cheaper option. Not too bad a car for a 'cheapie'


To the OP what are the noise levels like at 75 on the MWAY? I do 2.5 to 3 hours a day motorway driving and I long for a quiet cruiser (hence the thoughts on the 5). I've had a Golf, 350Z, Passat and now A4 as most recent cars and none have been exactly whisper quiet on the cruise.

[Oli]

I have one of these on demo, for 10 days, for a customer of mine, who has 30+ cars to replace this year, and I must say how impressive it is;

Excellent mpg
Excellent drive (no rfts)
100% write down in the first 12 months for busniness's
13% BIK for the user
£35 a year RFL

This car will wipe out the company car market as its excellent for the business and excellent for the user - No other mannufactueures even come close at the moment, in this class

winwin all round!

[themetz]

Originally Posted by Oli

I have one of these on demo, for 10 days, for a customer of mine, who has 30+ cars to replace this year, and I must say how impressive it is;

Excellent mpg
Excellent drive (no rfts)
100% write down in the first 12 months for busniness's
13% BIK for the user
£35 a year RFL

This car will wipe out the company car market as its excellent for the business and excellent for the user - No other mannufactueures even come close at the moment, in this class

winwin all round!

£20 I think (£35 was 08/09)

[Hairyarse]

Nice motor Ben, welcome to the forum

[Hairyarse]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Good stuff.

I read somewhere that your car has some new fancy pendular dual-mass engine flywheel which allows the engine to run at very low rpm without any juddering to save a few more mpg.

All well and good if you like driving like that!

Dual mass fly wheel in my Freelander 2 has been source of a nightmare, had a new clutch and flywheel fitted at 30k odd miles and a second flywheel and clutch at about 60k miles! Apparently LR had a bit of a problem with these.

Sure bee-em will be spot on though