BMW 320D 2010 - to current 2012/2013 model

J

justplain

Expert Member
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
2,704
Reaction score
1,447
Location
South Africa.
HI Guys, I'm starting to consider a move to a bigger car, up from my TDI Polo, and I've always been keen on the BMW 320D. I have previously test driven a 2008 model - and it was pretty good.
I'm going to look at a second hand/pre owned vehicle with motor plan etc, but I'd like any personal experience with the cars? Have you had reliability issues, hidden expenses? What is realistic fuel consumption in and out of town etc.
I never really trust the manufactures economy claims, so I'd be interested to hear your experiences?
Manual or auto? I'm leaning towards a manual as it will be cheaper and hopefully one less item to potentially be a cause of trouble.
........and go.
 
justplain said:
HI Guys, I'm starting to consider a move to a bigger car, up from my TDI Polo, and I've always been keen on the BMW 320D. I have previously test driven a 2008 model - and it was pretty good.
I'm going to look at a second hand/pre owned vehicle with motor plan etc, but I'd like any personal experience with the cars? Have you had reliability issues, hidden expenses? What is realistic fuel consumption in and out of town etc.
I never really trust the manufactures economy claims, so I'd be interested to hear your experiences?
Manual or auto? I'm leaning towards a manual as it will be cheaper and hopefully one less item to potentially be a cause of trouble.
........and go.
Click to expand...

visit bmwfanatics website for more insight information about 320d.
 
My 2011 320d gets between 5 and 7 l/100km on average, up to 10 ( max ) if I sit in heavy traffic all tank.

I drive with windows closed, aircon on, and with a somewhat heavy foot..

Do yourself a favor and get an automatic, the manual gearbox can be quite heavy, and changes are not all that smooth in my experience.
 
I had a 320d, older 2008 model. The turbo was unreliable, got swapped out twice. I also read that this was a common issue. Not sure if this issue is still with the later models. Other than that, great car. I'd suggest going for the 330d! That's a superb engine. I have a 530d, the fiancee uses it's a brilliant engine even in the larger body.
 
Velenoso said:
I had a 320d, older 2008 model. The turbo was unreliable, got swapped out twice. I also read that this was a common issue. Not sure if this issue is still with the later models. Other than that, great car. I'd suggest going for the 330d! That's a superb engine. I have a 530d, the fiancee uses it's a brilliant engine even in the larger body.
Click to expand...

+1 - the 330d is a worthy upgrade if you can afford it. Just try and get one with some motorplan left, so that you can extend it if needs be.
 
Can i suggest you look at the Mercedes, the BMW’s are very nice cars, before owning my merc i had a BMW, i rarely had any problems, but the day you want to trade it in you get next to nothing, i had a 2004 318i, my friend had a 2004 Nissan Micra, i got 55k for the BMW, she got 60k........

And the BMW was in 100%, in perfect condition, very well looked after.....

Unless i get a BMW for free, i will own one again
 
O ja, and not to mention,
The BMW is considered a "high performance vehicle", for my Merc i pay R550 insurance, on the BMW the cheapest i could get was R1000
 
resale and interior on bmws and audis are bad compare to mercs

but the new 3 series is smart and those 19" rims dont look like 19s at all
 
ok, so general consensus is, pretty decent car.
I'm going to look for a "pre-owned" 2012 model. I'm keen on the new shape too.
Going to test drive one tomorrow hopefully.
Anyone got the paddle shift gearbox? apart from the novelty is it worth it over the regular autobox? going to test a manual too and see which I ideally prefer.
I'll look into the insurance options too. :)
 
Injectors are a pain on these diesel vehicles. Otherwise, great car. You won't be sorry. I'm still driving an old 2004 320d, happy as a pig in ****.

The issue with auto boxes is that when they go, it's mega $$$ :eek:
 
justplain said:
ok, so general consensus is, pretty decent car.
I'm going to look for a "pre-owned" 2012 model. I'm keen on the new shape too.
Going to test drive one tomorrow hopefully.
Anyone got the paddle shift gearbox? apart from the novelty is it worth it over the regular autobox? going to test a manual too and see which I ideally prefer.
I'll look into the insurance options too. :)
Click to expand...

I driven the new shape 320d and was very impressed by the diesel's refinement. The 8-Speed Auto is the popular option. The ECO PRO Mode will save you even more fuel. Go test drive one.

8-Speed Auto is descent enough and quick gear changes....I have 335i with Double Clutch gearbox and I can tell you the 8-Speed is as quick changing....its fantastic.

I find gearshift paddles on steering wheel a gimmick I hardly use...Its just there to impress people:D

As for insurance, you have to shop around...Outsurance wanted R6000pm for my 335i :wtf:. I pay R1600pm at Hollard with no excess...You have to shop around.
 
Last edited:
I have a semi auto box. So you can change the gears (push and pull) or auto. In over two years I only tried semi once, just to test it.
 
I got a 2nd hand 2010 320d about 3 months ago. Seriously considered the 2012 model, but the price just was way too much for my liking. Car has 2 years left on Motorplan, plus option to extend for another 2 years. Car goes very well. I do quite a bit of city driving, get 7.7l/100km. Have the auto model, great car.
 
forgot about my thread:)
Eventually got the F30 320D Sport, auto with paddleshift (which is awesome...I certainly do use them.)
Definitely not the cheapest option out there, but I spec'd it the way I wanted it and I'm loving it.
I cant comment on overall full out performance just yet, only had it just over a month, but so far, it drives like a dream.
First tank returned 6.5litres/100km (including a large amount of town driving)(should improve slightly once a few km's are put under the belt) - which is about the same as my old Polo tdi.
Skipped the sunroof and bigger mags and went with the HK sound system,dynamic M suspension and adaptive xenons (which are amazing on a dark winding road)
I'm going to keep the car for at least 5 years and thought I'd rather have the toys that I'd enjoy from the drivers seat.
Best drive so far returned 4.2litres/100..and I wasnt trying to go slow :P
Overall, it's a great car....super happy.
 
I too am looking at upgrading from a 2008 citi sport 1.4i to a BMW 320i 2007 exclusive man..my manager is selling his wife's car asking for R125 000 and it has 93000km on the clock.. is this a good buy in you opinion?
 
My dad drive the current shape (2012) 320d sport bmw. It's a very nice car, lots of kw and torque to play with. It also has excellent fuel economy. 2 month ago he loaded 250 kg meat products, and delivered it to a friend, who stays in Witrivier, we stay in Polokwane. After approx 150 km of driving, according to the onboard computer, he got 27 km/L, and he didn't even drive with the "eco mode" switched on, and he normally drove between 120 -130 km/H.

Not bad at all.
 
jacqvt said:
My dad drive the current shape (2012) 320d sport bmw. It's a very nice car, lots of kw and torque to play with. It also has excellent fuel economy. 2 month ago he loaded 250 kg meat products, and delivered it to a friend, who stays in Witrivier, we stay in Polokwane. After approx 150 km of driving, according to the onboard computer, he got 27 km/L, and he didn't even drive with the "eco mode" switched on, and he normally drove between 120 -130 km/H.

Not bad at all.
Click to expand...

You mean 17km/l?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X