BMW 320i vs 320D: your choice?

How about an alternative diesel, like a fusion or a passat? I'm sure you can get a newer model then with bmw and if you get the vw maintenance plan is included.

edit: if you do decide on the bmw try to get whichever you can get the longest maintenance plan on. And check what the tyres cost and you can afford it. Those run flat tyres can get expensive.
 
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Before F30, I'd avoid the 320i. Now that it's turbocharged, I'd definitely give it a much closer look - I personally prefer petrol powered cars.

I had the E90 320d and E92 320i and the difference was huge.
 
Lol, seems like the age-old debate still hasn't settled itself yet.

The real issue with dealerships is how they screw you on the trade-in AND the sale. Why can't they just be satisfied with margin on one side and break-even on the other? I mean, profit is profit.

With BMW echoing the crappy trade-in value on my car, I reckon I'll have to either find a more flexible dealer or find some way to do a private sale and bridge the period without a car somehow.
 
So here's one more permutation to the original question: any feedback on the 328i (F30)?

In reviews it seems to have come across very well, and it's no doubt fast, but you see very few of them on the SA roads.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
So here's one more permutation to the original question: any feedback on the 328i (F30)?

In reviews it seems to have come across very well, and it's no doubt fast, but you see very few of them on the SA roads.
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Obviously more powerful and sportier than the 20s but with the higher fuel consumption to match. More driving pleasure.
 
Excalibur said:
Obviously more powerful and sportier than the 20s but with the higher fuel consumption to match. More driving pleasure.
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Are you saying that as an owner of a 328i? If so, what fuel consumption are you getting?

Reading online some people have been claiming the 328i can still do 7l/100km, which is very good, even if the 320D can do 5l/100km.
 
LCBXX said:
Yes I am aware it is.

I know of very few people who drive a turbodiesel properly and care for it likewise. I would not want to buy it second-hand, especially a BMW/Audi/Merc for the looming expense with failed turbo's, injectors and dual-mass flywheels. But if you find one that has been taken care of properly...oh boy what a gem with bags of torque and frugal economy.
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Lol, if it has a turbo then it probably has dual mass flywheel.

That said, after 100,000km the diesel particulate filter really starts to cause some drag, possibly less so with 10ppm diesel now being available.
The fuel injectors should be fine on modern diesels with 10ppm now available.

I'd say the 320d is probably more fun to drive (more torque is usually more fun) but the 320i is a safer long term bet on maintenance.

Just don't get the E90 or older petrols without turbo because they are boring as hell.
 
Yeah, that maintenance issue is pretty much why I'm leaning more towards the 328i rather ... more fun than the 320i, less risk than a used 320D.

The only trick is to find one that the previous owner has specced decently. It's insane just how bare bones most of these cars are.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Are you saying that as an owner of a 328i? If so, what fuel consumption are you getting?

Reading online some people have been claiming the 328i can still do 7l/100km, which is very good, even if the 320D can do 5l/100km.
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Not a 328i driver. I drive F20 125i same (detuned?) engine as 328i. I find that low economy hard to believe but perhaps if you are a sedate driver it's achievable.

Edit: These stats seem more realistic http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/328i
 
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Is there a similar thread comparing Merc W204( specific ) petrol vs diesel. Considering getting a 2014/15 model. But maintenance scares the ..... out of me.
 
I have a 2013 F30 320D auto
Lifetime fuel consumption ave is about 6.5l/100km
in town, it's a big heavy car..so it uses a bit of juice. On the open road you can happily get in the 4 litres/100km.
In terms of petrol vs diesel, thats really a personal choice.
What I can say is keep in mind the model spec and wheel size. Those 19" Msport wheels look awesome, but the tyres are pricey.
The 17's I have on my car are over R2k a pop (runflats) not that it's a deal breaker.....just something thing to keep in mind :)
 
justplain said:
The 17's I have on my car are over R2k a pop (runflats) not that it's a deal breaker.....just something thing to keep in mind :)
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That's good advice. I've heard that the BMW tyres on the X5 and 5-Series go for R5 000 each too. Just another reason to not buy a car out of one's price range, it'll bite back.
 
justplain said:
I have a 2013 F30 320D auto
Lifetime fuel consumption ave is about 6.5l/100km
in town, it's a big heavy car..so it uses a bit of juice. On the open road you can happily get in the 4 litres/100km.
In terms of petrol vs diesel, thats really a personal choice.
What I can say is keep in mind the model spec and wheel size. Those 19" Msport wheels look awesome, but the tyres are pricey.
The 17's I have on my car are over R2k a pop (runflats) not that it's a deal breaker.....just something thing to keep in mind :)
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You don't have to run runflats, do you? You can get a repair kit from BMW and run normal tires.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
That's good advice. I've heard that the BMW tyres on the X5 and 5-Series go for R5 000 each too. Just another reason to not buy a car out of one's price range, it'll bite back.
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Well just don't replace with runflats?
 
Or get a spare wheel to chuck in the boot, the runflats give a harsher ride, but with the stiffer sidewalls, they are a bit more pothole resistant.
I have a F20 120d auto msport, and I must say, what an amazing car, (coming from a polo tdi) that 8-speed auto is a dream, in town I drive like boy racer 80% of the time, and I still average 6.5 - 7.0l/100km, would love to see the petrol variant do the same.. Everybody keeps talking about reliability of diesels not being as good as the petrol, but the technology has improved tremendously in the last couple of years, if you take good care of it, it will take good care of you(and your wallet)
 
kripstoe said:
You don't have to run runflats, do you? You can get a repair kit from BMW and run normal tires.
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the car should come with a repair kit and 12v compressor to inflate/top up the tyres.
I am not entirely sure about the use of non run flats. There is no provision/space to put a spare in the boot. Any spare you put in there you'd have to tie down otherwise it'll fly around. There is also no jack, you'd have to get one of those too...and a wheel spanner. Also BMW may be sticky with their warranty if you use non RFT's on the car. That is worth checking. In terms of ride comfort, I cannot comment. The ride to me is what i expect from a more sporting sedan. I do have the adaptive msport suspension which I'm told really makes a difference over the standard suspension.
I've also had punctures in each of the 4 tyres and had them all plugged. AS long as you get it tended to quickly and don''t drive around with the tyre deflated then they can usually be patched (depending on damage of course) They are also pretty good wearing. You should get about 40k/kms out of a set, if not more (at least my OEM Bridgestone Potenza S001's have lasted that long)

Also, if you can find one with Harmon Kardon upgraded radio.....get that one!
Also Sportline/mpsort have more supportive seats that the base and luxury line....
 
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