BMW 320i vs 320D: your choice?

Currently drive a 320i, next one will be a 320d.

Petrol is easy and cheap to maintain. The only expensive part is the Petrol. That being said, if a diesel breaks down you're going to cry! There was research years ago where they compared totals between petrol and diesel vehicles. Where in the end, the savings you had on the difference between diesel and Petrol fuel wise all evened out and diesel actually overtook petrol in the end cost related.

But nothing beats a simple engine that is light on juice and gives amazing torque. In the end it's about what you prefer to drive. I can promise you though, once you drive a diesel (a good one) you won't want to drive a petrol again :p
 
So I'm starting to settle down on the F30 320i ... prices are just a lot better than the 320D, and there are also a lot of really low-mileage models going around (like 30 000 - 50 000km).

No doubt the 320D would have more torque and be more frugal, but the 320i's twin-power turbo is meant to compensate pretty well for that. My next car will be a Bugatti Veyron, but for now I'll rather get a really well-specced 320i within my budget than a barebones 320D that's pushing my budget. It's not just me who's noticed that, right? The pre-owned 320i out there seem to be a lot better specced than the 320D pre-owned models.

Now it's just a question of finding The Right One.

PS: I can't believe I was writing that while Pitbull was advocating the 320i lol. You and me Pitbull, soon we can go for Saturday drives in the 320i owners club :P
 
Depends on your budget, you can get a well specced demo for a good price.

I got my 320i with 850km on the odometer with lots of toys added for 60k below new price.
 
CPTBoy said:
Depends on your budget, you can get a well specced demo for a good price.

I got my 320i with 850km on the odometer with lots of toys added for 60k below new price.
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Yeah, but all of those will be around R350K, and I've set myself a budget of R250K. Everybody loves a bargain, I just gotta make sure I avoid the "bargains" from those dealerships in the JHB CBD (which I've been warned to stay well away from).
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Yeah, but all of those will be around R350K, and I've set myself a budget of R250K. Everybody loves a bargain, I just gotta make sure I avoid the "bargains" from those dealerships in the JHB CBD (which I've been warned to stay well away from).
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When buying a BWM, get the VIN number and call BMW to do a check on it for you. They can tell you ALL repairs done on the car ;) This includes accident damage.
 
Pitbull said:
When buying a BWM, get the VIN number and call BMW to do a check on it for you. They can tell you ALL repairs done on the car ;) This includes accident damage.
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Yeah I was wondering how that works. I mean doesn't BMW first want to check that you have some interest in the vehicle (e.g. already its owner), or do they not regard the mechanical history as confidential info?
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Yeah I was wondering how that works. I mean doesn't BMW first want to check that you have some interest in the vehicle (e.g. already its owner), or do they not regard the mechanical history as confidential info?
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There was someone on here who had access to it a while ago. Don't even know if he's still a user here will try find it

Old thread
Hope it helps
 
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Pitbull said:
Currently drive a 320i, next one will be a 320d.

Petrol is easy and cheap to maintain. The only expensive part is the Petrol. That being said, if a diesel breaks down you're going to cry! There was research years ago where they compared totals between petrol and diesel vehicles. Where in the end, the savings you had on the difference between diesel and Petrol fuel wise all evened out and diesel actually overtook petrol in the end cost related.

But nothing beats a simple engine that is light on juice and gives amazing torque. In the end it's about what you prefer to drive. I can promise you though, once you drive a diesel (a good one) you won't want to drive a petrol again :p
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Very true.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Yeah but that's my question. When people talk about BMW 320D MSPORT, does that mean it comes with the suspension or just a bodykit and the suspension is a separate package?

Also, am I correct in assuming that the MSPORT passive suspension will be harder than the standard suspension? I'm guessing the MSPORT active suspension will have a comfort setting, but again ... how does that comfort setting compare in stiffness to the standard suspension?

Pretty tricky questions to answer unless you're a motor dealer or work for BMW, I know.
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MSPORT is usually the body kit only. The MSPORT suspension is a completely separate option you can specify.
Correct - the adaptive has two settings. Comfort and sport
msport.jpg
adaptive.jpg
 
Thanks justplain, good info!

Now here's the next question: MSPORT vs Luxury trim?

Personally I have a great fancy for that wood-effect on the Luxury trim (I'm guessing it's not real wood at that price point lol). The MSPORT's red line on the interior is ok but overall is a lot darker and more depressing.
 
I just put in a finance application on a 320i Luxury Line A/T :) Wish me luck! If it all goes well, I'll be able to take delivery this Saturday.

Thanks so much for all the advice on here. As much as I'd have liked a 320D, it was just a bit too much of a stretch financially and I was very strict on myself to stay within limits (I've screwed myself over badly in the past on cars).

For what it's worth, I'm pretty impressed with the 320i's power delivery :) Putting it into Sports driving mode and on the gearbox really cranks up the responsiveness a lot. A 335i it isn't, but again it's all the car one needs for regular commuting. Coming from a naturally aspirated manual hatchback, I was more than happy with it.
 
FiestaST said:
Awesome! This one you put the offer in for is within your R250k budget/limit?
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Thanks bro :) Yeah, by the skin of my teeth: BMW knocked the price down to R260 000 for me, and I put in a R10 000 deposit from my trade-in (finally off the Citroen depreciation nightmare). Maybe a tiny bit on the high side still, but it at least had front and rear park distance control which is surprisingly rare to find (I'd been looking at a loooooot of cars).
 
Finance approved through BMW financial services, wooohoooooooooo. This is happening, kids.

Today 320i, next we'll see about the i8 (how beautiful are they???).
 
FiestaST said:
Yay! Give us the details about the vehicle. Year; mileage; trim level; options fitted; condition etc.
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Now you're worrying me, why? :P You're a dealer yourself aren't you, you know exactly what these things would go for. I don't mind sharing, but I think having a lot of people pointing and laughing at me at this delicate moment would be kinda sad.

About that i8

https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/882272-2018-BMW-i8-Protonic-Frozen-Yellow
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Yum. They have TWO on the floor of BMW Midrand, including one in Protonic Red that looks amazeballs. They're unlocked and everything, so little old me could press the door unlock and swing open the gull wing ... wasn't brave enough to try scramble into the cockpit, which looks like it needs extreme contortion.
 
UrBaN963 said:
<hijack>
Bit of a conikidkink but I got the phone call on my approved finance about 4 minutes ago too :p :D
</hijack>
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Whaaaaaat? Congrats good buddy!!!!! What are you getting? Another two wheeler, or you joining us cagers?
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Finance approved through BMW financial services, wooohoooooooooo. This is happening, kids.

Today 320i, next we'll see about the i8 (how beautiful are they???).
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Congrats.

Out of interest. Insurance? Who are you with. I am changing to BMW insurance. Originally they were the very expensive. Now they are pretty much the cheapest...at least in my instance.
 
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