tainted_love Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 guys I need your advice quick if the choice between these cars, which one would it be? Both the cars have same spec, only dif is 325 is auto and coupe with 7k on clock. The 320d comes with 5 year service 11k on clock and would leave more cash in my pocket. Both models are of the same year. Don’t know which to go for, economy of diesel (cash in pocket) or sweet sound of straight six, comfy auto driving? finally which one would depreciate more over the next 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanW Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 What about a 320d coupe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Impossible to say without knowing more. 320D better choice financially, 325ci a nicer car. Without knowing your car usage and finiancial position it isn't possible to answer other than the fact that the 320D will cost less to run and hold its value better but the 325 will be a nicer drive and better looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 I can give a different perspective on this. See, we own a 320d SE, but I've also had a good few 325i's on loan from the dealership (2 this year alone). Firstly, the 320d Sport is much better than the SE (which is what we have). It's (the 320d Sport) a great car with superb handling - and the ride is perfect (some might say a little too firm, but I think it's spot on). So I wish we'd got the 320d Sport instead of the 320d SE. However....the 325Ci's that I've had have both left me thinking why on earth anyone would buy one. The Auto will be even worse. Both that I drove were manuals - one a Cabriolet, the other a Coupe, and were as flat as a flattened fart left for a week to go stale, and then flattened a bit more. I was very very unwhelmed. So for me it's an easy choice without even getting into the benefits of the financial sense that the 320d makes (and the resale, which is very strong on the 320d Sport models). Yes = 320d Sport Saloon No (in a big way) = 325Ci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 I recently test drove an E90 325i Auto and it felt so slow. I then drove an E90 320d man to try out the standard suspension and it was much better than the 325i. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 I've not driven a 325, but i've driven a 320i sport, and a 320d auto SE. I drive the 320d all the time, and its a fantastic car, the only 2 things missing are the sports pack, and the petrol engine noise. If i had the choice of a 320i and a 320d id pick the diesel every time. Do you do lots of miles? because that will defintely point to the diesel even more. Is there no way you could extend to a 330d? That would really be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Have driven a 320d and it left me cold. I just don't do diesels they just don't seem to have a soul. They are noisy and unrefined yes even 320D, a petrol would never get away with it. But I have driven the new and old 325i and its a fantastic motor. Yes it has to be driven quite hard the older one especially to get the most out of it. The new one is much better in this respect with a lot more power avaliable lower down. But it has bags of soul and it makes a great noise. It will cost you more at the pumps. But when i was looking the petrols were cheaper to begin with so over 3 years even with the fuel cost the diffence was very small over the term. Have a drive of both and see what you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 [ QUOTE ] If the choice between these cars, which one would it be? Both models are of the same year. [/ QUOTE ] Diesel everytime! Relatively decent specification? Upgrade alloys, sports seats, nice metallic colour? Added bonus that the 2003MY 320ds have the 6 speed box - as do the 330i and 330d - whereas the 325i manual makes do with 5. With the engine under the windscreen and the gearbox between you and your passenger, yeah, it is loud. Personally I think it is one of the greatest diesel daily drivers out there. My uncle is just parting with his and I enjoyed my final ride in it a fortnight back just as much as I did my first go in it back in May 2002 when he picked it up. Cracking motor. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 320d is the new repmobile of choice, get the 325, they are surprisingly economical and sound great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooret Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Just swapped the R32 for a 320D Sport. The oil burner is almost as quick in mid range, has far superior fuel consumption, I'll get lynched by the R32 lot for this but the handling is far more fluid and it rides like a dream in comparison. Not sure about outright fuel consumption compared to VW/Audi, think its going to be poorer, but overall a big thumbs up from me after 10 days of ownership Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Just swapped the R32 for a 320D Sport. The oil burner is almost as quick in mid range, has far superior fuel consumption, I'll get lynched by the R32 lot for this but the handling is far more fluid and it rides like a dream in comparison. Not sure about outright fuel consumption compared to VW/Audi, think its going to be poorer, but overall a big thumbs up from me after 10 days of ownership [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Just swapped the R32 for a 320D Sport. The oil burner is almost as quick in mid range, has far superior fuel consumption, I'll get lynched by the R32 lot for this but the handling is far more fluid and it rides like a dream in comparison. Not sure about outright fuel consumption compared to VW/Audi, think its going to be poorer, but overall a big thumbs up from me after 10 days of ownership [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil330 Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Personally, i would go for the 325ci, its a hard choice, the diesels are good (all except a 318d i drove) and you wont notice any lack of performance, if anything you will probably find yourself driving quicker in the diesel, but i would miss the 6 cylinder engine and exhaust note. I had a 325 manual before my 330ci, and i was returning just over 29mpg, which i think was impressive for country road driving! I also had mine for 2 years and only lost £6000, but i think now that the new one is out, you would be financially better in the diesel, as it is likely to have a better resale appeal. (I have driven, Z4 3.0ltr, 320d compact, 318d saloon, 520iSE, 325i Sport, 330ci Sport Man, 323i Auto, 316i auto (now there's a shocker). Can you see a trend emerging here? No, i have not had endless lists of dealer visits, (well, a few) but i don't like to drive anything faster than mine until i know i can afford it! Otherwise mine will just disappoint! Although i am going to Rockingham (BMW performance centre) in November, and am considering a high speen lap in an M3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil330 Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 i mean't 'had' not 'hate' Sorted it for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 You can go back and edit posts (for a limited time, an hour or so I think). Means you can correct mistakes or typos. Just use the "Edit" button on your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tainted_love Posted October 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 Great response guys, thanks Sorry if I left first post vague my daily driving is 60% town and 40% A roads, with annual mileage at 10k, therefore I don’t think mpg is gona be huge issue. in terms of spec, both are sport models with the same additional features ive already driven the 320d and think its a great package, but it couldn't match the ease of drive to my, soon to depart, A3 DSG 2.0TDI. one of the reasons why iam considering the 325 is that the A3 lacked a sole (I know I could do better then the 325, there are numerous factors which point this model out ). ive got test drive in the 325 tomorrow, will let you guys know if its any good. It’s great to know every ones view and it also gives a different aspect while decision making, so thanks to all for voting and commenting so far: beer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 Well, id have to say, with an annual mileage of 10k, the diesel wouldn't actually make sense. That said, a low mileage 320d Sport will command a very good resale value. Very supprised about you feeling the 320d is not as easy to drive as an A3 TDi DSG, when we were test driving for mums current car, the A3 was quite frantic, more sporty, whereas the 320d was fast but laid back, the A3 seemed to encourage loony driving, whereas the 320d seemed to encourage fast relaxed cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 At that annual mileage I,d take the 325i definitely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil330 Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 yeh, 325! My mate (DazzaX) has a A3 2.0DSG S-Line, which is a great car, and i reckon you would have more fun chucking that round country roads than the 320d, mainly because its more like a hot hatch. Feels quicker than 9 secs 0-60! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 325 just for the sound of the engine. And as said, a 10K annual mileage in a diesel is not worth the loss of sound! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 Or the silky smoothness. That 2.5 litre straight six is one of the smoothest engines in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 But for the torque and the smoke it's got to be the Diesel. Also you might get to join the 50Mpg Club!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Also you might get to join the 50Mpg Club!! [/ QUOTE ] Danksy, ssshhhhh, its a very elite club, and we are very choosy on our members Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 [ QUOTE ] ....annual mileage at 10k, therefore I don’t think mpg is gona be huge issue.... [/ QUOTE ] Depends who pays for the fuel. The forula is: fuel cost (pence) x mileage (miles) ------------------------------------------- 22 (a contant) x economy (mpg) So taking the 325i ecomony as 29 mpg (Phil) and the 320d economy as 45 mpg (my uncles soon-to-be-departed) and fuel costs as (approximated) 90p per litre of brand named regular 95 octane unleaded and 95p per litre of brand named diesel: £1411 per year in the 325i, £960 per year in the 320d. £451 saving per year by going diesel. Ian <font color="#666666">The contant 22 is derived from needing to convert gallons into litres. Approximately 4.5 gallons in a litre, hence one over 4.5, or 0.22 recurring. Multiplying the answer by 100 converts the final answer into pounds rather than pence, hence one over 22.</font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Also you might get to join the 50Mpg Club!! [/ QUOTE ] Danksy, ssshhhhh, its a very elite club, and we are very choosy on our members [/ QUOTE ] Its ok at 45mg (from Ian C's Uncles soon to be departed) he aint got a chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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