G8AMB Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 Hi I am considering changing my A4 for a 3 series. It looks like my budget will stretch to either a new 320d or a 320i with a few extra toys (like sat nav). My last couple of cars have been 2.0 litre A4s - so I have no real feeling for diesels. However I here great reports about the speed and economy of the 320d and certainly on paper it seems to run rings round it's petrol counterpart. What are your views - I have heard the the 320i is a better drive - should I go for that, or stick my TomTom in the 320d. P.S. I think I only really want the sat nav because I like the extended computer features and bluetooth phone integration it brings with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 We have an '05 E46 320D and I'd not change it for a petrol car - I tried a 325i and that didn't do anything for me at all. Our 320D has now come into its own, it's done 10k miles and is now quicker and much more economical. I'd never buy a new one again because of this, let someone else spend a year running it in! So, why not get a used 320D with Nav? Don't forget the Alpina D3 at £27k, that should be a good crack Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterS Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 I'd defintely go for the d version. I've only driven one 320i and it felt very very flat. Less power and torque than the diesel IIRC.. BTW, bluetooth is not standard with nav, its a £500 odd extra, though I guess most cars with nav would have it. Just my thoughts though... Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 Are there any 320si's available? if so, get one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterS Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Are there any 320si's available? if so, get one of them. [/ QUOTE ] Good point - forgotten about that one Should hold its value better than the standard 320 petrol as well Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 G8AMB: Don`t know if this helps mate, but I`d never owned a diesel before I bought my 330d, but I absolutely love mine ! Obviously, it`s a bit different to the 320, but I`m sure you`ll enjoy the 320d. The 320si does sound interesting also, but I believe that much of the power is at the top end of the rev-range, (which is what BMW intended of course); even more-so than the standard 320, so it will, no doubt, feel a LOT different to the power delivery of the 320d. Have fun testing them all.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I was pottering around in a pretty much brand spanking 320d auto at the weekend. It had all the toys, and TBH, i prefer Tomtom to the BMW sat nav. The only thing the BMW did well, was have traffic info easily available (never tried this on tomtom) Try and have a play with a BMW sat nav, see what you think, but i found the combination of satnav, air con, bluetooth phone and radio all on screen via the idrive quite confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Alpina D3 is worth considering, meant to be so, so, so much better than the 320d sport from what everyone is saying who has driven both and the same price with much better standard spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 For once an Alpina that looks fair value.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 [ QUOTE ] .........an Alpina that looks fair value.... [/ QUOTE ] That just doesn't sound right!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 [ QUOTE ] For once an Alpina that looks fair value.... [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Haha! To be fair I don't think the Alpinas are overpriced, it's just that they loose so much money, someone was saying on the m5 board that his B5 was costing him £1600 a month because of the residuals on it. Compare that with an M5. I wish Alpina would do a D35 using the new 3 litre d or i twin turbo, would be a good dog carrier in touring guise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 I test drove the 320d and its a brilliant engine Make sure you go for the M Sport pack too, Le Mans blue is the best colour imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACA_Chap Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Ive got a 320d loaner at the moment. Not sure what spec it is but the engine is a corker if you are after a compromise of fun vs cost. There's not much in it overall, but I would stick with Audi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 I think we will stick with Audi but not sure yet... If u can see M badges everywhere its an M Sport model The new 3 series looks very dull without the M Sport exterior pack imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACA_Chap Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 Yeah it has the M badges but it's not an M3 or anything. Not sure if these were just added on after. Anyway the interior is pretty ordinary, not a patch on the audi. I don't lie the whole m-sport badge thing. It's a bit all fur coat and no knickers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterS Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Yeah it has the M badges but it's not an M3 or anything. Not sure if these were just added on after. Anyway the interior is pretty ordinary, not a patch on the audi. I don't lie the whole m-sport badge thing. It's a bit all fur coat and no knickers [/ QUOTE ] I do agree with you on the M sport badging; a bit over the top IMO. FFS you can buy a 116i M Sport Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 An M sport shouldn't come with any M badges on it, they have been added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] An M sport shouldn't come with any M badges on it, they have been added. [/ QUOTE ] Apart from on the wheels, steering wheel, sill covers, gearknob etc etc I agree with some of the M Sport comments, I'm not into sheeps in wolves clothing. The other way around is fine, but a 116 or even a 320i in M Sport trim promises something it can't deliver. BMW aren't alone though, it's just the same over at Audi. A neighbour of mine has an A4 1.6 S Line, which just isn't right. M Sport BMW's with 3.0 litre engines are fine of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 But the M Sport package means it has the sporty suspension and wheels etc. but maybe they should drop the M bit, just call it a sport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterS Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] But the M Sport package means it has the sporty suspension and wheels etc. but maybe they should drop the M bit, just call it a sport? [/ QUOTE ] They already do a 'Sport' 1 series, along with base, ES, SE and M Sport The Sport has Sports suspension; the M SPort has M Sport Suspension Madness IMO Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterS Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] An M sport shouldn't come with any M badges on it, they have been added. [/ QUOTE ] Apart from on the wheels, steering wheel, sill covers, gearknob etc etc I agree with some of the M Sport comments, I'm not into sheeps in wolves clothing. The other way around is fine, but a 116 or even a 320i in M Sport trim promises something it can't deliver. BMW aren't alone though, it's just the same over at Audi. A neighbour of mine has an A4 1.6 S Line, which just isn't right. M Sport BMW's with 3.0 litre engines are fine of course [/ QUOTE ] Absolutely, the things are covered in ///M badges No problem, since the M division are apparently responsible for the suspension, but I do think the car should have enough 'go' to match the excess of 'show' 130i M Sport is completely fine by me, cracking little car. 116i M Sport - why bother Spend the £2k-£3k the M Sport pack costs and buy a bigger engine Much more fun surely... Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I completely agree. Once I had the ‘basics’, I would go for the best engine that I could afford, rather than spending loads of money of bodykits and other frippery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 But, it could be the difference between a car you like the look of and one you don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] But, it could be the difference between a car you like the look of and one you don't. [/ QUOTE ] Totally agree Gizze We are looking at the 3 series and if the M Sport exterior styling didnt exist i doubt we would have bothered. The standard styling just looks dull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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