Tell me about the 320d

[Rackerz]

I have been looking at a BMW 320d, specifically the 05-11 (E90).

I have been reading a lot of things on the internet about reliability, etc. and I was wondering if I should be looking for anything specifically?

Alternatively I have been looking at 170 Audi A4 TDI.

I would like your honest opinions motors!

 

[[TW]Fox]

Do you want an economical, cheap to run car?

If yes:

Don't buy an old BMW.

If no:

Don't buy a 4 cylinder diesel.

There are few questions to which 'A 320d' is the correct answer. One of the only ones is 'I want an economical nearly new car which I'm going to purchase from a main dealer and retain the manufacturers warranrt, what should I buy'.

 

[Rackerz]

I think that pretty much answers my question in a nut shell and goes with what I have been reading.

Thanks!

 

[Gepetto]

We had a 55 plate 320D Touring for 4 years and whilst not being overly impressed with it, I certainly wouldn't knock it.

We did have two very expensive bills which were the satnav and the turbo, but, it was always serviced at Sytner BMW, and I've come to think (over the last year) that they are rip off merchants to say the least! With the satnav, apparently they just take it out and send it away to Germany for analysis, simply replacing the whole unit. Whether this was necessary or not is moot, but, the fault appeared to be a bad connection/dry joint. A new satnav did sort it out. What annoyed me was the fact that they sent my (almost new) satnav disc away with it, and it took Sytner almost a year before they finally caved into repeated requests for its return, and gave me a new one.

The turbo blew, or so I thought, and when I got it home I discovered the inlet pipe had come loose due to becoming worn at the clamp. I shoved the hose back on and the car drove fine, but I took it in to get it checked as I didn't know whether the hose needed replacing or simply properly re-attaching. Needless to say, Sytner told me the centre bearing on the turbo was noisy and the entire turbo needed replacing. Naturally.

Those two expensive bills apart, and mine had every toy available, I found it to be well built, good looking in the Touring version, and pleasant to be in, although I would not recommend the automatic as I feel it seriously detracted from the driving experience. I averaged around 30mpg in very much short run journeys/daily commute, which I didn't think was outstanding for a modern 2l diesel.

Would I buy another E91? Yes, but, in a manual if I can find one, and I would probably buy a petrol for my current usage, and, if over 60K miles, I'd get it serviced by an independent, not the dealership.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I would not recommend the automatic as I feel it seriously detracted from the driving experience.

To be honest the manual doesn't exactly offer some sort of amazing driving experience when paired with this engine. There is nothing really there below 1800rpm so you often find yourself in a frustrating dead zone when pulling away from say speed ramps in 2nd, then the power kicks in and its all gone by 4500rpm. The manual offers a rather frustrating driving experience, the automatic smooths a lot of this out and means you never need to worry about stirring the box. Getting the right gear is fun in a revvy petrol but it's a chore in a 2 litre diesel. This is a car that is definately at its best when paired with an automatic gearbox.

I averaged around 30mpg in very much short run journeys/daily commute, which I didn't think was outstanding for a modern 2l diesel.

It's about right really and matches what I've had from similar cars with a similar usage profile. Diesels are not very efficient when cold and take a LONG time to warm up, I don't think your 320d had a temp guage but if it did you'd notice that by the end of your short run it wouldnt even have been up to temperature.

 

[Scania]

To be honest the manual doesn't exactly offer some sort of amazing driving experience when paired with this engine. There is nothing really there below 1800rpm so you often find yourself in a frustrating dead zone when pulling away from say speed ramps in 2nd, then the power kicks in and its all gone by 4500rpm. The manual offers a rather frustrating driving experience, the automatic smooths a lot of this out and means you never need to worry about stirring the box. Getting the right gear is fun in a revvy petrol but it's a chore in a 2 litre diesel. This is a car that is definitely at its best when paired with an automatic gearbox.

Quite agree,I've driven a late e60 520d manual recently and I was quite surprised at the way it felt flat and very underpowered for the size of car compared the auto variant of similar age I used to drive a bit, which was actually quite impressive for what it was performance wise, you'd expect the reverse to be the case but it clearly isn't the case.

 

[Clarkey]

I'm in agreement that the manual box is irritating with the 20d engine, always thought it would be a much better drive with an auto.

 

[Justintime]

Well i've owned 2 06s and never found the manual box terrible tbh, currently have a 535i 2012 and yea its loads quicker but the 320d wasn't that boring either and could perform decently when pushed, quick shifting was the key
As for the 20 engine being bad in manual, my 59 330D didn't feel extremely different tbh.

 

[Spartacus]

Well i've owned 2 06s and never found the manual box terrible tbh, currently have a 535i 2012 and yea its loads quicker but the 320d wasn't that boring either and could perform decently when pushed, quick shifting was the key
As for the 20 engine being bad in manual, my 59 330D didn't feel extremely different tbh.

Agree, I currently drive a manual e90 320d, and don't have any problems finding the right gear to get on the power. I wouldn't say it's an exciting drive, but it's certainly not that boring either, although mines remapped so I guess that helps it a lot. In fact an Audi TT 3.2 petrol couldn't take me accelerating from 30-70 the other week

Owned mine 2 years and apart from servicing and the remap the only bills have been the thermostats replaced.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Well i've owned 2 06s and never found the manual box terrible tbh,

The box isn't terrible, it works fine with other engines, its that the engine isn't really that great and doesn't suit the box very well. The power is all in a narrow band and requires constant working to avoid catching it in the areas where nothing happens. It's just annoying to drive.

The auto makes that go away.

currently have a 535i 2012

Kept that quiet!!!! That sounds awesome. More details needed.

 

[platypus]

The box isn't terrible, it works fine with other engines, its that the engine isn't really that great and doesn't suit the box very well. The power is all in a narrow band and requires constant working to avoid catching it in the areas where nothing happens. It's just annoying to drive.

Forgive the off topic question, but why do manufacturers release cars like this? Especially given someone like BMWs attention to detail?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Because the market wants low co2 not smooth power delivery.