Do you need anything more than a 320d?
Discussion
Maybe I have misjudged this one – but many people are saying how the engine is a weakpoint and why not get a 330d etc…. well it is more expensive to buy, and Run – for the argument of “is the 320d all the car you need” the answer is yes, but not all you want.
I would pick a 335d over the 320 for sure, but would a 320d suffice? Yes!
I would pick a 335d over the 320 for sure, but would a 320d suffice? Yes!
RobM77 said:
wormus said:
Why on earth would anyone settle for a 320d unless they had to? They're tiny inside for family duties and I find my arse does not fit in the seats. Horrible rattly rep mobiles.
I don't normally choose cars based on whether your arise fits in the seats - I barely know you! 
The reason they're small inside is because they're rear wheel drive - BMW compromise on interior space in order to get a better mechanical layout for handling. If you want to prioritise interior space over handling then most FWD/FE cars do this and you have loads of choice.
The fact that reps drive them is nothing at all to do with how the car drives. You may care who else owns a car, but not everyone does. I couldn't care less who drives a car, how common it is, etc, I just care about how the car drives. For example, plenty of old people and other non-car people own MX5s (my parents for example), but that doesn't make them bad to drive for a keen driver.
it is possible to make decently spacious cars with Rwd but maybe not in this segment in which case it's not the only car you'll ever need. My discovery has Rwd and Fwd with enough space for 7 whilst the Monaro is a Rwd coupe with space for 4 adults. No excuse for sloppy, dieselly 4 pot engineering.Ps. I don't 'arise' in anyone's car, it's just not polite.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 24th June 18:41
wemorgan said:
out of genuine interest, which OEM do you rate above BMW for 4-pot diesel engines?
None, I think all 4 pot diesels are nothing more than adequate propulsion for dull, consumable cars. Compare that to the twin spark Alfa petrols of the late 1990s, they were fabulous. Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 24th June 19:30
Ali_T said:
I tried a Golf. In fact, I've tried a Golf overtime I've changed cars and found them mind numbingly boring every time. I'd rather drive a Fiat!
Is there really a difference? I mean, we are talking white goods here. No matter how pretty the washing machine might be, it's still a washing machine. wormus said:
None, I think all 4 pot diesels are nothing more than adequate.
OK I see, so it's not BMW sloppy engineering you dislike but all 4-pot diesels. After all, if it were possible to make diesel car NVH as good as petrol car NVH then at least one OEM would have done so by now. It's just a fundamental engineering limitation that a 4-pot engine is out of balance and the high compression of a diesel compounds this further. wemorgan said:
OK I see, so it's not BMW sloppy engineering you dislike but all 4-pot diesels. After all, if it were possible to make diesel car NVH as good as petrol car NVH then at least one OEM would have done so by now. It's just a fundamental engineering limitation that a 4-pot engine is out of balance and the high compression of a diesel compounds this further.
Indeed. Not a massive fan of the BMW image but I admire, for example the the M3 CSL and E39 M5. Lovely machines with great engines.andrewparker said:
Doesn't matter what the mode of transport is, what engine is in it, what wheels are driven, how many exhausts it has, I just like driving. I feel pretty grateful of that when I hear people harping on about their hatred of diesel cars. It's very shortsighted.
Shortsighted? Yep, shortsighted, because there are so many people absolutely adamant that you can derive no pleasure from a Diesel engined car. Take the Alpina D3 for example, most of you lot have it written off before you've given it a chance, yet it has been praised universally in the motoring press.
And here we are in another petrol vs diesel debate. Christ, it's tedious.
And here we are in another petrol vs diesel debate. Christ, it's tedious.
The OH drives one of these (F30 D3) it's a great car great performance great ride (for a car on 19's let alone 20's) it's been averaging 43.8mpg feels special inside, is a good steer when you want to have some fun plus the Akrapovic exhaust system gives it a nice note, the OH does say she misses the engine note of the C63 but that's understandle.Mike22233 said:
Yes. Life is too short for a s
tty 4 pot diesel. They may handle well but by God they're as dull as dishwater, everytime I drive one I want to damage it.andrewparker said:
Yep, shortsighted, because there are so many people absolutely adamant that you can derive no pleasure from a Diesel engined car. Take the Alpina D3 for example, most of you lot have it written off before you've given it a chance, yet it has been praised universally in the motoring press.
And here we are in another petrol vs diesel debate. Christ, it's tedious.
You're the only one having a debate. I couldn't care less what you think about diesel engines. And if you like fuel economy more than you care about engine note, refinement and not poisoning air & kittens, your views make sense And here we are in another petrol vs diesel debate. Christ, it's tedious.
Yep. I would write off the D3 because there are petrol alternatives that do everything better apart from that they burn more fuel (which is an irrelevance given the other costs of motoring)
The motoring press is unfortunately obsessed with fake fuel economy figures because it gives them something easy to write about and because they can't afford the cars that they are given to drive.
Given the choice between a 320d and a sloppy FWD petrol car for a spirited drive, I would probably take the 320d (as long as it was on M Sport suspension - it is otherwise almost undriveably soft), so I am far from immune to the benefit of good handling. But day-in-day-out with that horrid engine would be so depressing.
andrewparker said:
yonex said:
...everytime I drive one I want to damage it.
Think you might have 'other' issues.A diesel engine of any form will only ever be a tool to do a job as far as I am concerned because they are just not nice engines to sit behind and always ruin a car as a package for me.
ORD said:
Given the choice between a 320d and a sloppy FWD petrol car for a spirited drive, I would probably take the 320d (as long as it was on M Sport suspension - it is otherwise almost undriveably soft), so I am far from immune to the benefit of good handling. But day-in-day-out with that horrid engine would be so depressing.
I'd agree with this. Also a 3 series can be cramped in the back and if you have three kids you've got a problem. Do you need anything more than a 530d though? ;-)
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