Am I causing myself problems, by only wanting 3.0+ engines?

[RobM77]

Vitorio said:

I might be the odd one out here, considering im not from the land of cheap and plentiful big engine cars, but:

I wouldnt consider a 320D slow, an e90 320d has between 160 and 180 hp, with a good amount of torque, does 0-60 in 8.3-7.6 secs. I just cant imagine that ever being truly slow or poor for overtaking, unless you absolutely need to overtake the losers who only do 100 on the autobahn. It is never going to be a true autobahn monster, and you wont shatter Ring times with it, but that isnt needed from what i read.

That said, id probably try to man-math myself into a big engine as well, itll be a different experience, and you might feel happier with it, so there is nothing wrong with spending money on it (within reason). I just dont think a modern 2 litre diesel would be inadequate for powering an execy german saloon

I have an E90 320d and it's the slowest car I've ever owned by quite a margin, and it's also the only diesel I've ever owned. However, is it 'slow' in absolute terms? No, not really. I agree with Chris Harris when he says that it's all the car you'll ever need for normal road driving. It isn't all the car most of us will ever want though, that's an entirely different matter For a daily driver though, if FE/RWD and a low CofG are a must, as are the ability to tow and carry stuff on the roof (as it is with me), the 3/5 series is the obvious (or only?) choice for the keen driver. The choice of engine then comes down to a personal toss up between weight, power/smoothness and economy, and BMW give us all plenty of choice. I personally find my car's 163bhp and 251lb-ft ok for everyday driving, but it'd be nice to have a bit more oomph if it didn't decrease economy or add weight, and in that respect I should imagine the current F30's 190bhp/295lb-ft is about right. This is all highly individual though.

[un1corn]

Johnnytheboy said:

Jaguar XF 3.0 S.

I forgot to put this on list too. Not sure if it's jsut an expensive mondeo or not though.

[f1nn]

seadragon said:

I also had an old k-reg 2.9l VW Scirocco, much the same story.

Did you?

[carlingofblack]

Jag XF has nothing in common with a Mondeo whatsoever.

[Johnnytheboy]

un1corn said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Jaguar XF 3.0 S.

I forgot to put this on list too. Not sure if it's jsut an expensive mondeo or not though.

Nothing to do with the Mondeo. You are thinking of the X-Type.

Though I believe an XF is made on the old S-Type floorpan...

[toastyhamster]

In the same boat here, how can i consider a 2.0 diesel after my 3.0 A4? Downside is I've been put off diesels after shelling out 2.5k for Turbo, EGR and DPF, so that leaves me looking at an S4, which when doing 20k a year isn't that practical. Boohoo me :-(

Love the 3.0 though, longest I've ever had a car and any time I think of changing I just end up back at the same car (just newer).

[Vitorio]

RobM77 said:

I have an E90 320d and it's the slowest car I've ever owned by quite a margin,

I really dont get this TBH, fastest car ive ever had was a 155hp alfa mito, the rest is all slower by a good margin, 100-120hp focus/megane like things.

RobM77 said:

I agree with Chris Harris when he says that it's all the car you'll ever need for normal road driving. It isn't all the car most of us will ever want though, that's an entirely different matter

I can relate to that, but if you want fun and want factor, a diesel isnt really a good start.. I'd just get a cheap diesel hack for the commute and something cool for the weekend hoon

[RobM77]

Vitorio said:

RobM77 said:

I have an E90 320d and it's the slowest car I've ever owned by quite a margin,

I really dont get this TBH, fastest car ive ever had was a 155hp alfa mito, the rest is all slower by a good margin, 100-120hp focus/megane like things.

I'm not sure I follow you? What is there not to get about my diesel Beemer being slower than my other cars? 163bbhp and 1400kg isn't hard to better.

RobM77 said:

I agree with Chris Harris when he says that it's all the car you'll ever need for normal road driving. It isn't all the car most of us will ever want though, that's an entirely different matter

Vitorio said:

I can relate to that, but if you want fun and want factor, a diesel isnt really a good start.. I'd just get a cheap diesel hack for the commute and something cool for the weekend hoon

For me it's just about perfect and I'll be replacing it with another when the time comes. I do have another car as well, for track use only, but I do genuinely enjoy my Beemer as a daily driver and love threading it down twisty B roads. The thing is I'm not fussed whether a car's diesel or petrol, provided it's got enough performance to get me up to speed (which the 320d has - just), then what I really want is a manual gearbox and a balanced rear drive chassis, which it has.

Edited by RobM77 on Friday 29th July 22:55

[Mr Tidy]

swerni said:

Brilliant!

Mind you both my turbo-diesel BMWs came in milk/juice size!

The second was a 123d so 201bhp and pretty quick, but no real fun! I now have a 325ti Compact as a daily and while it may only have 192bhp it is more or less as quick, and so much better to hustle.

But having seen the error of my tractor days I now also have a Z4 Coupe for weekends and happy days - naturally aspirated straight 6 petrol 3 litre. Keep wondering what I was thinking.................

A 320d may be all "you" will ever need, but this is PH so that is a bit too white goods surely?

OP is looking at a bargy wafter - a 530 or 535d auto would probably work well in that guise, but if not doing mega miles I'd look for a 540 or 550i!

[Trabi601]

swerni said:

And water comes in 5 litres.

[andyalan10]

Isn't there an elephant joke here somewhere?



























What comes in pints (or litres)