Anyone driven/owned an E46 320d and a 120d?

[BUG4LIFE]

So, if I had £10k to spend on one of these diesels, where should my dosh go?

They made the E46 up to 2006 yeah, and the 320d puts out 150bhp - I'd go for the coupe but these are obviously rare compared to the saloon [which might not have been built up to 06], though if I could find a decent coupe, for £10k it would be mint with low miles?

Or shall I put my money to the 1-series. My ideal 1-series spec would be an 07+, M Sport car [due to having 177bhp and near 60mpg] - though would I get an 07 car for my budget?

Anyone driven both these cars and know about their diesel lumps?

Cheers

[stabbed rat]

Personally I would go for the newer engine, it *should* be more refined, which usually matters quite a bit when it's a diesel.

[mike325112]

I've owned a 120d and an E46 330d if that helps. I would go for a 330d every time. How much are 123d going for now early ones anyway near 10k yet?

[BUG4LIFE]

stabbed rat said:

Personally I would go for the newer engine, it *should* be more refined, which usually matters quite a bit when it's a diesel.

Yes, that was one of my thoughts actually.

[BUG4LIFE]

mike325112 said:

I've owned a 120d and an E46 330d if that helps. I would go for a 330d every time. How much are 123d going for now early ones anyway near 10k yet?

The 330d won't give me the mpg I need unfortunately. I don't think 123d's have hit £10k just yet, which is a pity

[gizlaroc]

BUG4LIFE said:

The 330d won't give me the mpg I need unfortunately. I don't think 123d's have hit £10k just yet, which is a pity

I don't think there is as much in it MPG wise as you would think.

You going manual or auto?

If manual you will see around 40ish from the 330d and maybe 45mpg from the 320d, obviously some may see more and some may see less, but that is about the difference between them.

The early 120d would see no more than the 320d, and depending on what driving you're doing could be less as the hearing is different.

Go auto and they will all see mid thirties to be honest.

I have owned all the above.


Get to the facelift 120d with 177bhp, from March 2007 build, and you will see at least 10mpg more.

For £10k you could be in an E90 320d, and although I don't think it is better than the E46 I would rather put my money into that than an E46 which has been out of production for 5 years already, in fact didn't only the cab last till 2006?



123d is not great on economy, the gearing is different to the 120d and it drinks a lot more sat at 80mph, 40ish compared with 50ish on the 120d. That is the facelift for both I am talking about.

Edited by gizlaroc on Friday 22 July 10:01

[mike325112]

gizlaroc said:

If manual you will see around 40ish from the 330d and maybe 45mpg from the 320d, obviously some may see more and some may see less, but that is about the difference between them.

The early 120d would see no more than the 320d, and depending on what driving you're doing could be less as the hearing is different.

Edited by gizlaroc on Friday 22 July 10:01

I get 45mpg from a manual 330d (I can get 50 if I drive gently) I got between 40 and 45 from a 120d, although I hear that the efficient dynamics 1 seires are much better on fuel.