New 320d versus old 320d

[Hard-Drive]

I currently drive a 2004 old shape 320D ES, and one of the cars I have on offer is the new 320d SE.

How do they compare, has anyone had both?

Thanks!!

[baz1985]

The old one is better built. The newer one is better in every other conceivable way...apart from the stupid cruise control stalk.

[flattotheboards]

what else have you been offered?

[Hard-Drive]

It was on another thread in GG, but the other options (it's a company car, so I cannot choose anything else or pay extra etc) were a 120d M Sport or an A3 Tdi 170. I can go for the A3 quattro in Sport trim, or go for the FWD option in the posher S Line trim with the DSG box with leather etc.

I'm tempted by the DSG as in traffic a manual is a pain, but from what people are saying the novelty value of the DSG does not make up for the shortcomings of the FWD chassis or the agricultural nature of the VAG diesel...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[After Eight]

I currently have an old shape 05 plate 320d SE convertible as a company car and I'm due a new shape 320d M Sport Coupe this week.
I test drove 320d/330d/335d with and without the auto box for up to 3 days at a time. I was impressed the most by the new 320d, it now has 177ps, stop start engine, regenerative braking and an alternator which only engages when the battery isn't at 100%. It's urban is 47mpg which is amazing for the size of the car. Emissions are now down to 128 c02. Which means my tax liability is very small.

The auto box dosen't come with the stop start technology and the urban mpg is 10 mpg worse at 37mpg, as well as a slower 0-60, choosing the manual box was a non brainer. (If it had DSG box then it would have been a much harder choice).

Just go and test drive as many cars as you can, I thought I'd really love the 335d, but it wasn't as explosive as I expected - too smooth for me. The 330d only felt a bit faster than the 320d. With the amazing fuel economy and the low tax rate (And I don't need to sell my 340R) it ended up being an easy choice.

Good luck for whatever you decide, take your time and enjoy the car buying journey.

[Methane Bloke]

Had three e46s including one 320d and now have an e90 (335d) and an e87 (120d). The 335d is just fantastic in all respects although the newer 2.0 litre diesels are without doubt the best in class and as a company motor a definite no brainer. I would disagree however that the build quality is worse on the newer BMs, although I must admit I prefered the cruise control on the three e46s. The e9x series are just improved in all departments over the e46s.

Regards

Chris

[bennymc]

I've had several of both in every variant (coupe, saloon, convertible and touring).

E90 (varients) are much better than E46 in EVERY way bar none. People who fuss about things like indicators or cruise control are just stuck in the past and refuse to move on so they (try to) pick tiny holes in what is a pretty faultless car! A little bit like Clarkson on his top-gear review of the E60 M5 (so many blattant miss-truthes it was unreal!!!)

Facts: More powerful, better handling, better mpg, better standard equipment and much better all round driving experience....

[texasjohn]

Wont repeat what I posted in the other topic but interesting to read all the E46 v E90 comparisons.

I would expect that the E90 is just a little better all round, as I am sure the E46 was v the E36.

I've no real experience of the E90 but I am tempted to have a look at one (currently looking an 1 series as you know).