Which new 3 series saloon?
Discussion
I have a 320d M sport ... and have driven a 325d SE. I don't find the difference very noticeable at all TBH. A bit more feedback from the runflats but not at all crashy. I think the M sport suspension is fine .... especially as I was a bit bothered by some of the things I read on forums about how firm it is .... which I do not find to be the case.
320Ed for me by the way ... super engine for a diesel
320Ed for me by the way ... super engine for a diesel
Spec wise there's not much to differentiate, engine aside, 16" wheels on 320ed make it look a little odd vs 17" wheels and Sport suspension and seats on the M Sport. Having driven neither yet the 320ed has a detuned normal 320 engine so power wise there is not that much in it either. Also, £800 on extras gets me next to nothing lol. BIK tax wise they are nigh on identical. I'll see if I can have a play this weekend.
Visually they differ quite a lot. Bumpers aredifferent front and back, wheels, suspension (although Ed is lowered, sports seats, different seat material, trim strips, different steering wheel etc etc.
As I say try the suspension out first though.
As an aside I wager in the real world a 320ed wont do anything like the 69MPG BMW claim.In a controlled enviornment maybe but like Toyotas Prius I imagine reality will fall short of that claim.
As I say try the suspension out first though.
As an aside I wager in the real world a 320ed wont do anything like the 69MPG BMW claim.In a controlled enviornment maybe but like Toyotas Prius I imagine reality will fall short of that claim.
b9boy said:
Visually they differ quite a lot. Bumpers aredifferent front and back, wheels, suspension (although Ed is lowered, sports seats, different seat material, trim strips, different steering wheel etc etc.
As I say try the suspension out first though.
As an aside I wager in the real world a 320ed wont do anything like the 69MPG BMW claim.In a controlled enviornment maybe but like Toyotas Prius I imagine reality will fall short of that claim.
I'd a 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Passat and it averaged an easy 62-65mpg consistently over each tank, so i'd say (with non town driving) 69mpg is viable. As I say try the suspension out first though.
As an aside I wager in the real world a 320ed wont do anything like the 69MPG BMW claim.In a controlled enviornment maybe but like Toyotas Prius I imagine reality will fall short of that claim.
BUT i'd still have the 318d M Sport
Edited by daemon on Wednesday 10th November 09:04
Well, collected it from BWM High Wycombe (fabulous looking receptionist) and drove down to Bristol for a meeting and then back to Bedfordshire, in atrocious weather conditions.
Impressions.
I’ve only had one diesel car before, a brand new but utterly crap in everyway, Ford Escort circa 1996 vintage. It was so poor I’ve done everything in my power to avoid any oil burners since.
However, the engine seems really good with a good dollop of torque, and a reasonably wide power band.
The ride is way better than the M Sport 1 Series I’ve crashed around in for the last 4 years. I guess that’s due to the non run flat tyres and 16” wheels. I suspect the 3 Series M Sport isn’t as bad as the 1 Series was, but I haven’t driven it myself.
Grip wise, it’s a bit early to tell, but the Traction light was flashing a bit when under power, but that was probably due to the conditions and the tyres not being scrubbed in. But they are narrow super eco tyres, so won’t be great compared with the M Sport.
The interior does feel a bit dull, coming from an M Sport spec, seats especially.
Looks, subjective but the ED is a bit lower than the boggo 3 (not sure about the M Sport) and looks good in the metal.
I got 53 mpg (with the ‘change gear light’ flashing all the way), using the M4 there, then coming off at Swindon and going cross country on the way back (due to an accident), and that was ‘testing the thrust’, when condition and traffic allowed.
I’ve got a company fuel card so it doesn’t matter, but if you were on an eco run I bet you’d get 70 mpg.
So I guess it’s
ED - Quicker in a straight line / Tax Efficient / Better MPG / Possibly better ride comfort
318 M Sport – Better interior / Grip & Handling will be better / Body Kit
Impressions.
I’ve only had one diesel car before, a brand new but utterly crap in everyway, Ford Escort circa 1996 vintage. It was so poor I’ve done everything in my power to avoid any oil burners since.
However, the engine seems really good with a good dollop of torque, and a reasonably wide power band.
The ride is way better than the M Sport 1 Series I’ve crashed around in for the last 4 years. I guess that’s due to the non run flat tyres and 16” wheels. I suspect the 3 Series M Sport isn’t as bad as the 1 Series was, but I haven’t driven it myself.
Grip wise, it’s a bit early to tell, but the Traction light was flashing a bit when under power, but that was probably due to the conditions and the tyres not being scrubbed in. But they are narrow super eco tyres, so won’t be great compared with the M Sport.
The interior does feel a bit dull, coming from an M Sport spec, seats especially.
Looks, subjective but the ED is a bit lower than the boggo 3 (not sure about the M Sport) and looks good in the metal.
I got 53 mpg (with the ‘change gear light’ flashing all the way), using the M4 there, then coming off at Swindon and going cross country on the way back (due to an accident), and that was ‘testing the thrust’, when condition and traffic allowed.
I’ve got a company fuel card so it doesn’t matter, but if you were on an eco run I bet you’d get 70 mpg.
So I guess it’s
ED - Quicker in a straight line / Tax Efficient / Better MPG / Possibly better ride comfort
318 M Sport – Better interior / Grip & Handling will be better / Body Kit
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