e90 320d / 330d automatics

[timwatsham]

Hi all,
We went looking at e90 tourings today as a replacement for our e46. Nice looking cars, and test driving a 320d auto tomorrow morning with my wife. Does anyone have any first hand experience of them in relation to fuel economy? One of our main reasons for staying with diesel is the consumption benefits & I remember the last series of engines really took a hit when combined with autos.

What's anyone getting on a 2005/2006 year version (think that's the 163bhp and 231bhp models)

Thanks...

[Fidgits]

the thing is though, with the current price of diesel verses petrol, you would need to be doing at least 10MPG more in a diesel to make the cost per mile equal, and in all honesty, driving an excess of 20,000 miles before it becomes worthwhile to have a diesel.

[Chris_VRS]

We have a '08 320d auto Touring as a runabout car at work...trip computer always shows 38.6 as an average...if you reset it for a motorway journey, sat @ 80/85 on the cruise control it'll show 42/44

edit..just to add as an allrounder you'd struggle to find better IMO

Edited by Chris_VRS on Saturday 3rd January 20:43

[timwatsham]

Sound like decent numbers to me... I'll be doing the miles in it - currently around 25-30k per year, and a lot is sat on motorways, so actually prefer the lower reving diesels...

Anyone any experience of the 330d? 230bhp in a 3 series with loads of torque sounds like an excellent combination...

[mikey-r]

Had an '08 320d Sport Auto for a day when my '04 330d was in for some work a month or so back. Did over 100 miles and found it a really nice drive but untimately underpowered. According to the OBC it returned 44MPG.

On a random note I really did like the adjustable side lumber supports on the seats - something I wish mine had.

Edited by mikey-r on Saturday 3rd January 21:49