[ES-Jet]

So I've been offered a new job and on the company car list I can have a 320d SE (177 bhp) or a 318d M Sport (143 bhp). Has anyone on here got a 318d? I currently have the 163 bhp 320d which goes really well. I'm tempted by the 318d M Sport as I think it is a better looking car, with sport kit and larger wheels. But I'm worried I'd miss the extra grunt of the 320d?

Anyone have any views? What would you choose if it was you?

The only other car that interests me on the list is an Alfa 159 Lusso, which has leather seats and 17" wheels, and a150 bhp diesel engine. I might drive one to see what I think.

Any views/opinions greatly welcomed.

[ROCKETRON]

I think you will find the performance a bit flat on the 318d m-sport, but the handling will feel better than the 320dse, it will look better too. You could always get it re mapped but as its a company car i think i would go with the 320dse with the new 177bhp or see if you can get a 320d m-sport from the company instead, perhaps with a bit of a contribution from you. Well done on the new job by the way perhaps if you wait a while you may be able to get the new twin turbo 323d maybe in ES form.

[AlanQS]

I'm biased but go for the 320d - it will save you on fuel consumption and company car tax as well. The difference in handling you will not notice except in extremis and how often do any of us get the chance for that. The rest of the time, you won't feel the bumps quite as badly.

[- Paul -]

320d - I think you'll find the 318 underpowered.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by ES-Jet

So I've been offered a new job and on the company car list I can have a 320d SE (177 bhp) or a 318d M Sport (143 bhp). Has anyone on here got a 318d? I currently have the 163 bhp 320d which goes really well. I'm tempted by the 318d M Sport as I think it is a better looking car, with sport kit and larger wheels. But I'm worried I'd miss the extra grunt of the 320d?

Anyone have any views? What would you choose if it was you?

The only other car that interests me on the list is an Alfa 159 Lusso, which has leather seats and 17" wheels, and a150 bhp diesel engine. I might drive one to see what I think.

Any views/opinions greatly welcomed.

Get the SE - it's a great car.

The msport stuff is great (i'm a big fan) but mostly cosmetic. I'd always go for the best engine I can - every time.

I wouldn't even consider the alfa.

[Fatbloke]

I had the same (nice) problem.

In the end I chose the SE and would agree with NFS and AlanQS.

Would you really be able to notice the handling difference and exploit it?

Have fun.

[330cdsport]

If you were to go for a tuning box www.tuningbox.com for the 318d it will take the power up to 172bhp.
With this being a plug-n-play box it is very easy to remove when necessary.

But then again if you go for the 320d the box will give you 213bhp - which is also very tempting and close to standard 330d performance.

[dxb335d]

get the 320d mate!

Get leather and nav and the 18" ellipsoid wheels (if your going for the E90) and it will look the dogs even in SE spec.

[remmib]

Why can't you get the 320d with m-sport, too expensive?

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by remmib

Why can't you get the 320d with m-sport, too expensive?

Yes i would have thought so.

[scotw]

Also biased here, but I'd go for the 320D. I'm not that enamoured with the M sport (although that makes me the minority I think). I spent the money on more "personal" extras.

The new 320D engine is a peach.

[AlanQS]

Same here.

[mikem]

Congrats on the job Phil I`d go for the 318d M sport and as mentioned if you feel its a bit lacking, fit a tuning box but don`t forget it wasn`t too long ago that all 320d`s came with 150 hp from the factory. The looks of the M sport will more than make up for the slight power loss (IMO) you have a std looking E90 now, spoil yourself.

I had that awful Alfa engine in the GT and as you prob. know from BMWLand, I sold that after just 850 miles.

[SDRX]

A tough choice to make, power vs looks!!

I had a 320d for the day as courtesy car about 2 months ago. As stated by others, the engine is class-leading. I would enquire about paying a top-up fee so that you can get the 320d M sport.

[ES-Jet]

Thanks for the advice guys. I love my current 320d (163 bhp), but it's so dull to look at - has the previous 16" SE wheels rather than the ES wheels, which helps. I love the looks of the M Sport and reckon half the time I wouldn't notice the power drop. Where I work at the moment, someone has an E91 318d so I might ask if I can drive that before I leave. I really fancy an M Sport in alpine white.

One other thing - the company I'm going to work for will give me approx £800 because the car is below 165 kg/m3 for CO2. Maybe they'd let me upgrade an SE with 17" wheels, out of that money.

Tuning box is very tempting but a definite no-no - a sackable offence I would think, if someone found it.

I have at least 4 weeks to make my mind up. New job starts on 4th Feb and I'll have to decide then, as they will give me a pool car until the new car arrives.

Mike - I remember how much you disliked the GT. I had the 8v version of that engine in the Saab I had (120 bhp) and it was very rural. I think the 159 looks great though, and I could have the Lusso in black with red leather interior. Wife's not keen though, plus I think I'd be better off in a BMW as that is where my heart lies.

[Hotcoupe]

I'm a big Alfa fan,ok the reliability is an issue, as is the dealer network, residuals are disgraceful, but if it's a company car none of the above really matter, or any other day-day concerns about Alfa's that generally crop up.

For aesthetics I don't think anything comes close to the looks of Alfa's,and the 159 is a good looker,the Brera's a better looker, but the money is not in the pot.

Although I'm also a BMW fan, given your choices, I'd go for a change and go with the Alfa.

Alfa looks in black with red leather - damn sexy!

[Z4 Beemer]

ES-Jet, just out of curiosity, where will you be doing the majority of your driving - motorway or urban?

[mikem]

The 159 really is truly beautiful but the build quality although not your problem (being a company car) will get you down.

I read an article just this week about the weight saving measures they want to try to get the weight down and the Alfa enginners words were "the car is far too over-engineered, if NCAP awarded 6 stars for safety, this car would`ve scored 6"

I also drove a Spider JTD (2.4) back in the summer and it was awful, a 320cd would be much quicker.

[colin99]

I'd go for the MSport. You said it yourself, the ES/SE is so dull to look at. I really regret choosing the 320d SE. Will change in September to an MSport - even if I have to have the 318i!

I hate to say it, but even the new Audi A4 might be worth a look - bigger car, more presence, etc.

[ES-Jet]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

ES-Jet, just out of curiosity, where will you be doing the majority of your driving - motorway or urban?

Mostly motorway. I don't need the M Sport package because it might add to the handling experience. The ES I have now is perfectly adequate. I just prefer the looks of the M Sport. I spend a lot of time in traffic on the motorway, limited to the speed of the other cars around me. At the weekend I always have the family in the car, so I rarely get to use the full 163 bhp anyway. I guess the drop in torque would probably be most noticeable on the motorway.

Once again - thanks for everyone's input.


Mike - I'd heard that Alfa were trying to bring the weight of the 159 down too, but I'm not sure when these will hit the showrooms.

[mikem]

Originally Posted by ES-Jet

Mike - I'd heard that Alfa were trying to bring the weight of the 159 down too, but I'm not sure when these will hit the showrooms.

I beleive its going to be around the time of the facelift, if your still unsure Phil, go for a short test drive and you`ll instantly decide. Straightaway you`ll notice the way the aluminium on the dash isn`t quite finished properl, the way the doortrims look like they`ve been glued in place, how thin the carpet is (so they put mats in that are an " thick, which make pedal position feel uncomfortable) I also find the seat position too high and I`m only of averageish height (5`11")

On the plus side `tho it looks good and the leather seats look awesome, its as if they allow the designers to do the most equisite designs, then look for a way of doing it on the cheap. Also if you have a problem in July that needs factory parts, your fucked as the whole factory in Italy closes for the month of August.

[Gibbo]

I would go for the 320DSE over the 318DM Sport. The engine on the 320 far outweighs a bit of body styling IMO.

My Uncle has a 320D SE in Sparkaling Graphite with 17" Alloys as a company car and it looks great (Keeping it clean is the secret to a good looking BMW in a good colour, not M sport/SE). I think in the UK we are all a bit hung up about the M Sport kit and don't stop to look at the reality that the 3 series is a fab car sport or non sport.

The handling will be nothing in it unless in extremities and the SE will ride better day to day especially on the rubbish pot holed roads of kent. Your wife family may moan at the Sport firmness on 18" alloys compared to your current car.

I would drive both the 318 engine and the M Sport set-up and then the decision will become obvious to yourself regarding what you want/need.

Hope the new job goes well.