[Scott1624]

Okay it has been 3 weeks since we picked up the new Bimmer, and we are very happy with the car, we can't beleive the fuel economy, we are getting around 6.5 l/per 100, that is sensational fuel economy.

Even though i not driving her hard( yet) the power too is suprisingly there, it surely drives quicker than what the spec's say.

Against's - Noisy at Idle, i have a common rail Nissan 4wd and she idles quieter.
Tyres are a bit noisier than i expected and drive a bit harder as well, although it is a shorter whell base car than what i have been use too.

Overall thus far 9/10

Can't wait until she is run in.

Cheers
Scotty

[VGR00]

That's terriffic Scotty. I should have test driven the diesal before making my choice. The fuel economy is not an issue for me but I'm really impressed which what everyone says about the torque. If you can go from an 8 to a 4 and still be happy, it must be good. I think I need to get a test drive in one myself.

Can't remember - did you get the M-sport with the staggard tyres ???. I only really notice the noise of the tyres on the more course bitumne.

Anyway .... glad to hear you are happy with the purchase .... enjoy.

[CaptOz]

I once had a 530d as a loaner and I loved it. It flew off the mark and sounded brilliant. In fact I almost bought one. I went to my dealer and drove a 530d and 530i back to back. Both are great engines and worthy of living in my garage. I could not find one with the options I wanted and then ended up going with the 335.

About 18 months ago, we had a 320i for about 11 months. I would have definitely bought the 320d if it had been available at the time. The 2.0 petrol motor had zero grunt down low and should never have been placed in such a fine chassis.

Good luck with the car.

Cheers.

[ed-320d]

Here I am, another happy customer of 320d. I love her so much, I spent more time with her than my wife.

Watch the oil amount, after she ran in the oil level dropped slightly. I was told it is common with turbo car.

As with tyre noise, I found that dealer tend to put in too much pressure on the tyre. On my 17 inch, The pressure when I took delivery was 46psi, I dropped them down to 36psi. It helps lower the tyre noise, but wont be as quiet as non-RFT.

I agree with CaptOZ on the 320i engine. I sold my '05 320i a couple of months ago and am glad to see the back of it. Everything about the car was great but the 110Kw engine felt like a 90Kw engine - you'd even notice a difference with the aircon off...

The 320d wasn't out when I got mine but I likely would have chosen that over the petrol. Saying that, I'm a bit of a petrol purist; I'd trade off the torque and fuel savings for the feeling/sound of a straight six any day, but that's just me. If it were 320d vs 320i though, I'd get the d anytime as the BMW 4 cyl engines can't compare to the 'd's or the sixes.

I missed the six in my '04 325Ci pretty much every day that I drove the 320i and now I'm driving my 130i, I doubt I'll ever go back to a 4cyl BMW engine again.

I didn't want to stretch to the price of a 325i again (I think they're a bit of a rip off in Aus), but to be honest I would look towards other manufacturers now, rather than getting a 4cyl BMW again.

The engine is just such a large component of the BMW experience, I feel that the 4cyl engines don't do the brand justice.

[CaptOz]

Originally Posted by NeoJB

I agree with CaptOZ on the 320i engine. I sold my '05 320i a couple of months ago and am glad to see the back of it. Everything about the car was great but the 110Kw engine felt like a 90Kw engine - you'd even notice a difference with the aircon off...

The 320d wasn't out when I got mine but I likely would have chosen that over the petrol. Saying that, I'm a bit of a petrol purist; I'd trade off the torque and fuel savings for the feeling/sound of a straight six any day, but that's just me. If it were 320d vs 320i though, I'd get the d anytime as the BMW 4 cyl engines can't compare to the 'd's or the sixes.

I missed the six in my '04 325Ci pretty much every day that I drove the 320i and now I'm driving my 130i, I doubt I'll ever go back to a 4cyl BMW engine again.

I didn't want to stretch to the price of a 325i again (I think they're a bit of a rip off in Aus), but to be honest I would look towards other manufacturers now, rather than getting a 4cyl BMW again.

The engine is just such a large component of the BMW experience, I feel that the 4cyl engines don't do the brand justice.

Well said Neo.

Cheers.

[astra]

Originally Posted by CaptOz

I once had a 530d as a loaner and I loved it. It flew off the mark and sounded brilliant. In fact I almost bought one. I went to my dealer and drove a 530d and 530i back to back. Both are great engines and worthy of living in my garage. I could not find one with the options I wanted and then ended up going with the 335.

About 18 months ago, we had a 320i for about 11 months. I would have definitely bought the 320d if it had been available at the time. The 2.0 petrol motor had zero grunt down low and should never have been placed in such a fine chassis.

Good luck with the car.

the 5 series diesel is a great car, i had the pleasure of driving one for a few days a little while back

i didn't mind the 320i though, i had fun with my loaner

Cheers.

Originally Posted by NeoJB

I agree with CaptOZ on the 320i engine. I sold my '05 320i a couple of months ago and am glad to see the back of it. Everything about the car was great but the 110Kw engine felt like a 90Kw engine - you'd even notice a difference with the aircon off...

try driving a renault megane

Originally Posted by NeoJB

The 320d wasn't out when I got mine but I likely would have chosen that over the petrol. Saying that, I'm a bit of a petrol purist; I'd trade off the torque and fuel savings for the feeling/sound of a straight six any day, but that's just me. If it were 320d vs 320i though, I'd get the d anytime as the BMW 4 cyl engines can't compare to the 'd's or the sixes.

agreed that the 6's are great in a bmw... and they all have that distinctive sound too, i love that

Originally Posted by NeoJB

I missed the six in my '04 325Ci pretty much every day that I drove the 320i and now I'm driving my 130i, I doubt I'll ever go back to a 4cyl BMW engine again.

I love my 325Ci too

did you have teh coupe or vert?

Originally Posted by NeoJB

I didn't want to stretch to the price of a 325i again (I think they're a bit of a rip off in Aus), but to be honest I would look towards other manufacturers now, rather than getting a 4cyl BMW again.

that's sensible, there are other very good cars out there for the same money or less

Originally Posted by NeoJB

The engine is just such a large component of the BMW experience, I feel that the 4cyl engines don't do the brand justice.

agreed! the drive is what makes a bmw a bmw!

[CaptOz]

Originally Posted by astra

try driving a renault megane

Don't laugh. My wife had a Renault Scenic with a 2-litre four. The accelerator reminded me of a dodgem car - either on or off. The steering feel and handling was much the same.

I know we probably pay too much for our beloved 6-cyclinder BMWs but if you love them, then why not.

Cheers.

[- Paul -]

Nice car! - Welcome from the other side of the world

[astra]

Originally Posted by CaptOz

Don't laugh. My wife had a Renault Scenic with a 2-litre four. The accelerator reminded me of a dodgem car - either on or off. The steering feel and handling was much the same.

I know we probably pay too much for our beloved 6-cyclinder BMWs but if you love them, then why not.

Cheers.

lol, the one i drove was pathetic... i don't even think it had 100kw

we do pay too much, but hey, we DO love them! otherwise we wouldn't buy them!

[CaptOz]

It's true.

I struggle to spend $200 on a watch but would happliy pay $200,000 on a car.

Cheers.

[VGR00]

I wouldn't say that I'm displeased with the 320I but there is no comparrison to the 6 cyl. I've said it for a long time that BMW should drop the 4 (petrol) and now they have a competent deseil to offer makes a good time to do it.

The Twin Spark 2.0L Alfa I had before had the best 4 cyl engine you could ask for. And no disrespect to any 325I owners, but it eat them up as well (many times). Pitty the dynamics of the car were way off pace to any BMW.

[CaptOz]

Originally Posted by vgr02

Pitty the dynamics of the car were way off pace to any BMW.

You are right, the 320 is a lovely car to drive, it's just the engine that let's the package down.

Cheers.

[logic]

Once, I loved to forge the engine to thousands and thousands of rpm-s .. but what's the fun? (kddng, of course) .. I have chosen 320d over 325i just because 320d is faster than 325i (80-120 kmph in 6.7 sec for diesel, 7.5 sec 325i, 6.6 sec 330i .. and 5.0 for 330d .. ), not to mention the fuel economy, which is a plus for fun factor. In real life, the torque and the 80-120 acceleration are more important than 0-100 and top speed .. at least for me.

[astra]

Originally Posted by logic

Once, I loved to forge the engine to thousands and thousands of rpm-s .. but what's the fun? (kddng, of course) .. I have chosen 320d over 325i just because 320d is faster than 325i (80-120 kmph in 6.7 sec for diesel, 7.5 sec 325i, 6.6 sec 330i .. and 5.0 for 330d .. ), not to mention the fuel economy, which is a plus for fun factor. In real life, the torque and the 80-120 acceleration are more important than 0-100 and top speed .. at least for me.

that's a good logic

[323GT]

New 120D has 125KW and 10nm more torque than the old one.
wont be long it'll filter into the 3 series.

Its a shame they cant bring the more powerful diesels over cos of low quality diesel fuel.