[magic77]

Just about to order a new 320 but after deciding on the 320D M sport I worked out that I will never recover the extra price paid for the car due to the extra list price.

So even the extra MPG mean over 200k before I break even. Not going to keep the car that long.

So started thinking of the 320i but now after reading some of the posts I dont know. Currently have a e46 320D m Sport so either car will be more powerfull and fun to drive but at same time down want to get something that is going to give me loads of grief and it seems 320i has loads.

Any thoughts, feedback on both engines would be appreciated.

thanks

[JeepJeep]

Do you honestly think that BMW is going to sell an engine that is going to give everyone "loads of grief"? I think you're being a little stupid to be honest, and that you should calm down and realize that the only reason you hear bad things about the engine is because people are more likely to want to share about what is wrong than randomly say, "Gosh golly gee, I'm so happy that I got in my car today and my engine worked!"

Get the petrol engine if you need to save more money now, get the diesel if you want to save more money in the long run. But it looks like you already answered your own question...

[swestland85]

Offcourse the petrol engine gives you more feel with higher rpms. Diesel would be my chioce when driving lots of miles and petrol for the fun

[hanmaas]

I would definitely go with the 320d, good amount of torque and decent mileage. From my experience, the small petrol engines use too much fuel compared to the performance they deliver. It's sort of pathetic when a 320i driven hard on the autobahn gets the same mileage as a 335i, while it tops out at 125 mph and takes ages to get there in the first place. Even when driving in limited areas, I always prefer small diesel engines to small petrol engines, not just because of gas mileage but also because of the torque.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by JeepJeep

Do you honestly think that BMW is going to sell an engine that is going to give everyone "loads of grief"?

Have you been reading the forum? I think the twin turbo 3.0 liter gas motor definitely qualifies for the "loads of grief" at this point, or at least the fuel pump does. If the 320i is direct injection, I would be ready to replace it more than once...

[madman]

hanmaas, the 320i does NOT top out at 125mph. Take a look at my sign if you want more proof.

I would normally tell the OP to do a search, but I have experience with both cars so thought I'd help for a change.

I own a 320i and have driven it for over a year. I have had a handful of issues but nothing major. The engine is a good engine, if a bit noisy.

I have had a 320d as a loaner and found it nice with the extra torque but the lack of revs let it down.

The mpg in the petrol can be very good, I average about 39mpg and have had over 50mpg on a steady drive from lincolnshire to cumbria and back. The extra revs in the petrol make it feel a little bit sportier than the diesel, the diesel obviously has more pull which feels nice low end, but the lack of revs lets it down and makes the petrol seem faster overall despite the official figures contradicting this. Although I think if driving correctly the petrol would beat the diesel 0-60. You will find you will probably hit the rev limiter a lot in rapid driving and you expect the diesel engine to give you more than in does in terms of revs through the gears. You will obviously get better mileage from the diesel but you need to weigh up if this will be beneficial to you and the amount of miles you cover.

There is no real difference in the feel of the drive when driving normally so it all boils down to what you need from your car.

Do a search though, there is lots of info on here about both cars.

[wilkoal]

Originally Posted by magic77

........So started thinking of the 320i but now after reading some of the posts I dont know. Currently have a e46 320D m Sport so either car will be more powerfull and fun to drive but at same time down want to get something that is going to give me loads of grief and it seems 320i has loads.

Any thoughts, feedback on both engines would be appreciated.

thanks

it is right the other way around; i.e. there are plenty of 320d turbines failing around.
Just do your own diligence and check EU forums.

[magic77]

I think its a case of both cars to their own, I only do about 20k a year so we are talking about 8 years of driving since car will be on lease for 4 its a touch choice.

I think unless it feels really crap and sluggish 320i might be the choice as since I'm only gona keep the car for around 4 years I will never hit the 200,000 miles needed to break even on the extra diesel cost.

While i've had 2.0TDIs in my last cars and had good and bad of them, a turbo faiuler in my Leon and the e46 just had issues with smoke and flat spot but nothing major. If the 2.0petrol is as smooth and resonable quick in current climate might be a good best as it will still save money and be fun to drive

a 325i is out as higher cost than 320D and right now everything is at a squeeze and its either 320i/320D or a ford and I'm not going there.

I think its a case of driving it and see, what concerns me is more if there are any major niggles to be aware of such as in 320D the turbos and the swirl flaps.

[magic77]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Have you been reading the forum? I think the twin turbo 3.0 liter gas motor definitely qualifies for the "loads of grief" at this point, or at least the fuel pump does. If the 320i is direct injection, I would be ready to replace it more than once...

what have you heard about the direct injection issues ??

[madman]

Just book a good test drive in for both 320i and 320d. Both cars have had issues, but most new cars do.

Save the money if money is an issue and get the 320i.

[wilkoal]

For what is worth. I did own a e46 318i with the 2 liter engine. Althoug not a lighning (0-100 km/h in 9") it was a fantastic car to drive.
cheers

[magic77]

thanks wilk its the kind of statements I like direct to the point thank you.

I've drivent the 320D and love it its quick and fun, but at same time noisy. Hopefully Ic an get into a 320i at weekend for a spin.

are there any major areas I need to be aware of on the 320i similar to the swirl flap/ turbo issues on the 320D

[hanmaas]

Originally Posted by madman

hanmaas, the 320i does NOT top out at 125mph. Take a look at my sign if you want more proof.

I may have overexaggerated a bit with the top speed . I have also had experiences with small petrol and diesel engines. I just find it "interesting" that a 318i gets lower mileage at 130 mph than my 335i at 155 mph. I must admit that when the right foot isn't too heavy, the small petrol engines achieve good highway mileage almost comparable to those of a diesel...but that rarely occurs in my case.

[F104]

difficult choice. Wouldn't be sure yet either what to order if mine was totalled tomorrow. My views:
- Now done some 350 kmls in two E46 320d's and my current E92 320d, never ever had a turbo or other serious problem. I own my cars, about every turbo failure i heard of was on a company car. Different cold start driving style?
- diesels can be decently chip tuned at relatively peanuts value, which gives quite another comparison to the 320i.
- petrols have the RPM range (do miss pulling 7000 rpm in my old E30 320i with LSD which was an option in those days..)
- diesel EDC17 EGR systems are now too complicated to tamper with
- DPF's on diesels are costly to replace if they do block

I would say that if you spend decent time on the motorway/equivalent the diesel is best value for money/pleasure. Put your foot down and it goes (as turbo pressure is already partially there). If you don't get to 15 kmls/year and spend time in town driving get a petrol. A diesel sucks when starting from no load (unless you have an automatic and are willing to rev the engine against the brakes), and the risks of DPF plugging are too high for me.

[magic77]

Hi F104 thanks for that its a real tough choice I do love how my e46 I can boot and let teh 185bhp (remap) throw me forward. the joy of boost.

I think it will boil down how they drive the new 177bhp diesel is so quiet its amazing plus at end of they day it will boil down to running costs I think. Its fine saving £2k on car price but if the end value is lower due be being less desirable then monthly lease will be same or higher and then you have higher fuel cost. I think it be a case of doing the deal with the dealers and driving them but I can see myself sticking with what I know.

Plus a 320i can only be bumped to 185bhp on remap while a diesel can go to 205