[Alessis]

Hi there. I have previously owned BMWs like the 3.0 X5, the 325i e46, the 318i (manual) e46, 525i e60 and also a MB C230K. All have been cars provided by the company I work. Last three years I lend the car to my wife and have been driving a 2.5l Toyota RAV4 which I really LOVE.
The company wanted to get my back into the BMW world but I refused since I don't need to pay big bucks if I am happy with my RAV4. Anyway, they let me try a e90 2007 318i (auto) and I was utterly disappointed, I almost couldn't believe that was a 318i because I remember when I had my e46 318i (manual) and the spirited and fun driving. I don't know if it is because of the manual vs auto transmission but anyway, I refused to make the change. So they let me try a e90 2010 320d (auto transmission) and the experience was different. I couldn't drive it a lot but the car seem more sportier, with more punch and actually some how fun to drive tough as we all know it can't be considered a sports sedan, does it?
Anyway, I said yes because they are giving it to me for a really great price.
What I want to know is if the 320d is a good or bad car? By good I mean, is it really a fun-to-drive-car? Does it provide a sports driving sensation?
Would I have more fun and more sportier sensation than when I drive my e60 525i? The e46 325i? The X5 3.0? Or even the MB C230K (I don't think so...)
Please help me because sadly I am regretting this decision more each day.

[flyfs6]

320d auto is a perfectly good car, I would say pretty sporty because they're pretty quick and drive well, I would certainly have one over an equivalent petrol car.

Compared to some of your previous cars its a bit like comparing chalk and cheese. I've been thoroughly impressed by the 320d's despite normally driving different BMW's.

[AlanQS]

184bhp, 265lb/Ft torque, 0-62 in 7.5 secs and top speed (in UK anyway) of 148mph. What's not to like? It is a lot faster than most of the other cars you listed and it drives better than most saloons (apart from the damned run-flats) so I don't think there is anything to worry about.

p.s. performance is for manual, I was forgetting it was an auto - still, not too much difference really.

[Alessis]

Thank you very much for your opinions. Really appreciated.

[MEGA]

You could also consider getting it mapped therefore unlocking it to more like 215bhp in the LCI variation. (Although a tuning box is required: Or a specific mapping company like DMS in the UK: Not everyone can map the newest ECU yet.. )

At that point it will more or less real world stick with a 330i. What more do you want from a low tax band car

[m1bjr]

He's in Cali.
I suspect the tax issues are very different.

[dxb335d]

I agree with the comments about prev gen 318's

I had a 318is and it was great fun. I had a 318i loaner E90
few years back and I too wasn't impressed!

[Alessis]

Originally Posted by MEGA

You could also consider getting it mapped therefore unlocking it to more like 215bhp in the LCI variation. (Although a tuning box is required: Or a specific mapping company like DMS in the UK: Not everyone can map the newest ECU yet.. )

At that point it will more or less real world stick with a 330i. What more do you want from a low tax band car

Stick with a 330i? Wow! Sweet words! So, I could assume that without the mapping in real world it could stick with a 323i or even a e46 325i? That would be great as I enjoyed a lot the performance and response my e60 525i gave me so If I could have that same performance with the 320d I would be very happy.

The reason I am so afraid is because I still can't believe how awful in performance the auto transmission e90 318i was and reading some bad reviews about the 320i I find it hard to believe its counterpart (the 320d) could give such a difference in performance!!

By the way I live in Costa Rica, Central America, not California. Sorry my wrong.

[MEGA]

Stock 320d vs e60 325i will be a very close battle due to the weight advantage the 320 would have...

I don't think you'll be dissapointed with the 320. Personally. It is a completely different animcal to the 318i! More power and more torque. Turbocharging makes a big difference so the d is always going to win that one

ps. 320i has had an awful lot of problems, alot of them reported on here... But none of those relate to the 320d don't worry

[Alessis]

Thank you very much for your answers. I am so glad that I drove yesterday the 320d. In my humble opinion I didn't like it at all. The model that they are offering me is the ES one. It is a very simple and dull featured car and it even has the dreaded leatherette seats that makes me sweat a lot. I didn't like the diesel motor performance either. From 0 to 60 there is a noticeable lag for the first 2-3 seconds and then the engine delivers but the initial lag I found it intolerable. Besides I hate the sound and the engine is nothing to talk about. Sure it is way better than the 318i and 320i but it is in no way better than the 325i and 525i I have drive. The 325i and 525i have a smoothiness and lush performance not found on the diesels. It maybe that the 320d could be actually faster than my former e60 525i but you just can't compare the interior and good details I had in the 525i. It was a wonderful experience driving that 525i.
I would rather stick with my trusty RAV4 2.5L than riding that 320d. They are offering me also a X5 3.0d. I love the X5 but even tough the price they are giving me (because the company pays the other part) is quite good I don't know if I would like to pay the extra sum and insurance and all. Well, anyway, thank you much for all your opinions you have given me.