[dakusingh]

Hello,

Needed some advice, i am thinking of buying a 320d (due to good mpg) convertible 07/08 plate, looking to spend around 30 G's.

As ill be doing more or less 100 miles a day driving (motorway) this car seems the most efficient to buy in bmw convertible range (with my pricetag in mind) Am i right there?

There are 2 options, M sport and SE they both are same in MPG but what are the "real" differences between them? just cosmetic?

Just needed some general advice.

Thanks

[dxb335d]

MPG will not be affected by M-sport or SE.

In 320d spec M-sport has some nice cosmentic touches and sport suspension and seats which if you bought an SE you would have to spec!

Carlos

[dakusingh]

I was torn between the 320d M/325d M/330d M. all convertibles. MPG is lower as the models go higher in essence. Which one would be suitable and occurs the least amount of problems?

[hmi1750]

For your mileage you could get a 325d with a nicer sounding straight six engine and enjoy reasonable mpg of 35-45mpg... My 330d gives 38mpg average with motorway driving mostly and a lot of short urban drives.

If you really want economy only then go for the 320d, it will have enough poke and return 100-200miles more per tank, which at current rates is not bad.

I do sometimes consider the 320d to be more suitable for cruising as once your at speed then it settles nicely, but I would miss my 330d torque and extra poke as well as the smoothness.

Basically test a 325d and a 320d and see which is best. Obviously mine is a saloon, but the convertible weighs more and with the roof down the 320d might sound a bit rough.

[AlanQS]

If you are looking at the 325d, consider instead a 325i instead. Given it's 2nd hand and they say, diesel cars are more attractive 2nd hand and keep their price better, then a 325i might be a better bargain.
Certainly from new, you have a £1,400 price difference, they have the same tax band, and only about 8mpg difference. Given that diesel is currently about £0.50 per gallon dearer and the stated mpg is scotch mist making the probable difference in economy in reality only about 6mpg for that extra half a quid, it will take tens of thousands of miles for you to recover the extra cost of the diesel in the first place. - And you'll never have that famous smooth BMW 6 cylinder petrol engine.

A spot of Devil's Advocate because I did some sums on an E92 325i against what I actually bought and have concluded that I am missing out.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

If you are looking at the 325d, consider instead a 325i instead. Given it's 2nd hand and they say, diesel cars are more attractive 2nd hand and keep their price better, then a 325i might be a better bargain.
Certainly from new, you have a £1,400 price difference, they have the same tax band, and only about 8mpg difference. Given that diesel is currently about £0.50 per gallon dearer and the stated mpg is scotch mist making the probable difference in economy in reality only about 6mpg for that extra half a quid, it will take tens of thousands of miles for you to recover the extra cost of the diesel in the first place. - And you'll never have that famous smooth BMW 6 cylinder petrol engine.

A spot of Devil's Advocate because I did some sums on an E92 325i against what I actually bought and have concluded that I am missing out.

Do you feel like a doughnut now?

Re-map yours and it will be quicker than a 325i...

[dakusingh]

I also thought with convertible mabye go for 325d but with 325i as its petrol i am not 100% sure i want a petrol car.

d holds value better overall even though its X amount more then petrol now, it "should" retain the value when it comes to sell better then the petrol, am i right or wrong assuming that?

i am torn between which D engine to get @ moment. i wont buy brand new, because of my budget, but is 30 G's a reasonable budget for what i want?

[willhollin]

You might not find a diesel 325 for 30k. have you checked out the approved used stock?

Have you had a test drive?

[dakusingh]

I am not looking to buy straight away, i want to buy in 3/4 months so still have time to research.

I checked and at moment no, not on BMW's approved list for my budget, maybe i am being optimistic but hope in 3/4 months it could drop a bit more, i can be a bit flexible with budget if car is what i want etc..

test drive will be done in 2 months i guess, i will test 320d and 325d and 330d but just wanted "experienced" owners to give more of a overview then salesman trying to sell me a car.

[mjh93sa]

There really is no better way of deciding than getting your butt in the options and trying them for yourself.

The 320d will obviously return the best mpg figures. Yes it's a diesel, but it is one of the better ones on the market and certainly no tractor.

The MSport will give you a few odds and ends over the SE. Basically sports suspension, seats, steering wheel and different bodykit. The body is purely a cosmetic difference, the sports suspension worth test driving to make sure you don't find it too hard (though mostly motroway means sports is probably better) and the seats and steering wheel dependant on personal preference.

The four / six cylinder debate is one that rears it's head time and time again. Yes the six cylinder is more flexible, smoother and more powerful, but the four cylinder is still a damned fine car in it's own right that no owner should be ashamed of.

[dxb335d]

When they bringing out the 335d vert?

[PhilR]

Carlos,

Surely your not considering a 'vert'?

Thought you had pretty strong views on these ruining the E92's handling etc.

PhilR

[Hotcoupe]

AlanQS Given that diesel is currently about £0.50 per gallon dearer

50p!!
It's expensive up in Scotland!

The difference in the South is actually approx 8p between petrol (110.5p) & diesel (118.9p)

[david.rowlands]

I went from a e46 330i sport auto to a e92 320d 177 and the 0-60 isn't as quick but the 50-70 is unreal for a 2 litre couldn't believe it almost as quick as my 330 i think and i'm returning 48 mpg average

[steve-p]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

50p!!
It's expensive up in Scotland!

The difference in the South is actually approx 8p between petrol (110.5p) & diesel (118.9p)

You're mixing gallons and litres but that's still only 36p a gallon. Who thinks in gallons nowadays anyway except for MPG

[chrisbin]

Diesel and convertible never seems "right" to me.......I'd be looking at the 325i too. Are you sure you are doing enough miles to justify the diesel choice? If you are, then the 320d really is a great motor, even un-chipped...its just a bit noisy..

[dakusingh]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Diesel and convertible never seems "right" to me.......I'd be looking at the 325i too. Are you sure you are doing enough miles to justify the diesel choice? If you are, then the 320d really is a great motor, even un-chipped...its just a bit noisy..

just over 100 miles a day thus avg. 33k miles a year.

[kend]

Originally Posted by dakusingh

just over 100 miles a day thus avg. 33k miles a year.

When I bought my 325i I worked the sums out for an E92 325i v 325d and about 18K miles a year was break even, after 18K the diesel stated to lok good from a financial standpoint

[dakusingh]

Originally Posted by kend

When I bought my 325i I worked the sums out for an E92 325i v 325d and about 18K miles a year was break even, after 18K the diesel stated to lok good from a financial standpoint

Thanks, more of a reason for me to get a D with my high mileage.

[hmi1750]

At 33K miles a year, if you are paying out of your pocket for fuel then get the 320d.

I cover 18-20k and thus the 330d is sustainable, but that is over £3k in fuel from my pocket, an I don't earn much, but it depends on your outgoings.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by kend

When I bought my 325i I worked the sums out for an E92 325i v 325d and about 18K miles a year was break even, after 18K the diesel stated to lok good from a financial standpoint

istr that it was about the same for 320i v. 320d! As I do just under 18k I decided to go the 320i route as there were other cost benefits to be had when running it as company car.

[dakusingh]

i would pay for the fuel from my own pocket, but i woundt mind paying "extra" if the 325d is worth that mch more compared to 320d