[JakeG21]

I really cant decide what would be better i dont do more than say 10k a year but it is a mix of short and long journeys. The other factors are i like the sound of petrol engines but like the mpg of a diesel. What would you lot go for?

[davyk31]

325i sounds great but is a bit gutless unless revved a lot. Overtaking power is pretty poor.

[cracked alloy]

assuming the price/spec is the same then i'd go for the diesel, the overtaking grunt would win it for me.

[wallsmk2]

if you can change gear, get the petrol

[davyk31]

You need to be able to change gear with the petrol but sadly it doesn't really do much as there is so little torque.

[SO8]

I do a similar milage and type of journey ... and ended up with a diesel - the torque and general ease of driving made the decision easy.

It is not just about how many miles you do that aids a decision between petrol and diesel. 3 years down the line I have no regrets - and this comes after coming from a Z4M Roadster !!

[Alex.J]

Personally, for not alot of extra cost, i would plump for the 330d over all other engines etc.

Since the 325d is the same engine just a different state of tune, might aswel get the grunty car. It will still return better mpg than the 325i and yet be much much quicker.

[breathe3asy]

Originally Posted by davyk31

325i sounds great but is a bit gutless unless revved a lot. Overtaking power is pretty poor.

This comment is highly influenced by whats sitting on your driveway.

The 325i has plenty of overtaking power compared to your average car out there!

Originally Posted by cracked alloy

assuming the price/spec is the same then i'd go for the diesel, the overtaking grunt would win it for me.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/review...es/coupe-2006/

Originally Posted by davyk31

You need to be able to change gear with the petrol but sadly it doesn't really do much as there is so little torque.

Again, highly influenced.

-----------------------------

Petrol & diesel cars drive very differently.

OP if you want to torque everywhere (which feels faster) & want an easier drive then the diesel is suited. Just watch your DPF (particulate filter) doesn't cost you money with too many short journeys. MPG is obviously better if you do big boy mileage.

You can still drive economically with the petrol but have the option to dip into the high revs for power now & then. This requires more attention from the driver in a sense that you can't just plant foot in any gear & torque your way out like the diesel does.

My story - I've had my 325i for a few months now, is a weekend car so I've only clocked 4k since driving out the showroom. My MPG has never been reset & I'm sitting on 31.7. Suits me because its fun & I figured what the hell whilst I'm still young. In my later years my interests will probably change at which point I can settle with a nice economical car.


It all comes down to what you want from a car - hope this helps

[AnthonyR]

Just remember ..... Turbo failure, as bmw's are notorious with their tubbys. Iv got a 325i with the n53 engine (3 ltr) it does what I need it to do and if I do want to overtake it has plenty of torque, this is after driving a skyline r34 gtt.
Drive them both and decide for yourself, always the best

[Subzero2003]

Wow, quite a lot of very biased opinions in this thread rather than unbiased fact. First of all a 325d is not "much quicker" than a 325i. The 325i is actually quicker. Secondly, the 325i is not "gutless". I can't imagine many people describing a 218bhp 3litre 6 cylinder car as gutless, but someone from the diesel crew have managed to.

If you do no more than 10k a year, a diesel has no advantages for you but the potential for massive disadvantages (Turbo, dpf etc). A 325i will bring a smile to your face much more than a 325d as it sounds great and revs cleanly.

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by ceaton88

This comment is highly influenced by whats sitting on your driveway.

You wouldn't happen to have a 325i "sitting on your driveway" would you?

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by IanS100

You wouldn't happen to have a 325i "sitting on your driveway" would you?

He says in his post he has a 325i, but he's made a reasoned argument as to why the OP should consider the petrol rather than ridiculous comments like "the 325i has so little torque" as if it was some 1.1 Peugeot 106 or something.

[jase682]

I used to own a Audi a4 TDI . now a e92 325i I can honestly say i will never go back to Audi and will never own another diesel . the 325i has plenty of over taking power u just got to drop it a few gears which I don't mind doing as the noise it makes when going past 4000 rpm up to 6500 is lovely

[PowerCorrupts]

I bought my 325D as I was doing long journeys, few months down the line and I changed job and only do a few long trips once a week or so.

In hindsight I wish I had waited a little longer and bought a 335i

Don't get me wrong though, I live the 325D's torque, but a year on and I don't think it's fast enough for me anymore! (To be honest tho, I've been in a few top end cars since and I think that's what's made me want more power)

[E92Dan]

You should drive both and see which YOU prefer.

Stats are all very nice but the feel is what your after.

[TAM11M]

Originally Posted by E92Dan

You should drive both and see which YOU prefer.

Stats are all very nice but the feel is what your after.

This is exactly what you should do, maybe go to a trader who has both and take them out back to back

[gaza01]

325i 0-60 in 7.6s! How is that slow??? There are advantages and disadvantages both sides. OP u need to test drive and see for yr self for me the silky smooth 325i is a winner all day. Seriously the engine is so smooth in the way it delivers the power! Granted its not the most powerful engine out there but its no slouch and holds its own very well!

[xs2man]

Never having driven either, I can't comment between them.

What I can say is that personally, I would opt for the diesel.

I had a Golf V6 4 motion before, it was sitting around 215 BHP (so similar to the 325i), and while not a fast car, it was perfectly adequate as an all-rounder. I got shot though, because the power didn't warrant the fuel economy. Now I only avergaed 26 mpg in that car though, so if your averaging 30 mpg, that's a different story. But the sound you get from a petrol 6 cylinder is something else though.

The reason I would go for the diesel is the tuning potential though. A cheeky remap, and the 325d will blow the 325i out the water. Without question. And will give you substantially better fuel economy in all situations barring in town driving.

I have also owned a V8 S4, and currently own a V8 Range Rover, so I do like big capacity, multi-cylinder engines. The sounds are incredible. And I do like the way they drive.

BUT, I do prefer, day to day, the drive from a fast diesel. I prefer riding the torque, and find overtaking a far less aggressive pursuit in the 335d. i.e. You aren't needing to rev the nuts off it to get a big increase in speed.

It depends on what you prefer though, but for me, I prefer the effortless ease with which a powerful diesel shifts, rather than frantic nature of winding up the petrol equivalent.

Just my 2 cents though...

[jammy78]

Spend a bit extra or get your best haggling face on & get a 330D

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by gaza01

325i 0-60 in 7.6s!

Try 6.9s for a 325i.

[Kuroblack]

My two cents;

For your mileage, I'd go for the petrol. If you sit down and do the sums, it will always work out much cheaper - even with the increase in MPG from diesel. Seriously, it will - just spend 20mins with a calculator

If you want the diesel, then think seriously about the 325d - it's a fine car, but IMHO, there's not enough to differentiate it from the 330d - same MPG, same tax - less performance - of course they are cheaper.

If I were looking at 10k per year, I'd have gone M3, or at least 335i. As it happens, with 18-20k annually, the 330d makes good sense, and a reasonable compromise.

[G82Dude]

Do you want economy - are you really that bothered, given your low(ish) mileage or do you want the howl of a BMW straight six petrol?