Tried a new 320d auto tonight

[BMWZ4MC]

I have an E46 320d with the later common rail engine, it's great - cheap to run at 50mpg and really torquey. It's faster from 0 to 100 than a Focus ST170 and is good for 130 on the motorway. What more could you ask from a smokey daily driver?

 

[Stuart Truman]

Yup, mine was the M47 and it was a dog. However, a friend has an LCI model with the N47 and it really is no better. The ride is improved on the LCI models but the engine isn't any smoother and the power delivery is still too narrow.

I think that BMW gave all the power in one big bang so they could get the highest bhp figures for a 2l diesel to draw in as many reps as possible. Looks good on paper but in the real world the less powerful VAG is quicker and generally a less frustrating experience due to having a more usable power range.

I'd urge you to take a test in a D3BT, I don't know what Alpina have done to the lump, but there is no comparison to a standard. The power delivery is smooth and right across the rev range. I was very very impressed. Seriously considering ditching my S-Max and getting a D3BT Touring as the daily drive as I now no longer need a wagon that big.

 

[Mowflow]

Yup, mine was the M47 and it was a dog. However, a friend has an LCI model with the N47 and it really is no better. The ride is improved on the LCI models but the engine isn't any smoother and the power delivery is still too narrow.

I think that BMW gave all the power in one big bang so they could get the highest bhp figures for a 2l diesel to draw in as many reps as possible. Looks good on paper but in the real world the less powerful VAG is quicker and generally a less frustrating experience due to having a more usable power range.

I'd urge you to take a test in a D3BT, I don't know what Alpina have done to the lump, but there is no comparison to a standard. The power delivery is smooth and right across the rev range. I was very very impressed. Seriously considering ditching my S-Max and getting a D3BT Touring as the daily drive as I now no longer need a wagon that big.

I would seriously consider one as I would a 330d. When I had my e90 and decided I wanted rid I spotted a black D3BT touring and was really tempted. The e90 was a good car apart from that engine and the fact that a saloon didn't suit my lifestyle, especially one where the back seats don't fold at all.

 

[Stuart Truman]

The nice thing with this was the smaller engine is set well back in the engine bay and so makes it nice and balanced. I've driven a 6 pot diesel 3er and to be honest, while it was good, the D3BT is in a different league

That bloody car has got under my skin. I blame 2alpsade! :lol:

 

[2alpsade]

The nice thing with this was the smaller engine is set well back in the engine bay and so makes it nice and balanced. I've driven a 6 pot diesel 3er and to be honest, while it was good, the D3BT is in a different league

That bloody car has got under my skin. I blame 2alpsade! :lol:

You haven't half summed-up what makes it so good to drive though, Stu. The balance, ride and handling are the deciding factors of the 4-pot BT over the standard 6-pot 330d. Couple that with instant on-tap power, and you have a peach of a drivers' car

ALPINA changed the turbo(s), injectors (335d), ecu (bespoke), exhaust (single box, bespoke Stainless) and a few minor ancillary bits to get the flat torque curve and linear power band from 1-5krpm and used the best parts from the BMW parts bin to build the brakes and suspension. Magicians.

BTW, I drove the 163bhp VAG engine in Golf/Scirrocco GTD's as loaners on a number of occasions as I prevaricated a car purchase a few years back. It was no better than my old M47TUD and the N47 simply embarrassed it.

 

[Paradroid]

The engine in the rover and 131 Bhp unit were Pre common rail. When the e46 was face lifted the common rail unit was fitted with 150bhp.

Actually the ones in BMW's were but the Rover version was a variant that did have common rail, noticed this somewhere on the web the other day. That explains why the model was designated "CDT" (and "CDTi" for the 131ps version).

My Dad had the CDT 75 and although it was very smooth it was damn slow. Later he had a ZT with the 131ps engine and that was much better.