Tried a new 320d auto tonight

P

Paradroid

Member
 Lancashire
Not under good circumstances, someone ran in the back of my wife's 1-series this morning so it's off to be assessed for damage.

Anyway, when the dropped off the 2012 3-series tonight it took the edge off a bit, a stunning looking car, very classy inside and out (apart from that droopy nose but maybe it's just me).

I'm seriously jealous of the DAB radio as it means being able to listen to Radio 6 in the car, but I am not jealous of that 2.0 diesel engine. Deary me, I never liked smog belchers but this is a really bad example. Sounds like a tractor at idle and until about 1500 revs, to be fair after that if you boot it then it pulls hard and sounds very quiet, but most the time it's clattering away. Really annoying and ruins the car. My Dad had a MG ZT with the older BMW diesel engine years ago and it was much smoother. Are they pushing it a bit too much with the power/economy on these latest models?

Seems to hardly get a mention in the glowing 5-star reviews of the car. I wouldn't buy one that's for sure.
 
Given BMWs latest petrol 4 pots sound like diesels, there's little you can do about it. All diesels clatter a bit, esp when cold, and BMW put more into performance rather than sound suppression. These 20d units are among the most efficient and powerful about, I'd have one.. in fact, if I get my way, once the warranty goes on the e89 in a years time, I'll be switching to a 520d touring, driven it, loved it.
 
thx for this report
had the offer to get a new 320d as a company car
but we decided to choose the other way: get compensation per driven mile with a private car and ordered our new z4 35i.
not only does the Z look much better, it sounds better, goes better...
 
mclane said:
thx for this report
had the offer to get a new 320d as a company car
but we decided to choose the other way: get compensation per driven mile with a private car and ordered our new z4 35i.
not only does the Z look much better, it sounds better, goes better...
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Nice one :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
I went out in a colleagues F30 320ed the other week and it did seem noisier then my 2011 E87 118d.

Probably sacrificed some sound insulation to say weight to keep the economy.
 
I got lent one when #69 was in for the latest round of "diagnose the PDC" and I agree, it's very noisy compared to the one I had as a company hack a while ago. Still, I'm a heathen, I didn't like the E9x and now I love them. I'm sure the new one will grow on me :)
 
marchantsuk said:
We have a 120D and a 320D. Never had a problem, don't belch or sound like a tractor, can't fault them
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What model years are they? Like I said the older 115/131bhp M47R BMW engine that MG/Rover used to use was an absolute gem, one of the best diesels ever, from inside the car it was very hard to tell the engine is diesel and when revving them they sound like turbines. This engine was in the E46 3 series, and managed up to 150bhp I think. Your cars could be closer to that engine.

This 3-series has the latest 181bhp engine. There is a big difference.
 
I had a new 2012 320d 8-speed when I was getting my Z4 serviced, was absolutely sensational. Very brisk, comfortable, and in black with the M-Sport pack it was gorgeous.
 
mclane said:
thx for this report
had the offer to get a new 320d as a company car
but we decided to choose the other way: get compensation per driven mile with a private car and ordered our new z4 35i.
not only does the Z look much better, it sounds better, goes better...
Click to expand...

Great move!

I am so pleased I got my Z4 because I nearly got a late-model E90 320i with direct injection, but after owning our 116i with direct injection I know it would not have been for me. The 2.0i Z4 is so smooth and responsive, you cannot beat a decent petrol engine :)
 
Paradroid said:
marchantsuk said:
We have a 120D and a 320D. Never had a problem, don't belch or sound like a tractor, can't fault them
Click to expand...

What model years are they? Like I said the older 115/131bhp M47R BMW engine that MG/Rover used to use was an absolute gem, one of the best diesels ever, from inside the car it was very hard to tell the engine is diesel and when revving them they sound like turbines. This engine was in the E46 3 series, and managed up to 150bhp I think. Your cars could be closer to that engine.

This 3-series has the latest 181bhp engine. There is a big difference.
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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.
 
srhutch said:
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.
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So was the 150bhp rougher than the older engines? Thought common rail was supposed to be smoother but maybe just more power.
 
Modern turbo diesels are pretty highly strung,they have to produce so much power, have good economy and low Co2.It's no wonder they are not to everyone's taste. I feel the older TDi's are nicer engines.I've driven high output 4 cyl Tdi's as company cars for the last 10 years and tbh am bored with them. They ARE noisy,narrow power bands and not always that economical. New petrol engines are much more ecomonical than they used to be and have a nicer power delivery and are quieter too.My next company car is likely to be a petrol. :D . Still beh crap next to my Z though :thumbsup:
 
Stuart Truman said:
I got lent one when #69 was in for the latest round of "diagnose the PDC" and I agree, it's very noisy compared to the one I had as a company hack a while ago. Still, I'm a heathen, I didn't like the E9x and now I love them. I'm sure the new one will grow on me :)
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...and now you've been in a proper E9x derv, Stu, anything to add?

I also test drove a new 320d auto sport and it was simply brilliant. Down a few horses on my D3BT, but they've sorted the ride, now, so the F30 derv is, IMO a sound car and the auto box is dreamy (and I can't abide autos as a rule). If you want to try a non-diesel-y diesel, get a pax ride in a D3BT. You'd never know it's a derv once you get above idle and the performance and handling would astound you.

I've got an N47 in the D3BT now (same as in the new F30, but twin turbo) and it's a superb lump. I had an M47TUD in my old E46 320d coupe, and the N47 is leagues ahead in noise, emissions and driveability.
 
2alpsade said:
...and now you've been in a proper E9x derv, Stu, anything to add?

I also test drove a new 320d auto sport and it was simply brilliant. Down a few horses on my D3BT, but they've sorted the ride, now, so the F30 derv is, IMO a sound car and the auto box is dreamy (and I can't abide autos as a rule). If you want to try a non-diesel-y diesel, get a pax ride in a D3BT. You'd never know it's a derv once you get above idle and the performance and handling would astound you.

I've got an N47 in the D3BT now (same as in the new F30, but twin turbo) and it's a superb lump. I had an M47TUD in my old E46 320d coupe, and the N47 is leagues ahead in noise, emissions and driveability.
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Having been in your D3BT I'm sold on it. None of the usual asthmatic diesel performance. It's quiet, smooooth power delivery to redline in all the gears I saw you put it in on our run and very well balanced handling. Very tempting

Edit - and close to 50mpg even when you wring its neck
 
Ive got a 530d M Sport for a courtesy car at the minute. I am really impressed with it.

It sounds nothing like a diesel other than when ticking over but even then its really quiet. Must be something to do with it being a 6 pot. The performance is blistering and its returning close to 40MPG and thats giving it some boot aswell.. Seriously impressive car.

I cant imagine what the 535d is like.
 
I had an 06 e90 320d and it was utter bollocks. The engine sounds like a roofers nail bag and I constantly struggled with the narrow power band. In contrast I had an a3 with the common rail 170 diesel unit and DSG and it was fantastic. Much more even spread of power and the engine was just so much smoother all round.

I would buy another BMW denzil but it would have to be a 6 pot. If I was going for a smaller diesel it would be something from the VAG line up. When you look at the running costs between a 330d and a 320d the 330 makes way more sense unless it's a company car or you just don't care about smiles per miles.
 
Mowflow said:
I had an 06 e90 320d and it was utter bollocks.
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M47 lump. See my comments previously :)

Stuart Truman said:
[Having been in your D3BT I'm sold on it. None of the usual asthmatic diesel performance. It's quiet, smooooth power delivery to redline in all the gears I saw you put it in on our run and very well balanced handling. Very tempting

Edit - and close to 50mpg even when you wring its neck
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Yep, sums it up, Stu. Brilliant car with an excellent engine. Virtually unbeatable...and gives the Roadster S a chase for its money, too 8) 214hp and 450Nm versus 300hp makes an interesting comparison.

What you didn't say was where the redline is in a BT. Rare I ever see it :oops: Same lump in the new 525d...they junked the 6-pot for it as it handles and rides better with the lower weight and easy power delivery.
 
2alpsade said:
Mowflow said:
I had an 06 e90 320d and it was utter bollocks.
Click to expand...

M47 lump. See my comments previously :)
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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.
 
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