official 320d thread - owners' views

Robin_NL · 05-18-2005, 07:36 AM

I 've driven the 320d 6sp manual demo with 18" and sports suspension.

Currently driving a E87120d with 17" and ss and having had a E46 M3 a year ago I have to say both the 1er and the 320d I drove are 'on par' with the M3.

thebigman · 05-18-2005, 08:27 AM

My 320d SE is due mid to late June, having ordered at the beginning of April, and there seems to be a delay of a month over the petrol engine... well worth it in my opinion!

I’ve actually stuck with the standard 16” wheels and ordered the 18” 162s separately; it worked out cheaper that way and I’ll post a comparison when the car arrives.

320d SE, Sapphire Black. I’d also like to hear comments about the sports seats - I’ve specced these and I hope they will be worth the outlay – they look the business!

CorporalCarrot · 05-18-2005, 01:06 PM

Bigman

The sports seats are absolutely superb.....they should be standard IMO. Some people dont like the side bolsters but they have a wide range of adjustment and are electrically adjustable. They are FAR more comfortable than the standard seats and I love the way they hug you. You wont regret it.

Incidentally I note your comment about the wheels being cheaper ordered separately. Is the pricing in the UK as screwed up as it is over here?

For example if I take the 162's. On the 320dSE/320iSE here in Ireland the cost to upgrade to 162's is €2,915!!! But if you look at the separate accessories brochure that has more alloy types, the basic cost of the standard wheel is listed as €299 per wheel while the 162's are listed @ €353 (f) and €368 (r). Now I know this doesn't include tyres but how they get to a €3k upgrade cost is beyond me. There are similar inconsistencies with the various other wheel types. As you have said, it would appear to be way cheaper to buy the wheels separately? It makes no sense?

Could anyone explain this?

C

e90jamaica · 05-20-2005, 07:28 AM

i'd love to hear the expalantion too CC. it may just be the hype of the new model, ok, let's add a little more...

Has anyone drove a 320d with sport suspension and 17s? On a stretch of rough road? Does the bumpiness affect the delivery of the lower band of torque?

thebigman · 05-20-2005, 09:13 AM

I think leaving the sports suspension off in the UK is probably a wise move, if the E46 was anything to go by.

On another matter entirely, what do you diesel-heads think of the low down performance? I thought the manual gearing seemed rather high and the box had to be worked a fair bit around town. When it gets going however, and above 2,500 rpm it pulls away rapidly.

Just to add to your comment CorporalCarrot, I think the 162’s over here are a £1,500 option. Do you think the dealer would be prepared to take the standard 16’s as a part-exchange when ordering separately or am I clutching at straws?

weytie · 05-20-2005, 05:16 PM

Hi Guys,

I've had real fun today, because my beemy has arrived

.

This morning my mother drove by the local dealer, and saw a truck unloading new cars, with on top a Titansilver one

They told me delivery would be for next week, so I've called my dealer to ask if my car was allready in the garage.

He told me he just arrived, and that it would be for next week delivery because the person who did the cleaning of the cars was sick this week.
With a few tricks , we could agree that i could pick up the car this evening at 17.00 h

It's an amazing car, and with sport suspension an 19" the ride quality is OK.

In the following days i will start a new topic with some pics of my car.
But now i'm still enjoying my ride

Stijn

JBOO · 05-21-2005, 02:21 AM

How does the resale value of the 320d compare to it's petrol counterparts (320i,325i,330i)?

CorporalCarrot · 05-21-2005, 05:14 AM

Bigman

You can certainly try but I would say you would be wasting your breath. The dealers I have been to have tended to shrug their shoulders and have a "thats the way it is" attitude when I have pointed out some of the ridiculous pricing anomalies.

Its one thing to charge people for the possibly extra work in individualising a car; but some of the alloy "upgrade" costs are downright egregious. It makes no sense that it works out much, much cheaper to just buy the exact same alloys in the aftermarket, from the same BMW dealer, leaving you with a completely spare set of wheels and tyres. Why can't they just allow you to upgrade for the difference in cost of the wheels & tyres?

Another funny we have here in Ireland is that the 320i and 320d are the exact same spec of car except for the engine. In base spec the 320i costs €41,250 while the 320d costs €44,750 (€3,500 more). However in SE spec (which adds the EXACT SAME equipment to each car) the 320iSE costs €44,400 while the 320dSE costs €48,800 (now €4,400 more!!!!!!!!). I have asked 2 different dealers why it costs €900 more to add the same equipment to what is essentially the same car except for engine, and the best I have got is a rather embarassed smile. Shameless exploitation of what they know is going to be the volume seller? You decide.

Also as regards low down performance, thats why I feel the auto is a better choice for the 320d.

Weytie

Be sure to keep us updated on the ride quality. We all know that the E90 looks far better with 18"'s and upwards but I would be interested to know what the ride quality compromise is, because the roads in ireland are shit. Also, as the engine loosens up will you keep us posted on the engine noise at idle.

JBOO

Don't know what its like in the Netherlands but over here, the dealers said the 320d is the most sought after second hand model in the range and holds its value much much better. They find it harder to shift second hand 325i/330i's. This is because of the difference in annual running costs which for me is about €1,100 p.a. between tax/insurance/fuel. Most people who are buying second hand are very sensitive to this. Don't know what its like in other countries.

Robin_NL · 05-21-2005, 05:21 AM

@CorporalCarrot: Wow, 43/44/k euros for those cars in Ireland?

Man those are almost the same prices as her in the Netherlands, which I thought was always the most expensive EU country regarding new cars(behind Denmark I think)

CorporalCarrot · 05-21-2005, 01:20 PM

Yup Robin

Its because of government taxes. We have 21% VAT and then an egregious tax called Vehicle Registration Tax which is at rates between 22.5% and 30% of the SELLING PRICE OF THE VEHICLE.

Yes I said that right. The selling price. Which includes the VAT and the VRT itself (its iterative) . 30% kicks in for vehicles over 1900cc which gets most any decent car you could care to think about. So if you take a basic spec 320i costing €41,250, it breaks down as follows;

Cost of Vehicle; €24,373
VAT; €5,119
VRT; €10,908
Delivery; €850

So total taxes approx €16k or 66% of the basic price of the vehicle.

Its scandalous and because its done solely by engine size it gets more ridiculous the bigger the engine.

The taxes on the 330i are around €22k for example (which will buy you the car in the US)

C

Timbers · 05-21-2005, 01:23 PM

I was lucky enough to have a 320d SE for a 4 day test drive last week. Typically as it was from the dealer it had every option on it including the 162's. Yes they look amazing but all I can say is keep clear of the inside lane on motorways and dual carriage ways as you may as well be in a tram!! Mind you my wifes cooper s running on 17" run flats is much the same!

CorporalCarrot · 05-21-2005, 01:26 PM

Timbers

Thats what I suspected based on the difference even between the 16" and 17". Do the 18"'s make the ride very uncomfortable?

C

Timbers · 05-21-2005, 01:31 PM

Unfortunately i can't compare with the 16" & 17" as i've not tried them, although I have just ordered a 320d SE with the stock 16's - Company car allowance couldn't stretch to the 17"

I'm not sure if the model I drove had the sport suspension (i expect it did) but the ride was not uncomfortable, you just couldn't relax incase a change in the road surfaced grabbed the wheel! But this was on the inside lane of one of the most used parts of the M25!!

thebigman · 06-05-2005, 08:42 AM

Thought I might prop this thread back up again

Any new members with 320d’s please post your two-cents.

Has anyone looked into adding chrome grills and door surrounds post-delivery?

philip888 · 06-05-2005, 10:51 AM

Just collected my new 320dse this week, I am happy with the car in everyway, but the standard 156 alloys wheels with 205/55R16 is a bit slim on the car, I regert not to order the Ellipsoid162 option wheels for £1445.

Thomas · 06-05-2005, 05:32 PM

Does anyone gonna chiptune their E90 320d? My dad's E90 320d is coming in august and he is gonna chiptune it. Resulting in 200 hp and 410 Nm torque!

thebigman · 06-07-2005, 08:12 AM

200 bhp from a 2-litre diesel demands...

Has anyone found a chrome exhaust end to fit onto the 320d?

thebigman · 06-07-2005, 08:16 AM

philip888,

Do you have any pics of your 320d? My car is due within the next week or two - I have spoken to several dealers and should be able to reach a price for the 162's in tyres below the cost on the options list.

philip888 · 06-07-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigman

philip888,

Do you have any pics of your 320d? My car is due within the next week or two - I have spoken to several dealers and should be able to reach a price for the 162's in tyres below the cost on the options list.

here is the wheels, they look a bit too small for the big wheel arch

Broken1 · 06-08-2005, 03:28 AM

Philip888 : do you have those vanity lights above the mirrors in the visors?
(and did you order the lights package)
I have noticed alot of irregularity concerning this issue...

thebigman · 06-08-2005, 05:20 AM

In the UK, the lights packaged is standard on the SE model and includes the vanity lights above the mirrors. The puddle lights in the door handles should be there too

thebigman · 06-28-2005, 12:15 PM

My 320d SE arrived this morning, it looks fantastic in Sapphire Black and midrange it goes like s**t off a shovel. Does anyone know the running in period for this engine? I seem to have missed it in the manual.

Dealer delivered from Dunedin in Edinburgh and they were excellent. A photographer friend is taking some pics so I will post them shortly.

05-18-2005, 07:36 AM	#23
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	I 've driven the 320d 6sp manual demo with 18" and sports suspension. Currently driving a E87120d with 17" and ss and having had a E46 M3 a year ago I have to say both the 1er and the 320d I drove are 'on par' with the M3.
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05-18-2005, 08:27 AM	#24
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	My 320d SE is due mid to late June, having ordered at the beginning of April, and there seems to be a delay of a month over the petrol engine... well worth it in my opinion! I’ve actually stuck with the standard 16” wheels and ordered the 18” 162s separately; it worked out cheaper that way and I’ll post a comparison when the car arrives. 320d SE, Sapphire Black. I’d also like to hear comments about the sports seats - I’ve specced these and I hope they will be worth the outlay – they look the business!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-18-2005, 01:06 PM	#25
CorporalCarrot Enlisted Member 0 Rep 38 Posts Drives: E46 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Bigman The sports seats are absolutely superb.....they should be standard IMO. Some people dont like the side bolsters but they have a wide range of adjustment and are electrically adjustable. They are FAR more comfortable than the standard seats and I love the way they hug you. You wont regret it. Incidentally I note your comment about the wheels being cheaper ordered separately. Is the pricing in the UK as screwed up as it is over here? For example if I take the 162's. On the 320dSE/320iSE here in Ireland the cost to upgrade to 162's is €2,915!!! But if you look at the separate accessories brochure that has more alloy types, the basic cost of the standard wheel is listed as €299 per wheel while the 162's are listed @ €353 (f) and €368 (r). Now I know this doesn't include tyres but how they get to a €3k upgrade cost is beyond me. There are similar inconsistencies with the various other wheel types. As you have said, it would appear to be way cheaper to buy the wheels separately? It makes no sense? Could anyone explain this? C
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05-20-2005, 07:28 AM	#26
e90jamaica New Member 4 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2005 E90 320d Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kingston, Jamaica iTrader: (0)	i'd love to hear the expalantion too CC. it may just be the hype of the new model, ok, let's add a little more... Has anyone drove a 320d with sport suspension and 17s? On a stretch of rough road? Does the bumpiness affect the delivery of the lower band of torque?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-20-2005, 09:13 AM	#27
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I think leaving the sports suspension off in the UK is probably a wise move, if the E46 was anything to go by. On another matter entirely, what do you diesel-heads think of the low down performance? I thought the manual gearing seemed rather high and the box had to be worked a fair bit around town. When it gets going however, and above 2,500 rpm it pulls away rapidly. Just to add to your comment CorporalCarrot, I think the 162’s over here are a £1,500 option. Do you think the dealer would be prepared to take the standard 16’s as a part-exchange when ordering separately or am I clutching at straws?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-20-2005, 05:16 PM	#28
weytie Banned 77 Rep 269 Posts Drives: BMW M4 F82 Competition Join Date: May 2005 Location: Belgium iTrader: (2)	Hi Guys, I've had real fun today, because my beemy has arrived . This morning my mother drove by the local dealer, and saw a truck unloading new cars, with on top a Titansilver one They told me delivery would be for next week, so I've called my dealer to ask if my car was allready in the garage. He told me he just arrived, and that it would be for next week delivery because the person who did the cleaning of the cars was sick this week. With a few tricks , we could agree that i could pick up the car this evening at 17.00 h It's an amazing car, and with sport suspension an 19" the ride quality is OK. In the following days i will start a new topic with some pics of my car. But now i'm still enjoying my ride Stijn
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05-21-2005, 02:21 AM	#29
JBOO Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 286 Posts Drives: BMW 535d Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	How does the resale value of the 320d compare to it's petrol counterparts (320i,325i,330i)?
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05-21-2005, 05:14 AM	#30
CorporalCarrot Enlisted Member 0 Rep 38 Posts Drives: E46 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Bigman You can certainly try but I would say you would be wasting your breath. The dealers I have been to have tended to shrug their shoulders and have a "thats the way it is" attitude when I have pointed out some of the ridiculous pricing anomalies. Its one thing to charge people for the possibly extra work in individualising a car; but some of the alloy "upgrade" costs are downright egregious. It makes no sense that it works out much, much cheaper to just buy the exact same alloys in the aftermarket, from the same BMW dealer, leaving you with a completely spare set of wheels and tyres. Why can't they just allow you to upgrade for the difference in cost of the wheels & tyres? Another funny we have here in Ireland is that the 320i and 320d are the exact same spec of car except for the engine. In base spec the 320i costs €41,250 while the 320d costs €44,750 (€3,500 more). However in SE spec (which adds the EXACT SAME equipment to each car) the 320iSE costs €44,400 while the 320dSE costs €48,800 (now €4,400 more!!!!!!!!). I have asked 2 different dealers why it costs €900 more to add the same equipment to what is essentially the same car except for engine, and the best I have got is a rather embarassed smile. Shameless exploitation of what they know is going to be the volume seller? You decide. Also as regards low down performance, thats why I feel the auto is a better choice for the 320d. Weytie Be sure to keep us updated on the ride quality. We all know that the E90 looks far better with 18"'s and upwards but I would be interested to know what the ride quality compromise is, because the roads in ireland are shit. Also, as the engine loosens up will you keep us posted on the engine noise at idle. JBOO Don't know what its like in the Netherlands but over here, the dealers said the 320d is the most sought after second hand model in the range and holds its value much much better. They find it harder to shift second hand 325i/330i's. This is because of the difference in annual running costs which for me is about €1,100 p.a. between tax/insurance/fuel. Most people who are buying second hand are very sensitive to this. Don't know what its like in other countries.
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05-21-2005, 05:21 AM	#31
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	@CorporalCarrot: Wow, 43/44/k euros for those cars in Ireland? Man those are almost the same prices as her in the Netherlands, which I thought was always the most expensive EU country regarding new cars(behind Denmark I think)
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05-21-2005, 01:20 PM	#32
CorporalCarrot Enlisted Member 0 Rep 38 Posts Drives: E46 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Yup Robin Its because of government taxes. We have 21% VAT and then an egregious tax called Vehicle Registration Tax which is at rates between 22.5% and 30% of the SELLING PRICE OF THE VEHICLE. Yes I said that right. The selling price. Which includes the VAT and the VRT itself (its iterative) . 30% kicks in for vehicles over 1900cc which gets most any decent car you could care to think about. So if you take a basic spec 320i costing €41,250, it breaks down as follows; Cost of Vehicle; €24,373 VAT; €5,119 VRT; €10,908 Delivery; €850 So total taxes approx €16k or 66% of the basic price of the vehicle. Its scandalous and because its done solely by engine size it gets more ridiculous the bigger the engine. The taxes on the 330i are around €22k for example (which will buy you the car in the US) C
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05-21-2005, 01:23 PM	#33
Timbers Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Ordered 320d SE Join Date: May 2005 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (0)	I was lucky enough to have a 320d SE for a 4 day test drive last week. Typically as it was from the dealer it had every option on it including the 162's. Yes they look amazing but all I can say is keep clear of the inside lane on motorways and dual carriage ways as you may as well be in a tram!! Mind you my wifes cooper s running on 17" run flats is much the same!
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05-21-2005, 01:26 PM	#34
CorporalCarrot Enlisted Member 0 Rep 38 Posts Drives: E46 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Timbers Thats what I suspected based on the difference even between the 16" and 17". Do the 18"'s make the ride very uncomfortable? C
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05-21-2005, 01:31 PM	#35
Timbers Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Ordered 320d SE Join Date: May 2005 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately i can't compare with the 16" & 17" as i've not tried them, although I have just ordered a 320d SE with the stock 16's - Company car allowance couldn't stretch to the 17" I'm not sure if the model I drove had the sport suspension (i expect it did) but the ride was not uncomfortable, you just couldn't relax incase a change in the road surfaced grabbed the wheel! But this was on the inside lane of one of the most used parts of the M25!!
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06-05-2005, 08:42 AM	#36
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Thought I might prop this thread back up again Any new members with 320d’s please post your two-cents. Has anyone looked into adding chrome grills and door surrounds post-delivery?
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06-05-2005, 10:51 AM	#37
philip888 i-drive sat-nav, Bluetooth, Dakota leather, Burr walnut, 6 Rep 34 Posts Drives: E90 320d auto Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: london uk iTrader: (0)	Just collected my new 320dse this week, I am happy with the car in everyway, but the standard 156 alloys wheels with 205/55R16 is a bit slim on the car, I regert not to order the Ellipsoid162 option wheels for £1445.
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06-05-2005, 05:32 PM	#38
Thomas Second Lieutenant 67 Rep 281 Posts Drives: G21 330e Touring Join Date: May 2005 Location: Haarlem iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW 330e Touring [0.00]	Does anyone gonna chiptune their E90 320d? My dad's E90 320d is coming in august and he is gonna chiptune it. Resulting in 200 hp and 410 Nm torque!
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06-07-2005, 08:12 AM	#39
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	200 bhp from a 2-litre diesel demands... Has anyone found a chrome exhaust end to fit onto the 320d?
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06-07-2005, 08:16 AM	#40
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	philip888, Do you have any pics of your 320d? My car is due within the next week or two - I have spoken to several dealers and should be able to reach a price for the 162's in tyres below the cost on the options list.
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06-08-2005, 03:28 AM	#42
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Philip888 : do you have those vanity lights above the mirrors in the visors? (and did you order the lights package) I have noticed alot of irregularity concerning this issue...
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06-08-2005, 05:20 AM	#43
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	In the UK, the lights packaged is standard on the SE model and includes the vanity lights above the mirrors. The puddle lights in the door handles should be there too
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06-28-2005, 12:15 PM	#44
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	My 320d SE arrived this morning, it looks fantastic in Sapphire Black and midrange it goes like s**t off a shovel. Does anyone know the running in period for this engine? I seem to have missed it in the manual. Dealer delivered from Dunedin in Edinburgh and they were excellent. A photographer friend is taking some pics so I will post them shortly.
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