320D Premium Selection

[kevin1982my]

I have test driven both cars 3-4 times.

The golf GTI is more brutal in the acceleration compared to the 320d which is more civilised. Both will outaccelerate and outhandle 90 percent of cars on the road today.

In terms of steering feel, both are equally great. The bimmer is i reckon 20 percent heavier in terms of steering weight compared to the GTI, but both are great fun to drive.

BMW Msport suspension is kinda hard but the golf GTI comes with Comfort - Sport adjustment. The comfort setting is slightly harder than the non Msport BMW, and the sport setting is within 10 percent of Msport BMW in terms of suspension hardness.

They are both very close in terms of driving feel.

Pros GTI: More raw. Great handling and very fun to drive. Great sounding engine. 5 year warranty ( includes the dreaded DSG ). RCD510, Sunroof, and 18" wheels for the 2012 model. Spare tyre.
Con GTI: FWD but not that it matters. It just drives great. Hatchback. Not a big fan of hatches. Soon to be face out by MK7.

Pros 320d: More civilised. Comfort. Its a bimmer. Better image. Good handling fun to drive. I-Drive. 5 yr BSRI.
Cons 320d: Clatter ONLY!!! Cant think of much else. And yes. Its a faced out model ( bullets will not be flying soon in my direction i hope ). Runflats.

Thats why im asking, does the clatter become less when the engine warms up. During my test drive, me and my friend whom im trying to poison seemed to notice that, but hopefully its not us imagining things.
And there is some chatter here about reducing clatter by using BHP's diesel. Any truth to that? User experience would be welcomed.

 

[docrayboy]

I think you will get the 320d from the tone of your write-up! well done, Kevin! Yes, the GTI is a hatchback and the 320d a sedan. I also never fancied hatchbacks.....even the much-acclaimed Renalt Megane RS 250 I wouldn't touch it even if they gave me a hefty discount! Just not a hatchback guy.
Yes, the clatter does become quieter when the engine warms up. Do it, put your money down....on the best-compact-exec-sedan of the past 5 years running, the 320d!

 

[DJH]

Even 520d is seling like hot cakes. If those owning 520d not concern with the clatter including those owning 320d, the mind set is already changing now. See the benefit in owning a diesel bimmer car, I for one, dun regret it

 

[DJH]

I think you will get the 320d from the tone of your write-up! well done, Kevin!

Doc, he supposed to get http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?44085-E92-Premium-Selection

 

[willie]

Even 520d is seling like hot cakes. If those owning 520d not concern with the clatter including those owning 320d, the mind set is already changing now. See the benefit in owning a diesel bimmer car, I for one, dun regret it

I am using caltex diesel... do notice that the engine clatter is much less when the engine in warmed up, compared to Shell... haven't got a chance to try biodiesel though...

 

[DJH]

Actually i am not too bothered with the clatter sound. Out of convenience, i put shell. If got power issue, just install power kit, problem solved.

 

[willie]

Actually i am not too bothered with the clatter sound. Out of convenience, i put shell. If got power issue, just install power kit, problem solved.

Me too... i kind of like the turbo whistler too... even on 520d, which is a much heavier car, the torque is intoxicating...

 

[gameover]

And there is some chatter here about reducing clatter by using BHP's diesel. Any truth to that? User experience would be welcomed.

BHP diesel does not reduce clatter in my experience. The smoothest my engine ever got was when I used ULSD Caltex (ie. Euro5 diesel from Singapore) with a tuning box installed. It didn't make a difference when I didn't have a tuning box, and the difference, while subjectively noticeable, is not huge.

So are you willing to pay RM4+ per liter of diesel for a slight reduction in clatter?

 

[DJH]

speaking of warm-up. How long actually does 320d need to reach its optimal temperature?

 

[ALBundy]

Diesel engine is a compression engine. There is no spark plug, what happens is air is compressed to a point that it becomes very very hot, and diesel is injected into the combustion chamber at high pressure (1800 bar) where it will ignite and produces what is known as the diesel clatter. Well, once you own a diesel you will get used to it

 

[535i]

My old ///M also clatters - engine and gbox. My mum (who knows nothing abt car) said - ayoooo .. bunyi macam mau roboh ..
Does it matter to me .. Not a bit .. She is sound asleep at the back while i am cruising at 200 kmh ..

Anyone wants an E39 530i M-Sport + Supercharged ? Owner upgrading to 320D ..

 

[initialM]

My old ///M also clatters - engine and gbox. My mum (who knows nothing abt car) said - ayoooo .. bunyi macam mau roboh ..
Does it matter to me .. Not a bit .. She is sound asleep at the back while i am cruising at 200 kmh ..

Anyone wants an E39 530i M-Sport + Supercharged ? Owner upgrading to 320D ..

E39 530 to 320D upgrade? Beli jer ///M car hilang lar gatal bontot ko tu

 

[docrayboy]

Doc, he supposed to get http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?44085-E92-Premium-Selection

Oh yeah...did u get the 325i, Kevin?

 

[535i]

E39 530 to 320D upgrade? Beli jer ///M car hilang lar gatal bontot ko tu

Can't afford the new ///M but can afford the 320D.

The torque for the 530 SC vs 320 D might be within the same league BUT 320D won't cost me Rm 100 of Ron 97 - one way down to JB.

Stay away from my bontot .. It has been reserved ....

 

[initialM]

Can't afford the new ///M but can afford the 320D.

The torque for the 530 SC vs 320 D might be within the same league BUT 320D won't cost me Rm 100 of Ron 97 - one way down to JB.

Stay away from my bontot .. It has been reserved ....

Dulu 320i complain kena tapao dgn Gen2. Kang 320D complain kena dgn apa lagi ntah. Buy 320D but keep E39 530 supercaj.
Got 2 type of force induction. Baru la bontot turbocor!

 

[kevin1982my]

Oh yeah...did u get the 325i, Kevin?

You guys have great memory.

Anyhow loan all approved. Heck even sent in the DPayment. But my company might want me to relocate to aussie for 2-3 years. Hence had to cancel it last minute. The SA was kind enough to refund everything minus a small token amount for paperwork involved.

Currently awaiting visa and compensation plan. Anyhow see how it goes over the next few week as things might change.

I love the in gear pull of the 320d. Its intoxicating. If my trip to aussie is delayed or canceled, might want to get the 320d now. Its much cheaper than 325 but delivers so much more. The only downside is clatter. Guess have to learn to live with it.

The reason i posted here is for a mate of mine. He is getting rather frustrated with the waiting period of the golf gti.

 

[DJH]

Kevin.....320d? Buy......buy.....buy!!!!

 

[gameover]

I love the in gear pull of the 320d. Its intoxicating. If my trip to aussie is delayed or canceled, might want to get the 320d now. Its much cheaper than 325 but delivers so much more. The only downside is clatter. Guess have to learn to live with it.

The 320d (and 330d) is available in Australia too!

 

[Tiger]

Im in. PM time date location. Or if there is lots of ppl, then just put the time date location here.

Yes its slightly slower than GTI, but its a lux sedan. GTI is quick due to the dsg. The standard GTI with manual box is slightly slower than the dsg box.

PLus 320d is rear wheel drive.

The only thing is the clatter.

So guys, did u all went for a test drive? how was it?? any good offer ar? haha

 

[tradingcrew]

i upgraded with powerkit. Now exploring vector power....and etc. Hehehe. Anyway, i bought i due to its frugality. Not to say no money to pay petrol but can't stand the frequencies in visiting petrol station every 4 days or so.....and i can't wait for new dual turbo (F30) so kiasu and go get it. There u go!

Powerkit + vector = ?
Interesting, pls let us know when you get a chance to try out