320i VS 320d

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Hi Everyone,

Am a newbie to this forum and have been reading all the F30 post with much interest. I am also contemplating between the 320i and 320d as I have tried my friend's 320i and it is wonderful. However, he told me that he was told that the diesel smell from the 320d after 2 years can be quite noticeable. Anyone has this problem with their 320d? Must say that the 320i acceleration is already quite impressive and am wondering if I should consider the 320d. And also, will it be worth it to pay the extra 20k for the M Sport if I were to get the 320d? Thanks a bunch.
 
tigger said:
Hi Everyone,Am a newbie to this forum and have been reading all the F30 post with much interest. I am also contemplating between the 320i and 320d as I have tried my friend's 320i and it is wonderful. However, he told me that he was told that the diesel smell from the 320d after 2 years can be quite noticeable. Anyone has this problem with their 320d? Must say that the 320i acceleration is already quite impressive and am wondering if I should consider the 320d. And also, will it be worth it to pay the extra 20k for the M Sport if I were to get the 320d? Thanks a bunch.
If you travel a lot, fuel cost is a concern for you and you don't mind a not so refine engine then the D is the one to go for and vice versa. If I were you, I would go for the M Sports. It's worth it as it comes pre installed from the factory with BMW warranty and most importantly you don't have any down time and don't have to put up with poor after market installation workmanship. The individual parts will add up more than $20k.
 
tigger said:
Hi Everyone, Am a newbie to this forum and have been reading all the F30 post with much interest. I am also contemplating between the 320i and 320d as I have tried my friend's 320i and it is wonderful. However, he told me that he was told that the diesel smell from the 320d after 2 years can be quite noticeable. Anyone has this problem with their 320d? Must say that the 320i acceleration is already quite impressive and am wondering if I should consider the 320d. And also, will it be worth it to pay the extra 20k for the M Sport if I were to get the 320d? Thanks a bunch.

get the petrol.

diesel in malaysia is too too touch n go..

the fuel economy advantage is only short-lived. many in the forums complained that their 320d become less efficient after longer mileage. if you are a quick owner (someone who changes cars every 3 years), go Diesel. if you are a long term owner, forget it.
 
Was in the same dilemma, and to be clear, it's all up to individual preference, with no ONE correct answer.
In my case, I went down the petrol route because I was worried about whether govt would implement B10 (or higher) biodiesel in Malaysia.
 
dynamite said:
Was in the same dilemma, and to be clear, it's all up to individual preference, with no ONE correct answer.
In my case, I went down the petrol route because I was worried about whether govt would implement B10 (or higher) biodiesel in Malaysia.

i think in Malaysia, with one of the dirtiest diesels in the world. it is pretty straightforward. go petrol.
 
Go for the petrol version, if you are already worried about the smell, I am very sure the clattering engine sound and smell would put you off completely.

But if you are not bothered by it and want to enjoy lots of torque then go for the diesel.
 
Mavik said:
Go for the petrol version, if you are already worried about the smell, I am very sure the clattering engine sound and smell would put you off completely.

But if you are not bothered by it and want to enjoy lots of torque then go for the diesel.

the economy is offset by its higher maintenance. the smell is just foul. the noises it makes is "lorry-like"
 
Thanks for all the replies and opinions which is most useful. Seems like most advise on the petrol version which I find have s7fficient power. The clattering is another point in mind. Is resale value less for the 320d?

Cheers everyone.
 
Another point you should consider is how often you spend driving in the city and highway. If you're a city driver, the diesel gives very good usable torque at low end so that's perfect for traffic light sprints and overtaking those pesky road hoggers under heavy traffic. Not that I advocate dangerous driving but you guys get my drift. The petrol is way smoother and quieter at low revs but if you need to sprint, you'll need more revs to build up speed as compared to the diesel. In a way, this suits highway sprinting where you have nice long uninterrupted roads to build up speed.
 
I hv been using 320d e90 for over 4 1/2 yrs n 150k over km. So far car running excellently. Fuel wise saving not as much as the uk guys but visits to petrol station much less. The car can easily achieve 1000km on highways even with fast drivg. No black smoke or foul smell. There is exhaust smell which is diffrnt from petrol smell.performance wise no need to talk. U hv to try first. 4 me if I want to change I will go 4 d or 328. But 320 also very good. Oh yes... the clatter is not like lorry la. Thats only during stationary n inside it is quite.
 
supersonic,

are u having problems buying diesel for your ride?. i was told some petrol stations do not have sustainable diesel supply due to smugglers buying at large amount.Not sure how severe it is but when i was contemplating buying 320d, a friend of mine driving Ford Rangers told me he's having problem getting diesel and that puts me off
 
My other ride is a pickup truck and I do have issues buying diesel nearby my house (bukit tinggi, klang). That being said, I just need to be aware how much is left and promptly fill up whenever the gauge is at 25‰

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
 
Prot said:
the economy is offset by its higher maintenance. the smell is just foul. the noises it makes is "lorry-like"
Actually the Diesel engine has less maintenance required. The 2.0 Diesel engine is proven and I haven't had a single issue with it over the 3 years. Yes the sound is lorry like and taxi like but the torque and fuel economy makes up for it which was why I chose it over petrol version. In terms of service, it uses the same engine oil as it's petrol siblings at 5L (LL01/LL04 spec) and it doesn't require to change coil packs and spark plugs. So in actual fact, the overall cost to maintain the diesel is actually quite low.
 
razibar said:
supersonic,

are u having problems buying diesel for your ride?. i was told some petrol stations do not have sustainable diesel supply due to smugglers buying at large amount.Not sure how severe it is but when i was contemplating buying 320d, a friend of mine driving Ford Rangers told me he's having problem getting diesel and that puts me off
As mentioned by wideawake it's about just being aware. Don't wait until your tank is completely empty before searching for a filling station, I tend to refill when I have a quarter tank left (about 200km mileage left). Also this is a good habit to build as it isn't always advisable to refill when your tank is near empty.
 
If one is not picky of any particular station or brand, I'd say you will very easily have diesel any time. I have only come across twice so far when the regular BHP station I go to ran out of diesel. Then again, you move on to another station nearby. As pointed out by the rest, don't wait till the last km.

However, I understand diesel smuggling can be quite rampant at fishing towns or even towns near borders. So yeah if you live nearby there, it could be a problem. Furthermore there's lesser kiosk there so that could be a risk.
 
Bro Mavik does have a point about keeping the tank filled and not leave it till empty. The points put up on diesel options is quite good and does make me think. Any difference between the E90 and F30 diesel engines? I have seen the 320d M Sport version and I love the steering wheel and the 19" wheels.. hahaha!! Are the paddle shifters of any use?

Any recommendation too for good SA and dealers in the Klang Valley? Ones that give good discounts and service :D
 
It doesnt come with 19" rims bro.

tigger said:
Bro Mavik does have a point about keeping the tank filled and not leave it till empty. The points put up on diesel options is quite good and does make me think. Any difference between the E90 and F30 diesel engines? I have seen the 320d M Sport version and I love the steering wheel and the 19" wheels.. hahaha!! Are the paddle shifters of any use?

Any recommendation too for good SA and dealers in the Klang Valley? Ones that give good discounts and service :D
 
tigger said:
Sorry bro.. maybe not but the were big and awesome wheels.. hahaha!!
The 320d M Sport has the M Sport 3 spoke steering and comes with 18" rims which are staggered between front and rear. As for the engine difference it looks about the same on paper maybe tuned a bit for the F30 but a brand new diesel engine should be on its way here..when exactly is it arriving is up to BMW Malaysia to decide.

I think AB gives the best deal in terms of sales but has the worse after sales service among all the dealers. I'm using Quill at the moment and although they do have their faults, its still tolerable as they are taking up responsibility for their mistakes. I do hear good stuff about the Ingress Damansara branch too.
 
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