40 Votes

If BMW Offered THIS Car Here, Would YOU Buy It?

Agent001 submitted on 9/2/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 1:50:41 AM

60 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.autocar.co.uk

Tag Link: BMW 320d

This newly-tweaked 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon - which goes on sale in January next year - is the most frugal model made by the BMW empire, save for the 1.

6 diesel Mini.

It offers Co2 emissions of 109g/km and a 68.9mpg on the EU Combined cycle, a significant improvement on the current 320d’s 128g/km rating.

BMW says that 'changes have been made to the engine construction', there’s a new rear diff with a longer ratio, it rolls on Michelin EnergySaver tyres and the whole car has been lowered by an aero-friendly 10mm.

The final versions of the 320d (this test car was a late-model prototype) also get a new 'aerodynamic' alloy wheel design. Start-stop and brake energy regeneration are carried over from the current 320d.

However, the key to extracting the last drop of potential energy from the fuel tank lies in the flywheel. This is a relatively new design, developed by BMW and LUK, and incorporates four 'pendulum' vibration dampers.

This flywheel not only further smooths out the harshness inherent in a diesel engine, but now also allows the ideal gearshift points to be set at lower revs than normal.

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If BMW Offered THIS Car Here, Would YOU Buy It?

About the Author

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.
— Agent001 (View Profile)

User Comments

No.
— GeorgeWJoke (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:27:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

why?
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 10:51:15 AM | | Votes: 0

No, Fusion hybrid any day
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:41:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

agreed, 0 to 8 in almost 9 sec's not for me but the car is a good ideal.
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 5:31:15 AM | | Votes: 1

^ only says that because GM has not offered a mainstream diesel car yet for the 21st century.
— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:04:01 AM | | Votes: 1

The article says it does 0-62 mph in 8.2s so 0 to 60 would be less than that.
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 1:31:41 PM | | Votes: -1

Yes I would.
— dhkss2002 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:44:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Nope. Not my kind of car, but I do praise the technology. <-- But I can't really say that either because I don't know much about these special diesels.
— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:55:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

I cant buy one of these while a 500+hp M5 and M6 is sitting next to it and not question my manhood. I'll take a 335 with Vishnu chip and exhaust.
— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 3:03:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

only because your car is just an extension of your p**is. nothing wrong with a 320d.
— Wazz (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 5:17:07 AM | | Votes: 10

that cliche is just over done, I know some females that only like performance cars to.
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 5:29:54 AM | | Votes: 1

Wow, that must suck to be so unsure of your manhood that you must use overpriced objects in an attempt to assure the people you meet daily that in fact, you are a man.

Counseling might be cheaper than an expensive car to solve that problem you have.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:07:48 AM | | Votes: 7

I meant it as a ///M model is considered a tough,raw car. As a man,im not going to sit in a Prius and be happy. You guys are obviously the type that sit with your girlfriends/wives and cry while watching romantic movies.Theres no problem with that but its just not for me.Understand what I was saying instead of trying to draw attention to yourself and bash me by making rude comments.
— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 1:52:25 PM | | Votes: 1

0-60 is totally irrelevant to me. I have zero problems with a car that takes 10 seconds to reach 60 mph. I find the 320d far more appealing than a 335i. I would consider such a car if it were offered here.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 6:33:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

0-60 in 10 seconds!!! I would be pissed to get beat out by a corolla on the freeway!
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:11:21 PM | | Votes: 4

0-60 might not matter where you live and thats fine.,but in Manhattan where you have 6 seconds to merge on the highway before the next car hits you,it is important and becomes a safety feature sort of.
— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:35:17 PM | | Votes: 4

0-60 shouldn't matter while merging. you don't merge from a standstill. yes, i know i took your statement too literally. but the point i'd like to make is that we should look instead at acceleration from 35-60mph for this discussion.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:40:33 PM | | Votes: -3

0-60 from a standstill doesnt matter formerging purposes? Guess you have neverdriven in manhattan. There are plenty of on ramps on the fdr that go from stop sign to highway.
— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 9/4/2009 3:30:50 AM | | Votes: 2

This car isn't for an "enthusiast" is it? It's a slow and heavy diesel. Sure one can overlook 0-60 times, but the time it takes for this car to reach 60 miles per hour is about on par with a humpback whale.
— John_Stossel (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 7:33:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Americans. Spoiled beyond reason.

9.6 seconds is slow, eh? *Shakes head*
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 7:37:44 AM | | Votes: -2

I live in Ontario as a Canadian actually, but yes, 9.6 seconds is slow. A base model PT Cruiser could handily win a drag race against this car.

But I get it, it's a diesel and a BMW, which means owning one makes you holier-than-thou.
— John_Stossel (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 7:53:10 AM | | Votes: 5

Let me ask you something. How important is 0-60 anyway? This measurement doesn't reflect how good or bad a car is. Most of the clueless kids on this forum think acceleration is everything. How often do you use the 0-60 capabilities of the car you're currently driving? My guess is RARELY. I can't even remember when was the last time I used the 0-60 mph capabilities of my car. It's not an issue. What matters is midrange power (passing power) and any modern automobile will give you good numbers in this regard.

0-60 means nothing. Who cares if a PT Cruiser is quicker than a BMW 320d? Hell, all these arguments about a cheaper mainstream car being quicker than a pricey luxury car are really getting old. There are fast mainstream cars that are faster than some luxury cars. They've always been around.

BIG F_CKING DEAL.
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:05:19 AM | | Votes: -3

Why are you so angry?

Nearly every automotive argument I have ever had has had the 0-60 time of a car brought up. No it may not always matter to everyone, but it does to some people. It comes up in nearly every thread about even the Toyota Prius.

And for that matter, the Lexus IS220d and the Mercedes C220 CDI are faster than that. Maybe the time is quoted wrong in the article like the guy below pointed out.
— John_Stossel (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:14:56 AM | | Votes: 4

I'm not angry and I don't want this discussion to get out of hand. It's just that on most forums frequented by Americans (and maybe Canadians too!) there appears to be a lot of brainless (excuse the term) bashing when it comes to cars that take about 8 seconds or higher to reach 60 mph. I'm getting the feeling that cars that do it in 6 or 7 seconds are "barely acceptable" to these guys. Ok, I realize that most of them are speedfreaks or little clueless kids but still, this type of mentality seems widespread and often the arguments given defending it are rather weak. People make a big deal out of 0-60 times - as if that's all that matters and when a car doesn't do it in under 9 seconds or so - it sucks.

I currently drive a car that takes about 10/11 seconds to hit 100 km/h and I've never had a problem merging or overtaking unto the Autobahns (I live in Germany) or doing a quick overtaking maneuver on normal roads. My BMW 118i might not be that fast from 0-60, but where it counts, midrange power, it delivers just plentiful.

The IS220d and MB C220 CDI aren't optimized for ultra efficiency. Lexus doesn't have a super fuel efficient IS220d version but Mercedes has a super efficient version of the C220 CDI called C220 CDI BlueEfficiency. It's a bit slower than the regular C220 CDI but the mileage is better.
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:41:01 AM | | Votes: -1

so nothing matters except acceleration? that's a pretty fair trade-off for massive mileage if that's what matters to someone.

same dynamics as any 3-series....so it'll still be a pleasure to drive.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 10:53:45 AM | | Votes: -4

0-60 does matter to an extent. But other things such as handling play into it as well.
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:14:35 PM | | Votes: 2

Why is it so hard to believe that someone might care about how fast their car accelerates? If I am not mistaken, the both of you rag on the IS220d for being "slow" and "underpowered" all the time. Now when it is convenient for your argument, the 320d being slow is moot since "cars are not about acceleration."
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:19:17 PM | | Votes: 2

0-60 is not a problem when it comes to BMW..
0-60 is such a big problem when it comes to anything that is non-german. just look at how many people here laught at IS250 or HS 250 and you will know why.
— ghosthunter (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 5:37:31 PM | | Votes: 1

"0-60 does matter to an extent. But other things such as handling play into it as well."

I'm sure the 16" 205 wheels with economy rubber are going to yield impressive results on the skidpad.

— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 5:58:04 PM | | Votes: 1

Where are people getting 9.6 seconds from? If you read the article it says it does 0-62mph (0-100kmh) in 8.2 seconds!
— Kinger (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:04:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

I got it from this press release: http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=19672.0
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:06:05 AM | | Votes: 0

Yes. It would make a great DD. I could then relegate my 335i to track/fun use.
— GreenPlease (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:20:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

No. I would not buy an overpriced BMW with a diesel to save a few dollars at the fuel pump. If my goal was to buy a car to save bucks, first you got to start with a car that doesn't charge you $10,000 just for the emblem on the hood.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:10:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

If it makes you feel better, MB charges $15k.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:15:15 AM | | Votes: 6

or you could buy a camry with a lexus symbol for $15k extra. let me know where i can buy a bmw without the emblem for 20% less. only toyota....
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 10:55:44 AM | | Votes: -1

I would buy a really fuel efficient BMW and pick it up on European Delivery in a heartbeat. BMW should try a car like this to tap the new consumer less willing to take on too much debt. Priced right they would give the VW diesels some honest competition and come in way below their own 335d and the upcoming MB e class diesel. Resale value of a 320d would be fantastic a few years from now.
— 2nynbak (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:29:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Depending on the price, if it's over $50K, forget about it! I don't think I wan to spend more money to save money, just doesn't make sense!
— mobilian (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:33:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

I would rather die
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:51:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

please do.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 10:54:06 AM | | Votes: 0

yes, i would use it as a daily driver. same handling, ride, dynamics, seats, braking, looks, sound system, etc. as my 335i. for day to day, compromising on acceleration seems a fair trade-off for the massive improvement in mileage.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 10:50:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

No. I wouldn't even consider it. Too bloody slow. A 335d yes, this car no. I want a car to put a smile on my face when I floor the loud pedal. This one wont fit the bill. I also like engines that rev over 5k rpm.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 11:30:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

If you like high revving engines, what are you doing looking at a 335d then?
— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 12:09:51 PM | | Votes: 4

I'd "consider" the 335d despite the low revving engine because the car performs at a level that I like. I wouldn't consider the 320d because its slow as balls.

A low revving engine in a car that doesn't perform= hell no for me

A low reving engine in a car that performs= I'd consider it. That does not mean that I will purchase it. I'd have to take it out on a test drive first.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 1:41:08 PM | | Votes: 2

Rather the 120d or 123d were offered stateside. Nice alternative to the A3TDI.
— Janizary (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 11:30:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

I think I would. I'd rather buy a 335d x-drive, since I live in Colorado, and would like the peace of mind from x-drive.

The performance is not up to what I'd like, but the mileage is so good, I'd have to give it a try
— vogeygolf (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 12:17:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Not until it comes with decent tires and a spare.
— abqhudson (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 1:31:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

If this car were brought here it would cost what? Around $35,000 (This is a "premium" diesel after all) The 335d already starts near $45,000 before the subsidy. Add to this diesel being more expensive than gasoline here in the States. Add to that it is slow. I'm not seeing this happening, and neither is BMW which is probably why it wont come here.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:04:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

i bet it would cost less than the 328i. in the u.k., the 320d (regular, not "efficient dynamics") costs about the same as the 325i.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 9:00:55 PM | | Votes: -1

No, I wouldn't buy one and neither will anyone else in the US (despite what they may say). Neither cost or performace is the issue: American's hate diesels. Its that simple and it ain't gonna start to change until petrol goes over $4 a gallon.
— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 2:24:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Who cares about the 0-100km/h times? Why do you have to race around every time you get into your car anyway? Seems a bit childish and got issues with not being manly enough. Want to race, then go to the track, that's what it's there for, get it out your system. We could do with less accidents on our roads.
— Wazz (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 5:10:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

My first car at 18 was a '65 Corvette Sting Ray. I finally made the engine efficient in the early '70's by blueprinting the block, porting the heads and putting on a 650 CFM carb. Got 17 mph @ 3500RPM (65MPH) with a 4.11 rear end and 4-speed Muncie. Water dripped out of the exhaust at idle indicating almost perfect combustion on my pre-smog control Vette. And guess what : a 13.5:1 compression ratio running on $0.299/gallon Chevron Custom Supreme (~110+ octane).
Now at 61 this Aero Engineer would buy the 320D, wagon form only. Give me efficiency, efficiency of the total package. BMW has a chance to do it right since with the 3 and now the 1-series they’ve usually started with the correct, balanced-parameter basics.
A diesel gets torque where women and lead-footed knuckleheads can make use of it, down low in the RPM range. That's where they need it to work for them on those jack rabbit starts and ever non-smooth “steady state” driving. That’s what’ll float my practical efficiency boat too.
We're two Bimmer family now with a 2002 330Ci (mine) and a 2004 X3 (hers). The wife at 5' tall is already salivating over the 2011 2.0 liter turbo-diesel X1 and my next car would be either the X1 or a 320d wagon if it were offered. If not, we'll have to make the biggest sacrifice of all and forsake the BMW RWD or AWD 50/50 balance and incredible driving feel for Audi A4 diesel variants/equivalents since I know Audi will have the cajones to offer them even if BMW NA doesn't. Are you listening BMW?
This is being written by an Aeronautical/Audio engineer who once presented an OEM radio proposal to you at BMW NA (under the auspices of Kenwood) and you pretty much copied my original, simple radio layout as well as my (Yamaha Car Audio cassette) Maintenance Monitor too in the cassette-equipped E36s. Come on BMW NA bring in your cool diesels and you'll have engineers like me leading the charge to purchase them for ourselves and for our lead-footed wives. And keep 'em light! 3700 lbs. max. Audi really seems to have a problem with their front-rear weight distribution and piling on the pounds. Think aero: balance, weight, fuel efficiency; that's what Driving Dynamics should stand for.
— plhart (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 7:30:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

i think the 325d would be more to my liking. bmw should import the 325d as well as the 330i; there is room in the lineup for both engine choices.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2009 8:45:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

so just to be clear, you lexus folks would rather drive an HS250h than the 320d?

why? because you like the looks of the HS? the handling? the ride? the braking? the overall performance?
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2009 11:27:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

On the flipside, do you actually like the looks and "performance" of the 320d, or just the BMW badge?
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2009 2:03:27 PM | | Votes: 3

i like the following elements of the 3-series (as i own one): handling, ride, braking, amazing seats, sound system, styling, wheels...just to name a few things. with the exception of the power of my 335i, the 320d retains all those BMW character traits.

in my opinion, trading off acceleration for a massive improvement in fuel economy is fair for someone to whom mileage is a top priority.

do you disagree?
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2009 2:36:27 PM | | Votes: -2

Nope. Just curious as to why you never seem to agree with the exact same point when the discussion is about a Lexus hybrid.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2009 8:09:32 PM | | Votes: 1

because the lexus HS offers mediocre mileage, it's ugly, the steering is numb, it's no fun to drive, and the luxury is veneer-thin.

and you can buy the prius for $15,000 less and get MUCH better mileage.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2009 8:18:50 PM | | Votes: -2

The HS gets nearly identical mileage to the Camry Hybrid, which is almost exactly the same size as the car the HS is based on. I also take it you're talking out of your ass with your second and third points. Have you driven an HS? The HS is faster to 60 than this, which for me, already makes it more fun to drive than this BMW. And don't get me started on the "veneer-thin" "luxury" BMW offers in the fake leather of the 3-Series.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 9/5/2009 12:38:18 AM | | Votes: 1

interesting topic keep them comming.

I would like to drive this car on a long trip (praying that i can get on the freeway past the Camero doing 80mph on I-75 here in Michigan) but after that if i was to go to my Yearly trip to VA beach I dont think it would be to bad. But in city traffic i would stick with the STS.
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2009 5:40:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

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If BMW Offered THIS Car Here, Would YOU Buy It?

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