BMW 320 diesel vs petrol

sheva

I'm thinking of getting a 318d or 320d (2005 or 2006).

How do the running costs of the diesel compare to that of the petrol - in terms of servicing and fuel?

Bearing in mind I'll be driving Dublin to Cork (and back) every second weekend. On weekdays I won't be doing much driving though.

Thanks

netwhizkid

sheva wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a 318d or 320d (2005 or 2006).

How do the running costs of the diesel compare to that of the petrol - in terms of servicing and fuel?

Bearing in mind I'll be driving Dublin to Cork (and back) every second weekend. On weekdays I won't be doing much driving though.

Thanks

Diesel FTW

bazz26

Sounds like you don't do alot of mileage so it might make more financial sense to buy a petrol model. The petrol model will cost alot less to buy than the diesel equivilant. While diesel is cheaper at the pump because you are not doing big mileage you are not really going to make that premium back.

Also servicing intervals and service costs these days between diesel and petrol cars are nearly the same.

All I say if you do choose petrol don't be fooled by buying a 316i thinking it will be better on fuel consumption. That is a false economy as the 1.6 litre engine has to work very hard to carry the 3 Series body around meaning it burns more fuel.

sheva

I don't think I'll be doing more than 10,000 miles pa. A good guess would be about 8,000 miles pa give or take.

Fishtits

OK, you're generalising on the car, 318D, 320D, vs petrol, so I'll assume a 318d, (2.0l)

Road Tax, sod all difference as long as you avoid the 320i.

Performance, sod all difference where it matters, ie day to day cruising & overtaking. Diesel versions far less stressful to lift her skirt & go under normal circumstances.

Economy? now were talking, 318i... 35mpg on average at best, 318D, 55 average.

bazz26

Don't forget the intitial cost though. A 05/06 318i will cost less to purchase than a 05/06 318d/320d. Probably looking at a price difference of €2k to €3k premium for the diesel. That premium will buy you alot of petrol especially when only doing 8k/10k miles a year and the car not used much during the week.

cyborg

bazz26 wrote: »

Don't forget the intitial cost though. A 05/06 318i will cost less to purchase than a 05/06 318d/320d. Probably looking at a price difference of €2k to €3k premium for the diesel. That premium will buy you alot of petrol especially when only doing 8k/10k miles a year and the car not used much during the week.

You will however get most of that premium back when you sell it on again. the 318i of that era did give some problems do a search on www.bmwland.co.uk

sheva

Thanks for the help guys

kingshankly

is there any difference between the 318d and the 320d

EPM

Of that vintage about 20 brake (143 v 163 afaik). You could get a remap if you wanted more

kingshankly

EPM wrote: »

Of that vintage about 20 brake (143 v 163 afaik). You could get a remap if you wanted more

Would the same apply to the current models

EPM

Post late 07 320d's are 177 brake I think.

Earlier E90's are 143 and 163 both with the same 2.0d engine