BMW 3 Series - Petrol V Diesel

Jacob55

Hi guys,
I'd appreciate your opinion on this:
I am considering getting a 2006 BMW 3 Series. In terms of fuel costs, what is the likely difference between running a 1.6 petrol engine and the 2.0 diesel engine.

Any opinions or thoughts are welcome.
Thanks inadvance

JJ

voxpop

Get diesel unless you are getting a decent size petrol engine, which you arent :pac: - so 320d - the diesel will give 45-50 mpg on long runs, petrol would give you less mpg and will also be gutless

pajo1981

Having driven both the 320i and 320d (both pre-ed) I would actually go for the petrol :eek:

The diesel pulls slightly harder, but it is not as responsive nor as refined as the petrol.

The 320i gives you a hint of what a BMW can be with the 320d just erring on the side of tractor.

Eoin

pajo1981 wrote: »

Having driven both the 320i and 320d (both pre-ed) I would actually go for the petrol :eek:

The diesel pulls slightly harder, but it is not as responsive nor as refined as the petrol.

The 320i gives you a hint of what a BMW can be with the 320d just erring on the side of tractor.

The OP said a 1.6 petrol though - I presume you wouldn't get the petrol in that case? I wouldn't touch it in a fit.

R.O.R

The 115bhp 316i is appalling. It got slightly better when they upped the power, but it's truly gutless in the model the OP is considering.

pajo1981

eoin wrote: »

The OP said a 1.6 petrol though - I presume you wouldn't get the petrol in that case? I wouldn't touch it in a fit.

Yeah sorry, the 316i sucks cock.

Eoin

"And on that bombshell..."

Idbatterim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_(E90)

Max Power1

pajo1981 wrote: »

Yeah sorry, the 316i sucks cock.

lol

I dont think I would have worded it in quite those words

However the 1.6 would be seriously underpowered in a car that size.. overtaking and/or rapid acceleration would be damn near impossible!

Idbatterim

does the fuel pump failure apply to the diesels only?

EPM

If you're looking at a 4 cylinder BMW I'd go diesel tbh...unless an early *18d...nothing really happens there...

PaulKK

This is a complete no brainer.


A 1.6L BMW? No thanks.

320d all the way.

Jacob55

Thanks for the advice guys...I really appreciate your input. I will take a look around and see whats avaialble at a reasonalbe pirce! Anyting I should look out for with buying a 2006 320D?
Cheers
JJ

Idbatterim

Op, what is your budget?

Jacob55

hi again
My budget is a bit on the low side...so maybe I am being too optimistic about getting this car. I'm looking at spending €13-14k.

cheers
JJ

Kenny_D

You'll pick up a nice 06 320d for 14k. And deffinitely go for the diesel. I have the 320d and my girlfriend has the 316i. Her petrol bills are crazy (€200 last week). She'd be paying half that with the diesel and there is a lot more power from the 320d. The 1.6 is underpowered in the 3 series and requires a lot of petrol to pull the thing along :P You can also get the diesel remapped either for extra economy or more power.

74merc

My neighbour had a 320i estate, he struggled to get more than 30 mpg out of it even though he was doing a lot of miles.

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

74merc wrote: »

My neighbour had a 320i estate, he struggled to get more than 30 mpg out of it even though he was doing a lot of miles.

The 316i is actually a 1.8. They haven't used the 1.6 since 1999.

R.O.R

Ahmed Sticky Infantryman wrote: »

The 316i is actually a 1.8. They haven't used the 1.6 since 1999.

Well, not since they started using the 1.6 again in 2005 or 2006 in the E90.

cyborg

Ahmed Sticky Infantryman wrote: »

The 316i is actually a 1.8. They haven't used the 1.6 since 1999.

The 1.6 was reintroduced again in 2007


ROR beat me 2 it

Matt Simis

74merc wrote: »

My neighbour had a 320i estate, he struggled to get more than 30 mpg out of it even though he was doing a lot of miles.

Lame, Our 530i Touring gets around that and IMO a 320i and 316 and 318 blah are all equally rubbish.

Max Power1 wrote: »

lol

I dont think I would have worded it in quite those words

However the 1.6 would be seriously underpowered in a car that size.. overtaking and/or rapid acceleration would be damn near impossible!

He is right though.


Genuine question to OP, why:

- Are you considering a BMW at all?
- Why were you considering a 1.6litre engine in a BMW?

omega man

GStormcrow wrote: »

You'll pick up a nice 06 320d for 14k. And deffinitely go for the diesel. I have the 320d and my girlfriend has the 316i. Her petrol bills are crazy (€200 last week). She'd be paying half that with the diesel and there is a lot more power from the 320d. The 1.6 is underpowered in the 3 series and requires a lot of petrol to pull the thing along :P You can also get the diesel remapped either for extra economy or more power.

200 worth of petrol in a week in a 316i :eek:, She must have done big miles? 30-40 a week in my 323.

Idbatterim

just bear in mind that the cheapest, isnt necessrily the best value, the cost of the car is the depreciation... you will get an 07 for your budget.

Idbatterim

Op have you priced brining one in from the Uk, the VRT rate is 16% according to vrt.ie... for a 320d with particle filter.

keithclancy

GStormcrow wrote: »

You'll pick up a nice 06 320d for 14k. And deffinitely go for the diesel. I have the 320d and my girlfriend has the 316i. Her petrol bills are crazy (€200 last week). She'd be paying half that with the diesel and there is a lot more power from the 320d. The 1.6 is underpowered in the 3 series and requires a lot of petrol to pull the thing along :P You can also get the diesel remapped either for extra economy or more power.

Holy sh*t on a stick ...

Either:
A. The car is f*cked
B. Right foot is costantly planted to the floor.

or C
Shes doing 40 - 50,000 km / year.

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

R.O.R wrote: »

Well, not since they started using the 1.6 again in 2005 or 2006 in the E90.

You learn something new every day:D

Idbatterim

STATISTICAL CODE: 44586144
MAKE: BMW
MODEL: 320 E90
VERSION: D SE 177BHP / SALOON / MANUAL / DIESEL /
CO2 EMISSIONS: 128

MILEAGE: 30000 MILES
DATE OF FIRST REGISTRATION: FEBRUARY 2008

STATISTICAL CODE: 44586144
MAKE: BMW
MODEL: 320 E90
VERSION: D SE 177BHP / SALOON / MANUAL / DIESEL /
CO2 EMISSIONS: 128

MILEAGE: 30000 MILES
DATE OF FIRST REGISTRATION: FEBRUARY 2008

OPEN MARKET SELLING PRICE: €25752
RATE OF TAX: 16%
VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX:
(payable on enquiry date) €4120


07 and newer 3 series saloons start from7995 in the uk (based on my autotrader search) according to xe.com this is €9548. (That figure is pre price negotiation) Add say €500 for air ticket, car ferry back and car check). Going to the Uk could be very worthwhile as you could get the 177bhp diesel and the cheap road tax! take a look at

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/bmw/3_series/postcode/bt39jp/radius/1501/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/body-type/saloon

I wonder if you waited to the new year, how much the Op could save, given the OMSP drop with VRT as well as depreciation of car. Although I am aware the Uk doesnt function the same as here with regards to the number plate snobbery!

Jacob55

Hi again,
Thanks very much for all the advice.
I have been looking on carzone etc. and will go view some 320Ds over the weekend.

I love the idea of getting the car from the UK so i will have a look at the thread somewhere on here which describes exactly how to do it and see if it feasible for me.

Cheers
JJ