Diesel question? Accord or BMW 320d/BMW 320cd

Atlantix

Hey guys,
As the title suggests, which would be a better option?

I need to invest in a diesel for long trips between Mayo and Dublin. I'm currently driving a 99 BMW 318is Coupe, have always driven petrol and would prefer switching to a saloon/coupe diesel for better fuel economy.

I'd like to hear if anybody has opinions on Honda Accord (2003-onwards) or BMW 320d and cd (coupe) models in regards to reliability, fuel economy, common faults, cost of servicing etc.

Cheers

Pique

The 03+ Accords are very reliable. 45-50mpg on a long run. 2.2L though so hefty tax.
We've had one for 4 years and not a single problem.
The engine is heavy and Honda didn't account for that in the early ones so the front shocks are probably shot (or have been replaced by now). Exhaust manifold cracked and caused fumes in the cabin but was probably fixed under extended warranty too.
Powerful, smooth, comfy and loaded with all the mod-cons.
2 trim levels, Exec & Sport. Exec gets leather heated electric seats where Sport gets manual half leather sport seats.
Comes with cruise so long journeys to Dub and back should be easy.

Timmaay

Just google 320d turbo problems to know what you're up against with older 320ds, tax on the accords is the real killer there, the engine is just over 2.2l so taxed as a 2.3. I use to do a reasonable mileage and was considering the two above cars afew yrs back, but endes up picking up a nice clean accord 2L vtec instead for much cheaper than either, got 38mpg from it (yes easy motorway miles II'll admit), the sums back then favoured it over the two diesels.

Ronnie Beck

Pique wrote: »

Comes with cruise so long journeys to Dub and back should be easy.

even from austrailyaa?

Timmaay

Cruise control and fuel consumption don't go hand in hand, last 3 cars of mine have had it and I've barely used it on any.

randy hickey

It'd be the Accord for me - have one over a year now and really like it.

If you can,I'd recommend coming up to an 07 model, as by then Honda had sorted out the infamous VSA module issue and the exhaust manifold.

The Accord 2.2 iCDTI engine is fussy about the oil it gets,(needs 0w 30 fully synthetic) and it's fuel filters( needs Honda fuel filter as spurious filters affect the flow and can cause the ECU to put the car into limp mode).

I service my iCDTI myself, and the last major service kit I bought from Cox Honda in UK cost €167, but I have since found a way to reduce that cost,by buying the Honda service kit minus the oil from EP Mooney's parts department, and the oil from The Oil Store in Blanchardstown.

Wheelnut

Assuming we're talking 2 litre diesels:

Older BMW diesels had the M47 engine, problems with swirl flaps, crank case filter and a stupid air filter that was hard to service.

From about 2007 the diesels had the N47 engine, problems with timing chains, exhaust particulate filter and dual mass flywheel.

If I could choose the lesser of two evils it would be the older M47.

The Accord is a tough car. The 2.2 engine is dearer to tax and maybe slightly harder on fuel. It's subject to normal wear like water pumps, belts etc. In the older models the fuel filter is a b@stard to get at and to seal which causes running problems due to air being sucked in.

The BMW is a nice car but no big deal, The Honda is not quite as nice but keeps going.

randy hickey

I find my Accord EX a very nice place to be tbh, - and that's coming from someone who was driving a GS300 for years before the Accord.

sean61

I have a 2003 320d m sport and I could never recommend one. The engine has actually been great, no turbo or swirl flap problems. The suspension is a different story however. I've had to replace wishbones, bushes, all 4 shocks, mounts and droplinks. Then there was the clutch and flywheel last year, new discs and pads and an exhaust leaking fumes into the cabin. Airbag lights coming on because of dodgy wiring is another common fault I was the victim of. All of the parts are also much more expensive for m sports than the standard car so keep this in mind if you are thinking of buying one.

wonski

sean61 wrote: »

I have a 2003 320d m sport and I could never recommend one. The engine has actually been great, no turbo or swirl flap problems. The suspension is a different story however. I've had to replace wishbones, bushes, all 4 shocks, mounts and droplinks. Then there was the clutch and flywheel last year, new discs and pads and an exhaust leaking fumes into the cabin. Airbag lights coming on because of dodgy wiring is another common fault I was the victim of. All of the parts are also much more expensive for m sports than the standard car so keep this in mind if you are thinking of buying one.

Excuse my ignorance, but i thought the whole "m sport" thing had more to do with trim level... How comes that all of the parts were more expensive?

sean61

The m-sport have different suspension, wheels and trim. The shocks are a lot firmer and i think they are lower too. The wishbones and bushes were also different to the standard car and seem to wear out quicker due to the stiffer suspension. The wheels are angled in at the top (I think it's called camber but I'm not sure) for better cornering so the tyres wear fast on the inside. Maybe it's just the m-sports that aren't suited to our roads but it has put me off BMW for a while. A guy who lives near me had the same car but in basic trim and he got the turbo and injector troubles so he wasn't too happy either.

NobodyImportant

Tough one. The likes of an MSport 320d looks the part and is the better car to drive. They have issues though as above.

The tax on the Accord is higher, 2204cc, why couldnt it even be 2199 cc? That extra 5cc i think puts it in another bracket. Anyway, they are pretty reliable for a diesel and get decent mileage if given the right oil. They can take pretty high miles too.

Atlantix

Timmaay wrote: »

Just google 320d turbo problems to know what you're up against with older 320ds, tax on the accords is the real killer there, the engine is just over 2.2l so taxed as a 2.3. I use to do a reasonable mileage and was considering the two above cars afew yrs back, but endes up picking up a nice clean accord 2L vtec instead for much cheaper than either, got 38mpg from it (yes easy motorway miles II'll admit), the sums back then favoured it over the two diesels.

Thats interesting to see you done the figures and petrol came out on top. Im considering keeping the 318is (or investing in a cheap petrol) as its good for 34mpg on the open road. When you take into consideration the cost of a diesel car and costly problems associated with the mentioned models, there are still advantages to petrol in some cases.

I will have to do my own figures.
Cheers for the help guys!

comanche_cor

Atlantix wrote: »

318is (or investing in a cheap petrol) as its good for 34mpg

The 318 should easily be able to do 34mpg on the open road. Driving an e46 320i and on a spin up to Fermanagh and back over the weekend I did about 39.6mpg and I wasn't hanging about.

madarekrap

Hi OP, Did you buy one in the end? I've had a 06 Accord Ex Diesel for about a year and a half and all, no major issues, I've serviced it twice and put new wiper blades on it. Seems to be awful for blowing dipped headlights for some reason though, but that's a non-issue. My Bluetooth module did stop working alright, and they are about €2000 to replace so if you are getting an Ex check that the car will pair with your phone first!