BMW 320d vs passat 1.9tdi

Burke121

Thinking of buying a BMW 320d 05 06 model currently have a 1.9tdi passat 03 six speed was wondering does anyone see any advantages to buying the BMW except the fact that it looks better!

Blazer

More power

Old diesel

Many would say superior handling on the BMW - but id counter that by saying that an 05/06 320d will be an e90 and thus have runflats.

Thus they have a reputation for not having great ride comfort - especially if you go M sport.

Oh and the engine is probably a lot smoother and refined then the 1.9 tdi - although I think that in a Passat - the 1.9 tdi seems to be okay tbh.

Id say though that while not without their own issues - a well minded Passat will be more reliable then the BMW.

Test drive a 320d and see what you think anyhow.

Burke121

Thanks, do you know anything about fuel costs as I do a lot of motor way driving and the passat seems to be decent in that regard

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Just replace the runflats if it bothers you that much Old Diesel - no need to clog every thread up about them


OP the e90 is a far superior car to a passat, even in 320d guise (check out some 330/335 models, see what sort of beast you can get for just €2 extra per day in tax)

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Burke121 wrote: »

Thanks, do you know anything about fuel costs as I do a lot of motor way driving and the passat seems to be decent in that regard

320d would be good on the motorway. Hell even from a 535 I get 35-42 on motorway drives.

Burke121

Was looking to spend about 7 grand on a 320d it's not much for a car like this but hopefully something pops up, the m sport seems to have the best spec am I right

bazz26

Spec depends on what the first owner ticked on the options list but as standard specs go then the M Sport would be the top spec, they also command a premium over other specs. Also note that the M Sport has a harsher ride and lowered suspension compared to the regular 3 Series. Also most E90s of that vintage will have had the run flat tyres replaced with regular tyres by their owners at this stage.

Things to watch out for on the M47 engine are:

1. Turbo breather filter should be replaced with the newer vortex shaped filter and should be changed every 3rd oil service to prevent blocking which causes the turbo to blow.
2. Swirl flaps need to be replaced with blanks as they can break off and get ingested into the engine killing it.
3. ABS/TC module can fail on them but these can be reconditioned.

The 320d will feel a lot different to the Passat you are used it. It is rwd, very driver focused and a lot tighter in the straight and narrows. The steering is a lot sharper too and the car is more connected to the road. The power output from the engine is a lot more linear and balanced than the 1.9 TDi which tends to give you a sudden burst of power within a certain rev range.

Burke121

Thanks bazza26, seems like very good advice just one last question I hear a lot of people talk about the repair cost being much higher on a BMW compaired other brands

bazz26

Regular servicing and consumable parts on them are no more expensive than those of VW but the E90 would have more modern and complex electronics which can be expensive to fix if something goes wrong. Had one for 3 years and spent nothing on it other than regular maintenance and replacing wear and tear items. Incidentally I moved from it to a Passat CC and miss how connected it was to the road. They are quite good on diesel too but like most brands main dealers charge mad money so best find yourself a good indy to look after it.

Burke121

bazz26 wrote: »

Regular servicing and consumable parts on them are no more expensive than those of VW but the E90 would have more modern and complex electronics which can be expensive to fix if something goes wrong. Had one for 3 years and spent nothing on it other than regular maintenance and replacing wear and tear items. Incidentally I moved from it to a Passat CC and miss how connected it was to the road. They are quite good on diesel too but like most brands main dealers charge mad money so best find yourself a good indy to look after it.

I see you talk about e90s I thought that was the only engine for this type of car

bazz26

E90 is BMW speak for that generation of 3 Series saloon - 2005 to 2011.



The 2.0 diesel engine in the 320d from 2005 to mid 2007 was known as the M47 engine, it had 163bhp. This engine was then replaced from mid 2007 by the N47 engine which had 177bhp and upgraded to 184bhp in 2011. N47 engine is less reliable than the M47 engine.