BMW 320 TD SE COMPACT For Sale

", 'plr_ContentType': 'PAGESKIN', 'plr_ContentID': 'myContent', 'plr_ContentW': 994, 'plr_FrameTop': 90, 'plr_FrameSide': 130, 'plr_FrameBottom': 90, 'plr_HideElementsByID': '', 'plr_HideElementsByClass': '', 'plr_NoSkinInSkinResize': true }; var objPageSkin = new InSkin.Base('myPageSkin'); EVO NEWS CAR REVIEWS DATA VIDEOS FEATURES USED CARS BUYING GUIDES TRACKDAYS COMMUNITY WIN 3 ISSUES FOR £1 SHOP Search evo REGISTER LOGIN Free Newsletter Car Reviews: evo Car Reviews BMW 320td SE Compact Rating: BMW hit the target with the fast but frugal 33d; now it tries hard to repeat the trick with the 320td Text: Peter Tomalin / Photos: Andy Morgan April 2002 You don't have to be Professor Stephen Hawking, the cleverest man in the universe, to work out why so many petrolheads don't like diesels. It doesn't even take one of our earth minutes. Just climb in, turn the key and listen. If only car makers could crack the knotty problem of the diesel rattle, resistance would surely evaporate. This one's reckoned to be state of the art, yet when you start up it's not just obviously diesel, it's noisily obvious. And it's not just the sound, it's the association. The thrummy rumble when you floor it is pure black cab. Actually the loudest thing about this BMW isn't the engine. It's the 'Velvet Blue' (aka purple) paintwork. There's more than enough of it on the outside, and then you slam the door shut behind you and aaaargh! More 'Velvet Blue' on the dash and centre console. Fortunately it's an option - the quite heroically naff sounding 'Youngline Interior' in case you're wondering which box not to tick. Otherwise it's the usual Munich fare of sombre furnishings and peerless ergonomics. In some cars you can spend twenty minutes fiddling with various seat and wheel adjustments and not get comfortable. Jump into a Bee-Em, pull a couple of levers and it feels like it was designed around you, as though the designers crept into your bedchamber while you were sleeping and took a tape measure to your every dimension. So what sort of animal is this particular Beemer? Badged 320td, it features a new 2-litre four-cylinder 'common rail' turbo-diesel also available in 3-series saloon and Touring, and it replaces the 318tds. Not a car that's troubled us previously, the 318tds, so why are we devoting a page to its replacement? Well, peak power's up from 90 to 150bhp, and torque (the stuff that makes diesels worth a second look) swells from a fairly flaccid 140lb ft to a quite magnificently engorged 243lb ft. Which, as BMW points out with relish, is more than a Boxster S. The 0-62 time drops from 13.0 to 8.9sec. And the figures really don't do it justice. Kick open the throttle in the intermediate gears at 2000rpm and it responds with such vigour that the average BMW driver might even feel compelled to put down his phone and concentrate on the road instead. Yes, it really is that fast. Minuses? It doesn't spin as freely as a petrol engine, and the real action's restricted to a fairly narrow rev range (it's all over by 4000rpm). But keep it 'in the zone' and serious oomph is never more than a squeeze of the right foot away. The five-speed manual gearbox has a light, easy action; in fact this one felt almost loose - you could wiggle the lever from side to side when it was in gear. But the major controls have that wonderful consistency of feel and weighting that's almost a BMW signature. The brake and throttle pedals are perfectly matched, both in position and weight, to make heel-and-toeing a cinch, while the steering has just enough meat and texture to keep a keen driver interested. The chassis has no great sporting pretensions, with fairly modest looking 205/55s on 16in alloys and a supple ride that's just the right side of spongy. In fact it's extremely effective. That suppleness means you can keep up a rapid cross-country gait on less than smooth tarmac when drivers of more stiffly suspended cars would be forced to back off. It's nice to lean on the suspension and know there's more compliance, more travel to come if a mid-corner bump requires it. There's plenty of grip to lean on too - you have to be almost medievally brutal to get a flicker from traction control in the dry. And that doesn't mean it feels inert; in fact it really flows from turn to turn. The 320td's closest rival is the snappily titled Golf GT TDi PD 150. Similar concept, torque and performance, and more than two grand cheaper. But good though the VW is, I'd say the BMW is the more satisfying. And that's very good indeed. 'Performance diesel' might sound like an oxymoron, but they're here and you're going to see a lot more of them. Resistance is futile. And until they find a way of making it sound like a performance car, you can always console yourself with a combined fuel figure of 51.4mpg. Kind of sugars the pill. Click here and get 3 issues for just £1!For more performance car news and reviews, subscribe to evo magazine. < Previous Next > 0 Comments Bookmark this post with: More CAR REVIEWS evo Car Reviews Long Term Tests Citroen DS3 R reviewElectric Nemesis reviewNew Stratos supercar reviewDriven: Audi quattro ConceptNew BMW X3 reviewPorsche 911 Carrera GTS reviewSeat Ibiza reviewSee all evo Car Reviews Renault Clio WilliamsFord Fiesta Zetec SRadical Clubsport 1100Radical Clubsport 1100Infiniti G37S CoupeFord Fiesta Zetec SRenault Clio WilliamsSee all Long Term Tests Car Group Tests Audi R8 Spyder v supercar rivalsCitroen DS3 v hot hatch rivalsAston Martin Rapide v rivals370Z Roadster v its rivalsIbiza Cupra V Clio 200 CupMega hatch group testECOTY 2009See all Car Group Tests Advertisement Pictures EMAIL TO A FRIEND PRINT THIS evo RATING Superbly torquey motor, fine chassis Still sounds like a you-know-what evo SPECIFICATIONS Engine: In-line 4cyl turbo-diesel, 1995cc Max power: 150bhp @ 4000rpm Max torque: 243Ib ft @ 2000rpm 0 - 60mph: 8.9 seconds (claimed) Top speed: 133mph (claimed) On Sale: Now SPONSORED LINKS Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs InfoOur Other Websites: The First Post | Auto Express | Custom PC | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || Register Help Remember Me? Home Forum Today's Posts FAQ Calendar Community Groups My Albums Forum Actions Mark Forums Read Quick Links What's New? Advanced Search Forum BMW Forums BMW 3 Series BMW 320td SE Compact + Reply to Thread Results 1 to 7 of 7 Thread: BMW 320td SE Compact LinkBack LinkBack URL About LinkBacks Bookmark & Share Digg this Thread!Add Thread to del.icio.usBookmark in Technorati Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page… Subscribe to this Thread… 15-11-2007 05:52 PM #1 McBinley Shank's Pony Join Date Nov 2007 Location Sheffield Posts 3 BMW 320td SE Compact I'm tempted by one. Spent the last couple of days deciding between: BMW: 318ti SE Compact 320td SE Compact 318ci Coupe 318 Saloon 320d Saloon Skoda: Octavia vRS Audi: A3 I wittled it down to the subject title based on: I don't really like A3's at all (more of an A4 man!) Octavia has a few things missing from it's spec sheet BMW 3 Saloons and Coupe's rear seats don't fold back, therefore completely useless to me! And last but not least - the difference between the e46 318ti and 320td engines. It's immense! 320td SE: 1995 cc, 4 cylinders, 16 valves power: 150bhp torque: 330 Nm 0-60: 8.6 seconds economy: 49mpg tax band: D insurance group: 13 318ti SE: 1995 cc, 4 cylinders, 16 valves power: 143bhp torque: 110 Nm 0-60: 9.0 seconds economy: 39mpg tax band: E insurance group: 12 (and a fun fact: 95kg lighter) Look at the difference in torque! :love: So anyway, having narrowed it down to this and having a good look around a couple tonight at a non-descript car supermarket, I've quickly fallen in love with them, so I'm trying to knock myself off cloud 9 and have come to somewhere that I know has a great big knowledge of BMW's so you can all tell me what's wrong with them so I know what I'm letting myself in for/don't dare go for one. So please - let it all out, good points, bad points, other points? I want to know as much about them as possible (experienced faults, service costs, intervals, whether high miles is an issue, etc., etc. - everything!) A small chunk of potentially useful information: I think my budget would probably get me a 2001-2003 one, rather than 2003 onward (although you never know, I may be able to squeeze to the facelift). Thanks guys! Reply With Quote 15-11-2007 07:48 PM #2 CarMad Moderator Join Date Aug 2004 Location Manchester Posts 12,921 Re: BMW 320td SE Compact Hi Welcome to Tyresmoke. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img] Nothing wrong with the compact at all. You can get folding rear seats on 3 series saloons but you might have to search a bit to find them. Not sure about the touring. As for the 2.0 diesel its a great motor and has got better in newer models as well. Let us know how you get on. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] BMW 330i e90 M-Sport - Review Gumpdump - Gadget and Photography Reply With Quote 15-11-2007 09:31 PM #3 gizze Audi R8 Join Date May 2004 Location Norfolk Posts 9,568 Re: BMW 320td SE Compact I had a 318ti and loved it, one of the best 3 series ever imho, a real hoot to drive. Also consider the 325ti, this is a stormer and hardly any more to run over the 318ti, plus because people think they are going to be more thirsty they don't hold their value at all and you can pick one up just as cheap. Reply With Quote 15-11-2007 11:29 PM #4 McBinley Shank's Pony Join Date Nov 2007 Location Sheffield Posts 3 Re: BMW 320td SE Compact Ay up A 325ti is something I will consider, but if I'm honest with you I'm not really buying it for it's performance - it's merely a perk. I'm used to a french pile of w*nk where every couple of weeks something new will go wrong. So now I'm looking at something German, which I can go to meets in and instead of going round the car with people saying 'yeah that's gone, buggered, that needs replacing, that's been dead for ages' I can tell everyone about all the cool gadgets my car's got and how strong and reliable it is. I want a reliable car! VAG ideally, but I don't think my budget allows one that I really want. So BMW's the next obvious choice, really. And I'm not 17, 18, 19 anymore... my hard driving days are over now. I think it's ever since I started driving for a living - tends to take it out of you (or me, certainly! although don't get me wrong, I like to boot it around the track). I want something that's gonna be a strong - bullet proof, even - reliable car with good economy, bucket loads of torque to squeeze into tight gaps and some nice acceleration over my 1.6 megane. A 325, while it's a much better engine than either the 318 or 320td, would just be a waste of time and little extra money for me I think. But I'm not one to knock things without at least having a look into it, so like I say, definitely a consideration to make. So no bad comments about them so far. Sounding good! Reply With Quote 16-11-2007 09:45 AM #5 Soapsuds Audi RS4 Join Date Jun 2005 Location Chavshire Posts 3,241 Re: BMW 320td SE Compact Welcome to TSN! You certainly wont go wrong with any..... but i would say try for the 320td. You can also re-map / chip them if you do want that little more (which you will!!) Dont dsmiss the Tourings. They are much rarer, but hold resale a little better and naturally look better (me - biased [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img])..... Compacts are a good drive, but had the older 3-series rear suspension, so dont hadle / ride quite as well as the saloons. Have fun choosing!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img] 2007 Subaru Impreza STi Type UK 320 PPP Reply With Quote 16-11-2007 05:23 PM #6 McBinley Shank's Pony Join Date Nov 2007 Location Sheffield Posts 3 Re: BMW 320td SE Compact Definitely no interest in an estate [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Not even sure if I'll be able to afford one now, this contract's just got 250 stores smaller so the money's obviously not going to be as great! Shall have to see. Still gonna keep searching anyway, mind! Reply With Quote 18-11-2007 10:20 AM #7 RobK I'm in the army now Join Date Aug 2001 Location Fleet, Hampshire Posts 3,572 Re: BMW 320td SE Compact Are you sure about the torque figure for the petrol? Honest John says it's 200Nm. Still a lot less than the diesel obviously. 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Powered by vBulletin™ Version 4.0.7 Copyright © 2010 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. || Log in | New account Home Ask Honest John Reviews Best Deals Advice Good Garages News Back Room Insurance Shop Car by Car Reviews The HJ Road Test Videos Top 10 Cars Prices and Specs The Honest John Road Test Home » Road Tests » BMW » BMW 320td Compact BMW 320td Compact Thu, 21 Feb 2002 Main Report Prices/Specifications Engine/Transmission Dimensions Performance Sometimes you just fall in love with a car. You didn't expect to. You thought you'd judge it dispassionately, like everything else. And, from what you'd already seen of it, you weren't even particularly keen on its looks. But there was something about RO51 OGH. Could it have been the Ambra Ochre pearlescent paint that seemed to change colour in the light? Could have been the way the chunky 16in alloys filled the wheel arches so perfectly? Could it have been the quality of the fit and finish? And when you looked at it again, could it have been the shape of its face? What is it with the Germans these days that makes them so keen to give a car eyes that seem to implore you to fall for it? Get in, turn the key and, oops, shouldn’t have done that because this is a diesel. Should have waited. No sweat, though. I'm off and discovering that, though light, the clutch doesn’t take prisoners, so starting in second needs getting used to. This is a diesel that pulls nearly 50 in second. Third is good for around 20 to 85. Fourth is the most you ever need in town. And fifth gives you 32mph per 1,000rpm on the motorway. But it's the way the thing responds in every way that gets to you. The rear-drive handling and roadholding are sensational. Whatever traction control it's supposed to have to spoil your fun, it doesn't spoil your fun. The front grips like mad, and eventually you can push the back to oversteer, but the limit is so high you hardly ever will. And you feel totally, joyously in control all the time. Couple this to a diesel engine with more punch than Mike Tyson and you're having a ball. Not to mention worrying the owner of an Escort Cosworth that can't seem to shake you off on the straights or through the corners. Yet this is a 'sensible' diesel. Simplex chain cam, so no timing belt to worry about; 150bhp; 330Nm (243 lb ft) torque; 0–60 in 8.6 seconds; 133mph. Yet 51.4 mpg on the combined cycle. And just 148g/km CO2 chugging out of the exhaust pipe. It's even in the £110-a-year VED bracket, which is the lowest you can go with a diesel. I didn't get 51.4mpg. Pressure of work meant I only managed to drive the thing about 100 miles and couldn't do an accurate brim-to-brim. But 45 to 50 has to be a distinct possibility for most drivers, and some will see closer to 60mpg. Not much else to report, really. Despite its truncation there's more room in the back than in a Volvo S60. The trunk itself is plenty big enough, and truly massive compared to the hole in the back of an Alfa GTV. The only big disadvantage is the price, because £20,865 plus £495 for metallic paint is a lot of womba for an economy car. Even if it's an economy sports car. Honest John's Car Buying Advice Get the low-down on how to buy and sell cars the hassle-free way Related News & Road Tests Review: BMW 3 Series Compact E36 1994 Screwed together well. Good balance of pace and economy. Did very well in 2007 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey. Review: BMW 3 Series E36 1991 Excellent build quality. Good balance of performance and economy. Plenty around to choose from. Review: BMW 3 Series Compact E46 2001 150PS 320d version offers lively performance, good fuel economy and rewarding handling. Review: BMW 3 Series Convertible E36 1994 Decent to quick 4-seater convertibles of highly regarded E36 3-Series. • Terms and Conditions • Advertise on this site • Contact Honest John || || 1