BMW 320d 2008 Review

What we liked
>> Smooth, frugal diesel
>> Agility and balance
>> Style and presence

Not so much
>> Plain standard cabin
>> Ride harshness on choppy surfaces
>> Options cost too much

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
Australia is now on the merry-go-round of ever improving diesels following the 2006 introduction of cleaner fuels [Ed: lower sulphur content] that allow the world's latest technology to reach here.

Barely 18 months after the June 2006 introduction of an all-new 320d with 115kW and 330Nm based on the current E90 series, BMW's latest third-generation diesel brings a significant power and torque increase plus a 10 per cent cut in fuel consumption and 20kg reduction in weight.

This January 2008 upgrade brings the 320d in line with the latest 120d and 520d. With the entry 120d starting at $48,000 and the new 320d maintaining its previous entry pricing of $56,700, BMW offers the cheapest and most frugal way of enjoying sporty rear-drive diesel motoring with the performance of a six-cylinder petrol engine thanks to its healthy 125kW and 340Nm.

As always with BMW, it is a matter of choosing the base level or Executive then thinking very carefully before ticking the option boxes. Otherwise, that seemingly harmless $56,700 can very quickly race to over $70,000 -- almost double the price of some very good and roomier diesels such as the Mazda6, Ford Mondeo and various Peugeot models.

Why upgrade the 320d so soon? Currently the 320d accounts for just 10-15 per cent of 3 Series sales and struggles to stand out. BMW reasons that if it is now one of the quickest performers in the range, it will entice new buyers to the brand with extra fuel economy as a bonus.

The sharp new Mercedes-Benz C-Class also forced BMW's hand with the C220 CDI starting from just $60,300 with the same 125kW but a 400Nm torque figure that outguns even the 340Nm of the upgraded 320d. BMW's weight loss program and superior six-speed auto ensures that the battle has only just begun.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The 320d starts at $56,700 as a six-speed automatic only then rises to $61,500 for the 320d Executive. BMW explains, unlike the 520d which comes in under the entry six-cylinder model, the 320d is positioned above the four-cylinder petrol 320i in price and performance. The 320d Executive then comes in under the $67,600 323i petrol six-cylinder auto which shares the 320d Executive's level of equipment.

The starting point for the 320d includes a multi-function leather steering wheel, warning triangle with first aid kit, dual-zone climate control with filter, through loading system with ski bag, keyless entry and engine start system, rear parking sensors (PDC), rain sensor wipers, automatic headlights, cruise control, Bluetooth, in-dash CD with six speakers, front side and head airbags for front and rear occupants, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), DataDot security, steel wheels with full wheel covers, basic matt titanium cabin highlights and combination leather and cloth trim.

The 320d Executive adds BMW's Dakota leather trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, a wider choice of wood or aluminium cabin highlights, front fog lights, partial electric seat adjustment, extended vehicle entry and in-cabin lighting.

Unless you want the red, white or black solid colours, metallic paint is a pricey $1600 option but the colour choice is better than most. A sunroof will cost you $2750 and the next level audio package can add over $3500 by the time you add a USB audio interface ($600 on its own) and a six-stacker CD player.

The 320d Executive (but not the 320d) can be equipped with the M Sport package for $5500 which includes the M aerodynamic body package, satin chrome window trim, 17-inch double spoke M light-alloy wheels, sports seats, M Sport suspension with 15mm lower ride height, M multi-function sports steering wheel, anthracite headlining, M door sills and Aluminium Glacier Silver cabin trim.

When the 320d now has enough performance to justify the extra attitude, the M Sport is a more relevant option than before.

MECHANICAL
For a four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel, the 320d's latest third-generation engine is impressive and achieves its 340Nm peak torque at just 1750rpm. Peak power of 125kW occurs at 4000rpm, so it delivers quite a push in the back for such a small engine.

This second aspect is critical to the equation when the 320d's hefty premium over the 320i will not be recovered via fuel cost savings over a typical 100,000km ownership period.

The new engine's efficiency comes courtesy of variable nozzle turbocharger technology and piezo-injectors that squirt fuel under 1800 bar pressure and utilizes the latest common rail direct-injection advances. The exhaust features a particulate filter.

All-aluminium engine construction contributes to the weight saving of over 20kg over the previous model. The close ratio six-speed auto means you almost have to consciously wrong foot the engine and transmission to expose any turbo lag. Yes, it's there, but it is rarely felt.

The 320d boasts a highway fuel consumption figure of 4.9L/100km and a city figure of 7.9 for a combined 6.0L/100km. Top speed is 225km/h and the 0-100km/h time is 8.2sec -- a half second quicker than the 323i petrol auto and the same margin slower than the 325i auto.

The kerb weight of 1445kg and the 0.28 drag coefficient, both identical to the 323i auto, provide a clue as to why this diesel combination works so well in the 3 Series.

The standard 16-inch runflat tyres are combined with suspension tuning several generations on from when this body shape was introduced. The latest combination delivers a significant improvement in low-speed ride over the first examples of this 3 Series.

Even if the ride quality is now at least on a par with other Europeans that don't feature runflat tyres, it is still some way short of the ride sophistication once taken for granted on non-sports model BMW sedans. The M Sport's 15mm lower ride height and bigger wheels and tyres would likely increase any low-speed ride harshness.

Australian drivers also need to consider their application carefully before ticking the $5400 ($3800 on Executive) 18-inch alloy option with mixed width run flats which combine 35 and 40 profile tyres that can't always provide enough sidewall compliance to protect the rims against sharp potholes.

Although nominally it is a five-seater, you wouldn't want to spend too long in the centre rear seat position, a sentiment that would extend to all rear seat passengers if both front seat occupants are tall.

However, the diesel's $5700 price premium over the 320i petrol model does set up higher expectations and the lack of full leather trim, alloy wheels (a $1600 option) and partial electric front seat adjustment ($1000) are the omissions that would annoy the most.

Anything other than the base cabin highlights adds another $870 and the most basic display screen is an extra $2500 while the larger one costs $5800. The metallic paint at $1600 is a big ask while the absence of a standard USB/audio interface and six-disc CD player at this price are pushing credibility.

While the Executive level addresses most of these shortfalls, it doesn't address all of them despite the fat $4800 premium. Yet resale without the factory leather of the Executive pack might prove problematic.

BMW also provides a choice of a flatter standard front seat design or Sports seats which add $1250 to the price. The heavily contoured Sports seats are a snug fit which is fine but they do make it more difficult to get in and out, so the application needs to be considered.

SAFETY
The standard 320d safety levels reflect the base line of all current 3 Series models which includes the usual BMW emphasis on avoiding a crash in the first place.

These avoidance systems include Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and run-flat tyres with warning light and audible warnings for drops in pressure.

Crash safety starts with the reinforced 3 Series body that achieved a five star ENCAP crash test result and six airbags including extended front to rear head airbags that cover the entire side window area. Deformation zones front and rear absorb forces from impacts of up to 15km/h before they can damage the car's body.

COMPETITORS
As far as diesel-powered compact rear-drive sedans go, the BMW 320d has only one direct rival. This is the newer, and arguably classier, Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI which comes in at three levels spanning $60,300 up to $66,000. Although the C220's diesel is bigger and torquier, it is mated to an inferior five-speed auto which doesn't deal with the turbo lag as well as the BMW 320d. Otherwise, it's close enough to be decided on which one is more enjoyable to drive.

Expand the field to all 2.0-litre diesels and the Ford Mondeo with the same diesel engine and a top six-speed auto offers more cabin and luggage space at $37,990 but can't match the 320d's liveliness. The Mazda6 as a manual-only Hatchback offers extra performance over the Mondeo in a similar package for $38,090.

Beyond $40,000, there is any number of diesel performance choices above and below the 320d's starting price. Alfa Romeo offers the rorty and slightly eccentric 159 2.4 JTD five-cylinder turbodiesel for $58,990 with six-speed auto and 147kW/400Nm. There is a cheaper 1.9-litre version.

Peugeot offers a number of 407 diesels but the one of most interest to BMW buyers must be the 407 SV HDI sedan from $61,990 with its magnificent 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel shared with Land Rover and Jaguar, but detuned to 150kW/440Nm. Despite its front drive, it's worth a look when its performance/economy equation is unmatched in this price range.

The Renault Laguna 2.2 DCI is a sweet, more flexible and frugal package with standard five-speed auto and full equipment for just $46,990 and Saab has a number of 9-3 sporty diesel packages from $45,900 up to $54,900 -- not only as a sedan but there are wagon and convertible versions as well.

Volkswagen offers a high-performance Passat TDI with the hot 125kW/350Nm version of VW's 2.0-litre engine and six-speed DSG from $44,990. It's quick and a hoot to drive but no match for BMW refinement and handling balance.

Volvo's S40 D5 sedan with its five-cylinder/five-speed auto turbodiesel boasts 132kW/350Nm also from $44,950. If turbodiesel bang for the buck ranks ahead of its front-drive chassis and slightly elevated fuel consumption, it's worth a look.

ON THE ROAD
When the 320d seems overpriced by at least $10,000 by any objective criteria, it can only justify its existence on the basis that it provides a driving experience unmatched by cheaper rivals. It does, and then some...

BMW did well to launch the new 335i Touring in tandem with the 320d. Under Australian speed limits, there were few if any areas where the twin-turbo petrol 335i could deliver a decisive blow to the 320d. Where the 335i generates admiration that never quite turns into affection, most drivers could like the 320d from the moment the wheels turn.

With a shorter and lighter four-cylinder engine in such a compact body, the 320d feels more agile than those 3 Series models with bigger six-cylinder lumps under their bonnets. In this case, it doesn't come with the limp-wristed performance of so many past four-cylinder 3 Series models. Get the 320d on its torque peak and it is seriously quick and fun as the six-speed auto works overtime to keep the engine in its most efficient band between 2000-3000 rpm.

Deliberately stomp on the brakes then accelerate hard and you can catch it out momentarily as the auto rushes to get above the slight lag at low engine speeds. Drive it smoothly and the 320d's slight initial hole in torque until the turbo spools up will rarely surface.

Where the 335i feels wooden and glued to the road, the 320d feels darty and responsive, instantly responding to any changes in direction then holding its line with the confidence of a thoroughbred.

There is a faint trace of body roll in corners compared to the M Sport suspension option fitted to the launch 335i examples. The standard 16-inch wheels and tyres will protest ever so slightly as a result, but the more compliant ride, the chuckability and the grip as the diesel plugs along relentlessly are to be enjoyed.

It is here that BMW's expensive chassis and suspension components and near 50:50 weight distribution make their presence felt. It has that same fine-tuned, vice-free quality feel that comes with a Porsche Boxster or Mazda MX-5.

Driven back-to-back with the 520d prior to the launch drive, the 320d brings a far greater dimension of agility and sprightliness than revealed in any on-paper figures. It adds a serious sports factor not expected in a diesel even if it is at the expense of sprawling space in the cabin.

The standard seats and steering wheel also seemed to suit the 320d better when both are more user-friendly. Compared to the bumps and crashes that sometimes get past the 335i's suspension and tyre package, the standard 320d ride won't spook passengers as the 320d demolishes most Aussie roads but it won't cosset them either.

If you must have a rear-drive sports sedan that is a pleasure to drive even around town, that satisfies stringent fuel and green considerations, will perform occasional family duties and will have you counting the days to the weekend when you can let it off the leash, the BMW 320d could be your next car.

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