Friend of mine at work has a 320d ED Business on a weeks loan from BMW.

Had a brief poke around in it and have to say whilst its not the model i'd go out and splurge my own cash on (but would make for a very nice company motor) it did just generally feel more substantial than the O3. I'd suggest perceived quality isnt all that different, still alot of hard plastics but I suspect it would stand up better to a hard life/considerable punishment by comparison. You've only got to sneeze in the O3 to risk damage to the interior trim.

Equipment level was quite nice with the standard Business nav and heated leather, was disappointed with the lack of rear legroom and boot space however, no folding rear seats either (optional of course). Also struggling how it could justify its 9k higher list price...not that you'd pay 32k for one but didnt feel like 32k's worth of car. The 1 and 3ers only really do it for me in M Sport spec in truth.

Money and space no object though id still preference one to my O3, but if I got a BM for family life it'd have to be a 5 series.

Strangely a 518d SE costs more or less the same as a 320d ED Business, is arguably a better looking car, looks and feels alot more premium, considerably better equipped and much bigger. Loses a few horses over the 320d but I think I could live with that.

Strangely a 518d SE costs more or less the same as a 320d ED Business, is arguably a better looking car, looks and feels alot more premium, considerably better equipped and much bigger. Loses a few horses over the 320d but I think I could live with that.

 

Trust me - the 518d is a seriously underpowered car.  You really do need a 520d at least, just to make driving not feel like hard work.  Also, the wonderful ride that everyone associates with the 5 series is down to the optional suspension doodah that you can get - without it the ride is just a bit 'meh'.  So, whilst a basic no-options-added 518d may seem like a good idea (I looked at it before ordering the Octavia), it really isn't unless you want to be seriously disappointed in your new car.

Although the latest 5 series looks great externally, the dash is heavy and old fashioned to  my eyes anyway, similar to the previous generation 3 series - the latest "F30" 3 series is a great styling job IMO, and the dash again a major improvement.

 

During our extensive test drives the standard M Sport 3 Series ride (on the optional 19" wheels)is overly firm for a saloon car, harder than our Porsche 911 was which was a big surprise and disappointment. The Active Suspension transforms ride comfort, just as it does with Porsche on those models where it isn't standard fit.  

 

We had a 320d M Sport Touring loan car for a few days away, kindly offered by Partridge BMW after delivery of our own car was delayed, and this was very impressive, this particular car was quite heavily optioned, highlights being the aforementioned adaptive suspension, Merino leather seats (softer and much more comfortable than the standard hard Dakota leather) with attractive contrasting coloured stitching and piping, professional navigation system, and BMW's amazing multi-coloured head up display which you'd think was a gimmick but works brilliantly, projecting speed, navigation direction, speed limit, infotainment etc on to the windscreen but actually appearing to the eye to be at the leading edge of the bonnet, so eyes don't need to refocus to view. Doesn't distract and you can select t what info you want, or don't want to see. The performance was also surprisingly brisk with the 8 speed sport automatic, much quicker than my manual 150 bhp Octavia Elegance and the engine was quieter and smoother as well. Electric tailgate operation is standard on all 3 series tourings. Only downside is for an estate car rear seat up boot room is surprisingly limited, not that is a problem for us but could well be for others, the Octavia estate much better here.

 

Performance wise I would have thought the 120d M Sport would be pretty close to the diesel Octavia vRS, nearest to the petrol vRS, both in performance and character, would be the 248 bhp 128i, (confusingly still 2.0) but the diesel six cylinder 3 series variants would unquestionably leave the vRS for dead - but a lot more expensive of course, both to buy and run.

Edited 17 July, 201411 yr by Timoctav

 

 

......Performance wise I would have thought the 320d M Sport would be pretty close to the diesel Octavia vRS, nearest to the petrol vRS, both in performance and character, would be the 248 bhp 328i, (confusingly still 2.0) but the diesel six cylinder 3 series variants would unquestionably leave the vRS for dead - but a lot more expensive of course, both to buy and run.

 

Just corrected errors in my earlier post - noticed it too late to edit!!

Performance wise I would have thought the 120d M Sport would be pretty close to the diesel Octavia vRS, nearest to the petrol vRS, both in performance and character, would be the 248 bhp 128i, (confusingly still 2.0) but the diesel six cylinder 3 series variants would unquestionably leave the vRS for dead - but a lot more expensive of course, both to buy and run.

 

I know you've corrected this - but I'm going from a 120d M Sport to an Octavia vRS TDI... and yes, they're pretty much identical in terms of performance.  The smaller 120d is a bit more composed around corners (RWD helps here), and my guess is that a 320d would be very similar.

 

The one thing that I would say is that I did have a short test drive in an vRS TDI with the 19" wheels, and the ride still seemed a little softer than my 120d M Sport - and this a second generation 1-series, with softer M Sport suspension than the first generation.

 

The one thing that I would say is that I did have a short test drive in an vRS TDI with the 19" wheels, and the ride still seemed a little softer than my 120d M Sport - and this a second generation 1-series, with softer M Sport suspension than the first generation.

The reinforced sidewalls of the BMW's run flats probably accounts for the harder ride. From what I recall of the 1st generation 1 series I had (a 123d on the then optional 18" wheels) the latest conventionally sprung 3 series is firmer.

The reinforced sidewalls of the BMW's run flats probably accounts for the harder ride.

 

Without a doubt...

 

I must admit I'm torn about run-flats.  They did their job when I got a puncture a few months ago, and allowed me to get home and then to the garage to get a new one.  The new one turned out to be a new back pair as they were worn anyway, and the cost of that would have been about £500.  Fortunately, it's a company/lease car and so I didn't have to pay... and in that respect I'm glad I'm getting 18" wheels with non run-flats, as now I'm going to be looking at only* £100 or so per tyre for replacements.  So, nice idea and they do work, but bloody expensive!

... and in that respect I'm glad I'm getting 18" wheels with non run-flats, as now I'm going to be looking at only* £100 or so per tyre for replacements.  So, nice idea and they do work, but bloody expensive!

...I wouldn't want conventional tyres if the only "get you home" is a can of goo - I specified a good old fashioned spare wheel with my Octavia. Run flats do spoil you, I had two punctures with the 123d and with conventional tyres both would have meant changing a wheel / injecting the goo on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway. Dangerous at the best of times!

Trust me - the 518d is a seriously underpowered car. You really do need a 520d at least, just to make driving not feel like hard work. Also, the wonderful ride that everyone associates with the 5 series is down to the optional suspension doodah that you can get - without it the ride is just a bit 'meh'. So, whilst a basic no-options-added 518d may seem like a good idea (I looked at it before ordering the Octavia), it really isn't unless you want to be seriously disappointed in your new car.

Dont get me wrong a 518d is not the sort of car id entertain parting my own money for, would have to be a 520d or bigger.

Make for a good company vehicle though, debaged, still has twin exhausts, nice spec and with the right exterior/leather colour combination quite a flash motor. Id challenge that its underpowered myself, sure 150hp (its just recieved a new engine with a bit more poke) isnt going to set the world on fire in a car that size but its still relatively torquey and for every day driving its probably got all the go most people really need. None of the press articles ive read on them slander it either, they've all generally said its not disappointing to drive compared to the 520d but if you have the bucks/choice then the 520d is better, bound to be with another 40hp.

Dont get me wrong a 518d is not the sort of car id entertain parting my own money for, would have to be a 520d or bigger.

Make for a good company vehicle though, debaged, still has twin exhausts, nice spec and with the right exterior/leather colour combination quite a flash motor. Id challenge that its underpowered myself, sure 150hp (its just recieved a new engine with a bit more poke) isnt going to set the world on fire in a car that size but its still relatively torquey and for every day driving its probably got all the go most people really need. None of the press articles ive read on them slander it either, they've all generally said its not disappointing to drive compared to the 520d but if you have the bucks/choice then the 520d is better, bound to be with another 40hp.

 

I'd rather have compact and fast rather than large and slow. I'm looking forward to 313 bhp and 630Nm (465 lb ft) torque....

That works if you dont need a big car and have the means to/can justify funding a 40-odd grand car. Lots of people arent that fortunate. Have to face facts a 335d xdrive is a VERY expensive 3 series no matter how its swung.

If size isnt an issue personally still feel the M135i makes for a more compelling and excitinf performance cars, fast diesels being hugely effective rather than truely exciting IMHO.

That works if you dont need a big car and have the means to/can justify funding a 40-odd grand car. Lots of people arent that fortunate. Have to face facts a 335d xdrive is a VERY expensive 3 series no matter how its swung.

If size isnt an issue personally still feel the M135i makes for a more compelling and excitinf performance cars, fast diesels being hugely effective rather than truely exciting IMHO.

Ironically the 335d is a cost saving measure as we couldn't continue to justify the ever increasing costs of properly maintaining and running the 911, I don't believe in non-main dealer servicing or extended warranty - that would have cost us £3k this year alone, plus £485 tax disc etc etc.

Yes the 335d is expensive at list prices - circa £55k as specced - but 20% discount knocked £11k off that and 5 years servicing included in the deal sweetened the deal quite nicely. Couldn't get anything like that discount on a M135i and the price difference against the 335d specced up was "only" around £6k. A lot of the nice options, such as the HUD aren't available on the 135i either.

RWD BMW's are notoriously poor in winter weather as well, my old 123d was abysmal, the X-Drive 4WD system on the 335D was another major advantage.

We tried the M135i, great car as you say, but my wife couldn't get on with the heavily offset accelerator pedal, I didn't find it a problem to be honest but even the 135i felt weedy after our 911, unsurprisingly so we decided a hot hatch simply wouldn't work, better go for something quick but not overtly sporting. We tried a few hot hatches but couldn't get on with any of them for various reasons, had high hopes for the Audi S3 but didn't like the turbo lag or engine note - again an unfair comparison with the Porsche which was razor sharp and with the sports exhaust sounded like the hounds of hell were after you!

The 335d is insanely fast for a diesel estate, someone on Bimmerfest did a V-Box test and managed 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. (BMW quote 4.8 secs for 0-100 km/h which translates to around 4.5 secs 0-60 mph).

Edited 17 July, 201411 yr by Timoctav

...I wouldn't want conventional tyres if the only "get you home" is a can of goo - I specified a good old fashioned spare wheel with my Octavia. Run flats do spoil you, I had two punctures with the 123d and with conventional tyres both would have meant changing a wheel / injecting the goo on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway. Dangerous at the best of times!

Run flats are what really put me off any bmw. Like you I have a spare wheel for my octavia and purchased a spare for my wife's fabia as well. Not only are run flats expensive but you can't repair them regardless of where the puncture is. Same applies if you use tyre sealant. ..tyre is scrap afterwards. Yes both options will get you home but also cost you compared to changing a spare wheel. Amazes me nowadays the amount of people that can't change a wheel!

?......Not only are run flats expensive but you can't repair them regardless of where the puncture is. Same applies if you use tyre sealant. ..tyre is scrap afterwards.....

I took my 123d twice to my local BMW dealer and the tyres were repaired. I was told if you keep the speed down and drive no more than 25 miles the tyre can be repaired, like any other tyre the proviso is where the puncture is and how bad the damage.

Edited 17 July, 201411 yr by Timoctav

I took my 123d twice to my local BMW dealer and the tyres were repaired. I was told if you keep the speed down and drive no more than 25 miles the tyre can be repaired, like any other tyre the proviso is where the puncture is and how bad the damage.

That's interesting. I used to work in the tyre industry (admittedly haven't done so for over 4 years now) and at that time all the tyre manufacturer's stated they could not be repaired regardless of puncture location. Would question how do you know for sure that the tyre has been driven for less than 25 miles and at an appropriate speed as clearly everyone will say that to save a new tyre.

That's interesting. I used to work in the tyre industry (admittedly haven't done so for over 4 years now) and at that time all the tyre manufacturer's stated they could not be repaired regardless of puncture location. Would question how do you know for sure that the tyre has been driven for less than 25 miles and at an appropriate speed as clearly everyone will say that to save a new tyre.

 

Surpised me as well at the time - but their tyre man said he had inspected the tyre (on both occasions) and he was satisfied they were safe. Had a receipt for the repairs so if I had a failure subsequently they could have been held to account.

That works if you dont need a big car and have the means to/can justify funding a 40-odd grand car. Lots of people arent that fortunate. Have to face facts a 335d xdrive is a VERY expensive 3 series no matter how its swung.

If size isnt an issue personally still feel the M135i makes for a more compelling and excitinf performance cars, fast diesels being hugely effective rather than truely exciting

Further thoughts on your reply - there are an awful lot of people that are not fortunate enough to afford a new Octavia..... And yes I'd agree fast diesels are efficient and effective but there is nothing like a good - preferably naturally aspirated - petrol engine for excitement. Sadly with the emission rules getting ever tighter turbo engines are the new norm, even the best turbo engines will never be as fast responding or sound as nice as a good N/A motor.

Edited 18 July, 201411 yr by Timoctav

Ive got a 08 320d MSport Touring and was looking recently to swap for a Mk2 or even Mk3 Vrs.  Had a shot of both and we both came away thinking that the Mk2 was not as nice a car as the BMW and the Mk3 not a big jump for the cost difference.  We therefore bought a pre FL Mk2 for the space and kept the BMW.  3 series has crap space when compared but 90% time its only me driving so its doesnt matter.

 

Im a VAG man and always have been but having had 3 BMW's now I have to admit they are a nicer car to drive and well put together,  If the Octavia didnt have the space we wouldnt have one.