320d Owners... some questions

[pinoy]

Hello All!

I'm new to the forum and to BMWs in general. The new 3 Series was just launched last night in the Philippines (where I live right now) and I may pursue a special order of the E90 320d as BMW Phil seems interested to bring it at a far later date. I have a few questions on the predecessor of this model, the E46 320d.

Have you E46 320d owners have more problems than the 320i? Are BMW diesels more maintenance intensive than the petrol version? Our diesel quality here is equivalent to Euro I and I was wondering if this would pose a problem.

I hope you kind folks can help me. Thanks for the replies!

 

[Wadula]

Hey there, welcome to the board. first thing that is important in deciding whether to buy gazlonie car or diesel car is the cost aspect. depending on how many miles you make per year, a diesel will be cheaper or more expensive. the break is at approx. 13-14000 miles per year. lower mileage and the diesel will not save you money.

then, at least here in germany, diesel cars need to have special oil which is more expensive. the period of time between two inspections is the same with both models.

from the driving pleasure, a diesel is top notch if you compare it with an equivalent gaz powered car. not 320d to M3 of course. a diesel has way more torque and thus does not need high rev to get moving. all in all, if i´d make enough miles, i´d get a diesel. a 330 then....more power

in terms of driving comfort of course, a diesel will not be as good as a gazoline engine. the engine sound is much louder and rough. but people tend to get used to it...

 

[pinoy]

Hi Wadula! Thanks for answering my rather newbie questions. At the current price difference between petrol & diesel I've come to a guesstimate of 2.000 to 2.400 Euros worth of savings after 100.000KM. There has been speculation of late going around in my country that the price of petrol will double and diesel will stabalise at the current cost per liter. I'm not too worried about maintenance as the new 3 here has free oil changes for the next three years. Thanks for pointing that out though I would've missed it.

As you mentioned another reason why I want to get a BMW diesel is because of the reputation it has built for itself and the performance figures. The so awesome performance figures. *Sigh*

 

[pinoy]

BTW do you think BMW diesels can withstand fuel with sulfur content of 0.05% by weight and cetane index of 48? It is equivalent to EURO I.

 

[Dutch]

Do not worry about maintenance. I have a 330d and BMW diesels have the reputation to run 200.000 miles easily. The engines run at low rpm, like Wadula said. Regarding the fuel quality, I do not know what the cetane and sulfur concentrations in European and American diesel is, but I do know that American diesel contains much more sulfur than European, but this did not really affect my car. I do notice a difference in exhaust gases (in the U.S., starting the car at cold temperatures meant blue smoke........) but all BMW says is "just change the fuel filter quicker". But I would pose the fuel quality question to BMW as well if I were you.

 

[pinoy]

Thanks Dutch! a number local BMW (petrol) owners mentioned that our diesel may result in clogging up the diesel injectors. As far as I can assertain the US sulfur content standard is 500 parts per million and will be reduced to 15 parts per million in 2007. While the minimum cetane number of 40. I have a feeling that if our diesel isnt up to standards the 320d may be detuned. *grumble*.

How's your mpg? Where you able to use your 330d in Europe before going to the US?

 

[Dutch]

Late reaction:

I didn't use my car in Europe before I took it to the States. I am back in Europe though, so I've used the car in Europe as well. My average MPG is around 35 (mixed city/highway usage).

 

[pinoy]

Not bad considering 5th Gear's Plato doing 34mpg for the e90 320d. Thanks for the info.