2008 BMW 120d vs 320d

[Radical!]

Hi!

Need help on an objective comparison between the two to recommend to my boss. Just a pros and cons will do. I understand there's a +- Php 300,000 difference in price between the two. So he wants to know which is better.

Anyone?

TIA

[quattro]

well, i've been contemplating those two models for myself, along with audi's A3 TDi.

my conclusion is that if you're going to get one of the BMW's, then definitely go with the 320d. the 3-series is still pretty much the gold standard when it comes to sport sedans. and i'm sure it's resale value will hold up much better than the 1-series.

the 1-series really has gotten pretty poor reviews. it handles great, but the ride is supposedly terrible, the rear is pretty cramped. and it just looks weird.

if you wish to read a 1-series review by jeremy clarkson, then you can check this out: http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle401596.ece

personally, the 3-series is the only BMW i would purchase since it is also the least Bangled of them all. but that's a personal opinion...

[mazdamazda]

IMO.

I feel that the 320d is a better buy.

The 120d is good car... the acceleration is brutal, the steering & handling is nice, the seats are just ok (not as spacious as the Jazz, more like the Swift)... but it looks kinda iffy to me. The 3-door variant looks better though.

And with only 300K separating the two... that's reasonable enough.


__________________

bigbigcar.com Feature: BMW Dynamic Drive Experience

[Radical!]

Thanks a mil for your replies quattro and mazdamazda.

I saw the Bimmer 120d in the flesh last night. Honestly, it looked a bit like the Honda Jazz parked right next to it . But seriously, the interior is a bit tight and to be able to fit golf sets, you'd have to fold the seats. My boss and his wife do out-of-town golf trips often. So, I guess, the 3 series wins here.

I haven't seen the 320ds yet. Are the engines identical? I also noticed the 120ds A/C controls are the analogue type and fit/finish is quite 'ordinary.' And the seats are fabric. I understand, the 320d sells quite a lot in Europe for fleet accounts and the 1-series are for entry-level BMW owner wanabees. So I guess there's not much to expect in terms of interiors, unless it's different here in the Philippines.

[mazdamazda]

AFAIK, the 320d is marketed as more "upscale" here - am pretty sure it got the leather seats... will browse my 3-series brochure later this evening.

[AG4]

AFAIK, the 320d is marketed as more "upscale" here - am pretty sure it got the leather seats... will browse my 3-series brochure later this evening.

Based on the info found in the The Philippine Star BMW Xpo 2008 section last Feb.22, the P3M 320d has the same features as the 320i Sport.
The 320i Sport comes standard with Dakota leather trim, burled walnut wood trim, power moonroof and 18 inch alloys.

[mazdamazda]

AFAIR - from the brochure there are some subtle differences between the 320i Sport & 320d. Will check it out later.

__________________

bigbigcar.com Feature: BMW Dynamic Drive Experience

[niky]

The interior of the 3-series definitely FEELS more upmarket than the 120d. The 120d's seats and interior trim feel quite flimsy in comparison.

The 3 also rides much, much better, and has much more interior space. Handling is still great, though not as go-kart-ish as the 120d. The brakes on the 120d feel sharper because it's lighter, but the 3 brakes really well, as well.

BUT: I don't think the 320d comes in automatic. If that's important to the buyer, they might want to consider a 320i, instead.

[Deeges]

The interior of the 3-series definitely FEELS more upmarket than the 120d. The 120d's seats and interior trim feel quite flimsy in comparison.

The 3 also rides much, much better, and has much more interior space. Handling is still great, though not as go-kart-ish as the 120d. The brakes on the 120d feel sharper because it's lighter, but the 3 brakes really well, as well.

BUT: I don't think the 320d comes in automatic. If that's important to the buyer, they might want to consider a 320i, instead.

Hello sir Niky,

I've also been monitoring these two cars but I still haven't seen them personally. I'm just a bit confused about the 320d because I think I read in motioncars that it is a 6 speed AT. Could there be 2 variants?

Thank you.

[ryan]

I test drove a 320d not long ago and I remember it comes in A/T. I think its a nice sport sedan without the guilt of wasting too much on gas.

If the price difference is only about 300k, definitely go for a 320d nalang. But if you comparing say a 320d vs a 130i , even if the 1-series is more expensive, maybe its something worth thinking about hehe

[quattro]

i have the brochures and price list here with me and the 320d comes with leather, wood 18" wheels and a 6-speed AT. only one variant each for the 120d and 320d and prices are 2.395M and 3.090M respectively.

[Radical!]

The interior of the 3-series definitely FEELS more upmarket than the 120d. The 120d's seats and interior trim feel quite flimsy in comparison..

Yes, I noticed the 120d's interior looks quite bland. A plus on the 3

The 3 also rides much, much better, and has much more interior space. Handling is still great, though not as go-kart-ish as the 120d. The brakes on the 120d feel sharper because it's lighter, but the 3 brakes really well, as well.

My boss is passed retirement age, though he still enjoys spirited driving. A plus again on the 3 here in comfort and interior space

BUT: I don't think the 320d comes in automatic. If that's important to the buyer, they might want to consider a 320i, instead.

U-oh. Bad news. The car has to have an A/T as my boss' wife can't drive a stick.

Thanks for the tips...

[niky]

*everyone who corrected me: My mistake then... the 320d does come with an AT. Excuse me while I eat my shoe... my faulty memory strikes again!

Definitely go for the 320d. If your boss enjoys driving, the 3-series is a very sublime handling car, and it doesn't have the punishing ride that other run-flat equipped BMWs in the price range (1-series, X3) suffer from.

[BuyMe]

There is a big price difference between the 120d vs 320d sport (600k), I think the 300k difference you're talking about is between the 120d (2.3M) and the 320d advantage which is priced at 2.6M. The 320d advantage looks pretty bare, the rims are small, it doesn't come with all the trimmings. The 320d sport is around 2.9M and that comes with all the good stuff.

If its spirited driving were talking about he should def get the 120d, its super fast and it handles like a sports car. It has the same engine as the 520d and 320d but in a smaller chassis and frame. Some find it questionable in the looks department but I think beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. I've driven the 120d and the new 320i and there really is no comparison in terms of drive feel. The 3 series is def more refined and sophisticated but the drive is so generic compared to the 120d.

Having said all that, knowing your boss plays golf the obvious choice would be the 3 series (trunk space), plus tbh if he's at the retirement age I think it would suit him better.

[crossdx]

The 120d's interior does look kind of bland, though I like it quite a bit for its pros: Great handling, compact size, nice acceleration, and I don't find the styling all that bad. Even come to appreciate its "uniqueness" in the BMW lineup, hehe. I've read about the runflats giving it a harder ride than might be comfortable for most, but it's still not that bad according to others. Unfortunately, a test drive unit wasn't available so I wasn't able to judge for myself.

Backseat's definitely too cramped for comfort, and the lack of a leather option doesn't help, but if you're a driving enthusiast that isn't going to be using it as a family/passenger car, and can live with the bumpier ride on the RFTs, I see it as a nice choice (though knocking of a few 100k from the sticker price would help, lol).