[drdrilz]

is the fun factor completely lost in the low revving diesel version 328d? i want a new DD and am considering the 328. Went to the dealer and the salesman was telling me i want the diesel over the gas version for my commute (100 miles a day all highway). i have other fun cars for weekend duty but i do still like to have a spirited drive when in the DD. just wondering if i should compromise some fun/speed for the added fuel economy. sorry for another 328i vs 328d thread

[S4NoMore]

25k miles per year commuting equates to 714 gallons of gasoline @ 35 mpg and 556 gallons of diesel @ 45 mpg. Calling premium the same price as diesel at about $4/gal, you'd save $632 by driving the 328d. That's about $50 per month. I wouldn't let the salesman sway you, drive each and think about your driving style. I won't comment directly because I haven't driven the 328d, though there are 2 mk6 TDIs in the family.

[xcellr8tion]

Agree with the comment about driving each, they're quite a bit different in feel. I ended up with the 328d and really enjoy it for around town driving which is most of what I do. For longer road trips we easily hit 50mpg so am guessing your real world mileage on highway would be about that. However, to me, you feel a bit more of the lack of power in the diesel on the highway at speed (passing, etc), whereas the gas still has some decent oomph at 65+. I see your stable of cars seems to provide enough enjoyment when you're not commuting so perhaps go with the diesel for something a little different? (that was my logic, as I have/had plenty of higher performance cars so didn't need this one to fulfill that role)

[AppStoreMoney]

Originally Posted by xcellr8tion

...whereas the gas still has some decent oomph at 65+.

I have the 328i, and I'd say that's where the acceleration is the most impressive. At highway speeds with that 8-speed auto, the acceleration rivals my old V8 mustang.

[rjpeaks]

my coworker loves his.

great torque, 45+ mlieage - great handling....

[BMWFanatic2008]

328d should be compared to 320i, not 328i. Have you considered 320i? What options are you lokoing to get (the list of options on 320i is limited but maybe it has everything that you need)?

328i is better than 328d in every category except the fuel economy but the price difference between the two might even negate that (you would have to calculate based on the number of miles you drive + depends whether you're buying vs leasing, current incentives, etc).

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

328i is better than 328d in every category except the fuel economy

Alright, genius. You know it all. How does the 328d compare to the 328i in the following categories?

Resale value.
Ability to handle extreme mileage without major engine work (150k+).
Driving Range between fill ups.
Predicted Maintenance costs.
CO2 taxes.
Off the line torque.

Oh. Thought so. There's additional good reasons to own a diesel compared to a gas engine. Don't let the luddites here sway you. The 328d is a fabulous car. Give it a test drive, and talk to actual owners.

[propkaPT]

had the 328d as a loaner car. Its very good just not much power when going over 80 mph (who does that anyway :-) ). The fuel economy is better than listed simply because you wont drive this car flooring it all the time. You will want to see the high eco numbers and will get high 40s on the hway. Go with the 328d if you can get a good deal on one

[FC4]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Alright, genius. You know it all. How does the 328d compare to the 328i in the following categories?

Resale value.
Ability to handle extreme mileage without major engine work (150k+).
Driving Range between fill ups.
Predicted Maintenance costs.
CO2 taxes.
Off the line torque.

Oh. Thought so. There's additional good reasons to own a diesel compared to a gas engine. Don't let the luddites here sway you. The 328d is a fabulous car. Give it a test drive, and talk to actual owners.

LOL. Someone is really sensitive about his diesel.

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by FC4

LOL. Someone is really sensitive about his diesel.

Better not tell my wife it's my diesel....

[BMWFanatic2008]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Alright, genius. You know it all. How does the 328d compare to the 328i in the following categories?

Resale value.
Ability to handle extreme mileage without major engine work (150k+).
Driving Range between fill ups.
Predicted Maintenance costs.
CO2 taxes.
Off the line torque.

Oh. Thought so. There's additional good reasons to own a diesel compared to a gas engine. Don't let the luddites here sway you. The 328d is a fabulous car. Give it a test drive, and talk to actual owners.

328d's petroleum equivalent is 320i. Not sure why 320d is called 328d in US; might as well call it 335d to match it's price tag

[tuned2ride]

There is no logical reason but marketing hype to even compare a 180HP 328d (320d) to a 240HP 328i. It must be compared to a 180HP 320i and then any hope of saving money just vaporizes.

[xcellr8tion]

Thank god these cars don't just run on HP.... torque is what you're feeling in daily driving for most of us and there is a 40% increase on torque between the 320i and the 320d/328d

[tuned2ride]

Originally Posted by xcellr8tion

Thank god these cars don't just run on HP.... torque is what you're feeling in daily driving for most of us and there is a 40% increase on torque between the 320i and the 320d/328d

Torque is irrelevant here. All geared down for the sake of economy. At any speed, the 320i is quicker than a 328d.

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Alright, genius. You know it all. How does the 328d compare to the 328i in the following categories?

Resale value.
Ability to handle extreme mileage without major engine work (150k+).
Driving Range between fill ups.
Predicted Maintenance costs.
CO2 taxes.
Off the line torque.

Not to fan the flames, but I was going to mention resale, reliability etc.... and realistically it's not something that can be predicted. 150k miles is not "extreme" and there are plenty of gas engines from the past couple decades going beyond 200k without internal work.

There is actually better "off the line" torque from the 328i motor:



Graph taken from another current thread on 328i vs. 328d, Euro units obviously (and the true 320d moniker).

[newoldbeemer]

Turbo diesels can be a lot of fun if you have a manual transmission.

Having said that, you shouldn't buy based on what the salesman says. He won't be there tomorrow if you end up with buyers remorse.

In the US I'll always get petrol because there seem to be so many "gas" stations everywhere compared to ones that offer diesel.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by drdrilz

is the fun factor completely lost in the low revving diesel version 328d?

I personally thought so when I drove the 328d for a weekend as a loaner car. The power just isn't there.

Do a WOT pull at 60mph on the freeway and make sure you are ok with that pace before signing on the dotted line...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by tuned2ride

Torque is irrelevant here. All geared down for the sake of economy. At any speed, the 320i is quicker than a 328d.

You are missing the point of how you drive a diesel on the torque wave.

We've had years of diesel engines here in Europe. You drive them in a different manner, you wouldn't get many in the UK choose a 320i over a 320d, the drive feels much more muscular in the diesel.

For the OP, best to test drive either option and go from there.

HighlandPete

[xcellr8tion]

Originally Posted by tuned2ride

Torque is irrelevant here. All geared down for the sake of economy. At any speed, the 320i is quicker than a 328d.

I'm sincerely not trying to start a diesel vs gas debate, they both have their place, but just curious, have you driven both? I've driven 320i, 328i and 328d each extensively, and for normal driving feeling, there is no comparison between 320i and 328d. I loved the 328i, and if i didn't have an itch for something a bit different I absolutely would've gotten it... but when driving (not reading stats on paper) there is a dramatic difference between the 320i and 328d that left the 320i completely out of the picture for me personally.

[xcellr8tion]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I personally thought so when I drove the 328d for a weekend as a loaner car. The power just isn't there.

Do a WOT pull at 60mph on the freeway and make sure you are ok with that pace before signing on the dotted line...

This is a great point, and what I was trying to say earlier - at speed, the 328i has significantly more power. That said, i've never had to second guess a passing maneuver in my 328d. Someone who gets in the 328d and does a high revving test drive is going to be greatly disappointed... you'll feel that way in almost any diesel you test drive here in the states. The beauty of the diesel is in the daily driving where it feels like there is always plenty on tap. If I take our S5 out on backroads for a spirited high revving drive, and then hop in the 328d for the same, I get rather bored quickly.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

You are missing the point of how you drive a diesel on the torque wave.

We've had years of diesel engines here in Europe. You drive them in a different manner, you wouldn't get many in the UK choose a 320i over a 320d, the drive feels much more muscular in the diesel.

For the OP, best to test drive either option and go from there.

HighlandPete

I had one for a week in Bavaria last summer (6MT). I really liked it--much fun on the Autobahn. However, I wouldn't buy one in the States as there is no 6MT sold.

[BMWFanatic2008]

Originally Posted by xcellr8tion

I'm sincerely not trying to start a diesel vs gas debate, they both have their place, but just curious, have you driven both? I've driven 320i, 328i and 328d each extensively, and for normal driving feeling, there is no comparison between 320i and 328d. I loved the 328i, and if i didn't have an itch for something a bit different I absolutely would've gotten it... but when driving (not reading stats on paper) there is a dramatic difference between the 320i and 328d that left the 320i completely out of the picture for me personally.

That should be very easy to fix with BMS N20/N26 Stage 1 tune Several members here reported that it wakes up the car. And I am sure with all the money one saves on 320i vs 328d (8k last time I looked), $379 is a very small price to pay for this mod. BMS doesn't offer a tune for 328d.