Moving from F30 320d to F30 320i

[ThomasF30]

Hi peeps

So I'm contemplating a move from a 320d to a 320i. Mainly due to the fact that I can get a year younger car at a lower instalment over the same period, and with times being tough, I figured why not...

Now, has anyone been through this change? Will I miss the awesome torque of the diesel? Or get used to the dynamics of the petrol engine?
I've test driven the petrol, it's got a lot of power for sure, but definitely not quite the kick.
I know I will be sacrificing fuel consumption, but I don't drive long trips - mostly city traffic, and maybe one or twice a year we do a 1000km return trip.

Any good reasons not to go ahead?

Cheers

 

[Vicus]

You are downgrading, just as long as you are thoroughly aware of that. After a while you are going to start missing the diesel.

Be warned there is a very high probability, that some members may come on here and downplay the difference in consumption. Don't fall for it. You are going to find that to get a similar sort of ride out of the "i" you are going to have to heavier on the throttle. People will very likely start quoting some encouraging figures here that they have achieved under ideal circumstances. The reality is that the two cars are not even remotely in the same league/class as far as consumption goes. The difference is BIG. Even more than the figures on paper suggests. So even if you don't do long trips, a healthy chunk of what you gained in installment/price of the car, you are going to lose to fuel cost. Don't delude yourself about that. And if you put any stock in people downplaying the consumption, then do so at your peril.

The sheer smooth, effortless power of the diesel you have grown used to now, and you are perhaps taking it for granted. The "i", although a much improved product in the F30, just does not quite get there. You will miss it more and more as time goes on, guaranteed.

In the end you are getting a newer car, and this does have some value. And, if the deal is really very good, you may save a few bucks in the end. So, I suppose only you can decide how much value that will have for you.

Just be aware it is a downgrade, and don't kid yourself about it.

 

[ThomasF30]

You are downgrading, just as long as you are thoroughly aware of that. After a while you are going to start missing the diesel.

Be warned there is a very high probability, that some members may come on here and downplay the difference in consumption. Don't fall for it. You are going to find that to get a similar sort of ride out of the "i" you are going to have to heavier on the throttle. People will very likely start quoting some encouraging figures here that they have achieved under ideal circumstances. The reality is that the two cars are not even remotely in the same league/class as far as consumption goes. The difference is BIG. Even more than the figures on paper suggests. So even if you don't do long trips, a healthy chunk of what you gained in installment/price of the car, you are going to lose to fuel cost. Don't delude yourself about that. And if you put any stock in people downplaying the consumption, then do so at your peril.

The sheer smooth, effortless power of the diesel you have grown used to now, and you are perhaps taking it for granted. The "i", although a much improved product in the F30, just does not quite get there. You will miss it more and more as time goes on, guaranteed.

In the end you are getting a newer car, and this does have some value. And, if the deal is really very good, you may save a few bucks in the end. So, I suppose only you can decide how much value that will have for you.

Just be aware it is a downgrade, and don't kid yourself about it.

Thanks for the insight man. Yeah that is pretty much why I haven't quite made up my mind yet. I have gone to test drive the petrol twice now. And it does feel like I have to switch it to Sport mode to get that same kind of feel that the diesel might provide in Comfort, maybe with a slight less delay in boost (but I could be imagining it). As for the consumption - yes, that I obviously can't thoroughly test during a test drive, and I realise I'll probably go from averaging 7.5 in stop go traffic to around 10... (more?)
It's a tough one

 

[ZMC]

Said it before, if you enjoying the thrill of driving, get the 320i, if you want to save fuel and pull a caravan get the low revving d.
In my humble opinion, an upgrade, cos I prefer the former.

 

[MaX]

Cos 7000rpm

[/end thread]

 

[KPM3_30]

You are downgrading, just as long as you are thoroughly aware of that. After a while you are going to start missing the diesel.

Be warned there is a very high probability, that some members may come on here and downplay the difference in consumption. Don't fall for it. You are going to find that to get a similar sort of ride out of the "i" you are going to have to heavier on the throttle. People will very likely start quoting some encouraging figures here that they have achieved under ideal circumstances. The reality is that the two cars are not even remotely in the same league/class as far as consumption goes. The difference is BIG. Even more than the figures on paper suggests. So even if you don't do long trips, a healthy chunk of what you gained in installment/price of the car, you are going to lose to fuel cost. Don't delude yourself about that. And if you put any stock in people downplaying the consumption, then do so at your peril.

The sheer smooth, effortless power of the diesel you have grown used to now, and you are perhaps taking it for granted. The "i", although a much improved product in the F30, just does not quite get there. You will miss it more and more as time goes on, guaranteed.

In the end you are getting a newer car, and this does have some value. And, if the deal is really very good, you may save a few bucks in the end. So, I suppose only you can decide how much value that will have for you.

Just be aware it is a downgrade, and don't kid yourself about it.

Thanks for the insight man. Yeah that is pretty much why I haven't quite made up my mind yet. I have gone to test drive the petrol twice now. And it does feel like I have to switch it to Sport mode to get that same kind of feel that the diesel might provide in Comfort, maybe with a slight less delay in boost (but I could be imagining it). As for the consumption - yes, that I obviously can't thoroughly test during a test drive, and I realise I'll probably go from averaging 7.5 in stop go traffic to around 10... (more?)
It's a tough one

The f30 manual 320i returns roughly 8.8l/100km in short runs with a fair amount of traffic. At most you should see 9l/100km but if the car you are buying is the 8 speed auto, I would guess between 8 - 8.5. The car does pick up speed pretty fast and being able to pull all the way to the red is something very enjoyable.

 

[ChefDJ]

DIESEL power.


'Nuff said :rollsmile:

 

[Vicus]

Said it before, if you enjoying the thrill of driving, stay with the 320d.

FYP

To be fair, I realize to some an engine that seams to work it's proverbial "gat" off to achieve what another does effortlessly, is thrilling to some, though that is a bit beyond my understanding.

By the way, it is exactly for this reason that the "i" is so much heavier on fuel. To get any "life" out of the car, you need to floor it. And that is what people generally do.

But, let's be "positive" and assume you get 8 l/100km, which is only going to happen when you drive like a granny. I drive briskly in my 320d, sitting on 5,7 after the last 10 tanks of fuel.

So, ((8-5,7)/5,7)*100= 40%. That is a pretty big difference. (HUGE, actually, like I said, not even in the same class)

As I said:

Be warned there is a very high probability, that some members may come on here and downplay the difference in consumption

And, as I said, listen to them at your peril.

 

[KarshS]

Said it before, if you enjoying the thrill of driving, get the 320i, if you want to save fuel and pull a caravan get the low revving d.
In my humble opinion, an upgrade, cos I prefer the former.

Lets do a test? Bring that M and lets see what my caravan puller can do :rollsmile:

 

[ZMC]

That makes as much sense as having fun changing at 3000rpms

---

Then again this thread is probably about fuel cons and not the joy of driving. Get the d

 

[KarshS]

That makes as much sense as having fun changing at 3000rpms

---

Then again this thread is probably about fuel cons and not the joy of driving. Get the d

---

Will be hard to sound cocky when you smelling my fumes right at the back:blab:

 

[ZMC]

Ain't ghey dude, I ain't gonna be smelly your fumes from your rear.

 

[KarshS]

Childish

Anyway to the OP. I would only swop if the 320i has better extras

 

[ZMC]

Cop out. Racing is childish.

Get the 320i.

 

[MaX]

OP, i've got a 328, which is a 320 with more boost... If you havent decided by the 5th of October, you are welcome to come for a spin with me around Kyalami, so you can see how a car thats "working its gat off" performs.

 

[Vicus]

Sometimes, my wife (8 years younger than me), asks my opinion about a choice she has to make. Often, after giving my opinion, she argues my viewpoint, when I know experience have taught me reality.

I have learned to just let this go, and let her be. Allow her to make her own mistakes, and learn. Which happens as regularly as clockwork.

So, I would not mind at all if the "i" is chosen here. I know what the outcome will be.

Newer, cheaper car VS Better, but older car

This is the question, and it may be a tough choice actually. Will depend a lot on the actual figures involved, I suppose.

@ ZMC

Bud, I do understand what you are trying to say. But please understand that some of us are over sound effects. To us, the thrust of the back of the driver's seat, the rate at which we accelerate is what counts. And to some, a high revving motor conjures up images of a little 50cc motor bike revving it's "gat" off to get somewhere. And to us, driving pleasure comes from "effortless" power.

Some of us derive far more driving pleasure from diesel type performance than from the high revving petrol type.

In the end, the two cars gets from A to B in roughly the same time. The diesel just does it far more efficiently, therefore it is the better car.

i've got a 328

We are comparing stock 320i to stock 320d. What ever the technical differences may be. If we boost the 320i, it is no longer a stock 320i.

 

[ZMC]

Fair enough Vicus. You like diesel. So why bother with a 320i?
What's the point if this thread ?

 

[Kimeran]

Fair enough Vicus. You like diesel. So why bother with a 320i?
What's the point if this thread ?

Don't you have meetings to attend? :fishwack:

 

[Vicus]

So why bother with a 320i?

It is a cheaper car. I have done the sums. It will take roughly 4 years for the average driver to recover the difference in cost to fuel saving.

So for some, paying a bit less, initially, for a car that will get from A to B in roughly the same time may be a desirable option.

Don't get me wrong the F30 320i is a still a great car, huge improvement on the E90 320i. And I can understand why some will opt for it, being cheaper, at least initially.

The 320d actually becomes more of an asset the longer you keep it, as the fuel saving takes effect more and more.

As far as driving pleasure goes, I accept that there, it is each to his own.

 

[MaX]

i've got a 328

We are comparing stock 320i to stock 320d. What ever the technical differences may be. If we boost the 320i, it is no longer a stock 320i.

Eeerrmmm, atleast he'd get to experience a n20 doing what is built to do...