I'm assuming you looking at E9X 3series looking at your sign....
Some of the guys commenting may have had experiances with the E46 3 series, although I might be wrong.
I can say that the 320d E90 is a good buy, even a high mileage one is safe, if it has been properly maintained and serviced. I actually owned one, bought on 100 000kms and owned till about 130 000kms, didnt have any hiccups, just did normal servicing and brakes. I really miss seeing 1000kms+
on the fuel range which was awesome. Performance and fuel economy are good, especially if you are from Gauteng, where the thinner air wont affect the boosted 320d. Look, the only negatives I noticed with the 320d was :-
1. the engine smoothness can't match the straight 6 petrol (maybe due to it being 4cylinder turbo, although the 330d is as smooth as the 330i, if not quieter inside as well) and really which 4 cylinder in the world can match a BMW six? None, so I accepted this engine characteristic as part and parcel of the configuration/layout.
2. the noise at idle, although on the move the car is incredibly quiet, in fact I had to get used to such a big car picking up speed so quickly with no roar from the engine, with such a "small" engine.
I can say that if you are cruising at 120km/h and need to pick up speed, the diesel will get to 200km/h quicker than the stock 323i or 325i, I'm not sure about the 330i, but will probably be close, but after 200km/h the 330i is obviously stronger. Also with the max torque delivery being so low on the 320d, I had to get used to to having to press the accelarator harder, to get any other petrol car moving. I dont recall any excessive turbo lag, I can also say that the slight lag is no worse than any turbo petrol engines.
In fact the the 320d Steptronic is the one to go for as the gearbox's electronics will keep the engine in the optimum power band, so that it eliminates the turbo lag, the manual will sometimes fall out of the power band because of the driver not having the correct gear selected.
Just my 2cents worth.........you cant go wrong with a 320d, and I'm speaking from owning 2 six cylinder Bmws before the 320d :thumbs: