Anyone ever driven a post 08 320d

[soc]

I've found a few 3-series I'm interested in but the problem is most of them are across the water - one of them is a 330d and the others are 320d. All are 2008 and msports. I've also found a nice 08 320d msport in Tipperary.

I've driven a 330d last year and it was very impressive - very fast and even sounded ok. I also drove a 320d SE but it was the older 163bhp engine and if felt a little uninspiring. I'm told that the newer 177bhp engine is a lot better in every respect (more responsive, quicker, more fuel efficient and cheap tax) but the performance specs are very similar so I'm not convinced. That said I believe superchips can map the newer engine to 220bhp and 369ft/lb which would be kinda cool when you're only paying 156 euro in road tax

Anyhow, I was just wondering if anyone might have ever driven a post 08 320d and if so what they thought about the car? I'm planning to hit up Murphy and Gunn for a test drive in a 320d coupe they have but I'm always looking for extra feedback when possible.

Cheers in advance lads.

[Myfeckin FTO]

Not driven a post 08 320d but have driven a 5 series with this engine and its no sports car though it shifts along ok for a large saloon. Also drove 525D and 530D and even while these are all fine cars I wouldn't consider them personally if performance was a large part of my car buying criteria.

The 320d coupe does make a lot of sense as a stylish, economical upmarket coupe (esp in diesel form in the Irish Market with €302 road tax and 50mpg) - its a smart choice though also consider the 2.7 and 3.0 TDI A5's - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A5/3. ... annel=CARS - these make a lot of sense to import from UK looking at comparative prices.

However if you want a BMW sports car and have 08 320D money (30K approx) to spend I'd be more inclined towards one of these - http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M6/201 ... annel=CARS

My personal pref though would be to hound this dealer to knock a few more quid off one of these (can't believe they've dropped below 40K) - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/RS4/4 ... kThru=true

[soc]

Not driven a post 08 320d but have driven a 5 series with this engine and its no sports car though it shifts along ok for a large saloon. Also drove 525D and 530D and even while these are all fine cars I wouldn't consider them personally if performance was a large part of my car buying criteria.

The 320d coupe does make a lot of sense as a stylish, economical upmarket coupe (esp in diesel form in the Irish Market with €302 road tax and 50mpg) - its a smart choice though also consider the 2.7 and 3.0 TDI A5's - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A5/3. ... annel=CARS - these make a lot of sense to import from UK looking at comparative prices.

However if you want a BMW sports car and have 08 320D money (30K approx) to spend I'd be more inclined towards one of these - http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M6/201 ... annel=CARS

My personal pref though would be to hound this dealer to knock a few more quid off one of these (can't believe they've dropped below 40K) - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/RS4/4 ... kThru=true

I've beeb sucked in by modern diesels ( ) and I'm being swayed by the running costs of a mannual 320d which is only 156 a year to tax. If it really maps to 220bhp and can maintain 40mpg+ then it sounds like a great compromise. I'm also tempted by a slightly more expensive 330d (630 a year to tax) and it's 230bhp and 369ft/lb.

What I'm really planning is to get a semi sensible car (i.e. 320d) and then a weekender (current favourites are an elise or e30 325 sport).

As great a car as they are I don't want the running costs of anything like an M6 ruled out the (E46) M3 for that reason too and I wouldn't feel comfortable with an RS4 sitting outside my door (not to mention the running costs).