320d Compact ES or SE spec?
Discussion
I'm on the verge of ordering one of these 2 models. The ES is cheaper but more basic spec, however it seems to have the added advantage of sports suspension. So I'm torn between performance v. the extra goodies on the SE. Question is will I notice the difference the sports suspension makes on the ES...?
Hello !
I went for the 2.0d ES 150bhp Compact.
It was a very good choice. The 16" wheels as standard made upgrading to the 17" cheaper & the sports seats seemed like a worthy investment.
The car is quick and at 8,000 miles on the clock is getting quicker all the time.
The pull is impressive and the handling fautless.
And the 1 series is butt ugly.
There is in my opinion no draw-back to the ES !! It comes with a ickle spoiler, side skirt type bits... it's just better all round (and cheaper)
I went for the 2.0d ES 150bhp Compact.
It was a very good choice. The 16" wheels as standard made upgrading to the 17" cheaper & the sports seats seemed like a worthy investment.
The car is quick and at 8,000 miles on the clock is getting quicker all the time.
The pull is impressive and the handling fautless.
And the 1 series is butt ugly.
There is in my opinion no draw-back to the ES !! It comes with a ickle spoiler, side skirt type bits... it's just better all round (and cheaper)
baz1985 said:
apart from the manual air con, lack of multi-function steering wheel (no cruise etc). ES stands for extra sh'te. And that is, what it is pants. SE or Sport everytime.
Baz
Some would say that spending the money on options rather than a faster car is sh'te
I'd take a quicker car without a multi-function steering wheel over a 318 with anyday...My missues bought a 320d ES Compact. If you compare the basic spec with the ES and SE, the ES is excellent value. We opted to spend an extra £250 for the full climate, £200 on the upgraded interior and metallic paint.
The sports suspension is superb. Not too firm, but gives the car excellent handling.
The SE is great, but as a new buy I think you'll lose more money, as you pay a lot for the extras you get, and let's be honest who really uses multi-funtion steering wheels, on-board computers and cruise?
The sports suspension is superb. Not too firm, but gives the car excellent handling.
The SE is great, but as a new buy I think you'll lose more money, as you pay a lot for the extras you get, and let's be honest who really uses multi-funtion steering wheels, on-board computers and cruise?
ES Is crap?
Mine's fantastic, The Sport doesn't carry any advantage , neither does the SE?
Climate control is useless, I'd rather turn the nice easy to use dial.
Steering wheel controls ?? for what ?? Gear stick for gears, Pedals for controls ??
Get the ES - it makes a lot of sense, based on the ES the other models are rip offs.
You still get the spoiler, the side skirts, the sports suspension, the M pack wheel & gear knob that feels good, air con, cd player (which I changed anyway making steering wheel controls further more useless)
Further more there are websites that tell you how to unlock extra features such as the MPG, and KM range that you pay exdtra pay. I've tried them out and it works pretty well.
Steering wheel controls for £3,000 extra, come off it !
The chap who slates the ES owned a Mark 4 golf and has a 318i (says it all) - probably the worst modern car I've ever driven, worse than the corolla, focus, astra. The Mk4 golf was so disapointing, looked better than all of its opponents and yet couldn't handle, the GT TDi engine was so un-reliable ! rant rant
>> Edited by chris_freebie on Friday 29th October 16:25
Mine's fantastic, The Sport doesn't carry any advantage , neither does the SE?
Climate control is useless, I'd rather turn the nice easy to use dial.
Steering wheel controls ?? for what ?? Gear stick for gears, Pedals for controls ??
Get the ES - it makes a lot of sense, based on the ES the other models are rip offs.
You still get the spoiler, the side skirts, the sports suspension, the M pack wheel & gear knob that feels good, air con, cd player (which I changed anyway making steering wheel controls further more useless)
Further more there are websites that tell you how to unlock extra features such as the MPG, and KM range that you pay exdtra pay. I've tried them out and it works pretty well.
Steering wheel controls for £3,000 extra, come off it !
The chap who slates the ES owned a Mark 4 golf and has a 318i (says it all) - probably the worst modern car I've ever driven, worse than the corolla, focus, astra. The Mk4 golf was so disapointing, looked better than all of its opponents and yet couldn't handle, the GT TDi engine was so un-reliable ! rant rant
>> Edited by chris_freebie on Friday 29th October 16:25
havent driven an SE but freebies ES is fantastic i had it for 10 days in the summer and thrashed it around alot in the evnings, its a great fun car goes sideways nice eand easily in the wet when you take all the traction controll off 
but when its on its a very stable car, the handaling is brilliant sticks to the road like glue in the dry and it is very reasuring in the wet, the sports suspension is good it can make for a slightly more bumpy ride but thats a small price to pay for its handaling, the steering is very precice and gives you a good level of feedback, as for all the gadets i did about 800 miles in it, and i wanted for nothing very easy to drive on the motorway, no nead for cruise control, the radio is very well placed so you dont need the overpriced steering wheel controlls, climate control.... i managed to keep the cab at a nice comfortable temp without it. The ES is a very good car if it wasnt for the fact im not a BMW fan i would definatly buy one.
but when its on its a very stable car, the handaling is brilliant sticks to the road like glue in the dry and it is very reasuring in the wet, the sports suspension is good it can make for a slightly more bumpy ride but thats a small price to pay for its handaling, the steering is very precice and gives you a good level of feedback, as for all the gadets i did about 800 miles in it, and i wanted for nothing very easy to drive on the motorway, no nead for cruise control, the radio is very well placed so you dont need the overpriced steering wheel controlls, climate control.... i managed to keep the cab at a nice comfortable temp without it. The ES is a very good car if it wasnt for the fact im not a BMW fan i would definatly buy one.
I wouldn't want to spend nearly 20k and not have those luxuries. Though I agree they are good value, but have worse residuals and are less desirable. I'd get an 325 ti sport compact on a 02/52 for about 17-18k rather than a new 320d compact if running costs aren't a massive issue. If your after a pure drivers car look to an E30 M3/ 325/ 318iS.
Baz
Baz
Go for the ES and add the Sport seats add Bluetooth and you will have the multi-function wheel.
I think the ES is a better looking car with its colour-codded handles and nicer alloys, but you can always add these options to an SE.
There is no performance diferences between the 2....purly cosmetic.
I would strongly urge you to take a 120d for a test drive before ordering the compact!
It's a great car which ever you plump for
I think the ES is a better looking car with its colour-codded handles and nicer alloys, but you can always add these options to an SE.
There is no performance diferences between the 2....purly cosmetic.
I would strongly urge you to take a 120d for a test drive before ordering the compact!
It's a great car which ever you plump for
Donut said:
Go for the ES and add the Sport seats add Bluetooth and you will have the multi-function wheel.
I think the ES is a better looking car with its colour-codded handles and nicer alloys, but you can always add these options to an SE.
There is no performance diferences between the 2....purly cosmetic.
I would strongly urge you to take a 120d for a test drive before ordering the compact!
It's a great car which ever you plump for
Do that and maybe 17" Wheels too...
But like Donut says the 120d is stonking... If not slightly more expensive when specced right...
well said scoobyThe 1 series is F****ing terrible
Or do you need to goto Spec savers?
They are ruining the timeless interior & the outside of it is just simply hideous.
Top gear said "it looks like a fat person sat on it and people will only buy it because its a bmw" It's rubbish.
Mind you - fantastic as an Impreza is, it is also one of the ugliest cars on the road and the interior is so plastic fantastic my little tomy toy car.
>> Edited by chris_freebie on Tuesday 16th November 19:34
Or do you need to goto Spec savers?
They are ruining the timeless interior & the outside of it is just simply hideous.
Top gear said "it looks like a fat person sat on it and people will only buy it because its a bmw" It's rubbish.
Mind you - fantastic as an Impreza is, it is also one of the ugliest cars on the road and the interior is so plastic fantastic my little tomy toy car.
>> Edited by chris_freebie on Tuesday 16th November 19:34
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff