2000-2003 ish 320d or 530d

[YamR1,V64motion]

hi, sorry to trouble you guys over on this forum but i am considering a BMW for my next car and wanted a bit of advice if possible.
im either thinking of a 320d or 530d both seem very good engines and quite good value,im looking to spend £10k or less, i know the 530 is a bigger car but it is of course ore spacious and im not too fussy about the size, it also seems a lot better value than he 3 series, the 330d seems too expensive in comparison, so my question on the 5 is what is the MPG like and is the 320d a bit underpowered perhaps, my only other considerations from these 2 are the Mercedes Class or C class coupe C220 CDI or perhaps a VW Golf TDI but i would rather not take that route as i think the BMW/Merc option would be nicer.

[stub]

I've got a 320td compact and a 530d (new shape) and they're both great motors IMHO.

Compact has lots of chassis balance and grip, wet or dry really and has a servicing package from new to 60k miles so is cheap to run. Chipped it's also very quick (versus shopping trolleys) and very economical (49mpg on a recent long motorway jaunt). Only downside is it's pretty small.

The 530 is also chipped and is similarly accomplished but with so much more polish to everything it does. It's about 10mpg down on the 320 at least for the same type of journey, but is such a limo when you want and still capable of a bit of hoonage.

At £10k, you're going to have to shop carefully! I'd look for a BMW AUC first.

Hope this helps.

[mbutchers]

The 320d is a fantastic engine. In fact, up until the upgraded 204bhp 3.0litre engine, there was little or no justification over the 2.0litre model. If you don't need the space, then go for the 320d.

[YamR1,V64motion]

thanks for the advice, think it will be between the 3 series 320d or the Mercedes C Class 220 CDI.

[off_again]

[quote=YamR1,V64motion]



thanks for the advice, think it will be between the 3 series 320d or the Mercedes C Class 220 CDI.[/quote]

Errrr, the nasty rattly 2.2 CDI from Mercedes? Not even in the same league I am afraid. Merc knows that the old small capacity diesels are no good and are replacing them soonish. The best small capacity diesels around at the moment are the BMW 2.0d and Honda 2.2CTDI. The new VAG one is good, but its too noisy. Even the Ford TDCIs are better than the Merc one. Only until you get to the 270CDI is it getting good.

Sorry.

[YamR1,V64motion]

i have to say the Ford TDCIs are a very good engone in my opinion anyway, chances are i will go for the BMW 320d as it seems better value than the Merc.

[davidd]

I hace a 320cd and my pa has a monedo 2.0tdci, I must say performance wise there is very little in it, the 210 probably comes out slightly ahead.

The TDCI is much more economical, probably about 8mpg more.

The BMW is a much better car to drive, I'm not saying the ford is not a good drive, it is (we have one as well) but the bmw is better.

D