My first BMW - 60 plate 320D
Discussion
Been meaning to post this for a while, but I’m settled in to the car now so I feel like I can share… TL:DR at the end
I was looking for a car after being made redundant from my job (sorry, my role was and I was welcome to apply for a new role that looked suspiciously like my old role but we don’t really want you here so bugger off – No, I’m not bitter) and I didn’t have the money to buy something as new as I’d like so I was on the hunt. My criteria was Bluetooth, cruise, decent history and something reliable but I didn’t want a saloon as I was happy in smaller hatchbacks, so I bought this, a BMW 320D Efficient Dynamics “business edition” with everything I wanted, it had decent history, cam chain replacement, 93k, Bluetooth, etc. Test drive was fine so I bought it, price was good which is fortunate as I’m s
t at haggling.
Pick up day at the end of September and straight away, warning bells. Literally that, bulb out. Actually, lots more, but they only flashed up and haven’t been seen again – Another snag, Bluetooth wasn’t working, but the trader had gone off on a test drive so I parked it and went home. Much hunting and despite trying to work it out, still no Bluetooth, still nothing from the trader either – Some investigation and I found that despite the buttons being there, there was no module, so no Bluetooth. The trader said that the ad was “auto filled by Autotrader” and “was an honest mistake” – Some pissing about and I decided that I liked the car so accepted his offer of paying for an in car kit (which, to be honest, is just as good as some OEM kits I’ve used)
Couple of days in and I notice that the car is smoky. Very smoky. And smelly. I try to put it off but taking my partner home, this happened:
https://youtu.be/KKgdpPEq1gw
Moments later, the car dumped a ton of liquid on to the road - Initially thought it was oil, but it was mostly diesel. I cleaned it up off the road too
This required it to be recovered to my home then after some dicking about, back to the trader. Fortunately I didn’t need a car for a couple of days so I left it with him and went to collect it when it had been “fixed” by his garage. I was met and drove home, the car was actually worse and on the way back, dropped most of its fuel and I only just made it home (Doncaster to Shorpe). Under the car was this:
https://youtu.be/EwpAimbQLjQ
Understandably pissed off, I called him and when he eventually picked up, the car was collected and I was left with a loaner (a very ropey 10 plat Audi A4 Estate – which bore no resemblance to the advert for it). The car was with him a week and when it was “fixed”, I went to collect it – I went under the car as I wasn’t convinced:
https://youtu.be/0aC2ACQBNEg
Not fixed.
At this point, it’s been 3 weeks and the car’s been undrivable for more than 2 and I just want shot of it, except there’s nothing in price range or anything for about 30 miles so I stick with it. He offered to pay for an extended warranty and one more attempt to get it fixed otherwise he’d take the car back which I agreed to.
The car was returned and seemed fixed, I can still smell oil occasionally, but I can live with that and I’ll get it properly valeted at some point. He did explain what it was, but with the mists of time, I forgot, but I did look it up and it seemed plausible
So, now all that’s done, I can enjoy the car – Except I can’t totally yet. I’ve replaced all the front lights at one point or another, but they’ve gone individually so I’ll accept that as one of those things, and I’ve just had to mot it, I didn’t check or make a point of it and as a result it expired last week (rookie mistake on my part) – passed with a couple of advisories (binding brakes and front anti roll bar has a little play). The wheels are bit corroded so they’ll need looking at, at some point too and there’s occasional vibration at the front which I’ll need to get looked at – I’ll book it in to the local BMW specialist next week if I can
One thing I hate is the abject lack of storage in the back. I have 2 kids and I’ve had to get those seat back storage things and a sofa armrest storage thing just for any storage – No pockets or cupholders present at all, absolutely hopeless. I am mostly town driving so my economy is laughable and I have to remember to do a motorway trip occasionally otherwise the DPF seems to run and you can smell it, the kids aren’t overly keen as it’s a lot lower than my departed Kia Ceed (which was a nice place to be). The air con, which is always on, is “whiney” and you can hear it – I know it’s the air con as when I turn it off, the noise stops
I didn’t bother with “extending the warranty” as the trader backtracked and said he’d “contribute” to it instead but I decided the unless something went catastrophically wrong, I wanted nothing more to do with him. In hindsight, I should have steered clear as there were enough warning signs from him personally that I should have seen, but I needed a car as the Kia was a company one and had to go back. I won’t name and shame here
On the plus side, it is actually a nice drive, it’s quick when I want it to be, economical when I’m cruising, it’s comfortable and it’s actually a nice car to look at, the colour was one of the draws. Boot space isn’t bad too and despite the farce of the purchase, it’s been ok. I washed and clayed it a couple of months ago and it came up very nicely – Apart from highlighting a few marks I hadn’t spotted before which includes a very shonky paint cover up on the bonnet
It needs a proper valet inside to be honest and then I can focus on the other bits – And I need to learn how to drive with a RWD car too as this is my first with RWD and if I’m a bit heavy footed, I can get the back out on occasion
If you’ve got this far, well done
TL:DR. I bought a 320D, trader was a dick and the car was a nail, few repair attempts were iffy, but the car’s fine now. Internal aesthetics were odd and there’s no rear storage but it’s ok – Kids finally accept it too
I was looking for a car after being made redundant from my job (sorry, my role was and I was welcome to apply for a new role that looked suspiciously like my old role but we don’t really want you here so bugger off – No, I’m not bitter) and I didn’t have the money to buy something as new as I’d like so I was on the hunt. My criteria was Bluetooth, cruise, decent history and something reliable but I didn’t want a saloon as I was happy in smaller hatchbacks, so I bought this, a BMW 320D Efficient Dynamics “business edition” with everything I wanted, it had decent history, cam chain replacement, 93k, Bluetooth, etc. Test drive was fine so I bought it, price was good which is fortunate as I’m s
t at haggling.Pick up day at the end of September and straight away, warning bells. Literally that, bulb out. Actually, lots more, but they only flashed up and haven’t been seen again – Another snag, Bluetooth wasn’t working, but the trader had gone off on a test drive so I parked it and went home. Much hunting and despite trying to work it out, still no Bluetooth, still nothing from the trader either – Some investigation and I found that despite the buttons being there, there was no module, so no Bluetooth. The trader said that the ad was “auto filled by Autotrader” and “was an honest mistake” – Some pissing about and I decided that I liked the car so accepted his offer of paying for an in car kit (which, to be honest, is just as good as some OEM kits I’ve used)
Couple of days in and I notice that the car is smoky. Very smoky. And smelly. I try to put it off but taking my partner home, this happened:
https://youtu.be/KKgdpPEq1gw
Moments later, the car dumped a ton of liquid on to the road - Initially thought it was oil, but it was mostly diesel. I cleaned it up off the road too
This required it to be recovered to my home then after some dicking about, back to the trader. Fortunately I didn’t need a car for a couple of days so I left it with him and went to collect it when it had been “fixed” by his garage. I was met and drove home, the car was actually worse and on the way back, dropped most of its fuel and I only just made it home (Doncaster to S
horpe). Under the car was this:https://youtu.be/EwpAimbQLjQ
Understandably pissed off, I called him and when he eventually picked up, the car was collected and I was left with a loaner (a very ropey 10 plat Audi A4 Estate – which bore no resemblance to the advert for it). The car was with him a week and when it was “fixed”, I went to collect it – I went under the car as I wasn’t convinced:
https://youtu.be/0aC2ACQBNEg
Not fixed.
At this point, it’s been 3 weeks and the car’s been undrivable for more than 2 and I just want shot of it, except there’s nothing in price range or anything for about 30 miles so I stick with it. He offered to pay for an extended warranty and one more attempt to get it fixed otherwise he’d take the car back which I agreed to.
The car was returned and seemed fixed, I can still smell oil occasionally, but I can live with that and I’ll get it properly valeted at some point. He did explain what it was, but with the mists of time, I forgot, but I did look it up and it seemed plausible
So, now all that’s done, I can enjoy the car – Except I can’t totally yet. I’ve replaced all the front lights at one point or another, but they’ve gone individually so I’ll accept that as one of those things, and I’ve just had to mot it, I didn’t check or make a point of it and as a result it expired last week (rookie mistake on my part) – passed with a couple of advisories (binding brakes and front anti roll bar has a little play). The wheels are bit corroded so they’ll need looking at, at some point too and there’s occasional vibration at the front which I’ll need to get looked at – I’ll book it in to the local BMW specialist next week if I can
One thing I hate is the abject lack of storage in the back. I have 2 kids and I’ve had to get those seat back storage things and a sofa armrest storage thing just for any storage – No pockets or cupholders present at all, absolutely hopeless. I am mostly town driving so my economy is laughable and I have to remember to do a motorway trip occasionally otherwise the DPF seems to run and you can smell it, the kids aren’t overly keen as it’s a lot lower than my departed Kia Ceed (which was a nice place to be). The air con, which is always on, is “whiney” and you can hear it – I know it’s the air con as when I turn it off, the noise stops
I didn’t bother with “extending the warranty” as the trader backtracked and said he’d “contribute” to it instead but I decided the unless something went catastrophically wrong, I wanted nothing more to do with him. In hindsight, I should have steered clear as there were enough warning signs from him personally that I should have seen, but I needed a car as the Kia was a company one and had to go back. I won’t name and shame here
On the plus side, it is actually a nice drive, it’s quick when I want it to be, economical when I’m cruising, it’s comfortable and it’s actually a nice car to look at, the colour was one of the draws. Boot space isn’t bad too and despite the farce of the purchase, it’s been ok. I washed and clayed it a couple of months ago and it came up very nicely – Apart from highlighting a few marks I hadn’t spotted before which includes a very shonky paint cover up on the bonnet
It needs a proper valet inside to be honest and then I can focus on the other bits – And I need to learn how to drive with a RWD car too as this is my first with RWD and if I’m a bit heavy footed, I can get the back out on occasion
If you’ve got this far, well done
TL:DR. I bought a 320D, trader was a dick and the car was a nail, few repair attempts were iffy, but the car’s fine now. Internal aesthetics were odd and there’s no rear storage but it’s ok – Kids finally accept it too
I had an ED. It's a secret lesson in how good a normal BMW can ride. Small wheels and tyres, no runflats, no M-Sport suspension. I remember EVO saying how it reminded of them of BMWs of yore. I also remember the lack of interior storage! There was an optional storage pack which I think gave seatback map pockets which would help. Is there anything in the rear armrest?
RicksAlfas said:
I had an ED. It's a secret lesson in how good a normal BMW can ride. Small wheels and tyres, no runflats, no M-Sport suspension. I remember EVO saying how it reminded of them of BMWs of yore. I also remember the lack of interior storage! There was an optional storage pack which I think gave seatback map pockets which would help. Is there anything in the rear armrest?
There's an armrest and that's it 
Butterzzz said:
I thought they all had a cup holder that slides out of the front of the rear arm rest? My E91 certainly does, although it was wedged in when I first got the car.
Just had another look now, it's a fabric one with nothing that can slide out at allFound a storage slot in the ski hatch cover though, it might hold a notebook
Edited by james_TW on Monday 28th February 13:10
RicksAlfas said:
I had an ED. It's a secret lesson in how good a normal BMW can ride. Small wheels and tyres, no runflats, no M-Sport suspension. I remember EVO saying how it reminded of them of BMWs of yore. I also remember the lack of interior storage! There was an optional storage pack which I think gave seatback map pockets which would help. Is there anything in the rear armrest?
Optional map pockets, fk me budgie smuggler said:
RicksAlfas said:
I had an ED. It's a secret lesson in how good a normal BMW can ride. Small wheels and tyres, no runflats, no M-Sport suspension. I remember EVO saying how it reminded of them of BMWs of yore. I also remember the lack of interior storage! There was an optional storage pack which I think gave seatback map pockets which would help. Is there anything in the rear armrest?
Optional map pockets, fk me Could have been worse, I nearly bought a Citroen DS4 which doesn't even have opening rear windows ...
RicksAlfas said:
I had an ED. It's a secret lesson in how good a normal BMW can ride. Small wheels and tyres, no runflats, no M-Sport suspension. I remember EVO saying how it reminded of them of BMWs of yore. I also remember the lack of interior storage! There was an optional storage pack which I think gave seatback map pockets which would help. Is there anything in the rear armrest?
They do actually drive really well on the small 'unfashionable" 16" wheels with normal suspension, very wafty.757 said:
RicksAlfas said:
I had an ED. It's a secret lesson in how good a normal BMW can ride. Small wheels and tyres, no runflats, no M-Sport suspension. I remember EVO saying how it reminded of them of BMWs of yore. I also remember the lack of interior storage! There was an optional storage pack which I think gave seatback map pockets which would help. Is there anything in the rear armrest?
They do actually drive really well on the small 'unfashionable" 16" wheels with normal suspension, very wafty.(This is a far better conversation than I expected after the first comment)
james_TW said:
Funnily enough, I thought I'd hate the wheels and the ride, but it's comfy - I'm too old for being bounced all over the place...
(This is a far better conversation than I expected after the first comment)
I run a 2012 E91, with the same 16" wheels, this car was more comfortable than my Volvo V60 and SAAB 9-3 I have sold, this BMW has stayed.(This is a far better conversation than I expected after the first comment)
Looking at getting one like this OP, the 320d ED saloon, to add as a 2nd car.
I had a 320d ED from new in 2011 (company car). When it went back after a little under 4 years with me it had 92,000 trouble free miles on it. I've checked the DVLA MOT history site - it's still going, and had 198,000 on at the last MoT a few months ago. As others have mentioned, great ride on 16" rims and non-RFT tyres. Interior was a little basic, but that's down to options that I chose not to pay for when I ordered. My company also wouldn't let me fund the one option I wanted - the bluetooth upgrade - as they didn't want to encourage people to use their phones when driving!
Based on experience, if the shell is sound I'd make a bit of effort to keep it as close to perfect as you can - they're a tough car to beat at their price point.
Based on experience, if the shell is sound I'd make a bit of effort to keep it as close to perfect as you can - they're a tough car to beat at their price point.
I think what was remarkable about them wasn't just the comfort, but how well it would go down a typical B-road. It was really good at absorbing bumps which would bounce a runflat M-Sport 3-series around. A pal of mine had a 330d at the same time and he couldn't believe the two cars were related. It's just a shame fashion has dictated huge low profile tyres.
OP - next time you are next to the car have a look at the wheels. They have a little arrow on them for rotation as they are actually right and left handed. All for the sake of aerodynamics! (And they are easy to clean too).
OP - next time you are next to the car have a look at the wheels. They have a little arrow on them for rotation as they are actually right and left handed. All for the sake of aerodynamics! (And they are easy to clean too).
If you’ve had remarks regarding binding brakes on the front, that could well be the cause of your shakes; the calipers might be saved or have their life extended by cleaning up around the pistons and getting the guide pins out for a clean.
I ended up removing the full brake systems on my 130i and starting afresh after getting sick of doing that though.
I can’t imagine a refurb caliper would be too expensive if it’s just the one side needed.
If you can stand the car being off the road and are handy with the Spanners you could refurb the calipers yourself.
I ended up removing the full brake systems on my 130i and starting afresh after getting sick of doing that though.
I can’t imagine a refurb caliper would be too expensive if it’s just the one side needed.
If you can stand the car being off the road and are handy with the Spanners you could refurb the calipers yourself.
but handy, I'm not. Haha 
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff