[R80TER]

Gents, whats the craic?

is there a gulf of difference?

Just for my personal budget, i can get a much better spec 318d than 320d and spend the spare cash on a remap.

are they worlds apart?? real world answers please!!

[Dizzle]

We talking NEW here? or pre LCI?

Having dorve both theres a noticable power difference but then I have no experience of a chipped 318d.

[JLR1969]

I owned a 2008 320d that was mapped and now own (company car) a 2011 318D.

The 320D was quick and economy was very good, M-Sport suspension with 19" wheels was terrible. The map made a huge difference -177 to 215bhp.

The 318D is noticably slower than a standard 320D although the 318D is more than adequate for driving on motorways, you can average high 60mpg if you take care.

I specced sports seats, sports steering wheel and anthracite headlining so I have the benefits of a sports interior without the overly firm suspension.

I managed to have a lot more extras on the car by having a 318 instead of a 320 which for me is worth it.

If you like a bit of performance then get a 320D as the 318D is brisk at best and boring at worst.

If I was spending my own money I would probably buy the 320D.

[willhollin]

Have you put any pics of your new car up mate?

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Have you put any pics of your new car up mate?

Hi Will

TBH did not see the point as externally it's a standard black 3 series, much the same as every other 3 series SE.

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Hi Will

TBH did not see the point as externally it's a standard black 3 series, much the same as every other 3 series SE.

You mean you're too embarrassed?

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by willhollin

You mean you're too embarrassed?

LOL it's a company car so quite happy to have it for nothing.

[R80TER]

Originally Posted by Dizzle

We talking NEW here? or pre LCI?

Having dorve both theres a noticable power difference but then I have no experience of a chipped 318d.

lci, but not new. have to buy my own under 3 years old...

[Dizzle]

Any ideas what a chipped 318d LCI performance output is?

Like I say I drive both, both impressed me and the ride was smoother in both (both were M sport spec) compared to my 1er with msport suspension on 17's.

It all comes down to power and mpg, and the differences are obvious - bet I spend around another £10 on fuel a month in the 320d compared to the 118d I had if that. Best ust booking in some test drives, guessing if your coming from a 330d a 320d may be better suited

[mowflow]

I had a 318d and have had a few 320d's on test drives so not spent a massive amount of time in a 320. I never noticed a gulf of difference between the two (all were pre lci). I never mapped my 318d but it would pretty much be the same as a standard 320d with a map.

The amount of turbos going in 320s would make me very nervous about buying one. Not a major disaster if you are buying with a warranty but still a major PITA.

My main reason for changing my 318d was due to boredom so I guess that sums up what JLR1969 said.

[R80TER]

hmm, thanks for the input guys! will get myself some test drives i think..

[SO8]

I had a 320d (177) for 9 months and had a new 318d for a day whilst my 320d was serviced.

Limited exposure to the 318d admittedly but FWIW my view was it was not hugely slower than the 320d ... but noticeably so nonetheless ...

The 318d feels basically flat compared - but that is not to put the 318d down ... just that it is not interesting - just functional.

The 320d has just enough bite to be enjoyable. It is not slow - 8 secs to 60 ... but not quick - but it does do enough to get by. The 318d merely gets you there.

Drive both as you have said and see what you think.

Oh, and I forgot to mention I tried my auto 320d remapped via Superchips for a week. I didn't find it comfortable (my preferences were different - it was not a bad map) but by god it made it quick !

[Ti Rich]

A mapped 318D should be around the 180BHP mark.