I've tested both and I have to say that I really like the touring design. Not only the exterior looks great but the interior is one of the best minimalistic designs I have ever seen in mid-range cars.

The 320d is good for every day use. It has a really good diesel/mile ratio and it has enough power to drive with a lot of fun en comfort. Especially when you choose for the sport seats (I really recommend those).

The 330d is the real deal. It's what BMW should be about. But I have to say that BMW is German and their cars should also be on the autobahn instead of other European highways. In my case (Holland) you will only get more speed tickets when you choose for the last one. It's so easy to drive fast, and you won't notice the difference between 120kmh or 160kmh. 

When you have the money and you don't care about extra maintenance costs, get the 330. Maybe you will get some speed tickets, but the car will make you smile and the 6 cilinders are good sounding. When you want a sporty car with bang for buck get the 320. You won't be disappointed. If you care more about comfort you should maybe check Volvo's V50.

Chris, in this case I must ask why you want to have touring? BMW 3 touring is useless if we are talking about the trunk space... In this case I recommend you Mercedes E series... Simply untouchable trunk space.

BMW gives you the feeling that you can drive each curve over 100 mile 🙂 It is really sporty and makes you definitely happy. However, it has really small interior, even touring model it is not really family car.

320d or 330d is just the question of where and how you drive. My RRS also has 245 HP diesel engine and even with 2,7 tonnes I'm happy with the performance of the engine and I know how this engine fits to BMW. It's a driving experiance. But do you really need it? 

330d every single time.  BMW's are made for 6-cylinder engines!

There's not much in fuel economy difference (well, not vast amounts) - so get some enjoyment out of driving..  I've had the 3.0d engine in several cars, and it's superb.  I've got the latest 3.0d in my current vehicle and i've never been happier.

If you can stretch though and want more space, the E320 CDi Estate is a cracker as mentioned.

Lee

The 320d is a really good car, but that is before you've driven a 330d. Like Lee said, you have to have a 6-cylinder in a BMW. BMW is famous for it's inline 6's. This particular type of engine is getting rarer all the time as most manufacturers prefer V6 arrangements or 4 cylinder turbo engines. Even BMW is choosing the latter option as a consequence of reducing fuel figures even further. So get an inline 6 while you still can. You won't regret it.

The only downside to a 320d is that the car is slightly heavier in the front. Not much, I am nitpicking here, it's not like a frontwheel drive car. You still get the nearly 50-50 front to back weight distribution, another well known BMW feature.

Like Beobird I recommend the sport seats.

If you need more space there are alternatives. Personally I would avoid an E320 CDi estate. It probably is a good car with more space, but fun is not on the agenda.

Going to look at a 320d touring on Sunday. 

Does anyone in northern parts of the world use block heaters? Does it make much difference? Will the engine warm quicker?

Thanks

Chris Harrison wrote:

Does anyone in northern parts of the world use block heaters? Does it make much difference? Will the engine warm quicker?

Those were excellent in the age of cast iron engine blocks, where the heating element actually went into the block and was able to do something. Generally they start to be useful when the temp stays below +5°C.

Nowadays, on most cars they are either attached on the exterior of the oil pan or even worse, inline with a cooling hose where it doesn't do much unless the system is equipped with a circulation pump as well. In your climate, I wouldn't bother especially if you pay for your electricity. Fiddling with the cable every time you park & leave is another annoyance. I'd much rather have a Webasto with remote control...

Tournedos,

I was up in Kitilla a few months ago and noticed plug in sockets in car parks, when would you plug the car in? What does it do?,will it keep the engine at temperature?

Thanks

Why do I suddently feel like I'm on the homepage of  "Top Gear"...or BMWworld... ? 😎 👍

Chris Harrison wrote:

when would you plug the car in? What does it do?,will it keep the engine at temperature?

Optimally you'd use it for ½ - 2 hours before start depending on outside temperature, longer than that will just waste electricity. The socket posts often have individual timers, or the electricity feed of the entire parking lot may be timed.

The old style engine heater that has an element in an internal coolant passage in the block can raise the coolant temp up to 20°C. These however can usually only be installed in cast iron blocks, where the element replaces a cast plug and reaches the coolant directly.

The oil pan heaters mostly serve to ensure that the engine oil is in liquid form before you start... if you have ever tried to coax especially mineral oil out of a bottle in -20°C you know what I mean 🙂

Neither of these can keep the engine anywhere near running temp, but will speed the warming up, and in really cold weather can make the difference whether it will start at all or not.