Test drove a BMW today...

[PDT]

I had a passenger ride in an Alpina D3, which is essentially a 320d and it was brilliant. Superb ride and proper quick. If one of these is in budget you should give it a spin, I reckon...

I've test drove one of these and loved it, great car!  

Its pretty much the 123d engine in that I'm told, I like them too

If its anything like that 123d engine it will be as dead as the bullfrog that peter griffin stabbed in the back.

The 123d is a brilliant engine! Odd that you dont like it ?

Can be even better too:

[PDT]

BMW gearboxes are usually very precise, maybe it was a bad one?

As for the heavy handling, I love that. Unlike most FWD cars they dont dumb down the steering feel by adding over assistance from the power steering. Even my X5 feels great to drive and is genuinely rewarding to drive quickly.

[rich83]

Flat as a pancake dave (in stock tune)... makes a stage 1 ed30 feel like warp 9!

[PDT]

Odd, most people love them. They dont have the urgency that many turbo engines have, but torque and power delivery is very linear and progressive, infact they are so smooth they can be decieving.

[rich83]

Odd, most people love them. They dont have the urgency that many turbo engines have, but torque and power delivery is very linear and progressive, infact they are so smooth they can be decieving.

Thats probably (almost certainly) the issue i had with it.

[MAT ED30]

PDT if I get an e46 derv I will coming to see you for a remap 

[jhtrophy]

PDT if I get an e46 derv I will coming to see you for a remap 

Listen to the man, buy a 123d

[Kregiel]

i test drove 335d before going for gti and didn't really like it. The automatic gearbox shifting speed is nowhere near dsg but heard on 335i the automatic is much better. What I liked however is the handling and steering feel. I like it heavy

Paul

[MAT ED30]

PDT if I get an e46 derv I will coming to see you for a remap 

Listen to the man, buy a 123d

Nah don't like it 

[Rocket]

Odd, most people love them. They dont have the urgency that many turbo engines have, but torque and power delivery is very linear and progressive, infact they are so smooth they can be decieving.

^^^ this is true, the power is very smooth, and the 6 cylinder sound is gorgeous, but I feel I have more fun in a rapid turbo punch, plus you feel the speed at least 
Oh and here's a little pic of my ride as it sits, on 19" 7 series alloys, 9x19 front and 10x19 rear. Bit of arch rubbing.

[simonp]

The one I went in was the first single turbo version with 200PS. Rapid enough to leave another pal in a 911 trailing (an old one) and the ride, even on big 19" wheels surpasses the BMW on which it's based.

[Mk5 GTian]

Odd, most people love them. They dont have the urgency that many turbo engines have, but torque and power delivery is very linear and progressive, infact they are so smooth they can be decieving.

^^^ this is true, the power is very smooth, and the 6 cylinder sound is gorgeous, but I feel I have more fun in a rapid turbo punch, plus you feel the speed at least 
Oh and here's a little pic of my ride as it sits, on 19" 7 series alloys, 9x19 front and 10x19 rear. Bit of arch rubbing.

Absolutely stunning. E46 M3 is on my next car list if I can't retrofit a Webasto sunroof for sensible money, it'll be happening in the next couple of months.

[SeanyK]

...Why is it I am tempted again? Even though I was convinced I didn't like it?

Does it sound odd if I said I felt weird with a salesman in the car as well, as I couldn't really relax and drive it as I wanted to?

[PDT]

Because the RWD, Handling, practicality, economy and comfort is hard to beat as a package. Try driving a better car, maybe a private sale, as salesmen can put you ff when driving a car.

[SeanyK]

So is RWD better handling than the Golf for example, in otherwords, let's compare a 2007 320d to a 2005 MK5 Gti and maybe a 2009 MK6 TSI?