What is it?
The 320d ED is part of a refreshed 3-series range, which only sees cosmetic (including new bumpers and lights) changes awarded to the coupe and cabrio.
However, the standard 320d models get a refreshed engine, with a new 1800bar common rail injection system and an extra 7bhp (for a total 182bhp) and an extra 22lb ft of torque, taking it up to a maximum of 280lb ft.
The standard 320d also gets the full compliment of fuel-saving Efficient Dynamics kit, including the ability to selectively ‘switch-off’ the electric power steering, oil pump and air-con compressor. Start-stop is also standard. The upshot is that the standard-issue 320d is good for a Co2 figure of 125g/km.
The 320d ED, however, has a de-tuned version of the 320d engine, with power reduced by 20bhp. Added to this is a package of additional engineering measures including a longer final drive ratio, lowered suspension front and rear and new aerodynamic wheel rims.
The upshot is that the 320d ED has fractionally slippier body (a Cd of 0.26 instead of 0.27) and Co2 emissions that fall to supermini levels of just 109g/km, a remarkable figure for a car of this size.
What’s it like?
We tried the 320d on the country roads around Munich and found it to be as expected of the 3-series: well balanced, wieldy and acceptably swift. However, the new engine is more vocal under acceleration that the best of its rivals.
Another unexpected benefit is that the 320d ED has a notably smoother engine than its sister car. That’s probably thanks to the new dual mass flywheel, which gets a pair of ‘Centrifugal Pendulum Absorbers’ to further damp out engine vibration.
Like all the 2010 3-series, both 320d models are starting to feel their age. The control weights are a little over heavy, the windscreen a little too close to the driver and the chassis, though well balanced, is a touch leaden in its responses.
We shouldn’t forget, however, that this leadenness is relative. The 3-series is rear-drive and has a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, which gives the car an inherent handling advantage over front-drive rivals.
However, this particular 3-series was prone to both instability in strong side winds and occasional strong wind rustle from around the windscreen pillars. Even so, it’s a satisfying car to steer in nearly all conditions.
Should I buy one?
With the 320d ED costing the same as the standard-issue 320d SE in the UK, why would any buyer not take the more frugal (and slightly more refined) tax-busting model?
Indeed, the UK’s enthusiasm for the BMW 3-series (and the Treasury’s enthusiasm for taxing business drivers) should result in 60 percent of all the 320d EfficientDynamics models made for the European market ending up on UK roads.
Join the debate
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics
Had my 320d ED for 10 days. covered 600miles mixed motorway and busy city centre rush hour traffic. trip computer covering the last 550miles is showing an average of bang on the claimed 68.9. trip last Thursday down the M5 keeping the speed between 60/70 (was early for a meeting) the 97 mile trip averaged 78.4mph! and that included heavy traffic through Bristol. on the return trip i was stuck in traffic in Bristol, took 45 minutes to travel the 8 miles to the M4 where traffic eased, 70mph most of the rest of the way back, round trip 195miles the average mph dropped to 72.4.
Takes some getting used to as the gear ratio's are very tall. jumping out of a 2litre petrol motor where 35mph would have me happliy in 6th you are only just changing up from 3rd in the ED. 30mph is less than 1000rpm in 4th. 70mph is about 1500rpm in 6th from memory. it rev's so low that i've had to program the speed warning to kick in at 90mph because you just don't notice the speed.
As a company car user this makes so much sense, lease costs are low due to the tax breaks and expected residual value.
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics
I averaged 65 MPG with aircon on from Aberdeen to Leeds via the A1. Got stuck on the A1 for 40 or so minutes as well.
Not bad for its first outing!
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics
I've covered just over 5,000 miles in my 320d ED now, and haven't reset the OBC. I'm showing 67.2mpg average and that hasn't moved in the last 2,000 miles. I'm hugely impressed with this. Admittedly, my commute is an 80 mile round trip per day, half country roads, plenty of motorway and then 3 miles city centre driving, so the majority of the mileage is not city-based, but even so. To say there's plenty of power when you need it, excellent refinement and quite a smooth ride (no runflats thank goodness) I'm struggling to see the downside of this car, as a company car user.
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics
I'm averaging around 62. That's with auto headlights and the aircon on. My typical drive is mixed motorway, A roads and city centre. If I were to go on a long motorway stint, it usually sits at around 71.
I'm quite happy with it. Has that little bit of power when needed and is incredibly tax efficient for us company car owners.
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon
Wow! I just wonder what sort of CO2 emissions (probably sub 100g/km!) BMW would manage to get from a suitably tweaked 316D, or even better, a efficient dyanmic 116D.
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon
These are very impressive numbers, even if i doubt it will come close to the claimed figures in the real world.
But i for one would be much happier if they stuck to making 6 cylinder petrol engines and forgot this other rubbish. 27k for this? i dont think so
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon
These are very impressive numbers, even if i doubt it will come close to the claimed figures in the real world.
Almost!
Nudging 40k miles my trip computer (and verified by the old fill, jot and calc method) shows I have averaged 47mpg.
I do a large proportion of my driving in towns/cities with the occaisional long trip. The figs state urban as 45mpg, extra as 68mpg and combined as 57mpg.
None of this factors in that my right foot is heavy.
Having the 177bhp derv drinker in the 3 door 1 series I can say that this engine is fantastic and yes on the long runs I can get up to 700 miles for £45.
MPG figures will always be optomistic but I can well believe this 3 being very good on fuel and keeping a smile on the drivers face.
But i for one would be much happier if they stuck to making 6 cylinder petrol engines
I would love the 135i that twin turbo 6 is phenomenal - but the monthly costs double, and in the real world its not that much faster - traffic, SPECS and Big Brother.
forgot this other rubbish. 27k for this? i dont think so
There is nothing else in that bracket that is as rounded.
Those that don't move on get left behind.
Feel free to join us if your quick enough.......Audi are have just left but are 2 years behind..
I'm now on all fours
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon
But i for one would be much happier if they stuck to making 6 cylinder petrol engines and forgot this other rubbish. 27k for this? i dont think so
Yes BMW 6 cylinder engines are superb, but their 4 cylinders are also excellent, and more importantly make up the bulk of BMW sales, in the UK at least, and I suspect the continent too.
Given that the majority of these cars go to company drivers, the lower tax band will be of huge significance. There is simply nothing else in its' sector which can compete. The 320d is already around the 27k mark and still flies out of the door, so a lower tax bracket will only improve the sales.
Re: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon
Are we starting to get interesting econo-cars instead of the Pious rubbish? That's a change. £27k though? Bugger me (well, don't actually), that's expensive.
