In the cinema, a cult film is not necessarily a masterpiece. By analogy, the BMW 320d is not the best of the 3 Series. But it has nevertheless become almost legendary.
Labeled from its appearance, under the guise of the E46 generation, in the heyday of the king diesel, as the economical choice of the range, this BMW remains one of the most pleasant sedans to lead on the market. Notably because despite its unglamorous mechanics, it has managed to preserve the fundamentals of driving pleasure. Starting with the driving position, among other examples, typical of a 3 Series.
Above all, this engine is most often associated with propulsion. Granted, that doesn’t make it a drift machine, even today with 190bhp under the hood. But its road temperament ensures a minimum of entertainment, which allows to chain the kilometers without seeing them scroll.
Long distances go all the more unnoticed as the Bavarian knows, like few others, go fast and far, requiring refueling only every 36 of the month. This has allowed him, over time, to partly make people forget his most stubborn faults. Like the chronic lack of discretion of its vibrating and roaring engine.
Although on this side, the 320d can be healed. Recently, it is electrified by means of a 48 V network. While some competitors would take the opportunity to show off by embellishing their bodywork with a somewhat usurped “hybrid” badge, here, no distinctive sign in sight. It is at the wheel that the most difference is made.
Especially in traffic or at a red light, when the high-power starter-alternator cuts and then relaunches the 4-cylinder in a flash, without causing the slightest jerk or snap. This reactivity even allows extended stop & start operation up to 160 km / h. The Munich sedan, now subscribed to the automatic gearbox, is thus able to coast, completely transparently, sometimes over several hectometers in a row.
If the traffic conditions or the profile of the road are not suitable, deceleration is used to recharge the small dedicated battery. The primary goal of such refinement is obviously to save a few extra drops of fuel.
But in the end, this micro-hybridization turns out to be less favorable to consumption, which is already exemplary, than to mechanical approval. The 8 kW (or nearly 11 hp) of the reversible machine indeed enhances the roundness of the engine. at the bottom of the tachometer by assisting it when relaunching. Enough besides to regain momentum with vigor, but smoothly on the eighth and last report of the transmission.
Despite its efforts, this BMW, yet exempted from an ecological penalty in most possible configurations according to the 2021 scale, will soon be banned from the center of certain large cities. Go figure it out. After having been a panacea for a long time, it now seems that diesel is the past …
Never mind, the 320d of the future already exists. Thanks to Tesla. The Model 3 is also the object of a certain cult, in particular by fans of the brand. It shares especially with the Germanic reference this rather enjoyable gap between its condition of relatively anonymous sedan, with supposedly reasonable motorization, and the pleasure it provides behind the wheel.
We can even speak here of a large gap. A Model 3 with great autonomy develops around 450 hp and accelerates according to Tesla from 0 to 100 km / h in 4 ”4. Without our having been able to verify it in front of the stopwatch, the impression of riding a motorbike, comfortably seated in an armchair, confirms it. The BMW is an asthmatic wagon by comparison.
But almost more than by its performance, the new Californian darling, the best-selling family sedan in France (by far), surprises with its communicative character. It does not insulate as much from bitumen as its big sister the Model S or even more traditional sedans with combustion engines. Without exaggerating too much, the road feel is not far from that of a modern Behemian.
Both lively and efficient, this integral shines among other things by the quality of its damping that many sports could legitimately envy. That its weight greatly exceeds 1,800 kg is hardly believable as braking and changes of course are linked naturally.
What to imagine that this version, promising as a bonus the greatest radius of action as its name suggests, is exchanged for a fortune. Nay! The 52 990 € claimed certainly exceed the first price of a 320d, but not its real price; one that includes the many options that BMW makes essential (our beautiful Blue Tanzanite copy exceeds € 65,000…), like a fuel tank that goes from 40 to 59 liters against an additional € 180.
It is also necessary to deduct from a relatively reasonable sum, the 2 000 € of government bonus still granted this year, cumulative with possible regional aid and premium for the conversion. If not to contain the budget at the time of purchase, these different nudges make it possible to afford the installation of a Wallbox at home, highly recommended when it comes to driving electric on a daily basis.
Maintenance also supposes some savings compared to a thermal equivalent. Even if in both cases here, the maintenance intervals are calculated by the car itself thanks to a self-diagnostic system, which takes into account the type of use and driving habits, the only Tesla fluids to replace are the brake fluid and the battery coolant around 100,000 km.
To believe that to succeed the 320d with dignity in the hearts of new convicts on the road, the Model 3 could do 800 km with a full tank and refuel anywhere in 10 minutes. Alas, it is not there yet. But this Tesla also heals itself.
Let’s kill the suspense straight away, the 614 km of autonomy announced by the American firm since the last update of its sedan, which took place this spring of 2021, is hardly achievable in the real world. Better to count 450 on a varied course, which has enough to satisfy the vast majority of motorists.
But even less when it comes, like us, to push the concept of the electric car to its limits, by taking it to the terrain that is most hostile to it: Highway. Because if the battery-powered vehicle is nowadays able to satisfy 99% of the uses, its main obstacle to the purchase often turns out to be induced by the last remaining percent; the one that corresponds to long journeys.
But we will have traveled nearly 350 km in one go, without sparing the accelerator. Derisory by the standards of the internal combustion engine universe, this autonomy is nevertheless sufficient with regard to the other great strength of a Tesla: a charging network that is far more successful than what is done elsewhere, because it is specific to the trademark of Palo Alto.
Our territory currently has around a hundred “in-house” stations. That’s a thousand superchargers whose speed, reliability and ease of use flirt with those of a good old fuel pump. Too bad it is still often necessary to make a detour of a few kilometers outside the main roads to reach them. Other than that, no card or any prior subscription. Car and infrastructure communicate with each other.
Most often delivering 150 kW, more and more charging points are now reaching 250 kW and can restore 80% of the battery capacity, i.e. a little less than 300 km on the motorway, in about twenty minutes. Cost of the operation: a little less than 25 €. Because in return, the kWh tariff regularly exceeds 30 euro cents, or on average more than double that provided by the home network.
At the same time, our 320d will recover more than 700 km of autonomy, but in exchange for more than 80 €. An additional cost that many of us are still willing to accept in order to afford extra peace of mind and more respite between two stops. In fact, everyone has their own priorities. Even today, the relevance of electricity, like that of diesel, remains a function of their use. But at the rate at which technology advances and the price of petroleum products rises, this may not be the case for very long.
BMW 320d tech. Sheet
- Engine: 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 1,995 cc3.
- Transmission: rear-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic
- Power (hp @ rpm): 190 to 4,000
- Torque (Nm at rpm): 400 to 1,750
- Empty weight (kg): 1,615
- Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,71×1,83×1,44
- Wheelbase (m): 2.85
- Tank (l): 40 (59 optional)
- Average consumption (l / 100 km, WLTP): 4.5-5
- Max speed (km / h): 240
- 0 to 100 km / h: 6 ”8
- Price: from 47 300 €
Tesla Model 3 Large Autonomy data sheet
- Motor: two synchronous and asynchronous machines.
- Transmission: all-wheel, 1-speed auto
- Power (hp, estimate): 450 hp
- Couple (Nm, estimation) : 575
- Weight (kg):> 1,800
- Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,69×1,85×1,44
- Wheelbase (m): 2,88
- Range (km, WLTP): 614
- Max speed (km / h): 233
- 0 to 100 km / h: 4 ”4
- Price: from 52,990 €
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In the cinema, a cult film is not necessarily a masterpiece. By analogy, the BMW 320d is not the best of the 3 Series. But it has nevertheless become almost legendary.
Labeled from its appearance, under the guise of the E46 generation, in the heyday of the king diesel, as the economical choice of the range, this BMW remains one of the most pleasant sedans to lead on the market. Notably because despite its unglamorous mechanics, it has managed to preserve the fundamentals of driving pleasure. Starting with the driving position, among other examples, typical of a 3 Series.
Above all, this engine is most often associated with propulsion. Granted, that doesn’t make it a drift machine, even today with 190bhp under the hood. But its road temperament ensures a minimum of entertainment, which allows to chain the kilometers without seeing them scroll.
Long distances go all the more unnoticed as the Bavarian knows, like few others, go fast and far, requiring refueling only every 36 of the month. This has allowed him, over time, to partly make people forget his most stubborn faults. Like the chronic lack of discretion of its vibrating and roaring engine.
Although on this side, the 320d can be healed. Recently, it is electrified by means of a 48 V network. While some competitors would take the opportunity to show off by embellishing their bodywork with a somewhat usurped “hybrid” badge, here, no distinctive sign in sight. It is at the wheel that the most difference is made.
Especially in traffic or at a red light, when the high-power starter-alternator cuts and then relaunches the 4-cylinder in a flash, without causing the slightest jerk or snap. This reactivity even allows extended stop & start operation up to 160 km / h. The Munich sedan, now subscribed to the automatic gearbox, is thus able to coast, completely transparently, sometimes over several hectometers in a row.
If the traffic conditions or the profile of the road are not suitable, deceleration is used to recharge the small dedicated battery. The primary goal of such refinement is obviously to save a few extra drops of fuel.
But in the end, this micro-hybridization turns out to be less favorable to consumption, which is already exemplary, than to mechanical approval. The 8 kW (or nearly 11 hp) of the reversible machine indeed enhances the roundness of the engine. at the bottom of the tachometer by assisting it when relaunching. Enough besides to regain momentum with vigor, but smoothly on the eighth and last report of the transmission.
Despite its efforts, this BMW, yet exempted from an ecological penalty in most possible configurations according to the 2021 scale, will soon be banned from the center of certain large cities. Go figure it out. After having been a panacea for a long time, it now seems that diesel is the past …
Never mind, the 320d of the future already exists. Thanks to Tesla. The Model 3 is also the object of a certain cult, in particular by fans of the brand. It shares especially with the Germanic reference this rather enjoyable gap between its condition of relatively anonymous sedan, with supposedly reasonable motorization, and the pleasure it provides behind the wheel.
We can even speak here of a large gap. A Model 3 with great autonomy develops around 450 hp and accelerates according to Tesla from 0 to 100 km / h in 4 ”4. Without our having been able to verify it in front of the stopwatch, the impression of riding a motorbike, comfortably seated in an armchair, confirms it. The BMW is an asthmatic wagon by comparison.
But almost more than by its performance, the new Californian darling, the best-selling family sedan in France (by far), surprises with its communicative character. It does not insulate as much from bitumen as its big sister the Model S or even more traditional sedans with combustion engines. Without exaggerating too much, the road feel is not far from that of a modern Behemian.
Both lively and efficient, this integral shines among other things by the quality of its damping that many sports could legitimately envy. That its weight greatly exceeds 1,800 kg is hardly believable as braking and changes of course are linked naturally.
What to imagine that this version, promising as a bonus the greatest radius of action as its name suggests, is exchanged for a fortune. Nay! The 52 990 € claimed certainly exceed the first price of a 320d, but not its real price; one that includes the many options that BMW makes essential (our beautiful Blue Tanzanite copy exceeds € 65,000…), like a fuel tank that goes from 40 to 59 liters against an additional € 180.
It is also necessary to deduct from a relatively reasonable sum, the 2 000 € of government bonus still granted this year, cumulative with possible regional aid and premium for the conversion. If not to contain the budget at the time of purchase, these different nudges make it possible to afford the installation of a Wallbox at home, highly recommended when it comes to driving electric on a daily basis.
Maintenance also supposes some savings compared to a thermal equivalent. Even if in both cases here, the maintenance intervals are calculated by the car itself thanks to a self-diagnostic system, which takes into account the type of use and driving habits, the only Tesla fluids to replace are the brake fluid and the battery coolant around 100,000 km.
To believe that to succeed the 320d with dignity in the hearts of new convicts on the road, the Model 3 could do 800 km with a full tank and refuel anywhere in 10 minutes. Alas, it is not there yet. But this Tesla also heals itself.
Let’s kill the suspense straight away, the 614 km of autonomy announced by the American firm since the last update of its sedan, which took place this spring of 2021, is hardly achievable in the real world. Better to count 450 on a varied course, which has enough to satisfy the vast majority of motorists.
But even less when it comes, like us, to push the concept of the electric car to its limits, by taking it to the terrain that is most hostile to it: Highway. Because if the battery-powered vehicle is nowadays able to satisfy 99% of the uses, its main obstacle to the purchase often turns out to be induced by the last remaining percent; the one that corresponds to long journeys.
But we will have traveled nearly 350 km in one go, without sparing the accelerator. Derisory by the standards of the internal combustion engine universe, this autonomy is nevertheless sufficient with regard to the other great strength of a Tesla: a charging network that is far more successful than what is done elsewhere, because it is specific to the trademark of Palo Alto.
Our territory currently has around a hundred “in-house” stations. That’s a thousand superchargers whose speed, reliability and ease of use flirt with those of a good old fuel pump. Too bad it is still often necessary to make a detour of a few kilometers outside the main roads to reach them. Other than that, no card or any prior subscription. Car and infrastructure communicate with each other.
Most often delivering 150 kW, more and more charging points are now reaching 250 kW and can restore 80% of the battery capacity, i.e. a little less than 300 km on the motorway, in about twenty minutes. Cost of the operation: a little less than 25 €. Because in return, the kWh tariff regularly exceeds 30 euro cents, or on average more than double that provided by the home network.
At the same time, our 320d will recover more than 700 km of autonomy, but in exchange for more than 80 €. An additional cost that many of us are still willing to accept in order to afford extra peace of mind and more respite between two stops. In fact, everyone has their own priorities. Even today, the relevance of electricity, like that of diesel, remains a function of their use. But at the rate at which technology advances and the price of petroleum products rises, this may not be the case for very long.
BMW 320d tech. Sheet
- Engine: 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 1,995 cc3.
- Transmission: rear-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic
- Power (hp @ rpm): 190 to 4,000
- Torque (Nm at rpm): 400 to 1,750
- Empty weight (kg): 1,615
- Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,71×1,83×1,44
- Wheelbase (m): 2.85
- Tank (l): 40 (59 optional)
- Average consumption (l / 100 km, WLTP): 4.5-5
- Max speed (km / h): 240
- 0 to 100 km / h: 6 ”8
- Price: from 47 300 €
Tesla Model 3 Large Autonomy data sheet
- Motor: two synchronous and asynchronous machines.
- Transmission: all-wheel, 1-speed auto
- Power (hp, estimate): 450 hp
- Couple (Nm, estimation) : 575
- Weight (kg):> 1,800
- Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,69×1,85×1,44
- Wheelbase (m): 2,88
- Range (km, WLTP): 614
- Max speed (km / h): 233
- 0 to 100 km / h: 4 ”4
- Price: from 52,990 €
More tests on auto-moto.com:
BMW M2 CS vs Porsche 718 Cayman GT4: user manuals
Ferrari 812 GTS test: supersonic
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