BMW 318d Reviews

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the BMW 3 Series with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australia launch.

Running on ‘the smell of an oily rag’, once an attempt at automotive humour, is no longer a joke when talking about diesel-powered cars. The new BMW 318d, for example, a diesel fuelled sedan, takes up the fuel economy battle to the hybrids.At $56,400, the entry-level 318d limbos under the luxury car tax threshold bar with little to spare but can be tipped over into the higher bracket by a long list of cost options.Standard features include dual-zone climate control, cruise control with brake function, power-operated windows and exterior mirrors, keyless engine start/stop, remote locking with boot open button, Multifunction steering wheel, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, rear Park Distance Control, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free mobile phone use and MP3 compatible CD audio systems with Auxiliary and USB inputs.Putting the BMW 318d in the ring with such petrol/electric hybrids is a four-cylinder TwinPower turbo-diesel engine that weighs in with a peak power output of 105 kW and maximum 320 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is just 4.5 litres per 100km on the combined urban/highway cycle.During our week with the new BMW 3 Series entry-level model we managed to get fuel consumption down to just 3.6 litres per hundred kilometres on the motorway and 6.1 in town, which goes a long way to matching petrol/electric hybrids.However, diesels create significantly more CO2 than petrol/electric hybrids. As an example the BMW 318d has a Green Vehicle Guide rating of 118 grams per kilometre, compared with the Toyota Prius at 89 grams. Helping to achieve such low fuel consumption figures in the BMW 318d sedan is a cutting edge eight-speed automatic transmission. All 3 Series models also now feature auto start/stop, as standard, automatically cutting the engine at traffic lights or in stationary traffic to save fuel.Further fuel saving measures include brake energy regeneration that has power for the vehicle electrical system being generated only during braking and overrun. The fitment of electric power steering, that only draws power when assistance is required in cornering, also helps reduce fuel usage.Drivers and passengers have the benefit of the new Driving Experience Control which in the BMW 318d sets the tone with three driving modes – Comfort, Sport, and Eco Pro – working on powertrain, steering, throttle and Dynamic Stability Control settings.Eco Pro, as well as altering throttle response and transmission shift points, keeps cabin heating and air-conditioning, optional heated seats and the exterior mirrors working at optimum efficiency, cutting fuel consumption by as much as 20 per cent. A fourth setting, Sport+, is available if the car is specified with Sport Line, Adaptive M Suspension or Variable Sports Steering option.On the outside, the BMW 318d has the looks of a well-cut business suit, the result of extensive wind tunnel testing, which also contributes to fuel economy with a co-efficient of friction of Cd 0.26. The car gets down to business with 16-inch alloy wheels.Inside, there’s more space than in the previous model and offers a high quality Sensatec man-made leather trim in beige or black. Focus is on the driver, with the cockpit layout being angled towards them by seven degrees to ensure controls are ergonomically positioned and fuel gauge, speedometer, rev counter and oil temperature gauge are easily visible. This extends to a full colour monitor being integrated into the top of the dashboard for all iDrive operations including information, entertainment, communication and navigation functions.A new Active Protection package is fitted as standard across the new 3 Series. The system is automatically activated above 18 km/h when it gently tensions the driver and front passenger seatbelts. If a crash is likely, the seatbelts are further tightened and windows and sunroof (where fitted) are automatically closed. In the event of a crash the system will also automatically brake the car beyond the initial impact for 1.5 seconds to reduce the likelihood of a second collision.Further safety options include a Lane Change Warning System and Lane Departure Warning System, including Collision Warning that tells the driver of a possible collision during a lane change manoeuvre or if the car strays out of its lane.Performance, on the other hand, takes a hit with acceleration from zero to 100 kilometres an hour taking 9.3 seconds. If you want more performance, opt for the petrol driven 320i which hits the same speed a couple of seconds quicker. While there’s a premium purchase price to pay over the likes of the Prius and Civic, on running costs, the 318d takes the fuel sippers on in a fiscal fistfight. It’s close.With 12 million sales around the world since its introduction in 1975, the BMW 3 Series is into its sixth generation and, with the 318d model adding further appeal, looks set to maintain its spot as a leading contender.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering  -- would you buy one?What is it?The new entry point for the BMW 3 Series range and it's a turbo diesel.How much?Priced from $56,400 plus on-roads, which is $1200 less than the 2.0-litre 320i entry level petrol model.What are competitors?That would be the 2.0-litre Audi A4 TDI and 2.1-litre Benz C-Class C200 CDI BlueEfficiency. Both are more expensive, both produce more carbon and both use more fuel at 4.8 and 5.4 litres/100km respectively.What's under the bonnet?It features the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine that we have seen previously in the 1 Series. It produces 105kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Eight-speed automatic with Auto Stop/Start is standard along with many other fuel saving devices.How does it go?Not going to win any races. The 318d accelerates to 100km/h in a conservative 8.9 seconds. But it's super responsive in the low to mid rev range, thanks to the torquey diesel engine.Is it economical?If you're chasing fuel economy it doesn't get much better than this. Boasts a staggeringly low fuel consumption figure of 4.5 litres/100km. We were getting a rock solid 5.5 after several hundred kilometres without really trying  but it will do better than this on a long run.Is it green?Gets four out of five stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide. Produces 118g/km of CO2. Prius gets five stars.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars for safety, with plenty of safety aids. All models are fitted standard with six airbags, and Dynamic Stability Control that includes ABS, Brake Assistant, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Traction Control.Is it comfortable?Gets fake leather and airconditioning, but bear in mind this is the entry model. Seats are comfortable and the dash is looking a lot less daunting these days.What's it like to drive?Okay. Didn't like it at first but it grows on you. Lacks the smoothness of a petrol engine, but that's soon forgotten.Is it value for money?Dual-zone climate standard, along with cruise (with brake function), electric front seats with memory, auto lights and wipers, rear park sensors, Bluetooth and 6-speaker CD audio systems with AUX and USB inputs. Misses out on satnav.Would we buy one?You bet. Many people would give their right arm to own a 3 Series. At the price and what you get for your money it's an attractive package.

There's only one thing wrong with the BMW 318d — the higher-specced and more powerful BMW 320d is just $4500 more. The 320d tips buyers in to the $60,000-plus mark before they've ticked an options package, which then makes the entry-level diesel a smart entry point at $56,400 for those who aspire to the blue-and-white propeller badge. Why, because even with "only" 105kW and 320Nm, the 318d drives like a BMW should.Welcome to the jungle. Behind the prestige badges, the German trio are fighting a huge war for ownership of the small luxury segment. Audi's A4 is mid-cycle against the other two but still managed 225 sales in May. Mercedes-Benz is winning, with 495 sales last month against 425 for the BMW.Demographers would put the difference down to our ageing population — Benz shades BMW for the most luxurious interiors and best safety systems in the market; the Bavarian outfit still has the edge with the best road/tyre/ steering-wheel feel of any car this side of a Porsche.The 318d is standard with an eight-speed auto matched to a "drive experience" control that varies shift points, steering, stability control and throttle response depending on whether it is in Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport or Sport+ settings. It also comes with an adaptive cruise-control (the system brakes but won't accelerate) and has a 6.5-inch infotainment display, six-speaker sound system with iPod/USB connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, electric front seats and rear parking sensors. Satnav will cost more than $1500, though.This is the best-looking sedan in the BMW range. The proportions just work on the 3 Series, whether it's at rest or hustling past. The kidney grille is now stretched and flattened to emphasise width and that theme continues with the two lower air intakes and small vertical intakes under the twin round headlights. BMW says the look also improves air flow around the front wheels. Open the bigger doors and there's more space fore and aft — up to 15mm more knee room in the back — along with the typically functional BMW dash. Three option lines add interior and exterior bling — the Modern at $3900 and the Luxury and Sports at $4900.ANCAP rates the BMW as the second-safest car on the road. It trails the Mercedes-Benz B-Class by just .02 of a point for the outright title, which makes the little Beemer a safe buy if you're safety-conscious. Six airbags are backed by a lighter and stronger chassis with improved crumple zones so the car is smashed instead of the occupants. Money may not be able to buy love but it can buy structural integrity.Shut the door on the BMW 318d and you have to think. The close is solid and needs a decent pull to lock. Reassuring perhaps, but not typically BMW, where the "thunk" came with little effort on the handle. Press the start button, though, and the BMW traits kicks in, from the feel through the wheel to the way the car sits over bumps and the seats lock on to the thighs through tight corners.The interior look is planed rather than plain with the horizontal lines intended to emphasise the width of the cabin. The materials and switchgear may not look as flash as some of the 318d's rivals but are just as upmarket as buyers will demand. There's a lot to like about the baby 3 Series diesel — it is an enjoyable car to drive in the city, a good long-distance hauler — though only two adults in the back, please — and only starts to lag on uphill runs through twisty corners. Which is where the 320d comes in .This is a win/win for prestige buyers. Those looking to step up to Euro ownership and want driving feel will feel at home in the 318d. Existing prestige buyers will be better off looking at the 320d — and it's there the C200 CDI starts to make Mercedes' presence felt.

With this 3 Series we're quietly witnessing the demise of a BMW signature: its naturally aspirated inline six-cylinder petrol engine.TECHNOLOGYIt's been offered since 1977 but, hemmed in by emissions regulations, you cannot get one any more. The sole six-cylinder now is the turbocharged 3.0-litre unit in the 335i, which carries over from the previous model. It's the hero of the line-up and every bit as responsive and powerful as I remember. More economical now too, with BMW's excellent eight-speed transmission. The non-turbo sixes have been replaced by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder in two levels of output.The 320i arrives later but the 328i is here now and it was the car I was most eager to sample on the test drive in Victoria's Yarra Ranges this week. This 180kW unit will eventually become the mid-spec engine across all BMWs. So it shoulders quite a responsibility and the potential to disappoint. It doesn't.DRIVEWith more accessible torque from low revs than the engines it replaces, and a punchy and responsive mid-range, it propels the 328i with conviction. Zero to 100km/h takes 6.1 seconds, quicker than its rivals from Mercedes or Audi and enough to deliver on BMW's promise of driving pleasure. Most of the time it even sounds pleasing, especially when asked to deliver.Better than that, it feels like the sweet spot in the line-up. Dynamically it was the standout, lighter on its feet and better balanced than the heavier 335i. And while BMW makes good diesels, I'd pick the 328i ahead of the 320d every time.Despite being bigger all round, the 3 is still a handling champion among mid-size sedans. There's impressive agility while the level of directness between steering or throttle inputs and how it behaves on the road inspires confidence.But it would be folly to deny the differences. With electric steering instead of hydraulic, the wheel is more remote while the regular suspension seems softer than I remember, with scope for a bit more body roll and rebound over bumps. Perhaps this is to smooth out the ride. But I'd option-up to the sports or adaptive suspension.On other counts, BMW has made sure there are more reasons to buy. Few will find the cabin too cramped now, and the interior finishes are more varied and interesting. The driving position, as you would expect, is excellent.VERDICTThe new 3 Series loses a little but gains a lot, enough to move it into pole position in a segment it helped define.