BMW 3-Series Coupe Review (2004) | Part Two

How It Drove - Performance

The BMW 320Cd SE Coupe is powered by BMW’s second generation 4 cylinder, 16-valve common rail 2.0 litre diesel engine which produces 150 bhp enabling the 320Cd SE Coupe to accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds and continue to a top speed of 137 mph.

On a 2000 mile trip round trip to Scotland I saw 60 mpg on the Motorway and what a heart warming sight that was between refills. The 320Cd returned an impressive 49.6 mpg on a combined cycle compared to 31.7 mpg for the equivalent petrol car and with only 0.5 of a second difference in their 0-62 time and 3 mph difference in their top ends the BMW 320Cd introduces an interesting question:

Why would you want a petrol car when you can have the economy of a diesel combined with the performance of petrol car?

As you would expect of BMW power delivery was exceptionally smooth and 60mph is seen relatively rapidly. Acceleration from 50 – 75mph in fourth gear takes just 7.2 seconds (the equivalent petrol car the 320Ci SE takes 8.7 seconds) which is particularly welcome whilst overtaking.

The standard 6-speed gearbox was a little notchy but offered short and precise gear changes. Reverse gear was a little difficult to select as I found myself repeatedly in 1st gear – but you do get used to it.

The only down side to the 320Cd as with most diesel engines is the characteristic diesel chattering noise at idle. Although well soundproofed it was slightly intrusive at low speeds but once on the move was barely noticeable. Otherwise both the performance and economy (words that don’t usually go together) were absolutely outstanding.

I used to be a diesel phobic believing that diesel engines belonged in lorries, vans and 4x4’s - How things have changed!