The Loaner Was a 320d (F30 Model)

The other day, when I took my BMW 320i in for its one-year inspection, they kindly lent me a 320d (F30 model) as a loaner. I had expected a compact car or something similar as a loaner for such inspections, so I was pleasantly surprised to receive such a nice car. Thank you very much!

Both my husband and I got to drive this 320d a little, so today I’d like to share our impressions. By the way, this 320d was the M Sport version with 19-inch wheels.

Test Drive: 320d (F30 Model)

What surprised me most about driving this 320d was that the ride comfort and interior were completely different from our standard 320i at home. Even though our 320i is also an F30 from the same era, they felt worlds apart.

First, the interior quality was noticeably higher.

320d

Having wood trim inside really adds a touch of luxury. Our standard 320i’s interior feels more plastic-y and ordinary.

Our 320i

The steering wheel was also a bit thicker and had a more substantial feel. The instrument cluster featured red accent lines in its design.

320d

Our 320i

When I actually drove it, the ride comfort and smoothness were on a completely different level from our 320i, with a real sense of luxury. I found myself wondering, “Is this really a model from the same era as our 320i…?” because it felt so different.

I had imagined the M Sport would have a stiff ride, but it was actually very comfortable to drive. (That said, the new 3 Series I test drove before was even smoother.)

This was actually my first time driving a diesel car, but the light and smooth takeoff made it very easy to drive in the city. I didn’t feel any awkwardness, and even on a slightly steep hill, it climbed normally when I pressed the accelerator.

If you use your car mainly for everyday driving, a car like this with good ride comfort and usability would be great. The fuel economy also seems promising.

That said, after the inspection was done and I picked up my 320i, the moment I got in and drove it, I thought, “Ah, I really prefer the feel and calmness of a gasoline engine.” I guess it’s because I’m used to it.

Next, I’d like to share my husband’s impressions after he drove the 320d a bit when we got home.

The thing that surprised me most was definitely the suspension. It’s really good. I think BMW is all about driving the M Sport. I even took it on some winding roads, and the way the front outside wheel lightly compresses and the car corners sharply—that’s classic BMW. At least, that’s the BMW I know.
The damping at high speeds is solid, and I especially liked how well the rebound is controlled. Even in situations where it might bounce a bit, it doesn’t fully extend, so the load doesn’t come off the tires, which gives peace of mind.
The diesel engine is incredibly easy to drive in the city and at low speeds. Also, on tight winding roads with low-speed corners, it accelerates smoothly out of the turns, which is pretty fun and easy to drive.
On the other hand, when you push the engine hard, you can tell it’s a diesel by the sound, and it’s a bit too quiet for my taste. Personally, if I’m choosing a BMW, I’d want to go with a gasoline engine.

I see. So here’s my husband’s personal overall rating:

Husband’s Personal Overall Ratings

Handling:	(4.0 / 5)
Straight-line Stability:	(3.8 / 5)
Low-speed Comfort:	(4.1 / 5)
High-speed Comfort:	(4.3 / 5)
Engine Feel:	(2.3 / 5)
Engine Sound:	(2.0 / 5)
Brakes:	(3.8 / 5)
Transmission:	(3.5 / 5)
Average:	(3.5 / 5)