Buy an Audi.

Apparently the non-msport suspension is a bit pants.

I am just handing mine back to lease company after three years. Previous M Sport driver.
The ED rides much better obviously, but its worth stressing it is alot comfier.
Its not as flat cornering, but I actually think it was more fun on account of the fact that when pressing on the limits are more accessible. It also isnt deflected as much on bumps.
That may not be your cup of tea, but I find cars with too much grip a little dull. Its balanced and has a very predictable chassis. The Traction Control is too eager but thats a button press away from resolution. Steering has no road feel but thats same on M sport.
My experience was that it was not a poor relation (except looks…….)
All the above comments only apply when in the safe confines of a private race track…….

There is a lot of truth in this. I have pushed on to find limits in my car, by that stage you are going round a corner so fast if it does really let go it’s going to be a major issue. I have always said the original Minis where such great cars as they where fun to drive and very engaging without actually going very fast !

OP definitely my age showing but I too would favour less than the ultra low profile tyres and a bit more suspension give especially in a car you’d spend hours in. A relation has had a 135M for a year and he has found it very harsh and whilst he loves the acceleration he has said he would not get another similar car.

It definitely doesn’t corner as quickly. But its still absolutely quick enough around corners…..

Just get a Merc C220 estate instead.

Just get it remapped 🙂

My old style 320 (150 hp) had its’ little electronic brain manipulated to encourage several more horses to break free (nearer 190 now). Basically goes like stink and could really use better suspension to make the most of it. However, being a typical STW driver that is of no concern to me 😉

I had a 320 ed and loved it.
For acar that wassupposedly detuned it went very well. Suspension could get a little out of sorts if you hit a compression at speed, but generally it was well sorted with a distinctly unBMW ride quality. Still had that lovely rear wheel balance too and was fun on the back roads.

Maybe it didn’t look as good on its weedy 16″ wheels but that seemed insignificant when you were regularly getting high 50s mpg.

I had the business edition pack with full leather,sat nav,heated seats, etc which is worth getting.

Yes.

You’ll get frustrated that you could have retired a year earlier had you not spent the money on a conventional and predictable crutch for your self-esteem 😆

I’ve got a 2012 320d ED. It’s my first BMW, after a string of Focuses Mondeos and an i30.

It’s much better to drive than anything I’ve had before, including an ST24. The detuned engine gives lower BHP but torque is apparently very similar (if not the same) it’s plenty fast enough.

I’m not sure if they’ve sorted the msport suspension out now, but a few years ago it was regarded as too stiff and it was a no cost option to have the regular suspension on the m sport models. I find mine ok, comfy and well damped but not wallowy, and it’s proper grippy, I’ve not managed to get it to understeer yet (only had it a couple of months) but it’s not tried to kill me either so I’m happy.

Also with general pottering about with the odd hard acceleration it’s doing 55mpg (calculated properly) compared the the 1.6tdci focus we had before that I got mid 40s from.

It’s a bloody great everyday car IMO.

Wish it had proper Bluetooth though, tight gits.

yes defaults to eco, button to swap modes, or move stick left to get sport and/or change manually….
throttle response is tragically relaxed in eco pro……

I looked at both & got the 320d m sport touring. It defaults to Eco mode on start up & then switch it into sport mode. Heated seats are an extra on the m sport but everything else is standard stuff. Mines a 16 plate.

I drove the ED & it was ok but in honesty, it was total vanity for me, The m sport looks better & even though I’m doing a lot of miles, I don’t feel the need for more comfort, plus the small alloys aren’t my cup of tea!

I have a 320d Msport from 2012 and have averaged about 50mpg over the last few years.

I have been very happy with that, the newer ones are better I think – seems to me to be a good combination of “go” if you want and economy too!

Slightly OT, but aren’t you better off in a petrol at that mileage?

Although you do say you do motorway driving for work so perhaps the low mileage is evenly balanced with longer trips to clear out the DPF?

He’ll have time to do that when he’s waiting in the queue to overtake

Buy one that doesn’t have a sewing machine motor for an engine???? 😆

(hint, badge ends 35i or 35d)

(and don’t get a crappy F series one, as they get saddled with the hopeless Xdrive rubbish)