BMW 320d ED: fast, frugal and tax efficient – the ultimate business car

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics saloon

Car review: RICHARD LOFTHOUSE

What is it?

Second iteration of BMW’s tax busting, super-frugal 3 Series, with the ‘ED’ suffix, which stands for Efficient Dynamics, and the latest addition to the already acclaimed 6^th generation 3 Series.

The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics is aimed squarely at business users who want to minimise fuel bills and company car taxes while bolstering residual values, which are predicted to be very firm. From £28,080 OTR.

What’s hot?

• Still a sparkling performer, with 380Nm of torque and 163hp…
• …yet offers combined mpg of 68.9 and emits just 109g/km CO2
• Unlike the old model, the new one can be specced with BMW’s superb new eight speed auto transmission, with no emissions penalty
• Larger in all dimensions that its predecessor, yet 50kgs lighter, results in perceptibly nimbler handling
• Smaller, 16-inch wheels and energy saver tyres enhance ride comfort
• No loss of spec compared to 320d SE model, for the same price
• 100% capital write-off in first year, for companies that purchase the car outright

What’s not?

• Engine becomes harsh when extended – a consequence of eco measures
• The Michelin energy saver tyres sacrifice the run-flat capability standard on all other models
• Although more than capable, this model does lose a bit of the dynamic sparkle found at no extra cost on the standard 320d SE
• Nickle and diming on optional extras is irritating

Business Car Manager Road Test Verdict

It’s no surprise that BMW has come up trumps once again with a tax busting premium saloon that still drives like a high performance sports car.

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While not VED-free, the 320d EfficientDynamics comes closer than its immediate rivals, being a whole tax band lower than the Mercedes-Benz C220CDI Blue Efficiency and the Audi A4 2.0 TDIe. It is also faster – greatly so when compared to mainstream rivals ranging from Ford’s Mondeo ECOnetic to Honda’s Accord 2.2 i-DTEC.

It’s not only a whole company car tax band lower than it’s rivals, the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics is quicker too

Added to the fact that this is the latest model in a brand new version of BMW’s 3 Series, it is an attractively designed and deeply competent car. Perhaps above all, you can now spec BMW’s class-leading, 8-speed auto box without any emissions penalty, for £1,525 – a huge attraction for high milers who’d prefer not to bother with a clutch.

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