MDMA wrote: ↑Sun May 29, 2022 2:15 pm
Pros/cons of the MT v BT D3?
Biturbo Pros
Larger Brakes (from 330) all round are better at stopping them by a large margin. D3 brakes (from 320) are marginal at best
No major swirl flap issues. D3 is likely to have them
Better detailing in design
About 500 material changes over pre-LCI cars as the build on the earlier cars was very average
No turbo lag. D3 is horrible to pull away in until you're used to it, but then anything else you drive gets the ass revved off it when you pull away
Wheels are stronger. D3 wheels whilst lovely on the eye, are soft as putty and also ironically prone to cracking
Easy to change air filter: D3 airfilter is a swine to remove and replace
All have rear PDC. Early D3 do not
Auto option is good. No D3 auto
Lux version has nav etc
Biturbo Cons
On manual cars, the original clutch can be very juddery. D3 clutches are prone to failure due to oil leakage past the main engine seals, plus breakdown of other seals letting grease onto the clutch plates
N47 engines can have timing chain failure. If any car has incomplete, or extended service intervals, just avoid. The D3 M47 does sound far rougher than an N47
Early Biturbos don't have auto aircon. All D3 do have it
On both models, there is no indication of engine cylinder preheater failures. These are essential to get the engine to run hot for DPF regen. On the D3, there are two coolant thermostats (detail evades me atm) which must both be fully functional to give the DPF regen a chance. It's worth getting fault codes read either pre purchase, or immediately afterwards, and on the D3 you could do with seeing some evidence of thermostat related work.
For me, a decent Biturbo trumps any D3 any day
