BMW 320i or 320d up to £8k? Petrol or diesel???

[Dinoboy]

Looking at a 3 series touring, Automatic.
I Like the luxury model as nicer leather/alloys/spec usually.

Question is, running one out of warranty, around 8k to 10k mileage annually, what would be a better bet for reliability and potential repair bills?
Petrol or diesel?

Something like this;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126648755544?mkcid=16&a...

Or;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024090536...

320i is over budget I know, but it seems a bit over priced so just an example.

[blue_haddock]

Petrol at those kind of mileages, especially if you live anywhere near a clean air zone.

[Dinoboy]

blue_haddock said:

Petrol at those kind of mileages, especially if you live anywhere near a clean air zone.

It's interesting as diesel used to be the choice for high mileages. Is there more scope for things going wrong with the diesel do we think?

[66HFM]

Dinoboy said:

It's interesting as diesel used to be the choice for high mileages. Is there more scope for things going wrong with the diesel do we think?

It's more that 8-10k pa is not high mileage and at a lower mileage you don't achieve the benefits that diesel brings with the added complications of DPF etc...

[ZX10R NIN]

Annual mileage is part of it, also your average journey type?

That will give you the answer as to which drivetrain will suit.

[Dinoboy]

Good points both, thanks for that.
Daily work commute is around 25 miles each way 4 days a week. 2 long trips per year, Scotland to Devon.

[Watchthis]

Slightly off topic, but who in their right mind advertises a car that's manky inside and out...

[Harry you Potter]

Pick up a 520d touring. The build quality is much better and it’s a nicer car. Same price too.

[Gastons_Revenge]

Dinoboy said:

Good points both, thanks for that.
Daily work commute is around 25 miles each way 4 days a week. 2 long trips per year, Scotland to Devon.

Classic use case for a petrol car, wouldn't even consider a diesel for that as they will only just be warmed up by the time you get to work!

[_Hoppers]

I have a well looked after 320D ED on 89K. It's been faultless up until a couple of months ago when I had an EGR fault (it still may be present). Combine that with the potentially dodgy timing chain issues on the N47 engine I'd go for the petrol version (assuming this engine doesn't have similar reliability issues).

[7 5 7]

Stick to petrol would be my bet, many will squirm at the tax difference compared to a diesel, but they are far less complicated. I average around 15k a year and still in a petrol, with fuel cheaper too it's not as simple anymore.

Many run diesels though with short mileages, and are fine it's up to you the risk you take.

But my other car the wife uses is a 3 series (older E90, has been a great car) 318d only gets decent MPG out on the open road sat at 65 for hours, otherwise it's pretty poor around town, and no where near as efficient as it's not warmed up at all.

Can be a false economy at times.

[sunnyb13]

Also worth looking at 5 series touring as the price differential isn’t as big as you would think

[ZX10R NIN]

Dinoboy said:

Good points both, thanks for that.
Daily work commute is around 25 miles each way 4 days a week. 2 long trips per year, Scotland to Devon.

Your borderline with your (a minimum of 200 miles a week) usage so i'd edge towards petrol but if you see a nice diesel don't discount it:

523:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409184...

528i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408273...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407201...

520i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406261...

520D:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407111...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408152...

CLS 220:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408072...

250:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409063...

Leftfield

1.6T 508 Allure:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406200...

[Jakg]

Dinoboy said:

Question is, running one out of warranty, around 8k to 10k mileage annually, what would be a better bet for reliability and potential repair bills?
Petrol or diesel?

It's not quite as simple as petrol vs diesel on those cars - the diesel is an N47 engine which is hardly BMW's best with the risk of timing chain failure, and the petrol N20 isn't that much better either.