Bee, the Bavarian BMW G31 520d
Discussion
Well this may not be the most Interesting, exciting or PH car thread but it's more for me to share my journey and for my own records too.
I have not had the most exciting car history as my motorbike hobby takes up my time and money, the cars have just been family transport.
My current history is as follows:
- 1997 Corsa B 1.2 8v - First car
- 2002 Corsa C 1.2 SXi
- 1998 Corsa B 1.6 Sport - Heavily modified Max Power stylee
- 2002 Vectra 2.5 V6 SRi
- 2011 Polo 1.2 SEL
- 2013 Polo 1.2 TSi R-Line
- 2010 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDi
- 2015 Qashqai 1.2t
- 2016 Zafira Tourer 1.6 Diesel
- 2016 Astra 1.6 Diesel
- 2014 Volvo V40 D2
- 2009 Volvo V70 2.0d
That brings me on to where we are now....the V70 I took from 142k to 190k and then sold to my brother, I needed something newer and more modern for family duties.
I've never been a fan of BMWs, they never looked particularly interesting or stylish to me inside and they look bland on the outside, i have put my own stamp on all my cars normally OEM+ but i like to be different. My dad has had a number of then recently and I've found myself liking them more and more. Initially the new car would be family transport and so it needed to be economical, hence looking for a 2.0 diesel.
It needed to be big enough for a 3 and a 7yr old and all their gubbins, plus a big boot like the Volvo for our Golden Retriever, pram, etc etc. I also have a soft spot for estates if I'm honest - Daddy cool!
The 3- Series was too small in the boot, looked at C and E class estates but the C was too small and E Class felt too old (I'm 37) although huge boot and stylish cabin (2019 era.).
This led me to look at the 5-series G31, and when I viewed one I was smitten, and against all advice I bought the first one I saw. The build quality is impressive, no cheap plastics, lovely big boot, all the tech I needed and economical on fuel too.
Meet Bee, the BMW. She is a 2019 G31 520d in Apline White on 65k, 1 owner and FBMWSH. This is pick up day with the V70 waiting in the wings.
And when she got home.
I bought her in May 2024, when she was commissioned into school runs, family days out and longer trips on the weekends. Now, she is my car for weekend duties and the odd trip in the week (I use a van for work) as my wife has a Skoda Karoq now as she finds it easier to manoeuvre and park in town.
This means I could have potentially got the 540i as the mileage would have been a lot less. Nevermind....the 520d is more than quick enough for what I need and I use my motorbike to get my thrills these days.
I will update this post with retrospective updates as we go. Thanks for reading so far.
I have not had the most exciting car history as my motorbike hobby takes up my time and money, the cars have just been family transport.
My current history is as follows:
- 1997 Corsa B 1.2 8v - First car
- 2002 Corsa C 1.2 SXi
- 1998 Corsa B 1.6 Sport - Heavily modified Max Power stylee
- 2002 Vectra 2.5 V6 SRi
- 2011 Polo 1.2 SEL
- 2013 Polo 1.2 TSi R-Line
- 2010 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDi
- 2015 Qashqai 1.2t
- 2016 Zafira Tourer 1.6 Diesel
- 2016 Astra 1.6 Diesel
- 2014 Volvo V40 D2
- 2009 Volvo V70 2.0d
That brings me on to where we are now....the V70 I took from 142k to 190k and then sold to my brother, I needed something newer and more modern for family duties.
I've never been a fan of BMWs, they never looked particularly interesting or stylish to me inside and they look bland on the outside, i have put my own stamp on all my cars normally OEM+ but i like to be different. My dad has had a number of then recently and I've found myself liking them more and more. Initially the new car would be family transport and so it needed to be economical, hence looking for a 2.0 diesel.
It needed to be big enough for a 3 and a 7yr old and all their gubbins, plus a big boot like the Volvo for our Golden Retriever, pram, etc etc. I also have a soft spot for estates if I'm honest - Daddy cool!
The 3- Series was too small in the boot, looked at C and E class estates but the C was too small and E Class felt too old (I'm 37) although huge boot and stylish cabin (2019 era.).
This led me to look at the 5-series G31, and when I viewed one I was smitten, and against all advice I bought the first one I saw. The build quality is impressive, no cheap plastics, lovely big boot, all the tech I needed and economical on fuel too.
Meet Bee, the BMW. She is a 2019 G31 520d in Apline White on 65k, 1 owner and FBMWSH. This is pick up day with the V70 waiting in the wings.
And when she got home.
I bought her in May 2024, when she was commissioned into school runs, family days out and longer trips on the weekends. Now, she is my car for weekend duties and the odd trip in the week (I use a van for work) as my wife has a Skoda Karoq now as she finds it easier to manoeuvre and park in town.
This means I could have potentially got the 540i as the mileage would have been a lot less. Nevermind....the 520d is more than quick enough for what I need and I use my motorbike to get my thrills these days.
I will update this post with retrospective updates as we go. Thanks for reading so far.
Well fast forward nearly 6 months and this is how she sits at the moment.
Fresh from an oil and filter service at BMW but I think I will service myself from now on as the FBMWSH may not be of much value by the time I come to sell as I can't see it being moved on for a long time.
She was filthy after a week in Devon so here she is after a quick wash.
List of things I've done since I acquired the G31 are:
- Maxton front splitter
- Maxton small rear bumper splitter
- Maxton spoiler
- Maxton sideskirt blades
- I painted the rear diffuser gloss black (grey as standard)
- I painted the wing mirrors gloss black
- Gloss black grille
- Black M-Badges on the wings
- 20" Bola FLE alloys in gloss bronze
- 12mm spacers F, 17mm spacers R
- De-tangoed the indicators at the front to chrome bulbs
- Private plate assigned to the car
- Full clay bar, machine polish and wax a couple of weeks ago, cleaned the paint up perfectly.
I'm aware the Maxton design bits aren't to everyone's tastes, and there are quite a few cars I see with bits and pieces from Maxton stuck on, hence going for the bronze alloys as I like to be a little different.
Ideally I would like to get it remapped, Avon Tuning were brilliant when I had the V70 done, and not far from me. I was toying with the idea of lowering but I wouldnt get on my driveway and I don't want to sacrifice comfort too much - still on the fence.
Fresh from an oil and filter service at BMW but I think I will service myself from now on as the FBMWSH may not be of much value by the time I come to sell as I can't see it being moved on for a long time.
She was filthy after a week in Devon so here she is after a quick wash.
List of things I've done since I acquired the G31 are:
- Maxton front splitter
- Maxton small rear bumper splitter
- Maxton spoiler
- Maxton sideskirt blades
- I painted the rear diffuser gloss black (grey as standard)
- I painted the wing mirrors gloss black
- Gloss black grille
- Black M-Badges on the wings
- 20" Bola FLE alloys in gloss bronze
- 12mm spacers F, 17mm spacers R
- De-tangoed the indicators at the front to chrome bulbs
- Private plate assigned to the car
- Full clay bar, machine polish and wax a couple of weeks ago, cleaned the paint up perfectly.
I'm aware the Maxton design bits aren't to everyone's tastes, and there are quite a few cars I see with bits and pieces from Maxton stuck on, hence going for the bronze alloys as I like to be a little different.
Ideally I would like to get it remapped, Avon Tuning were brilliant when I had the V70 done, and not far from me. I was toying with the idea of lowering but I wouldnt get on my driveway and I don't want to sacrifice comfort too much - still on the fence.
danb79 said:
That is very nice indeed 
My goal car currently is a G31 540i M Sport; in about 2 years time. Once we've paid the mortgage off in 19 months; I'll be aiming for a 540i touring
Always liked them since they were released.
I think that would probably be my next move too in a few years...good choice!My goal car currently is a G31 540i M Sport; in about 2 years time. Once we've paid the mortgage off in 19 months; I'll be aiming for a 540i touring
Always liked them since they were released.
M28TTR said:
Well fast forward nearly 6 months and this is how she sits at the moment.
Fresh from an oil and filter service at BMW but I think I will service myself from now on as the FBMWSH may not be of much value by the time I come to sell as I can't see it being moved on for a long time.
She was filthy after a week in Devon so here she is after a quick wash.
List of things I've done since I acquired the G31 are:
- Maxton front splitter
- Maxton small rear bumper splitter
- Maxton spoiler
- Maxton sideskirt blades
- I painted the rear diffuser gloss black (grey as standard)
- I painted the wing mirrors gloss black
- Gloss black grille
- Black M-Badges on the wings
- 20" Bola FLE alloys in gloss bronze
- 12mm spacers F, 17mm spacers R
- De-tangoed the indicators at the front to chrome bulbs
- Private plate assigned to the car
- Full clay bar, machine polish and wax a couple of weeks ago, cleaned the paint up perfectly.
I'm aware the Maxton design bits aren't to everyone's tastes, and there are quite a few cars I see with bits and pieces from Maxton stuck on, hence going for the bronze alloys as I like to be a little different.
Ideally I would like to get it remapped, Avon Tuning were brilliant when I had the V70 done, and not far from me. I was toying with the idea of lowering but I wouldnt get on my driveway and I don't want to sacrifice comfort too much - still on the fence.
Personally I'd say leave the ride height as it is... Looks well and sits well on the wheels, although they're not to my taste re the colour.Fresh from an oil and filter service at BMW but I think I will service myself from now on as the FBMWSH may not be of much value by the time I come to sell as I can't see it being moved on for a long time.
She was filthy after a week in Devon so here she is after a quick wash.
List of things I've done since I acquired the G31 are:
- Maxton front splitter
- Maxton small rear bumper splitter
- Maxton spoiler
- Maxton sideskirt blades
- I painted the rear diffuser gloss black (grey as standard)
- I painted the wing mirrors gloss black
- Gloss black grille
- Black M-Badges on the wings
- 20" Bola FLE alloys in gloss bronze
- 12mm spacers F, 17mm spacers R
- De-tangoed the indicators at the front to chrome bulbs
- Private plate assigned to the car
- Full clay bar, machine polish and wax a couple of weeks ago, cleaned the paint up perfectly.
I'm aware the Maxton design bits aren't to everyone's tastes, and there are quite a few cars I see with bits and pieces from Maxton stuck on, hence going for the bronze alloys as I like to be a little different.
Ideally I would like to get it remapped, Avon Tuning were brilliant when I had the V70 done, and not far from me. I was toying with the idea of lowering but I wouldnt get on my driveway and I don't want to sacrifice comfort too much - still on the fence.
Like you I didn't want to lower our F31 too much when I did the full suspension overhaul (literally every part); so went with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and it sits perfectly at a better height than OEM, but not stupidly low and it doesn't catch on anything thankfully
Remap sounds like it could be plan; do you know what gains you'd get roughly?
Geffg said:
I’ve got a G30 520d and love it. I’ve had it over 4yrs which is a record for me I’m usually bored after a year. Think it’s one of the last to have a classic bmw look. Still looks modern even though the shape is now 7yrs old.
I agree with the looks, there is nothing the car doesn't do well either so I am in the same boat, it's premium and feels quality, goes well, I am officially a BMW convert.danb79 said:
Personally I'd say leave the ride height as it is... Looks well and sits well on the wheels, although they're not to my taste re the colour.
Like you I didn't want to lower our F31 too much when I did the full suspension overhaul (literally every part); so went with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and it sits perfectly at a better height than OEM, but not stupidly low and it doesn't catch on anything thankfully
Remap sounds like it could be plan; do you know what gains you'd get roughly?
Yes that sits perfect it looks like, I will more than likely leave it as its still got to be a usable car on the weekends, and it doesn't sit too bad really. Like you I didn't want to lower our F31 too much when I did the full suspension overhaul (literally every part); so went with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and it sits perfectly at a better height than OEM, but not stupidly low and it doesn't catch on anything thankfully
Remap sounds like it could be plan; do you know what gains you'd get roughly?
I appreciate not everyone would be a fan of the colour of the wheels, I think black wheels on a white BMW have been done so much, and you can lose a little detail. My next choice would have been anthracite, maybe one day I will have a colour change but I do like to be a bit different and white generally can go with anything.
I think gains would be from 190Bhp up to 220Bhp and from 400nm to 480nm approximately.
Plus smooth out the delivery etc.
M28TTR said:
danb79 said:
Personally I'd say leave the ride height as it is... Looks well and sits well on the wheels, although they're not to my taste re the colour.
Like you I didn't want to lower our F31 too much when I did the full suspension overhaul (literally every part); so went with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and it sits perfectly at a better height than OEM, but not stupidly low and it doesn't catch on anything thankfully
Remap sounds like it could be plan; do you know what gains you'd get roughly?
Yes that sits perfect it looks like, I will more than likely leave it as its still got to be a usable car on the weekends, and it doesn't sit too bad really. Like you I didn't want to lower our F31 too much when I did the full suspension overhaul (literally every part); so went with Bilstein B4S shocks and Eibach pro kit springs and it sits perfectly at a better height than OEM, but not stupidly low and it doesn't catch on anything thankfully
Remap sounds like it could be plan; do you know what gains you'd get roughly?
I appreciate not everyone would be a fan of the colour of the wheels, I think black wheels on a white BMW have been done so much, and you can lose a little detail. My next choice would have been anthracite, maybe one day I will have a colour change but I do like to be a bit different and white generally can go with anything.
I think gains would be from 190Bhp up to 220Bhp and from 400nm to 480nm approximately.
Plus smooth out the delivery etc.
My Dad's white X3M has the alloys in Ferric Grey also and they suit the car to a tee
Remap sounds like it'll be worth it; I know it'd transform our F31 but whilst it's still under BMW warranty; it's being left be. More so that it's the wife's car now and she uses it to commute to work and back and a power increase really ins't needed; it pulls well enough as it is
Loved driving it this past week whilst we've been away over to the Yorkshire coast; forgotten how good a drive it is (and economical) - N47 325D (twin turbo)
danb79 said:
BMW Ferric Grey would work well IMO; that's the colour on the summer wheels on our F31 (the picture above is it sat on its winters and for that; satin black is perfect)
My Dad's white X3M has the alloys in Ferric Grey also and they suit the car to a tee
Remap sounds like it'll be worth it; I know it'd transform our F31 but whilst it's still under BMW warranty; it's being left be. More so that it's the wife's car now and she uses it to commute to work and back and a power increase really ins't needed; it pulls well enough as it is
Loved driving it this past week whilst we've been away over to the Yorkshire coast; forgotten how good a drive it is (and economical) - N47 325D (twin turbo)
Yes the standard 18s in the first photo are Ferric grey 2 they suited the car, may well be the colour of choice when I fancy a change. My Dad's white X3M has the alloys in Ferric Grey also and they suit the car to a tee
Remap sounds like it'll be worth it; I know it'd transform our F31 but whilst it's still under BMW warranty; it's being left be. More so that it's the wife's car now and she uses it to commute to work and back and a power increase really ins't needed; it pulls well enough as it is
Loved driving it this past week whilst we've been away over to the Yorkshire coast; forgotten how good a drive it is (and economical) - N47 325D (twin turbo)
Yes I imagine it is potent as it is especially if the wife's happy. I think that's the best thing of not having to drive it as a daily, is that when I drive it it feels like the first time, especially like you said spending some time behind the wheel on holiday.
Looks lovely on the summers 😎
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