320d but which one?

[21TonyK]

Anything to avoid? I need something to put about 20K a year on, gentle motorway mileage. Don't want to spend more than about 10-12K as it will be knackered(?) after 3-4 years.

Seen a 2013 320d tourer Msport auto with 50K on it for about 11K. Are autos any good (my old X5 autobox died at 100K)

Any known engines to avoid?

[sunnyb13]

20k miles a year is a lot. Try and get something a bit newer than 2013.

Have you looked at 5 series as well?


https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/bmw/5-series/fv18ew...

[InitialDave]

Can you not stretch to a 6-pot?

I know some are ok, but I wouldn't touch an N47 engined 4-pot with a bargepole.

[BlindedByTheLights]

N47’s do suffer more frequent timing chain problems. the key with n47 and n57 is do not leave it on long life servicing, 8k max and they’re fine, especially with motorway use.

I’ve got an n57, definitely go 6 cylinder if you can

[danb79]

We run an F31 325d M Sport Touring RWD with the ZF8 and it's a superb car

Got it at 97k miles in Jan 2023, it's done 102500 now as we weren't big users, but the wife has it now with her new role, that requires more commuting for the next 3 months

I change the oil & filter every 6 months (easy with it having a dipstick). I have taken very good care of the car mechanically with a full suspension overhaul (every part), brakes, cooling system etc.

It runs like clockwork, faultless and it's a superb drive

If you can find a 320D that's been well looked after,.maintained with paperwork to show this, go for it...

Ignore the naysayers. I know plenty of folk with the N47 engined BMWs with high miles and zero issues, all on their original chain etc

Yes the 30D is a superb engine, very smooth and refined and if you can find one in budget deffo test drive it...

But don't discount the N47 because the tinterwebs says so...

Due diligence is key

[_Hoppers]

Shame you're not up Norf as I've got a mint 320D on 90k which has been serviced every 9k miles and has had a gearbox service at 82k ish

[rassi]

For 20k and the time spent on the road I would try to get into a 5 series, the difference in NVH, comfort (including seats) for that generation is worth it.

[cerb4.5lee]

Rightly or wrongly, when I saw the thread title I immediately thought 330d instead. The 330d is worth the extra money in my opinion.

[Mr Tidy]

I bought a 123d with the N47 engine in 2008 and it was really good with the twin-turbos.

But then I started reading about the cam-chain issues and bailed out in 2014 after 81K miles. If I ever needed another diesel I'd chose a 6 cylinder one, even if budget meant it would be older.

Although BMW must have sold millions of N47s, you only tend to read of the problem ones!

[rottenegg]

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

Also as stated, the 30d is the sweet spot if you can stretch to it. Much, much smoother, much faster and not a huge difference in mpg if driven in comfort mode normally most of the time, which is likely if commuting 20K a year. I have a 2016 30d and do 25K a year and it's proven to be a reliable, smooth and nippy little commuter. Mine has averaged 52mpg over the 2 years I've owned it and my brother in law's 320d averaged 57mpg over the 6 years he owned his. The 30d's 5mpg hit is well worth it imo.

As ever, ignore the internet exaggerated horror stories and just keep on top of the maintenance. German cars are not tolerant of neglect. Bear that in mind and you'll be fine.

[mmm-five]

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

[danb79]

mmm-five said:

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

Same; but we were fortunate that the F31 is a good spec and music plays superbly with the HK system and Bluetooth

[cerb4.5lee]

danb79 said:

mmm-five said:

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

Same; but we were fortunate that the F31 is a good spec and music plays superbly with the HK system and Bluetooth

I really rate the HK system in the F82 M4 as well. Although the HK system in the F56 Cooper S wasn't all that in comparison for me though.

[danb79]

cerb4.5lee said:

danb79 said:

mmm-five said:

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

Same; but we were fortunate that the F31 is a good spec and music plays superbly with the HK system and Bluetooth

I really rate the HK system in the F82 M4 as well. Although the HK system in the F56 Cooper S wasn't all that in comparison for me though.

Best system I had was in my previous F01 730D. Hell fire that thing could knock out some sound

Jethro Tull never sounded so good in a car

[cerb4.5lee]

danb79 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

danb79 said:

mmm-five said:

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

Same; but we were fortunate that the F31 is a good spec and music plays superbly with the HK system and Bluetooth

I really rate the HK system in the F82 M4 as well. Although the HK system in the F56 Cooper S wasn't all that in comparison for me though.

Best system I had was in my previous F01 730D. Hell fire that thing could knock out some sound

Jethro Tull never sounded so good in a car

I can imagine Dan. My brother-in-law's 530i(2017 model) sounded absolutely amazing with the HK system I thought. So I bet it is wonderful in a 7 series as you say.

[danb79]

cerb4.5lee said:

danb79 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

danb79 said:

mmm-five said:

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

Same; but we were fortunate that the F31 is a good spec and music plays superbly with the HK system and Bluetooth

I really rate the HK system in the F82 M4 as well. Although the HK system in the F56 Cooper S wasn't all that in comparison for me though.

Best system I had was in my previous F01 730D. Hell fire that thing could knock out some sound

Jethro Tull never sounded so good in a car

I can imagine Dan. My brother-in-law's 530i(2017 model) sounded absolutely amazing with the HK system I thought. So I bet it is wonderful in a 7 series as you say.

Haha it is Lee. The HK system in the F31 is very good indeed; but with the extra sound deadening in the F01, that's what made it IMO

[rottenegg]

mmm-five said:

rottenegg said:

20d is fine but as stated, get as new a one as possible. Try and stretch the budget to an LCI (2015 on) as there are an assortment of aesthetic and mechanical improvements.

If you do look for an LCI model, then make sure you look at more than just the registration date, as I've got a late 2015 model which is NOT LCI.

Although I bought it as a stop-gap and wasn't really interested (or knowledgeable) about the non-LCI vs LCI until I tried to get Carplay working

Now I'm looking at trading it in for a 6-cylinder version (330D/335D/340D) as I quite like the car, but would just like more oomph.

Very good point. There's a build date on the black/white sticker on the front door kick panel area for those who didn't know/newbies

Any of those 6 bangers are a very noticable jump in oomph and smoothness.