F71 BMW 3 Series Touring Advice

[FineCactus]

So....i am ready to take the plunge and get my first BMW. I have admired them from afar for too long.

Having the M Sport in mind, a £13k budget I have found plenty online to choose from. I’d prefer to avoid high mileage examples but struggling to narrow down which engines to aim for or to avoid?

Haven’t had an auto before and my understanding is they are very good. What’s the general opinion re this? Is it better to have a manual or if I do go for an auto is it worth aiming for one with the paddle shifters?

Lastly I have seen the odd example online with the larger satnav screen. Are they any good? Can you buy a larger screen and swap over easily?

Any advice is welcome.

Many thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

Simple one this if you're doing enough miles then it's a 330d M Sport preferably with Pro Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007131...

Or if you want a perol the 328i is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009304...

[jimmyjarvis]

Push the budget to 15 and buy a good spec 330d. You won’t look back

[duff]

Whatever you get, make sure it has Xenons!

[FineCactus]

Thanks all.

Seems to be more 320d’s out there. Are they vulnerable to the timing chain tensioner problem?

Have found a nice spec pre facelift. Not in a rush to buy, so is this one worthy and good intro to my BMW career?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Cabsi]

FineCactus said:

Thanks all.

Seems to be more 320d’s out there. Are they vulnerable to the timing chain tensioner problem?

Have found a nice spec pre facelift. Not in a rush to buy, so is this one worthy and good intro to my BMW career?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I had a 330d one of these, and my biggest issue was the bad road noise. Don't expect one of these to be a luxury long distance car.

I believe the LCI models were improved, but still not class competitive at long distance cruise refinement. Some people get rid of the run flats which does help, but only if you choose quantifiably quieter tyres.

[Mattt]

F31? Not 71

[FineCactus]

Mattt said:

F31? Not 71

Yes, typo F31. My mistake.

[Maracus]

I had a 328i auto with Pro Nav and Adaptive Lights for 3 years and 40k. Only fault was a catalytic convertor that was replaced under warranty.

They are plenty fast enough as well.

The only thing I would have wanted would have be Adaptive Suspension, or at least have had the ACS springs fitted as soon as I'd bought it.