Are diesels still to be avoided for low annual mileage?

[JaySTee]

I'm considering a 2013/14/15 3 series touring for my next car but my current annual mileage is only circa 5-6k miles. I thought petrol would be the way to go but there is very little choice out there. Am I asking for trouble doing that sort of mileage on a diesel?

There are currently only two 328i tourings on auto trader that fit my criteria, and a smattering of 320i's. Looking at Fuelly there isn't much between the MPGs of both so was leaning towards the 328i for the fun factor.

Any thoughts?...

[smashy]

I would say depends if those 100 miles a week are done in one journey or spread out over the week.

My 335d ,like my 330d and 120d before takes ages to warm up. Even getting on the M4 in about 7/8 minutes where I live still takes about 10 miles on the M4 to warm up. I really wouldn't on only small journeys especially if in traffic, the Particulate Filter likes and needs long journeys really,my 2p anyway

[Pica-Pica]

My 335d takes about 6 or so miles to get up to full oil temperature. The last two years, I have only barely done 4k miles, but that is now increasing again after CoVID and it’s ensuing adjustments. I rarely drive it for less than 20 miles round trip. It gets a longer trip once or twice a month. There seems no issue with it. I am unlikely to part with it now, it would be hard to live without the fantastic auto and the torque.

[d_a_n1979]

JaySTee said:

I'm considering a 2013/14/15 3 series touring for my next car but my current annual mileage is only circa 5-6k miles. I thought petrol would be the way to go but there is very little choice out there. Am I asking for trouble doing that sort of mileage on a diesel?

There are currently only two 328i tourings on auto trader that fit my criteria, and a smattering of 320i's. Looking at Fuelly there isn't much between the MPGs of both so was leaning towards the 328i for the fun factor.

Any thoughts?...

Zero issues here; BMW F01 730D, F31 325D (current touring etc) and an E65 730D a few years back; do 6k miles a year. I just ensure that every so often I take it for a decent Italian tune up and the car does get a few longer runs a year up to The Highlands and down to Anglesey etc

Also change the oil & filter twice a year for PoM etc

If I were going to go petrol out of those two; the 328i would get my vite. It's a great engine IMO and pulls well... Test drove one before I settled on my current 325D M Sport

[Mr Tidy]

Maybe it depends on the make up of your 6K annual mileage.

If it's only short trips most days I wouldn't buy a diesel, but if it's a couple of 50 mile trips each week it might make sense as it will spend some time fully warmed up when diesel will be more economical and the DPF might be able to regenerate.

I never had a DPF problem with my 123d, but I did do over 80K miles in 6 and a half years!

[DirktheDaring]

Edit - not a BM obvs, but I’ve got a Euro 6 bi-turbo VW and do roughly 6k miles a year, always use premium diesel, yearly oil/filter changes and never get any dpf issues at all.

All the people I know that have had dpf issues run crap fuel, short runs and long life servicing.

[JaySTee]

Thanks for your responses and advice.

My mileage is mostly made up of short trips on A and B roads, occasionally on a dual carriageway. I work from home so don't have a commute as such. It may be I'd do a longer trip occasionally but not guaranteed. Currently we use my wife's diesel CX5 for longer trips.

So looks like petrol is the way forward, which I guess Id prefer anyway. Just a shame about lack of choice.

Anyone got a 320i auto? What's the performance like?

Thinking I should try and find a 328i as they seem to get similar MPGs but better performance...

[smashy]

JaySTee said:

Thanks for your responses and advice.

My mileage is mostly made up of short trips on A and B roads, occasionally on a dual carriageway. I work from home so don't have a commute as such. It may be I'd do a longer trip occasionally but not guaranteed. Currently we use my wife's diesel CX5 for longer trips.

So looks like petrol is the way forward, which I guess Id prefer anyway. Just a shame about lack of choice.

Anyone got a 320i auto? What's the performance like?

Thinking I should try and find a 328i as they seem to get similar MPGs but better performance...

Hi Jay you saw my views earlier ,thing is on 100 miles a week is any difference on mpg that important?Try my 400 miles a week lol However I have read that the 328i is not as brilliant on mpg as is made out.
Actually a guy collared me in a supermarket carpark asking me about mpg is my 335d ,he said he was fed up with the 328i mpg he had and was thinking of chopping it for that reason , had to go sadly so never found out how it performed.

[CousinDupree]

The 320i auto B48 goes well. Plenty of torque from that turbo motor, feels pretty effortless with the ZF8.

A far cry from the earlier NA engines.

[smashy]

Out of curiosity went on to fuelly.com Average from inputs from owners 320i was 30.5mpg but the 328i was actually 1 mpg better better 31.5 mpg

[CousinDupree]

Just looking on realoem, I didn't realise that the N20 engine ran so late on with the F30 LCI.

I would go for a 330i from 2015 onwards with the later B46 engine.

[JaySTee]

smashy said:

Hi Jay you saw my views earlier ,thing is on 100 miles a week is any difference on mpg that important?Try my 400 miles a week lol However I have read that the 328i is not as brilliant on mpg as is made out.
Actually a guy collared me in a supermarket carpark asking me about mpg is my 335d ,he said he was fed up with the 328i mpg he had and was thinking of chopping it for that reason , had to go sadly so never found out how it performed.

Yeah, I know the manufacturers figures are way out. I did some research on honest John/fuelly. I can imagine if you bought it expecting mid 40's mpg then you would be disappointed

[JaySTee]

CousinDupree said:

The 320i auto B48 goes well. Plenty of torque from that turbo motor, feels pretty effortless with the ZF8.

A far cry from the earlier NA engines.

Thanks, what years have the B48? I heard post 2015 were more reliable, but maybe out of budget...

[JaySTee]

smashy said:

Out of curiosity went on to fuelly.com Average from inputs from owners 320i was 30.5mpg but the 328i was actually 1 mpg better better 31.5 mpg

I did the same exercise hence thinking out of those the 28i makes sense, although slightly more pricey and even fewer of them...

[JaySTee]

CousinDupree said:

Just looking on realoem, I didn't realise that the N20 engine ran so late on with the F30 LCI.

I would go for a 330i from 2015 onwards with the later B46 engine.

Sadly I think post 2015 will be out of reach unless I look at higher milers. I read they were better engines - potential for timing chain issues on the earlier version?

[JaySTee]

d_a_n1979 said:

Zero issues here; BMW F01 730D, F31 325D (current touring etc) and an E65 730D a few years back; do 6k miles a year. I just ensure that every so often I take it for a decent Italian tune up and the car does get a few longer runs a year up to The Highlands and down to Anglesey etc

Also change the oil & filter twice a year for PoM etc

If I were going to go petrol out of those two; the 328i would get my vite. It's a great engine IMO and pulls well... Test drove one before I settled on my current 325D M Sport

Just re read your post Dan - you change the oil/filter twice on 6k per year? How long have you had the 325d?

[CousinDupree]

JaySTee said:

CousinDupree said:

Just looking on realoem, I didn't realise that the N20 engine ran so late on with the F30 LCI.

I would go for a 330i from 2015 onwards with the later B46 engine.

Sadly I think post 2015 will be out of reach unless I look at higher milers. I read they were better engines - potential for timing chain issues on the earlier version?

Yep, I believe so.

[d_a_n1979]

JaySTee said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Zero issues here; BMW F01 730D, F31 325D (current touring etc) and an E65 730D a few years back; do 6k miles a year. I just ensure that every so often I take it for a decent Italian tune up and the car does get a few longer runs a year up to The Highlands and down to Anglesey etc

Also change the oil & filter twice a year for PoM etc

If I were going to go petrol out of those two; the 328i would get my vite. It's a great engine IMO and pulls well... Test drove one before I settled on my current 325D M Sport

Just re read your post Dan - you change the oil/filter twice on 6k per year? How long have you had the 325d?

I change oil & filter on every car I've owned twice a year; it's cheaper than a full tank of premium fuel and gives good peace of mind...

Bought the F31 in Jan this year; did an oil & filter change as soon as I got it home and then did the latest one a week or so back

[smashy]

Re you looking for Fun Factor ,funny enough just picked up a 71 plate x2 20.i as a curtesy car

Well if I spent money on that engine for fun I would be mighty disappointed. Not a patch on my 335d ,had not driven a petrol for years. Turbo lag all through the acceleration.Not pleasant, after that I shall dismiss the Diesel haters lol

I shall reset the mpg and let you know how it goes.

[Court_S]

smashy said:

Re you looking for Fun Factor ,funny enough just picked up a 71 plate x2 20.i as a curtesy car

Well if I spent money on that engine for fun I would be mighty disappointed. Not a patch on my 335d ,had not driven a petrol for years. Turbo lag all through the acceleration.Not pleasant, after that I shall dismiss the Diesel haters lol

I shall reset the mpg and let you know how it goes.

I’m guessing that’s the B48….not a particularly nice engine of I’m honest. I had a G20 for a week….it was effective enough but I though it was gruff, didn’t really want to rev.