What series - 3, 4 or 5?
Discussion
I'm doing 25,000 to 30,000 miles annualy which are mostly motorway.
I'll be buying either a 3, 4 or 5 series
Automatic
Post 2018 build and likely pre 2021
5 door
Previously had a 1 series and a 2 series both M sport but used more locally.
I'm drawn towards the 5 series but which one, 520d / 530d or a 530e - is the hybrid any good, does it make much difference on the mpg?
4 series - mostly come as M sport, will the ride be too harsh?
3 series - tested one last week which was good but feel that a little more presence and overall space is best.
I'll be buying either a 3, 4 or 5 series
Automatic
Post 2018 build and likely pre 2021
5 door
Previously had a 1 series and a 2 series both M sport but used more locally.
I'm drawn towards the 5 series but which one, 520d / 530d or a 530e - is the hybrid any good, does it make much difference on the mpg?
4 series - mostly come as M sport, will the ride be too harsh?
3 series - tested one last week which was good but feel that a little more presence and overall space is best.
IMO if you’re doing those kinds of miles and have the budget (and want) then a 530d touring would be about as good as it gets…
Able to do great mileage, in superb comfort and style etc…
The saloon would be a good buy also with the same engine…
Is there a budget you’re looking to stick to / a spec you’d ideally like?
Able to do great mileage, in superb comfort and style etc…
The saloon would be a good buy also with the same engine…
Is there a budget you’re looking to stick to / a spec you’d ideally like?
Agree with this. The 4, with the nusful hatch are mostly M soort and very harsh riding. The 3 car be OK, but the good spec normally onky comes with M sport..
The 5 is the softer choice. 520d, 520i or 530d. With the 530e you'd quickly drain the battery, then youd have a very heavy 520i for the rest of the journey
Rrgards,
Someone doing simmilar mileages looking at a 5 saloon!
The 5 is the softer choice. 520d, 520i or 530d. With the 530e you'd quickly drain the battery, then youd have a very heavy 520i for the rest of the journey
Rrgards,
Someone doing simmilar mileages looking at a 5 saloon!
I would go for a 530d - I had a F10 for a few years while I was doing 20k-25k per year.
Easy 45mpg on the motorways, reliable, comfy and easy to drive and mine had a decent spec so that made it a nice place to soak up miles.
I have had and driven a few 3 series (E46 / E92 / F30 / G20) and apart from the G20, I would pick the 5 series if you are doing a lot of miles.
Easy 45mpg on the motorways, reliable, comfy and easy to drive and mine had a decent spec so that made it a nice place to soak up miles.
I have had and driven a few 3 series (E46 / E92 / F30 / G20) and apart from the G20, I would pick the 5 series if you are doing a lot of miles.
If you really need 5 doors what about a 6 Series GT?
What is the reason for 5 doors anyway? I have a 6 series Gran Coupe which is a great car and suprisingly practical as it has a massive boot and fold down rear seats. It's a much nicer finished car inside than the 3,4,5 (unless you are talking about a very recent 5).
What is the reason for 5 doors anyway? I have a 6 series Gran Coupe which is a great car and suprisingly practical as it has a massive boot and fold down rear seats. It's a much nicer finished car inside than the 3,4,5 (unless you are talking about a very recent 5).
Edited by rlg43p on Thursday 8th February 11:47
rlg43p said:
If you really need 5 doors what about a 6 Series GT?
What is the reason for 5 doors anyway? I have a 6 series Gran Coupe which is a great car and suprisingly practical as it has a massive boot and fold down rear seats. It's a much nicer finished car inside than the 3,4,5 (unless you are talking about a very recent 5).
Getting a 4 year old in and out of the back is much more practical with 5 doors. I remember the hassle with the 2 series and still have the back pain to go with it.What is the reason for 5 doors anyway? I have a 6 series Gran Coupe which is a great car and suprisingly practical as it has a massive boot and fold down rear seats. It's a much nicer finished car inside than the 3,4,5 (unless you are talking about a very recent 5).
Edited by rlg43p on Thursday 8th February 11:47
I'll look at the 6 too. Ta
A 640D Gran Coupe would be a superb car to eat up the miles... But for me they're just not practical enough and I'd say with children in the mix; a touring would make more sense, in that sense...
I test drove a few 640Ds local to me before settling on my F31 and they're superb; fantastic car & engine. But not practical at all if you want adults in the back IMO
However as a 2nd car (if another car is in the family and is a more sensible/practical car); it could be a great car to do the commuting in
One on eBay as an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375203775948?hash=item5...
I'd still have one but as above; it'd need to be as a 2nd car...
I'm not small and anyone sitting behind me will struggle in most cars; there wasn't enough room for my Dad to sit behind me in the 640D and he's a lot smaller than me and about 6ft / chicken legs etc
But in the F31; he had bags of room in comparison...
I test drove a few 640Ds local to me before settling on my F31 and they're superb; fantastic car & engine. But not practical at all if you want adults in the back IMO
However as a 2nd car (if another car is in the family and is a more sensible/practical car); it could be a great car to do the commuting in
One on eBay as an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375203775948?hash=item5...
I'd still have one but as above; it'd need to be as a 2nd car...
I'm not small and anyone sitting behind me will struggle in most cars; there wasn't enough room for my Dad to sit behind me in the 640D and he's a lot smaller than me and about 6ft / chicken legs etc
But in the F31; he had bags of room in comparison...
MOMACC said:
Getting a 4 year old in and out of the back is much more practical with 5 doors. I remember the hassle with the 2 series and still have the back pain to go with it.
I'll look at the 6 too. Ta
You put the 4 year old in the car through the 5th door? Don't most people use the doors on the side of the car?I'll look at the 6 too. Ta
I’m interested in somewhat of an inverse i.e from a F36 4GC to perhaps the new 4 convertible. I have a 5 year old and 7 year old who are both capable of doing their own belts up and getting in to the 4-door 4er. Is a 2 door convertible / coupe really a no-go?
Nb no major need for masses of boot space any more.
Nb no major need for masses of boot space any more.
d_a_n1979 said:
A 640D Gran Coupe would be a superb car to eat up the miles... But for me they're just not practical enough and I'd say with children in the mix; a touring would make more sense, in that sense...
I test drove a few 640Ds local to me before settling on my F31 and they're superb; fantastic car & engine. But not practical at all if you want adults in the back IMO
However as a 2nd car (if another car is in the family and is a more sensible/practical car); it could be a great car to do the commuting in
One on eBay as an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375203775948?hash=item5...
I'd still have one but as above; it'd need to be as a 2nd car...
I'm not small and anyone sitting behind me will struggle in most cars; there wasn't enough room for my Dad to sit behind me in the 640D and he's a lot smaller than me and about 6ft / chicken legs etc
But in the F31; he had bags of room in comparison...
I have a 640i GC which I use as a commuting car (50 mile round trip once a week). I rate it extremely highly, so long as it isn’t on run flats. For your mileage, get the diesel but in the other respects, including practicality with children if they’re beyond buggy age, you wouldn’t be disappointed.I test drove a few 640Ds local to me before settling on my F31 and they're superb; fantastic car & engine. But not practical at all if you want adults in the back IMO
However as a 2nd car (if another car is in the family and is a more sensible/practical car); it could be a great car to do the commuting in
One on eBay as an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375203775948?hash=item5...
I'd still have one but as above; it'd need to be as a 2nd car...
I'm not small and anyone sitting behind me will struggle in most cars; there wasn't enough room for my Dad to sit behind me in the 640D and he's a lot smaller than me and about 6ft / chicken legs etc
But in the F31; he had bags of room in comparison...
Seems you’ve picked a nice 5 though.
Edited by JW911 on Friday 9th February 07:08
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