General BMW question

[Belle427]

Just sat here whilst im off work doing some research and thinking of my next direction when my Elise has sold.
Always had garage queens for the last 20 years but have decided im going to move on and get something to use every day.
Always been a BMW fan but have never owned one.
Having around £20k to spend there would be a few cars id consider but with all the different models available im a bit stuck on what id choose.
I may be able to scrape into an M2 with a slight budget creep which i do fancy but i see other cars like the 335d etc and wonder if they would be a better choice.
I only have a short 13 mile each way commute to work and weekend use would be small so the 335d may be a waste really anyway and the M2 would appeal if i fancied a weekend blast.
I do like the idea of X drive as im no driving god and ive heard the M2 rear end can be a bit lively which would worry me on our mostly damp greasy roads.
Whilst i dont want this to be an M2 vs 335d debate i just wondered had anyone tried out the different models and could give some insight.
The reported issues with the diesel engines would be a real worry for me if im honest even if they are blown out of proportion.
Appreciate any input.

[BlindedByTheLights]

The diesel issues are blown out of proportion, regular servicing is the key not long life 20k intervals. 335d engines do suffer bearing issues more commonly that the 330d. With a 12 mile commute it would only just be getting up to temp so I would go petrol for your usage.

M2 for the win. Or something 40i

[Belle427]

340i looks interesting but my thoughts are you may as well go M2 then.

[danb79]

Belle427 said:

Just sat here whilst im off work doing some research and thinking of my next direction when my Elise has sold.
Always had garage queens for the last 20 years but have decided im going to move on and get something to use every day.
Always been a BMW fan but have never owned one.
Having around £20k to spend there would be a few cars id consider but with all the different models available im a bit stuck on what id choose.
I may be able to scrape into an M2 with a slight budget creep which i do fancy but i see other cars like the 335d etc and wonder if they would be a better choice.
I only have a short 13 mile each way commute to work and weekend use would be small so the 335d may be a waste really anyway and the M2 would appeal if i fancied a weekend blast.
I do like the idea of X drive as im no driving god and ive heard the M2 rear end can be a bit lively which would worry me on our mostly damp greasy roads.
Whilst i dont want this to be an M2 vs 335d debate i just wondered had anyone tried out the different models and could give some insight.
The reported issues with the diesel engines would be a real worry for me if im honest even if they are blown out of proportion.
Appreciate any input.

As already said; ignore the tinterwebs negativity overt the diesel engines. Serviced well, looked after and maintained, they're absolutely fine

But as your commute is so short; petrol all the way IMO and if you can, the M2...

This could be worth a read too re the 240i...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[MitchT]

Belle427 said:

340i looks interesting but my thoughts are you may as well go M2 then.

What does your "slight budget creep" look like? £20k will get you a good 340i. It won't get you anywhere near a good M2.

[Belle427]

I could stretch to £22k but ideally id like to stay nearer £20k. I do see prices although have come down are closer to £25k for a good one.

[MitchT]

I'm looking for a 440i with a budget of £25k. I toyed with the idea of M2s but I couldn't find anything I considered "good" for less than £28k. Depends on your definition of good I suppose.

[rottenegg]

Any of the 6 pot diesels make great dailies as they are very quiet, efficient and punchy.

I wouldn't use one for a 13 mile trip though. Not for mpg reasons, but due to the sooting and potential dpf issues of short journeys. They need a good 30 minutes to warm up fully. Even longer in winter. And the 35d for some reason seems to suffer from jammed piston oil rings more than the other diesels, which causes horrific oil consumption.

M2 would probably be my choice tbh.

[Chris Peacock]

MitchT said:

I'm looking for a 440i

Still?! Just buy one man

[Pica-Pica]

After decades of petrol engine, I bought a brand new 335d F30 in Feb 2017. The first few years, I was doing long trips about twice a month. Then after two years that became less regular. So now, short trips (10 miles there and back) with twice a month 18 miles there and back, once every two months is longer (50 miles), and about 4 times a year sustained motorway runs of several hours. It has never given me any issues wrt DPF. It has had the EGR recalls, but nothing else. Indoors, I research other cars, but when I go out for a drive, I say ‘no, this is still the one’. It is 8 years old, and is still like new. It may well be my last car, unless I move to an EV (and can’t see any that appeal to me - plus I can’t charge at home). I have thought about a two-door, but too impractical. The torque plus the ZF8 auto, make it so relaxing and so capable in hilly areas.

[MitchT]

Chris Peacock said:

Still?! Just buy one man

I'm not in a rush.

Needs to be approved used, Snapper Rocks Blue, 69 plate or later and, crucially, have HK audio, surround view and a heated steering wheel.

It seems they started pumping out "run-out" models late 19/early 20 that are loaded with options, including the ones I want, though the ones I've seen so far have all been Estoril Blue, but it's inevitable that a Snapper Rocks Blue one will surface sooner or later.

I can wait

[rottenegg]

Pica-Pica said:

After decades of petrol engine, I bought a brand new 335d F30 in Feb 2017. The first few years, I was doing long trips about twice a month. Then after two years that became less regular. So now, short trips (10 miles there and back) with twice a month 18 miles there and back, once every two months is longer (50 miles), and about 4 times a year sustained motorway runs of several hours. It has never given me any issues wrt DPF. It has had the EGR recalls, but nothing else. Indoors, I research other cars, but when I go out for a drive, I say ‘no, this is still the one’. It is 8 years old, and is still like new. It may well be my last car, unless I move to an EV (and can’t see any that appeal to me - plus I can’t charge at home). I have thought about a two-door, but too impractical. The torque plus the ZF8 auto, make it so relaxing and so capable in hilly areas.

Same, albeit a 2016 30d. I bought it due to a change of job, increasing mileage from 9000 a year to over 20,000, but now I've had it for a couple of years, I'm not missing petrol engines at all.

My previous petrol was a manual, so you are 100% on the ZF8. It is an absolute godsend in traffic, even compared to VAG's DSG, imo.

[Chris Peacock]

MitchT said:

Chris Peacock said:

Still?! Just buy one man

I'm not in a rush.

Needs to be approved used, Snapper Rocks Blue, 69 plate or later and, crucially, have HK audio, surround view and a heated steering wheel.

It seems they started pumping out "run-out" models late 19/early 20 that are loaded with options, including the ones I want, though the ones I've seen so far have all been Estoril Blue, but it's inevitable that a Snapper Rocks Blue one will surface sooner or later.

I can wait

I can see why you're still waiting - quite specific but that would be a lovely car certainly. My wife had a very late 21 plate (only a 420i) but it had a great spec.

[Shooter McGavin]

Simply because of your short commute I would avoid any modern diesel with emissions tech on it. Your usage profile screams "blocked DPF".

The 340i vs M2 decision is then a question of mileage and practicality.

All the M2s in your budget on AT are quite leggy mileage-wise, compared to similar aged 340is

[Belle427]

Yes i would guess the M2 can be ruled out on purchase price really, so that would leave something like a 340i.
Im not really a fan of 4 pot engines so something like a 330i doesnt interest me much. (pretty sure they are 4 pot)

[BlindedByTheLights]

An Og M2 can be had in budget

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023123151...

[Heathwood]

You could get a really nice m240i well within budget. They are however somewhat bland and not particularly dynamic looking compared to an M2, which is a real shame, but if that didn’t bother you, it could be a good option.

[Belle427]

Heathwood said:

You could get a really nice m240i well within budget. They are however somewhat bland and not particularly dynamic looking compared to an M2, which is a real shame, but if that didn’t bother you, it could be a good option.

Thanks but they dont do it for me looks wise, shame as they are a good choice. Dont mind the look of M140 to be honest but would probably need some money spending on it suspension wise to make it better.

[Mr Tidy]

I agree your commute is too short for a diesel, but you've already reached that conclusion!

And any 3 Series is never going to drive like an M2, unless it's an M3 or 4!

Anyway good luck tracking down one that fits the bill.

[Fox-]

Belle427 said:

Thanks but they dont do it for me looks wise, shame as they are a good choice. Dont mind the look of M140 to be honest but would probably need some money spending on it suspension wise to make it better.

The M240i looks very similar to the M2, which isn't surprising when you consider they are both different versions of the same car.