M340i or 330d or Golf GTD as a Daily (15k miles) + 2nd Car
Discussion
Hi All,
My mileage will soon go up to 15k a year eventually and I will need to upgrade from my current 130i. I hope to have a second car for the summer mainly and some dry weekends (E30). The E30 is an ultimate dream car for me and am happy to not rush getting it right.
With the 130 doing mostly motorway miles (total 65 mile round trip commute with controlled speed limits usually between 40-60) and local runs I tend to average about 27-28mpg, on a run in the winter I get 30 mpg and in better conditions it’s around 35ish being sensible.
My insurance is currently 50 quid a month but would be much higher for the newer cars.
M340i X-Drive
This car looks like the perfect all rounder and I imagine the B58 is probably the perfect upgrade for the N52. The fuel economy is not terrible for the performance either.
There have been varying reports on the average mpg people are getting but 33mpg seems reasonable to achieve with the MHT.
Being slightly pessimistic the fuel bill (normal unleaded) could be about £300.
Insurance about £200
Total: £500
G20 330d X-Drive
You got the glorious 6 pot diesel with all the performance you will ever need, it is subdued at the top but all the car you ever need 90% off the time.
I am assuming 45mpg average should be achievable with the MHT.
Fuel again being pessimistic could be: £235
Insurance: £160
£395
Mk 7 Golf GTD
Another hatchback, very nimble and meant to be pretty fun for a diesel and very economical to.
Fuel assuming a 48mpg average: £223
Insurance: £100
Total: £323
I would have considered an M140i but am already driving the 130i and have heard the ride on the 140i needs substantial improvement, probably not good for the back either.
It’s a shame BMW only offer the 6 pot in only one non M model.
The M340i is the most special car out the three but does eat into the wallet. The 330d is a suitable middle ground and another G20 which is arguably the best modern 3 series they’ve ever made. The GTD is the best option financially and would free up a lot more cash for the E30 which is likely to be very expensive to maintain.
The 130i & E30 are my dream cars, in the ideal world I wish I could keep the 130i as the daily but it is getting on a bit, I feel emotional just thinking about getting rid of it; for my main purpose it isn’t entirely suitable but still fun to drive around given the low down torque and the few chances I get to go for a blast.
I am considering the G20’s because they appear to be a nicer place to be and I don’t feel like the interior is significantly better moving from the E generations to F. Plus if am spending over 15k then it should be something newer and something one is genuinely happy with, and well north of 15k for me BMW’s bring the greatest value. Around the 10-12k mark VW’s make fantastic/reliable daily’s which don’t cost an arm and leg; with the Golf, I’ve never had one but always liked them to and especially the concept of a ‘GTD’.
Have been a lurker for a while but love this platform and the passion everyone has! thanks all for any help!
My mileage will soon go up to 15k a year eventually and I will need to upgrade from my current 130i. I hope to have a second car for the summer mainly and some dry weekends (E30). The E30 is an ultimate dream car for me and am happy to not rush getting it right.
With the 130 doing mostly motorway miles (total 65 mile round trip commute with controlled speed limits usually between 40-60) and local runs I tend to average about 27-28mpg, on a run in the winter I get 30 mpg and in better conditions it’s around 35ish being sensible.
My insurance is currently 50 quid a month but would be much higher for the newer cars.
M340i X-Drive
This car looks like the perfect all rounder and I imagine the B58 is probably the perfect upgrade for the N52. The fuel economy is not terrible for the performance either.
There have been varying reports on the average mpg people are getting but 33mpg seems reasonable to achieve with the MHT.
Being slightly pessimistic the fuel bill (normal unleaded) could be about £300.
Insurance about £200
Total: £500
G20 330d X-Drive
You got the glorious 6 pot diesel with all the performance you will ever need, it is subdued at the top but all the car you ever need 90% off the time.
I am assuming 45mpg average should be achievable with the MHT.
Fuel again being pessimistic could be: £235
Insurance: £160
£395
Mk 7 Golf GTD
Another hatchback, very nimble and meant to be pretty fun for a diesel and very economical to.
Fuel assuming a 48mpg average: £223
Insurance: £100
Total: £323
I would have considered an M140i but am already driving the 130i and have heard the ride on the 140i needs substantial improvement, probably not good for the back either.
It’s a shame BMW only offer the 6 pot in only one non M model.
The M340i is the most special car out the three but does eat into the wallet. The 330d is a suitable middle ground and another G20 which is arguably the best modern 3 series they’ve ever made. The GTD is the best option financially and would free up a lot more cash for the E30 which is likely to be very expensive to maintain.
The 130i & E30 are my dream cars, in the ideal world I wish I could keep the 130i as the daily but it is getting on a bit, I feel emotional just thinking about getting rid of it; for my main purpose it isn’t entirely suitable but still fun to drive around given the low down torque and the few chances I get to go for a blast.
I am considering the G20’s because they appear to be a nicer place to be and I don’t feel like the interior is significantly better moving from the E generations to F. Plus if am spending over 15k then it should be something newer and something one is genuinely happy with, and well north of 15k for me BMW’s bring the greatest value. Around the 10-12k mark VW’s make fantastic/reliable daily’s which don’t cost an arm and leg; with the Golf, I’ve never had one but always liked them to and especially the concept of a ‘GTD’.
Have been a lurker for a while but love this platform and the passion everyone has! thanks all for any help!
Harry Rule said:
OP if the M340i is the petrol engined choice, would the logical diesel alternative not be the M340d rather than the 330d?
From my POV we shouldn’t have to pay for the M badge to get a 6 pot and for that reason I ruled out the M340d. On top of that, you’re paying for an extra turbo and a lot more torque when the 330d with the same engine will still do its primary job just as well and possibly be a bit more reliable as well ? The other thing is the current market, there’s not as much price difference between a M340i and an M340d.If the M340d was closer in price to a normal G20 330d I would consider it.
andyvtr said:
I’m getting 36mpg from my G21 MHT M340i. My previous car was an F31 330d and that was achieving 45mpg. I think for
your annual mileage the 330D would be the way to go. They’re cracking engines and I imagine the newer 330D would achieve 50mpg with ease.
What made you go for the MHT, is it that much more economical ? And is it your only car ? Tbh As a one car garage, M340i is the best option.your annual mileage the 330D would be the way to go. They’re cracking engines and I imagine the newer 330D would achieve 50mpg with ease.
Yes, I am at the moment leaning a little more towards the 330d. Is the B57 as reliable as the B58 ? I guess the age old petrol v diesel debate comes into this to
helix403 said:
Do you want your engine to sound good? If yes choice is 340i 1st, 330d 2nd. Golf has a 4 cylinder so sounds bad. Some 4 cylinders sound good. The Golf does not.
Looking at some video’s a while the GTD didn’t sound terrible for a 4 pot diesel on a back road. 6 pot petrol engines sound glorious, am not so sure about the diesels ?I have a a 530d X drive touring (G31) and like its long legs, torque and sense I could keep it for 200000 miles or more. Toyed witg 540i and M340i but somehow can’t imagine keeping it way beyond 100000 as a dependable hack. It’s fantastic for crossing continents rapidly and economically!
Billy_Whizzzz said:
I have a a 530d X drive touring (G31) and like its long legs, torque and sense I could keep it for 200000 miles or more. Toyed witg 540i and M340i but somehow can’t imagine keeping it way beyond 100000 as a dependable hack. It’s fantastic for crossing continents rapidly and economically!
They are a bargain at the minute the G30’s! Did you ever consider a G20 ? And anything else you have for weekends.Also, what has the reliability been like as I think you have the single turbo B57 6 pot ? Too much scaremongering with Diesels these days but I think the B57 is meant to be one of BMW’s best diesels ever made.
You can’t compete with the range and general performance of a BMW 6 pot diesel as a package !
MHT makes a real difference to MPG driving around town, my 730d MHT would do close to 50mpg from a cold start on the urban 8 mile journey to the gym the previous non MHT would be around 40, you'd get more out of the 3 series version I would imagine and I'd see 60mpg on a run just flowing with the traffic.
The 330d would be my pick and I wouldn't compare the MPG from those that had the F30 N57 against the G20 B57 MHT, the later is far more efficient as well as being much smoother and more powerful.
The 330d would be my pick and I wouldn't compare the MPG from those that had the F30 N57 against the G20 B57 MHT, the later is far more efficient as well as being much smoother and more powerful.
Shaz130 said:
Billy_Whizzzz said:
I have a a 530d X drive touring (G31) and like its long legs, torque and sense I could keep it for 200000 miles or more. Toyed witg 540i and M340i but somehow can’t imagine keeping it way beyond 100000 as a dependable hack. It’s fantastic for crossing continents rapidly and economically!
They are a bargain at the minute the G30’s! Did you ever consider a G20 ? And anything else you have for weekends.Also, what has the reliability been like as I think you have the single turbo B57 6 pot ? Too much scaremongering with Diesels these days but I think the B57 is meant to be one of BMW’s best diesels ever made.
You can’t compete with the range and general performance of a BMW 6 pot diesel as a package !
Shaz130 said:
What made you go for the MHT, is it that much more economical ? And is it your only car ? Tbh As a one car garage, M340i is the best option.
Yes, I am at the moment leaning a little more towards the 330d. Is the B57 as reliable as the B58 ? I guess the age old petrol v diesel debate comes into this to
It was just the luck of the draw. MHT/non MHT made no difference to my choice. However I was looking for around 12 months for a pre-LCI with all or most of the boxes ticked. You’re probably looking at 2-3 extra mpg with the MHT and itYes, I am at the moment leaning a little more towards the 330d. Is the B57 as reliable as the B58 ? I guess the age old petrol v diesel debate comes into this to
Is a super smooth setup. You leave it to do its thing and it works great.
On second thoughts,
I re-calculated the miles I do, 48 miles is more typical on the motorway opposed to 64 miles which is more often when there is little traffic (rarely).
Assuming the more typical 48 miles daily commute and fuelling up with tesco momentum, at a 33mpg average which seems achievable this will yield up to £200 quid per month. That’s not terrible, sticking to half motorway / half town which is 18 miles each way - (not something I enjoy however and pops up as a route option about 60-70% off the time) at a lower mpg maybe 28 mpg as it would drop, yields about £180 odd.
What ya”ll think ??
I re-calculated the miles I do, 48 miles is more typical on the motorway opposed to 64 miles which is more often when there is little traffic (rarely).
Assuming the more typical 48 miles daily commute and fuelling up with tesco momentum, at a 33mpg average which seems achievable this will yield up to £200 quid per month. That’s not terrible, sticking to half motorway / half town which is 18 miles each way - (not something I enjoy however and pops up as a route option about 60-70% off the time) at a lower mpg maybe 28 mpg as it would drop, yields about £180 odd.
What ya”ll think ??
Edited by Shaz130 on Wednesday 12th February 15:19
Edited by Shaz130 on Wednesday 12th February 15:20
andyvtr said:
It was just the luck of the draw. MHT/non MHT made no difference to my choice. However I was looking for around 12 months for a pre-LCI with all or most of the boxes ticked. You’re probably looking at 2-3 extra mpg with the MHT and it
Is a super smooth setup. You leave it to do its thing and it works great.
What’s your daily commute like and what do you tend to average on the commute out of interest ?Is a super smooth setup. You leave it to do its thing and it works great.
Shaz130 said:
On second thoughts,
What ya”ll think ??
I think that if you want the M340i and its 374hp then you have to expect to pay more for fuel vs the 330d, and if you're nickel and diming the thought of paying for the fuel then just get the 30d as you'll end up hypermiling in the 40i and that's not really enjoying what you've bought. What ya”ll think ??
I got about 26mpg out of my F80 M3 vs around 40mpg from my F31 335d you're probably looking at a 15mpg gap between the 40i and the 30d as well, you're either prepared to pay that difference or you're not.
Wills2 said:
I think that if you want the M340i and its 374hp then you have to expect to pay more for fuel vs the 330d, and if you're nickel and diming the thought of paying for the fuel then just get the 30d as you'll end up hypermiling in the 40i and that's not really enjoying what you've bought.
I got about 26mpg out of my F80 M3 vs around 40mpg from my F31 335d you're probably looking at a 15mpg gap between the 40i and the 30d as well, you're either prepared to pay that difference or you're not.
Good points I guess that’s right, but would you say that applies to a lot of the folk with performance daily’s ? As they never get to fully exploit the car unless they go for a blast when they get the chance. I got about 26mpg out of my F80 M3 vs around 40mpg from my F31 335d you're probably looking at a 15mpg gap between the 40i and the 30d as well, you're either prepared to pay that difference or you're not.
Like with my 130, it’s more of a B road weapon but I use it as a daily and don’t t go crazy on the motorway; well I can’t due to the traffic and limits etc but have more fun on a trip or something.
No doubt it will cost more fuel for sure though, it’s just the nature of my driving to mainly motorway say 55 miles a day with the smart motorway limits and locals runs, does it warrant a diesel ? And would the 330d be getting up to the right temps and the general Q’s on reliability might come into it.
Did you go from the 335d to the M3 or the other way round / what were your reasons ?
Random suggestion but if you’ve got off street parking or access to charging how about a 330e?
I drove one the other day and I was very impressed. Only compromise is a smaller boot but quick off the line and impressive acceleration. But when cruising very comfortable and quiet. I didn’t have much charge in the battery so can’t comment on economy but was an enjoyable drive.
I drove one the other day and I was very impressed. Only compromise is a smaller boot but quick off the line and impressive acceleration. But when cruising very comfortable and quiet. I didn’t have much charge in the battery so can’t comment on economy but was an enjoyable drive.
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