Discussion
I currently have an Alfa Giulia 2.2 with 148k in the clock and to be honest whilst I like it, I find it a smidge too small inside when I’’ve got passengers.
I do up to 25k a year and I’ve identified a G30 520d as being a suitable next car for me. I’m 6ft1 and like to be in comfort, I also often have up to 3 passengers so want it to be suitable. The Giulia is RWD and has ZF auto, this is a fundamental reason why the BMW appeals and the same configuration is available.
I’ve also owned a Mini Cooper S in the not too distant paste, and I’ve got a good local BMW specialist which I’m already familiar with, another reason for the appeal of a 5.
I’m not bothered about whether I get an m-sport or not. I think my budget is fairly modest at £15k, however it looks like there are still approved used cars available, which appeals to me.
Are there any features I should be looking for and any common issues I should be aware of?
I do up to 25k a year and I’ve identified a G30 520d as being a suitable next car for me. I’m 6ft1 and like to be in comfort, I also often have up to 3 passengers so want it to be suitable. The Giulia is RWD and has ZF auto, this is a fundamental reason why the BMW appeals and the same configuration is available.
I’ve also owned a Mini Cooper S in the not too distant paste, and I’ve got a good local BMW specialist which I’m already familiar with, another reason for the appeal of a 5.
I’m not bothered about whether I get an m-sport or not. I think my budget is fairly modest at £15k, however it looks like there are still approved used cars available, which appeals to me.
Are there any features I should be looking for and any common issues I should be aware of?
Most likely electrical problems will be the biggest risk - mine had wheel speed sensor wiring loom issues. Rear air suspension can fail too - it's usually just a small electrical components but most places will just put an entire new compressor on at great cost.
Not sure how the B47 is, but I did 70k in a pre-LCI G31 with B57 and had zero engine or drivetrain issues. Quite good for long distance and stable at high speed. Build quality is good.
I have a 2023 LCI G31 here in Germany now and it's great overall, but I have a warranty for the above reason.
Not sure how the B47 is, but I did 70k in a pre-LCI G31 with B57 and had zero engine or drivetrain issues. Quite good for long distance and stable at high speed. Build quality is good.
I have a 2023 LCI G31 here in Germany now and it's great overall, but I have a warranty for the above reason.
I just sold mine - was a good car overall - I had a 2020 520d M Sport. in late 2019/2020 they get a newer infotainment system and dashboard and the mild hybrid drivetrain which was pretty good.
I had a lot of issues with the emissions system, 2 x DPF sensors and 1x NoX sensor and they were NOT cheap. Luckily mostly covered under warranty. Also ended up getting my DPF cleaned as the manual pressure readings showed it was beyond permissable limits. All this by 72,000 miles.
Other than that they are solid cars, great on fuel. Insurance was expensive though.
I had a lot of issues with the emissions system, 2 x DPF sensors and 1x NoX sensor and they were NOT cheap. Luckily mostly covered under warranty. Also ended up getting my DPF cleaned as the manual pressure readings showed it was beyond permissable limits. All this by 72,000 miles.
Other than that they are solid cars, great on fuel. Insurance was expensive though.
Alfahorn said:
Thanks for the replies.
Some of the issues raised are why I d like to go down the approved route with dealer warranty.
I keep cars to a high mileage, the highest I ve had is 206,000 in my ownership so knowing the car is going to be reliable is very important.
My RAC warranty excluded exhaust sensors , but they did themselves in a bit, the covered the first one I believe under pressure of the massive supplying dealer to keep thems sweet (£600 ish!) And when it happened again I argued the second one to be covered too (£350) . Approved warranty may have same exclusion. Some of the issues raised are why I d like to go down the approved route with dealer warranty.
I keep cars to a high mileage, the highest I ve had is 206,000 in my ownership so knowing the car is going to be reliable is very important.
A 2017 520d was dumped in my apartment block car park in someone's space. Googled the MOT history to see if it was abandoned and it is doing 80,000 miles a year and is on 320k the last MOT 11 months ago so possibly on 400k now lol. Gives some reassurance
Great cars. I have a 2019 G31 520d with Comfort pack and a few other extras which make it a very well specced car. 67k now and average 51.5mpg actual. Rear tyres at 41k, front tyres and brakes original. Tax was high until recently, but insurance and servicing are higher than I would expect.
Been very reliable, very comfortable and spacious. Been to the Alps with 4 adults and Ireland with 4 adults and a dog.
Only issue is its size, it’s a long car and had problems in some tight car parks.
Thoroughly recommend
Been very reliable, very comfortable and spacious. Been to the Alps with 4 adults and Ireland with 4 adults and a dog.
Only issue is its size, it’s a long car and had problems in some tight car parks.
Thoroughly recommend
hilly10 said:
Loved mine but I would say one thing comfort wise the Sports Seats with the M Sport package are much more comfortable then the base seats.
Yes - I’ve gone back on my original comments. I’ve looking for an m-sport probably 2017-18. I’ve allowed a budget of £13500-£14000, this leaves me with £1000 to do any bits the car I buy needs doing. matt21 said:
Great cars. I have a 2019 G31 520d with Comfort pack and a few other extras which make it a very well specced car. 67k now and average 51.5mpg actual. Rear tyres at 41k, front tyres and brakes original. Tax was high until recently, but insurance and servicing are higher than I would expect.
Been very reliable, very comfortable and spacious. Been to the Alps with 4 adults and Ireland with 4 adults and a dog.
Only issue is its size, it s a long car and had problems in some tight car parks.
Thoroughly recommend
I do a lot of trips 4 up, the issue is I have the seat far back on the Giulia and this restricts passengers behind me. The extra interior space is a need, the length of the car is a trade off. Been very reliable, very comfortable and spacious. Been to the Alps with 4 adults and Ireland with 4 adults and a dog.
Only issue is its size, it s a long car and had problems in some tight car parks.
Thoroughly recommend
Just getting rid of mine tomorrow for a G22 4 series.
Mines a 2017 well specced one and been all good and had for just over 5yrs.
I will actually miss it but just fancying a new car.
I’d recommend one no problem.
Decent performance and amazing economy. Not long done a 600mile round trip and still had nearly quarter of tank left.
It’ll prob be in an auction in the next few weeks.
Mines a 2017 well specced one and been all good and had for just over 5yrs.
I will actually miss it but just fancying a new car.
I’d recommend one no problem.
Decent performance and amazing economy. Not long done a 600mile round trip and still had nearly quarter of tank left.
It’ll prob be in an auction in the next few weeks.
LightweightLouisDanvers said:
Quite fancy an Xdrive touring. 530d would be lovely, a 520d would be perfectly adequate though.
All these bloody sensors, dpfs, egrs, adblue etc etc on Euro 6 diesels make me think petrol might be the way to go, which after nearly 30 happy years in diesels makes me quite sad.
The issue is people buy diesel for the wrong reasons. Consumers thing they’ll save money buying a diesel and then do 6,000 miles a year in it, that’s asking for trouble. All these bloody sensors, dpfs, egrs, adblue etc etc on Euro 6 diesels make me think petrol might be the way to go, which after nearly 30 happy years in diesels makes me quite sad.
My Alfa which will click 150k runs beautifully and is reliable, becuse it’s been used and serviced correctly. I’ve had no issues at all.
I’m looking at cars online and quite deliberately cars over 80,000 miles because they’ve been used as intended. One 2017 car I’m very interested in has done 96k, and I’m absolutely alright with that.
Alfahorn said:
The issue is people buy diesel for the wrong reasons. Consumers thing they ll save money buying a diesel and then do 6,000 miles a year in it, that s asking for trouble.
My Alfa which will click 150k runs beautifully and is reliable, becuse it s been used and serviced correctly. I ve had no issues at all.
I m looking at cars online and quite deliberately cars over 80,000 miles because they ve been used as intended. One 2017 car I m very interested in has done 96k, and I m absolutely alright with that.
Mine had done 72000 in 5.5 years and still had every diesel related issue , lifetime average of 51mpg so clearly used on motorways. My Alfa which will click 150k runs beautifully and is reliable, becuse it s been used and serviced correctly. I ve had no issues at all.
I m looking at cars online and quite deliberately cars over 80,000 miles because they ve been used as intended. One 2017 car I m very interested in has done 96k, and I m absolutely alright with that.
Alfahorn said:
The issue is people buy diesel for the wrong reasons. Consumers thing they ll save money buying a diesel and then do 6,000 miles a year in it, that s asking for trouble.
Sorry, but that is wrong. I bought my F30 335d for performance, especially torque. I was doing about 12k miles a year originally, but for the last 5 years it is averaging below 6k miles a year. At 9 years old, it has not missed a beat. It gets a long run about once a month. A great car. I would not buy a 4 cylinder diesel though.Pica-Pica said:
Sorry, but that is wrong. I bought my F30 335d for performance, especially torque. I was doing about 12k miles a year originally, but for the last 5 years it is averaging below 6k miles a year. At 9 years old, it has not missed a beat. It gets a long run about once a month. A great car. I would not buy a 4 cylinder diesel though.
No it's not wrong at all, it's true. Many people do buy diesels for the wrong reasons, clogged DPF's and EGR systems failing because vehicles haven't got up to temperature, fuel contamination due dirt in the fuel entering the fuel lines and turbo failures also related to optimum temperature not being achieved for long enough. These are common issues, it doesn't mean every low mileage diesel will incur problems, however it is more likely. Because you've not experienced these issues doesn't mean they don't exist. I've never had my house burgled, it doesn't mean I'd deny it happens!
Fusion777 said:
Being used as intended doesn t mean you can t have issues. Possible to get one with the BMW warranty?
Yes true. BMW approved is an option, however there are few options for the budget I'm looking at. However, they do offer an unlimited milage warranty for 12 months and will apply that to cars up to 99,000 I believe. joropug said:
Mine had done 72000 in 5.5 years and still had every diesel related issue , lifetime average of 51mpg so clearly used on motorways.
Yep, that's frustrating for sure. However, if search for any vehicle petrol or diesel there will be someone who's had a problem. I certainly believe regular use limits the issues, although doesn't eradicate them clearly. Alfahorn said:
Pica-Pica said:
Sorry, but that is wrong. I bought my F30 335d for performance, especially torque. I was doing about 12k miles a year originally, but for the last 5 years it is averaging below 6k miles a year. At 9 years old, it has not missed a beat. It gets a long run about once a month. A great car. I would not buy a 4 cylinder diesel though.
No it's not wrong at all, it's true. Many people do buy diesels for the wrong reasons, clogged DPF's and EGR systems failing because vehicles haven't got up to temperature, fuel contamination due dirt in the fuel entering the fuel lines and turbo failures also related to optimum temperature not being achieved for long enough. These are common issues, it doesn't mean every low mileage diesel will incur problems, however it is more likely. Because you've not experienced these issues doesn't mean they don't exist. I've never had my house burgled, it doesn't mean I'd deny it happens!
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