[Joncro]

Hi All,
I’ve decided my next car will be a 3 series with a budget of £15k. Open to either the saloon or touring, probably prefer the touring if totally honest but wouldn’t rule out the saloon. What I can’t decide on is the engine. My current daily commute is only 7miles each way so I’m conscious of DPF problems with the diesel and other associated problems with short journeys but I’d love a 330d, would this be a silly choice? Obviously if I went 320d I could get a newer car but then I started looking 328i just to add further complexity! This would bug a big purchase for me and I’d like to keep the 4-5 years. Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

[Hooded]

The 7 mile commute won't be a problem if you also do the odd long journey as well.
How often do you travel say 50 miles+ roughly?

I would try and stretch the budget to a 330i at least if you go petrol, better more reliable engine than the one in the 328i.

[Joncro]

Hi Hooded, thanks for your reply, budget started off at 10k, then 12k and upped agian so unfortunately,15k-16k really is maxed out! A 50 mile journey would probably be every month or so I’d imagine.

[Sasquartch]

If most of your journeys are 7 miles then a diesel makes little sense.
A 328i like mine is not subject to the London t-charge unlike an early 330d so might be worth bearing in mind

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Joncro

Hi Hooded, thanks for your reply, budget started off at 10k, then 12k and upped agian so unfortunately,15k-16k really is maxed out! A 50 mile journey would probably be every month or so I’d imagine.

Push it a little bit further and get a 335i!

[Joncro]

I understand 14 miles a day makes little sense but it’s the sheer grunt of the 3.0litre diesel is what appeals😄 the 328i M-Sport in auto seem quite a rare car within my budget.

[thescouselander]

Personally I wouldn't touch an out of warranty diesel - especially at that milage. DPFs get a lot of publicity but the real problem is the amount of carbon the EGR pumps into the intake - this can start to cause problems in as little as 30,000 miles. That together with the government declaring war on diesel makes petrol a no brainer IMO.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Joncro

I understand 14 miles a day makes little sense but it’s the sheer grunt of the 3.0litre diesel is what appeals😄 the 328i M-Sport in auto seem quite a rare car within my budget.

I think there's been a lot of problems with the 328i engine, although no doubt someone will be along to correct me on that!

It wouldn't be a problem having the 330d for short journeys as long as you go for a long drive when the DPF light comes on.

Are 335i's a lot more then?

[Joncro]

Originally Posted by teaston

I think there's been a lot of problems with the 328i engine, although no doubt someone will be along to correct me on that!

It wouldn't be a problem having the 330d for short journeys as long as you go for a long drive when the DPF light comes on.

Are 335i's a lot more then?

Looking on Autotrader, the M-Sport seem to be around 18k plus

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by teaston

I think there's been a lot of problems with the 328i engine, although no doubt someone will be along to correct me on that!

It wouldn't be a problem having the 330d for short journeys as long as you go for a long drive when the DPF light comes on.

Are 335i's a lot more then?

Agree, .. as long as you go on a long drive at least once a month the DPF should be fine on these newer cars.

I see the OP's problem though buying second hand there really isn't much choice in his budget with petrol 3 series above the 320i, and the grunt of the 6 pot 330d is very appealing and just about within his budget.

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by teaston

I think there's been a lot of problems with the 328i engine, although no doubt someone will be along to correct me on that!

It wouldn't be a problem having the 330d for short journeys as long as you go for a long drive when the DPF light comes on.

Are 335i's a lot more then?

If you're waiting until the DPF light comes on, and then forcing yourself to do a long trip to scrub it out, then you've bought the wrong car.

Just think, you've no idea how much (ab-)use the DPF has had up until the time you've purchased it. If some muppet has sat outside the school for 30 minutes each day with the engine running, waiting to pick up the kids, it could be pretty well clogged up, and that's not a small bill.

For your journey type, and with the way diesels are being clobbered by governments, and the age / mileage of car you're looking to buy, a diesel - and especially a 330d - is the wrong choice.

[Joncro]

Appreciate all the feedback guys...gues I need to find another job further from home for the 330d 😂😂.

[Jeff123]

At that mileage and with your requirements I would go for a 320d or maybe a 320i if you could find one. There are loads of decent 320d’s around and you will get more value for money. 7 miles is not enough for a 330d to even reach operating temperature. They are quite fast compared to virtually everything on the market. Cheap to run as well.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by robbiep

If you're waiting until the DPF light comes on, and then forcing yourself to do a long trip to scrub it out, then you've bought the wrong car.

Just think, you've no idea how much (ab-)use the DPF has had up until the time you've purchased it. If some muppet has sat outside the school for 30 minutes each day with the engine running, waiting to pick up the kids, it could be pretty well clogged up, and that's not a small bill.

For your journey type, and with the way diesels are being clobbered by governments, and the age / mileage of car you're looking to buy, a diesel - and especially a 330d - is the wrong choice.

Yes I agree it's not the ideal operating scenario for the 330d, but if he wants something with acceleration in his budget then it looks like the only option, and probably no more risky than the delicate 328i engine.

[teaston]

And used DPF's are less than £400

https://ebay.us/WYm2uS

[pdk42]

If you get a reasonably low mileage 328i via AUC and take out a decent warranty (ideally BMW), then the risk of big spend on engine issues will be minimal. It sounds like a reasonable compromise. In any case, I suspect reports of 328i engine problems are probably over represented compared to happy owners - It's always the way.

[Joncro]

Are 320d/325d less prone to egr or dpf issues than the 330d? Saw a 320d 64 plate with 39k miles yesterday for £15800.

[330XDave]

Scratch the itch. Buy a 330d. Worry about any issues later. Thread over.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Joncro

Are 320d/325d less prone to egr or dpf issues than the 330d? Saw a 320d 64 plate with 39k miles yesterday for £15800.

Smaller engines will work harder and warm faster than the 3.0d lumps, so 'theoretically' should run drier inside on short trips.

Your 7 miles trips are not really suited to diesel to be honest. The idea of driving a long trip once a month is not the ideal solution, as DPF demand for a regeneration will come into play during your short trips. Likely won't be able to start, or complete is they can start.

[sensible]

I have a 320i M-Sport with the B48 LCI engine. I love the car and the engine. It has enough power for me. 0-60 in 7.2s and has 290 NM of torque in manual. Mine has 270 NM in auto. Also the LCI has lots of other upgrades on the 328i and the old N20 320i engined car. I have averaged 38.5 mpg over 30k miles....not bad for petrol.

I would suggest you are just about in the 320i LCI price range. They came out in mid 2015. You can tell the LCI from the rear LED wavey lights (amongst other things)

Here's one I found

I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...?atmobcid=soc3

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Scratch the itch. Buy a 330d. Worry about any issues later. Thread over.

The voice of reason!

[Jeff123]

Whenever I see a car from Big Motoring World I always assume is a dog. A legacy of the E90 days.