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      09-20-2018, 10:44 AM   #1
Pjak
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Time to make the move to petrol?

My 320D is due for renewal within the next 6 months, although I can do it any time from now really. I don’t particularly need a Diesel engine, I only do 6000 miles a year as my daily commute to work is 10 miles there and back. The rest of my mileage is made up of a to b driving, going the shops and visiting family, etc. Very few long journeys or motorway driving these days.

Got to say, the Diesel engine has served me very well, I only ever have to fill up once a month and this normally sees me through. On average I pretty much get 500 miles out of a full tank. MPG is currently at 58, but have just done an airport run so it’s not exactly an accurate picture.

Just been reading an article about rising fuel prices and I’m wondering if now is the right time for me to make the switch back to petrol, rather than taking another diesel for the next 4 years. The only thing holding me back is whether or not the fuel economy on the petrol is going to be anything similar to what I’ve got now. I know it depends on driving style but there’s no way I’m going to get 500 miles out of a 320i M Sport Auto!

Can anyone shed any experiences on petrol models and how they fare with fuel?

Thanks!
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      09-20-2018, 10:47 AM   #2
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Get a 340i. You know you want one!

Average mpg is about 30-32 if you don't do too many short trips.
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      09-20-2018, 10:52 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djcowlin View Post
Get a 340i. You know you want one!

Average mpg is about 30-32 if you don't do too many short trips.
Of course I want a 340i, who doesn’t!

Got a wedding to pay for though so trying to keep costs down at the minute. Deals are looking good on the 320i and as I’m relatively low mileage I can’t really justify spending a massive amount this time around.
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      09-20-2018, 11:00 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pjak View Post
Of course I want a 340i, who doesn’t!

Got a wedding to pay for though so trying to keep costs down at the minute. Deals are looking good on the 320i and as I’m relatively low mileage I can’t really justify spending a massive amount this time around.
Get the 320i if you want to keep the cost down and the deals are good. The performance is comparable with the 320d but with worse mpg obviously.
How do the 320d deals compare though?
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      09-20-2018, 11:05 AM   #5
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I have the 320i xdrive and my daily commute is 7 miles each way in town traffic.

I average around 28mpg.

On a recent trip to Cornwall, a trip of 215 miles each way I averaged 46 mpg using cruise control set to 75 and eco pro mode on the motorway.
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      09-20-2018, 11:36 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Hooded View Post
How do the 320d deals compare though?
They’re not actually THAT much more expensive really. I can get a 320D M Sport manual well within my budget, however the Auto is just slightly above that figure. Not a great deal above it though to be honest.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikesmith2939 View Post
On a recent trip to Cornwall, a trip of 215 miles each way I averaged 46 mpg using cruise control set to 75 and eco pro mode on the motorway.


Wow! I knew the petrol performance wasn’t as great as the diesel model but I didn’t realise it was so far behind. You may have just single handedly convinced me not to go near a petrol!


Looks like the money I’d be saving by going for a petrol model I’d be putting straight back in by filling up more often.
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      09-20-2018, 11:46 AM   #7
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Personally i think hybrid might be the best way to go...(prepares to get shot down)

Interested to see what the next gen g20 hybrid offering is, i think we will see rapid improvements deriven by demand in the fleet market as well as private owners. Check the surged in sales recently for hybrids, BIK tax breaks etc drive all of this really hence why diesel got to the uptake it has today.

Short trips are great mpg wise and no range / re-charging anxiety to deal with on the times you need to go on longer journeys.

I know there’s a weight penalty and there are some scenarios where you are esentially powering a dead weight battery that i’ve seen mentioned before but i think the applicability of that depends on usage and i think becoming less of an issue as better hybrids come about.

Only thing is the damn premium that will be charged for them could be the blocker compared to a 320i/d...
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      09-20-2018, 11:56 AM   #8
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Yep I’ve looked at the hybrid model and the cost is way way above that of a standard petrol or diesel model.

I’m half heartedly thinking of keeping my car and re-financing the balloon payment. It’ll be cheaper than the deals on new cars I’ve seen upto now and the road tax is only £30 a year. Once the wedding is out of the way I’ll be able to start again with a car that I really want without worrying about the cost too much.

Saying that, I’m intrigued to see what the G20 brings to the table next month. I’m hoping it’ll drive down the costs of the F30, with it going out of production at the end of this year, meaning better deals in time for me to change.
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      09-20-2018, 12:14 PM   #9
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I've switched back to petrol at 10K pa with a 12 mile commute.

At the point of change I'd guess I was paying an extra £20-30 a month switching from a F30 330d to a F31 340i. Commuting 40mpg to 31mpg. Longer trip, regular 120 miles to in-laws dropped from 45mpg to 37mpg.

I had tanks mpg overlap between the two...

My 330d dropped fro 45mpg average at 15K pa to 40mpg average at 10K pa. I was expecting 28mpg from the 340i. However, the petrols 5 mile shorter warm up time makes it more economical than expected on my commute.

Both the 330d and the 340i get about 20mpg on a 2 mile run to the shops...

So, at 6K pa I'd suggest you'd be looking at £10-15 a month difference in fuel... £480-720 over 4 years...

With dieselgate ongoing I'd be much more worried about residuals and the GFV. Get your finance quotes before you rule petrol out. This will effect your monthlies more...
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      09-20-2018, 12:35 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikesmith2939 View Post
I have the 320i xdrive and my daily commute is 7 miles each way in town traffic.

I average around 28mpg.

On a recent trip to Cornwall, a trip of 215 miles each way I averaged 46 mpg using cruise control set to 75 and eco pro mode on the motorway.
Wow, is that standard for a 320i, or I guess it’s the xDrive being a bit less fuel efficent? - We get better short journey mpg in the 340i (29.8mpg) on an 11mile round trip, plus weekend blasts and just shy of 46mpg on a Cornwall run in Comfort all the way, around 75 on the motorway (M27) and then usual traffic on A31, A35 and A30.

Get a 340i and you’ll slowly save enough in fuel over a 320i that the difference is paid for - plus, the more you drive, the more you’ll be saving - and you’ll want to drive the 340i all the time, so it’ll pay for itself before you know it
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      09-20-2018, 12:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pjak View Post
Yep I’ve looked at the hybrid model and the cost is way way above that of a standard petrol or diesel model.

I’m half heartedly thinking of keeping my car and re-financing the balloon payment. It’ll be cheaper than the deals on new cars I’ve seen upto now and the road tax is only £30 a year. Once the wedding is out of the way I’ll be able to start again with a car that I really want without worrying about the cost too much.

Saying that, I’m intrigued to see what the G20 brings to the table next month. I’m hoping it’ll drive down the costs of the F30, with it going out of production at the end of this year, meaning better deals in time for me to change.
Sounds like that could be the better option .. keeping what you've got until after the wedding .. then you could always look at a 340i as an option
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      09-20-2018, 12:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich9600 View Post
With dieselgate ongoing I'd be much more worried about residuals and the GFV. Get your finance quotes before you rule petrol out. This will effect your monthlies more...
It’s a lease deal I’m looking at so not worrying about the GMFV.

Between the 320i and the 320D (both Auto M sport), the difference is £20 a month. So it literally evens out, pay less for the petrol but then stick that straight back in with more frequent trips to the petrol station.
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      09-20-2018, 12:46 PM   #13
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Filled up the rangie to the brim...it crossed my mind, 560 miles range...is this my last diesel fill up!
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      09-20-2018, 01:03 PM   #14
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Personally i dont see much point going 320d to 320i, its not enough of a change to warrant the move imo. Do you need the size of the 3? Tempted by an m140 or 240i?
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      09-20-2018, 01:28 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kylemacca01 View Post
Personally i dont see much point going 320d to 320i, its not enough of a change to warrant the move imo. Do you need the size of the 3? Tempted by an m140 or 240i?

In all honesty, no, I don’t need a car this size. The girlfriend has a Sportage (surprisingly decent for a Kia!) so we’ve got the family car covered. But what I need and what I want are two different things Plus after driving a car this size for the last 3.5 years, I’m finding the idea of downsizing rather difficult. It’s nice having a big car, and yeah I don’t need all that space but I like having it. I looked at downsizing to a 118i a few months back and I forgot just how small the F20 is.

Lad in work has just got a M140i (about time, been telling him to get a proper car for years!) so I’ll have a nosy at that when I’m next in. But as this is all about cost for me at the minute, I’d be better off keeping what I’ve got rather than making that switch.
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      09-20-2018, 01:34 PM   #16
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I wouldn’t be looking at a F30 saloon at all if I were you. Period.

In 4-5 months time (which soon goes) it will be the last generation model.
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      09-20-2018, 01:55 PM   #17
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I wouldn’t be looking at a F30 saloon at all if I were you. Period.

In 4-5 months time (which soon goes) it will be the last generation model.
Exactly, something else that’s putting me off. But again, it’s about cost, so if I’m gonna wait around for a G20, I may as well just go for a 340 now.
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      09-20-2018, 02:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pjak View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by dopper99 View Post
I wouldn't be looking at a F30 saloon at all if I were you. Period.

In 4-5 months time (which soon goes) it will be the last generation model.
Exactly, something else that's putting me off. But again, it's about cost, so if I'm gonna wait around for a G20, I may as well just go for a 340 now.
And, the solution presents itself...
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      09-20-2018, 02:21 PM   #19
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If you get the 320i it will be like you haven't changed it, as it sounds like a diesel anyway...
Get the 40i in whatever form you can, while they still exist. You will not regret it for a second.
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      09-20-2018, 02:36 PM   #20
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You’re all bad influences
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      09-20-2018, 02:54 PM   #21
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Any problem in life.

Ask the forum.

Result = 40i


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      09-20-2018, 03:24 PM   #22
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I've recently made the jump. Currently in a 330d but have 440i on order.

You know it makes sense...
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