[Chappers 71]

Am going to be coming into some money in a few months time & am looking to replace my e92 35i which I've owned for over 7 years, it has a few performance mods along with an engine & gearbox remap & has approximately 385bhp.

Candidates are a f31 or maybe a Ford transit or VW Transporter combi/day van, we don't need space for kids but we do have a 44kilo Alsatian & although it hasn't been to much of a chore taking him out in the back of the e92 this last 3 years I don't want another coupe.
Also with the lowered 35i speed humps & potholes are becoming more of a bore as our roads continually deteriorate.

If I do go with another Bmw, engine size & fuel type are a dilemma. Obviously my first thoughts are get a 340i but for the last 18months or so i find myself just potering around in the 35i & rarely use the available power but it does put a smile on my face on the odd occasion when road & traffic conditions allow. Putting the odd occasion when I do utilise the potential of the 35i aside I find myself thinking maybe a high spec 320 or 330d would suffice.
So I would be interested in hearing about f series ownership, those with b58 powered cars how does the reliability compare to the n54? And what are the diesels like to live with, also 330i but the thought of owning a 330i petrol & it not being a 3 litre straight 6 just seems wrong to me but I haven't totally discounted a 330i, i just think if I was going to get a 330i I may as well do it properly & get a 340i.

The idea of a day van is also appealing as we could put the dog in load it up & just bugger off for a weekend with it. Am not a fan of tenting but sleeping in a van in the middle of nowhere I could do, also if I did get a van performance wouldn't be something I'd have to concern myself about

Budget would be £15,000 cash plus whatever I can get for the e92.

Thanks in advance for any replies

[Stunt.Monkey]

330i is a 2 not 3 litre. My 330i F31 is plenty quick enough for me. Not sure the boot would be big enough for your dog though.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Stunt.Monkey

330i is a 2 not 3 litre. My 330i F31 is plenty quick enough for me. Not sure the boot would be big enough for your dog though.

Yeah, I know it's a 2 litre turbo, I just didn't put it down correctly, I'll go back & edit my post
There's a fair amount of space with the back seats down.

[GC0215]

I have a 330d F30 saloon(owned for 6 months) and it's by far the best purchase I've ever made. I commute 40 miles each way, mix of country (normally pinned to 55 because of lorries) as well as dual carriageway. The overtaking from 40-80 is amazing- engine is silky smooth and the zf8 speed is a masterpiece. Regarding economy, I have no issues reaching 47mpg even with some spirited driving as well as overtaking said lorries en route (as well as putting some people back in their place on the A46 Lincoln bypass

My brother in law has a 320d F31 and it just seems to struggle between 50-80, especially with a load. Mpg figures that he gets (usually motorway with 80mph cruising speed) is around 52mpg. That said, he takes his family (wife and 2 small children) to the south of France each year in it with a boot full of gear and apprently it never misses a beat.

Remap options are definitely available (as I'm sure you are aware) which will definitely improve all aspects of the car, whichever you choose. Just really depends if you want a 4 or 6 cylinder car, but my experience says you should go for the 6. Hope this helps!

[johnung]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Am going to be coming into some money in a few months time & am looking to replace my e92 35i which I've owned for over 7 years, it has a few performance mods along with an engine & gearbox remap & has approximately 385bhp.

Candidates are a f31 or maybe a Ford transit or VW Transporter combi/day van, we don't need space for kids but we do have a 44kilo Alsatian & although it hasn't been to much of a chore taking him out in the back of the e92 this last 3 years I don't want another coupe.
Also with the lowered 35i speed humps & potholes are becoming more of a bore as our roads continually deteriorate.

If I do go with another Bmw, engine size & fuel type are a dilemma. Obviously my first thoughts are get a 340i but for the last 18months or so i find myself just potering around in the 35i & rarely use the available power but it does put a smile on my face on the odd occasion when road & traffic conditions allow. Putting the odd occasion when I do utilise the potential of the 35i aside I find myself thinking maybe a high spec 320 or 330d would suffice.
So I would be interested in hearing about f series ownership, those with b58 powered cars how does the reliability compare to the n54? And what are the diesels like to live with, also 330i but the thought of owning a 330i petrol & it not being a 3 litre straight 6 just seems wrong to me but I haven't totally discounted a 330i, i just think if I was going to get a 330i I may as well do it properly & get a 340i.

The idea of a day van is also appealing as we could put the dog in load it up & just bugger off for a weekend with it. Am not a fan of tenting but sleeping in a van in the middle of nowhere I could do, also if I did get a van performance wouldn't be something I'd have to concern myself about

Budget would be £15,000 cash plus whatever I can get for the e92.

Thanks in advance for any replies

With the initial read of your post, your priorities seem to bounce around, but on the second read through everything points to the 340i. Gives you the power that you're used to, better mileage, better reliability and has the utility space that you require. The only thing that I would add is a BootMod3 Stage1 tune. It's like a line item that should have been on the factory build sheet. Good luck! Please keep us posted.

[Busted]

Ive got a 335d touring. So far, not a single issue. Remapped to 384hp and 598lbft.

I do 25k a year minimum, hence the diesel. Gearbox is mega, as is the engine for a diesel. Ride is a bit soft but its easilly sorted. Ive got a 51kilo ex working shepherd and he's ok in the boot. Get a hatchbag boot liner, they're very good

Its averaged 38.8mpg since ive owned it (62k) which has included everything from daily A-road and and town traffic, driving to italy a few times etc. Everyone has their opinions but for me the 335d does everything from smashing most things in traffic light GP's to 50mpg cross continent runs. Decent all rounder

[KTE]

Two key differences between a very late E92 35i, and the F3x

Steering feels (subjective) stiffer in the E92, bit more feedback on road surfaces. Heavy doesn’t mean precise though, didn’t get much time to make that judgement vs F3x.

Gearbox is more responsive in the F3x, unless you already had the DCT version in your late 335i.

Cabin is much more modern, though some feel it is dated vs modern BMWs or competitors. It holds up above average in 2020. Suggest getting a car manufactured between 07/14 - 12/17. Double check the 12/17 as I think that’s when petrol particulate filters were introduced meaning you can’t get the MPPSK upgrade.

Should be able to get a nicely spec’d 335/340 tourer around that budget. Check BMW used website every now and again.

[Chappers 71]

I've got the use of a commercial discovery 4 as my dd, the missus uses the car during the week for taking the dog to the country park & wherever else she goes in it & I used to put some miles on it at the weekends, since getting the discovery I find myself using that more than the e92 as it's more practical & I don't have to be mindful of speed humps & potholes but it is rather dull to drive but then with all the speed cameras & traffic it's not that often that I get to enjoy driving the 35i 'properly'

A b58 powered car is appealing but would it be as much of a money pit over 6 or 7 years of ownership as my 35i & if I did go 40i I'd most likely needlessly spend money on it making it quicker whereas with something less powerful I just wouldn't bother, well I don't think I would.

A f30 or a 4 series gran coupe would also do the job with a dog hammock over the back seats.

As for a day van, my thinking there is I'm not to concerned about how practical it'd be for Mrs Chappers to use during the week for doing her stuff & I've got the disco for doing my mundane stuff but the van would be good to load up & go off somewhere in for a weekend away from it all.

[kzg1969]

i bought a 335d f31 3year back and at the time thought it was the perfect car. Great engine that didnt sound like a diesel, great 'box, looks awesome, good tech.

The only thing that let it down was a slightly dead steering feeling on the motorway - but its not unique to that car.

If you ask me, they are only bettered by newer and more expensive cars.

I carried our 2 border terriers in ours and nephew has a retriever in his (doubt it is anywhere near 44kg though!!!).

day van in winter? ehh......good luck!

[Chappers 71]

^
Yeah but they're cheaper to buy in the winter, alas it'll be spring time when I have the money to replace the e92.

[KRS_SN]

i had an e series manual great fun to drive and utterly reliable.
now i have a f series which required a lot of suspension mods to make it fun but is not as comfortable as the e series reliable nevertheless.

[robbiep]

Seriously, it's the best estate car I've ever driven. The build quality is as good as anything else out there.
As to performance, before you kick the diesels out of thinking, go take a 330d for a test drive. 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, and yet you'll still get 40mpg on 'normal' driving, and a lot closer to 50mpg on a long motorway trip.
Be aware that the suspension can be on the firm side, especially with 19" wheels and RFTs. If you can get a normal M Sport car with the non-upgraded 400M 18" wheels then it wouldn't be the worst decision. Either that or the very rare adaptive suspension

The 320d is still no slouch, but you do notice the difference in refinement with missing those 2 cylinders

[Lincoln61]

Previously I have owned a E92 320d and an F30 320d. Just over a year ago I picked up a new 430D.

Firstly the build quality and general feel of the 4 is streets ahead of the previous 3 series, It almost feels like a different brand.

I have to say though the engine is by far the best bit. I always thought the 6 pot owners were a bit OTT on the disdain they had for 4 pot engines. BUT…..they are right! I was never really aware of how noisy, rattly and tractor like that engine was until now. The smoothness of the acceleration, the effortless power and the general growl as you accelerate has made driving fun again! The auto box is seamless and I have been visibly grinning when driving. I know the 2.0l engine is no slouch, but you do have to work it hard to get the best, the 3.0l is just quietly pumping out the torque and power.

I didn’t get the X drive, but so far I'm happy to be without it (I also prefer the lack of huge gap on the wheel arches). The MPG is standing at 39.8 after nearly 8000 miles, which is fine considering the trade off with smiles! Having had a drive of the 435 I'm still happy with my choice and the balance between fun and sensible running costs. Knock it into sports and the only difference I can feel is the slightly less instant kick from the first turbo.

I would definitely say the 30d spec is a sweet spot on the F series range.

[M33DLO]

Originally Posted by Lincoln61

I would definitely say the 30d spec is a sweet spot on the F series range.

No no no no...
The 40i is the sweet spot, you were meant to say ?..

OK OK, I agree to an extent.
I had a X5 30d for a while and I agree its a great engine, very smooth.

The F31 340i is just sublime though. The sound, smoothness and power is excellent.
The B58 engine really takes the F series to a new level.

My f3x journey was/is as follows:

I had a 320d, it offered nothing over any other normal 4pot diesel IMO. I thought my previous 1.7ltr Hyundai diesel was a nicer engine in noise, refinement, MPG and 'bang for buck'. (that Hyundai i40 Premium estate, really was a nice car in its class and if had been an auto it would have blown the F31 out the water!)

A year later I changed to the 328i, partly sucked in the rare factor but more to get back to a petrol thinking it would turn the f31 into the BMW I wanted to keep.. Better no doubt but I couldent live with the shocking engine noise. MPG and refinement not great and even with the M Performance exhaust and BMS tuning box to 290hp it still failed to impress.

Changed a year later to the 340i without test driving it, the very first drive out onto the main road from the dealership resulted in an instant smile. As was the 150 miles home. Smiles ever since. No regrets at all changing from the 4pot..
I knew instantly that it was the F31 I'd been wanting.

The new Gx M340i must be something else but I don't want to go there.

I've been through quite a few beemers in my time... All changed quite quickly apart from a 130i that has now been with me for over 11 years and 125k miles. It was obvious from very early that it's a keeper. It's a 6pot.
The 6pot 340i I've already considered a keeper too. Unless circumstances change, it's going nowhere, I hope.
I had a E30 320i 6pot, great engine and noise but it started to rust, and really bad so it went, I should have been kept it but stupidly sold it for pennies.

There's a trend with me.. 6 cyclinders. It really takes a BMW to a higher level.

[teaston]

They’re not very well built cars, I had a lot of problems with both my F30’s, nothing major but still not a car I’d want out of warranty!

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by medlow

There's a trend with me.. 6 cyclinders. It really takes a BMW to a higher level.

Interestingly I find that although the B58 lump is very good at what it does, it really isn't a smooth as the 6 pot in the wife's E89 Z4, maybe some more miles will help it

As teaston says, they could be built better, although I really didn't have any major problems with my previous 89K mile 330d bought with £8k on the clock.

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

Interestingly I find that although the B58 lump is very good at what it does, it really isn't a smooth as the 6 pot in the wife's E89 Z4, maybe some more miles will help it

As teaston says, they could be built better, although I really didn't have any major problems with my previous 89K mile 330d bought with £8k on the clock.

I've found the exact opposite! whilst there's many (from seats to old looking interior) nigglely faults with the F3X, the B58 is silky smooth for me, coupled with the ZF auto box it feels like there is not eight but one, supremely liner, smooth and incredibly fast engine and gear.

[larven]

I had an F30 335d for four years and 64k miles. A brilliant car which never put a foot wrong, the drivetrain was superb and delivered 40mpg with astonishing day to day, real world performance.

I seriously thought about just keeping the car and getting it chipped like some other posters have done on here but ended up being tempted into a G20 when my lease ended. However l see many F30’s around on the roads and still think it’s a great looking car, I do miss my 335d and would have one again in a heartbeat.

[smrtypants44]

One thing I noticed on my f32 over my E82 is how much bigger it is. Its much more spacious on the inside, but also a lot bigger on the outside.

[225]

My f31 340 was epic. I had a box on it so had about 390-400ish bhp and same torque so it flew.
The noise and power were very addictive but it could also smoothly drive along with good mpg.

Unless you want mega power a 340 and box outlay should see you right I'd imagine.
I had no issues bar an engine warning light once which bmw couldn't find the cause for.

Build quality was good, few scratchy plastic by the knee and but of wind noise but minor quibbles.

[Chappers 71]

Having done the speed thing with the 35i is what makes me think twice about a fx40i, although a stock 40i wouldn't be as quick as my e92 it's still a bit unnecessary for Mrs Chappers to take the dog out in & going to the shops & I'd most likely only do a couple of hundred miles a month in it, which makes me think a f31 30d would do the job, although it may be little dull.

[GC0215]

Happy to take you for a spin in mine if you're Lincoln way so you get a feel for a 30d