Is a 335d touring best for my requirements?

[westtra]

So looking to replace current car SQ5.

Looking to replace it with an estate of similar performance.

List of requirements
Estate/hatch back - required for our dog. Would like similar boot space to the SQ5.
Preferably 4WD
Sub 6 sec 0-60
Towbar so discounts my fist 2 choices of a Golf R or a Leon Cupra.

Budget would be 25 to 30k and preferably less than 2 years old and low miles.

Been searching with my requirements and the best of the bunch seems to be the 335d touring xDrive.

So what suggestions do the people of Pistonheads have.

[ZX10R NIN]

Sounds like it's the car that fits your criteria but also budget on a set of springs as the standard ride isn't the best.

[westtra]

does that go for ones with the adaptive suspension as well?

[Jon18299]

I had a 66 plate 330d xDrive for 2 years (p/x it last week) and absolutely loved it.

Big enough in the boot for 2 small-ish dogs (Schnauzers) and quick enough. I'm sure the 335 would be a step up again. I only changed as we wanted a slightly bigger boot and back seats so went for a 5 series touring.

[Earthdweller]

Depends what you are towing but a 335d is just a 320d with a bit more

I looked at upgrading our 320d touring for a 335d and it drove the same, looked the same, felt the same and to me just wasn’t worth it

A 320d Xdrive is all you really need ...

[ZX10R NIN]

westtra said:

does that go for ones with the adaptive suspension as well?

IMO it does I personally find the non adaptive less choppy, but it's my personal opinion test drive it yourself you may find it fine.

[westtra]

Earthdweller said:

Depends what you are towing but a 335d is just a 320d with a bit more

I looked at upgrading our 320d touring for a 335d and it drove the same, looked the same, felt the same and to me just wasn’t worth it

A 320d Xdrive is all you really need ...

Not towing anything big. Small trailer and bike rack.

Want the 335d as the bulk of my driving is on non dual carriageway and I don’t like having to plan overtakes.

[martin mrt]

For easy overtakes without too much forward planning the 335 is a fabulous car to do it with

[Earthdweller]

westtra said:

Not towing anything big. Small trailer and bike rack.

Want the 335d as the bulk of my driving is on non dual carriageway and I don’t like having to plan overtakes.

I’ve just been round the NC500 with an M2 Comp, a Westfield, a couple of Z4m cars and a rented 320d touring driven by a member on here ( not me ) who’s Z4M was broken

Trust me .. it ain’t slow

In my view it’s better balanced, not as heavy on the front

Not planning overtakes even in a Zonda is foolhardy

[Pica-Pica]

I have a 66 plate 335d saloon. You don’t need adaptive suspension with LCI models IMO. I would however go for 18” rims rather than 19” if you can find them. For me the saloon with folding rear seats meets all my needs, but if you need an estate, go for that. I don’t tow.

[Jag_NE]

I don’t think you can go too far wrong with that choice OP, they are superb do it all cars and great value for money. If you can stretch the budget by another couple of k, you can get into a 2018 530d touring which will have the all new interior that is a cut above the outgoing 3er.

[Pica-Pica]

Just remember the reduced speed limits when towing!

[westtra]

The 530 and 540 look nice but possibly pushing the budget a little too far. Will be a few months till purchase so may have dropped to budget by then.

[dasbimmerowner]

Keep in mind insurance on the 335d. My quotes showed it to be cheaper to insure either an M3 or an M3 than a 335d Touring; yes a diesel estate was costing more. For me a Golf R estate was quite literally half the price to insure; and they're meant to be nicked all the time!

[clockworks]

Skoda Superb 280

[westtra]

dasbimmerowner said:

Keep in mind insurance on the 335d. My quotes showed it to be cheaper to insure either an M3 or an M3 than a 335d Touring; yes a diesel estate was costing more. For me a Golf R estate was quite literally half the price to insure; and they're meant to be nicked all the time!

Thats something I never expected. Will have a look at it.

clockworks said:

Skoda Superb 280

Thats a possibility. Only issue is not much choice in my price range.

[scot_aln]

Not taking HJ as gospel here but the group's on the 335d are up there. The 340 is 6 groups lower.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/insurance/bmw/3-serie...

[SWoll]

I'd be very wary of handing over £25-30k for the last generation 3 series with the new one already here. Once they start hitting the used market I'd expect prices for last gen to drop sigificantly.

Personally I'm a big fan of the 5 series over the 3 as you get a lot more car for not a lot more cash. Unless 4WD is an absolute necessity I'd be looking at haggling for one of these as is the new model so has the latest tech and design.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201901113844058...

[westtra]

SWoll said:

I'd be very wary of handing over £25-30k for the last generation 3 series with the new one already here. Once they start hitting the used market I'd expect prices for last gen to drop sigificantly.

Personally I'm a big fan of the 5 series over the 3 as you get a lot more car for not a lot more cash. Unless 4WD is an absolute necessity I'd be looking at haggling for one of these as is the new model so has the latest tech and design.

One of the reasons for looking at them. Going to be a few months before purchase so hoping they come down in price a bit so newer/higher spec is in my price range.

Also this post is for suggestions on other options that I may have over looked and I had overlooked the superb and also the 5 series which are a bit too much but possible with a budget change/haggling a deal.

[Gez79]

Audi S6 or A6 BiTDi Avant if the running costs need to be cheaper.

Audi S4 avant or Volvo V60 polestar but neither of those are cheap on fuel