2 out of 3 ain't bad BMW 320d F31

[Raleighracer]

Welcome to my no doubt sporadic mumbling about my new to me vehicle.2013 '63' BMW 320d Touring, in X-drive, manual, SE flavour.She sits on 110k currently.Why did I buy it? - Well I've had some car issues recently, my dad was due a new car, so I purchased his old one. So whilst it's not been my name on the log book I have known it for 10 years and about 80k of those miles.Why 2 out of 3 ain't bad? - Simply, this is the best car I've known that does everything reasonably well (2nd place goes to my old Fiesta ST150!) It's reasonable on fuel, enough boot space that B&Q trips don't end with arguments in the carpark, 2nd fastest car I've owned 0-60mph, thanks to decent tyres and x-drive its also decent in the occasional white slush we get, manages to tow the caravan and doesn't look too out of place anywhere I go. A solid 2 out of 3.Plans for the car? Although I dream of a PPBB type build for every car I've ever had that's not going to be a reality (I'll say yet to make me feel better). However, I would like to keep it in fine fettle, ensure it carries on being good all round car, servicing, cleaning, general bringing upto and keeping on top of.

Edited by Raleighracer on Monday 5th October 19:20

Edited by Raleighracer on Monday 5th October 19:20

[danb79]

Raleighracer said:

Welcome to my no doubt sporadic mumbling about my new to me vehicle.

2013 '63' BMW 320d Touring, in X-drive, manual, SE flavour.

She sits on 110k currently.

Why did I buy it? - Well I've had some car issues recently, my dad was due a new car, so I purchased his old one. So whilst it's not been my name on the log book I have known it for 10 years and about 80k of those miles.

Why 2 out of 3 ain't bad? - Simply, this is the best car I've known that does everything reasonably well (2nd place goes to my old Fiesta ST150!) It's reasonable on fuel, enough boot space that B&Q trips don't end with arguments in the carpark, 2nd fastest car I've owned 0-60mph, thanks to decent tyres and x-drive its also decent in the occasional white slush we get, manages to tow the caravan and doesn't look too out of place anywhere I go. A solid 2 out of 3.

Plans for the car? Although I dream of a PPBB type build for every car I've ever had that's not going to be a reality (I'll say yet to make me feel better). However, I would like to keep it in fine fettle, ensure it carries on being good all round car, servicing, cleaning, general bringing upto and keeping on top of.

Welcome to the F31 club

We have a (quite rare) 325d M Sport (RWD) and had it now since Jan 2023; longest I’ve ever owned a car

They’re a superb motor and it’s one I’d not want to get rid of, unless we had to, and would struggle to replace it to be fair…



Any pics of yours?

[Raleighracer]

Although I've been lurking on the forum for years I've never registered, and understand it'll take 14 days till I can post pictures.

If I'd of been buying one from anywhere else yours is definitely the spec I'd of chosen. I've driven my fair share of BMW's and they've always been brilliant, definitely a hard car to replace, took my dad almost a year to find something anyway.......

[Raleighracer]

*Will add in pictures once I can*First order of business was some new tyres. Now for me and the law, there was plenty of tread left and no need to change the tyres, but I was told I must get some. So I got to looking at tyres, now the car came to me with a set of winter wheels too, 16's with 205's. On a full depth dive into what I want from the vehicle I really wanted a set of the factory 16's that had the 225's, unfortunately none were for sale locally at a decent price and the selection of tyre's was reduced. So I chose to mount some Michelin Crossclimate 3's onto the factory 17's. So far a great tyre, and should score a solid 2/3 at doing everything if my previous experience of Crossclimates is anything to go by.

Edited by Raleighracer on Monday 5th October 19:21

[Raleighracer]

Actual to do list - (In no particular order, and no particular rush)

-Fit Osram Night breakers - done

-Repaint towbar - done

-Paint the brace you can see through the front grills, black

-Order new numberplates

-Change interior lights to LED so they are actually useful!

-Paint the calipers, black or silver

-Give it a good polish, if I remember rightly the last time this was polished was when I did it in 2020, it's definitely ready.

-Service

-Formulate a plan for the rust coming through on the front arches

-Some form of rust treatment underneath, quite keen to try the lanoguard.

[Raleighracer]

[texaxile]

X Drive on CC's will make it pretty unstoppable when the bad weather comes.

Looks a good, solid and reliable workhorse, sensible choice despite the cost of diesel at the moment. Get some interior pics up

I'd not bother with lanoguard, it needs reapplying every year (so I'm led to believe). Bilt Hamber Dynax is the way forward, not cheap but the best on the market imo.

[danb79]

Raleighracer said:

*Will add in pictures once I can*

First order of business was some new tyres. Now for me and the law, there was plenty of tread left and no need to change the tyres, but I was told I must get some.

So I got to looking at tyres, now the car came to me with a set of winter wheels too, 16's with 205's. On a full depth dive into what I want from the vehicle I really wanted a set of the factory 16's that had the 225's, unfortunately none were for sale locally at a decent price and the selection of tyre's was reduced. So I chose to mount some Michelin Crossclimate 3's onto the factory 17's. So far a great tyre, and should score a solid 2/3 at doing everything if my previous experience of Crossclimates is anything to go by.

Edited by Raleighracer on Monday 5th October 19:21

I’m a big fan of the CrossClimate 3s - I have the CC3 Sports on my 635d (had the CC2s on a previous E81 130i LE) and they performed superbly.

I’m keen to see how the CC3 Sports cope with the upcoming winter; they’ve been solid so far in the heat we’ve had and then the rain etc

I run Goodyear Vector Gen3 4Seasons on our F31 and they’re excellent also; in 18s, all year round, they’ve been faultless and they’ve coped superbly with some rough winter weather up in the Highlands when we’ve been (rain, sleet, snow and ice etc) - zero issues

[danb79]

Raleighracer said:

Those wheels suit the car well

I think you have the standard brakes; so for me, silver would look best

The calipers on my 635d are silver and they just look clean/fresh and factory



And have just fitted new rear calipers and I painted them silver before fitting them:



Our F31 has the 370/345mm Brembo brakes, they’re in the OE M Performance blue and look great behind the wheels

[Raleighracer]

texaxile said:

X Drive on CC's will make it pretty unstoppable when the bad weather comes.Looks a good, solid and reliable workhorse, sensible choice despite the cost of diesel at the moment. Get some interior pics up I'd not bother with lanoguard, it needs reapplying every year (so I'm led to believe). Bilt Hamber Dynax is the way forward, not cheap but the best on the market imo.

Yes diesel is frightening at the minute, 203.9 I saw Saturday!I'll look into the BH, although reapplying every year wouldn't bother me.

[Raleighracer]

danb79 said:

Raleighracer said:

Those wheels suit the car wellI think you have the standard brakes; so for me, silver would look bestThe calipers on my 635d are silver and they just look clean/fresh and factoryAnd have just fitted new rear calipers and I painted them silver before fitting them:Our F31 has the 370/345mm Brembo brakes, they re in the OE M Performance blue and look great behind the wheels

Agree with your points about tyres, I had my first set of winter tyres around 2012, but now the performance of all seasons far exceeds those in my experience, and they don't feel gross above 7°C. I think a set of summers and all seasons would be the best combo for the unpredictable British weather (like you have, been looking through your F31 thread, beautiful car, admiral up keep!)I think your right about the silver calipers.I remember man up the road from me getting an F31 new, those M sport brakes were huge! Yes 300mm if I remember correctly, piddly little things by comparison.

[danb79]

Raleighracer said:

danb79 said:

Raleighracer said:

Those wheels suit the car well

I think you have the standard brakes; so for me, silver would look best

The calipers on my 635d are silver and they just look clean/fresh and factory



And have just fitted new rear calipers and I painted them silver before fitting them:



Our F31 has the 370/345mm Brembo brakes, they re in the OE M Performance blue and look great behind the wheels

Agree with your points about tyres, I had my first set of winter tyres around 2012, but now the performance of all seasons far exceeds those in my experience, and they don't feel gross above 7°C. I think a set of summers and all seasons would be the best combo for the unpredictable British weather (like you have, been looking through your F31 thread, beautiful car, admiral up keep!)

I think your right about the silver calipers.

I remember man up the road from me getting an F31 new, those M sport brakes were huge! Yes 300mm if I remember correctly, piddly little things by comparison.

A good front brakes upgrade would be the 340mm Brembo calipers, 340mm 2 piece discs and pads - Brembo discs, Textar pads - not a huge outlay either and IIRC they fit under some of the 17” wheels - the 370mm brakes need 18” wheels at a minimum

And thanks re the F31; it’s a superb car

[Raleighracer]

Thats interesting about the 340mm brakes, I'll look into those when this is ready, doesn't hurt to have a bit in reserve with the caravan on the back. (Excuse its dirtiness!)

[danb79]

Raleighracer said:

Thats interesting about the 340mm brakes, I'll look into those when this is ready, doesn't hurt to have a bit in reserve with the caravan on the back. (Excuse its dirtiness!)

Absolutely - bigger brakes = better braking/less fade - ideal for towing!

Plus they look really good too

And with braided lines all round and a DOT4 fluid flush & refill; it’ll really ‘up’ the brake feel of the car

[Raleighracer]

Braided lines are great, really suprised more people don't use them in the car world, and good fluid too. This has had some grooved discs on the front and better pads from its previous towing life and ATE TYP200 fluid (my personal favourite). But again, I always think better brakes are better.