320d Touring or 520d Touring?

[horza]

Talk to me.

I've decided I need one of these and I'm not sure which. Should be a 2014/15 (f30/f11)car in M Sport guise in a subtle colour with an auto 'box.

I see it like this:

520, nicer quality interior, more space, classier looking.

320, sportier looking, better handling, model hasn't been replaced(yet).

I'm honestly stumped as I really like them both and I'd be grateful for the views of the massive.
Both are roomy enough and I'm definitely going the 2.0 auto route.

What about alternatives? I don't fancy an Audi(image) or Merc(dull) and I don't need an X3/5.


TIA

Edited by horza on Wednesday 4th October 10:32

[Maracus]

BMW are offering 0% PCP finance on new 3 series orders at the moment, if that makes a difference to your choice.

[horza]

I'm actually looking for a used one... I moan at Mrs H and the kids enough without having a brand new car for her to serve ice cream in!

[Roma101]

I can't comment on the 5er, but I am very happy with the 3er. But it depends on who is going to sit in the back and how tall you are. Two adults and a baby seat in the back is a real squeeze. Also, if you are tall and you try to get an average adult in the seat behind the driver's, then that is going to be tight for both of you. If you are not that tall or it will mainly be kids in the back, 3er is fine size wise. Boot is big enough for our needs - we have a 2yr old with associated crap.

If you go with the 3er, try and get a LCI1 car. They came online around end of summer 2015. Easiest way to tell is if the rear lights have a swirly element to them as opposed to completely horizontal elements for pre-LCI1 cars.

[toon10]

My mate has just got a 2014 320d touring and is very impressed with it. He's 6ft 3 and quite heavy so although he fits in OK, he does fill the space and I can't help thinking he'd be more comfy in the 5. I have another mate with a 520d saloon and that has a more quality feel to the interior. It's more comfortable (although his is not sport spec) but more bland looking if that's important. Both are adequate performers.

[Smuler]

horza said:

Talk to me.

I've decided I need one of these and I'm not sure which. Should be a 2014/15 (f30/f11)car in M Sport guise in a subtle colour with an auto 'box.

I see it like this:

520, nicer quality interior, more space, classier looking.

320, sportier looking, better handling, model hasn't been replaced(yet).

I'm honestly stumped as I really like them both and I'd be grateful for the views of the massive.
Both are roomy enough and I'm definitely going the 2.0 auto route.

What about alternatives? I don't fancy an Audi(image) or Merc(dull) and I don't need an X3/5.


TIA

Edited by horza on Wednesday 4th October 10:32

As it's really that close and you're buying used why not draw up a mixed shortlist, try them all out, and leave the decision to what's the best overall car/deal 'on the day.' ?

[horza]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Space won't be a problem as we're all small!

A comparison list is a good idea, I must do one. It may well come down to an 'on the day' decision. I think I'd be a bit less precious about a 3 series and more likely to actually use it for dump runs etc.

Or I could get a 5 and a trailer. Argh!!!

[335d]

I think your summary is about right.

Having moved from an F10 520d to an F30 335d, I think it should all come down to your usage. A high proportion of long journeys, relaxed driving and motorway use would make the 520d a better bet - it's a fair bit quieter at speed and rides a little better.

More spirited driving, country roads and urban use, I would choose the 320d. It handles better and feels quite a bit faster thanks to the 200kg(?) difference.

I spend most of my time on small country roads and the 3 Series is the better car for me.

[cerb4.5lee]

335d said:

I think your summary is about right.

Agree having had a E61 520d Touring and three E9x's 3 series, I really liked the interior in the 5 series but it's quite portly to drive, I still find the 3 series a little portly but it's definitely the more sporty drive.

[Easternlight]

Not trying to p&*s on your chips, but you do know that 2.0l engine has got a bit of a reputation for timing chains?
many go on for ever but there's a lot that don't.

[Fox-]

The 5 Series is better inside than the 3 Series, which is quite poor inside and far too similar to the 1 Series.

I wouldn't be bothered about the fact its been replaced as the 3 Series of the same generation as the previous 5 Series anyway so they are very similar tech wise. New 3 Series next year anyway.

[iSore]

Roma101 said:

I can't comment on the 5er, but I am very happy with the 3er. .

Is that the 3 Series and 5 Series? I'm guessing it is.

[iSore]

horza said:

Talk to me.

I've decided I need one of these and I'm not sure which. Should be a 2014/15 (f30/f11)car in M Sport guise in a subtle colour with an auto 'box.

I see it like this:

520, nicer quality interior, more space, classier looking.

320, sportier looking, better handling, model hasn't been replaced(yet).

I'm honestly stumped as I really like them both and I'd be grateful for the views of the massive.
Both are roomy enough and I'm definitely going the 2.0 auto route.

What about alternatives? I don't fancy an Audi(image) or Merc(dull) and I don't need an X3/5.


TIA

I prefer the F31 3 Series Touring - the F11 is nice but it's a big wide thing and I still detest the electronic handbrake. Consider the 32t5d as well, a very pokey bit of kit that's great to drive.

An A4 Avant though is a lovely thing and superbly finished. Ditto the current C Class Estate.

[helix402]

Why not a 330/530?

[horza]

helix402 said:

Why not a 330/530?

Economy mainly. Pretty much all town driving.

I was initially worried as I'm coming from a 330d and love the creamy straight six but for 6000 miles a year the bigger engines seem pointless. And the 2.0 is only 20bhp down on what I have at the minute.

And the reason I don't want a petrol is basically ease of resale.

[horza]

iSore said:

An A4 Avant though is a lovely thing and superbly finished. Ditto the current C Class Estate.

Possibly an A4. Going for a shot my friend's to see what I think. Still a bit conscious of the image thing though...

Edited by horza on Thursday 5th October 11:03

[horza]

Easternlight said:

Not trying to p&*s on your chips, but you do know that 2.0l engine has got a bit of a reputation for timing chains?
many go on for ever but there's a lot that don't.

I thought this problem was only on earlier cars. No?

[helix402]

horza said:

Economy mainly. Pretty much all town driving.

I was initially worried as I'm coming from a 330d and love the creamy straight six but for 6000 miles a year the bigger engines seem pointless. And the 2.0 is only 20bhp down on what I have at the minute.

And the reason I don't want a petrol is basically ease of resale.

Fair enough, not sure you’ll save much fuel at 6k per year.

[Ninja59]

If it is circa 2015 520D you won't see the dreaded N47 mentioned above, instead you will get the B47. Unfortunately it far to early in life to really give a long term viewpoint of whether BMW have sorted the timing chain issues of the N47 (however they have still decided to staple the sod to the back of the engine). I know many of the B47's have been in for EGR coolers though already as there was a quality enhancement on them and suffered with various "strange" sounding exhausts during regeneration.

If you end up with an N47 then the chain did get some improvements to rectify it from about 2013/14...

For me IMO just get the 6 pot N57 at least an X30D. The fuel penalty is tiny and the drive more engaging. The only question then is size, coming from someone who drives A roads day to day in a 640 it occasionally scares the bejesus out of you because of the sheer size down said roads. But...the interior of a 5 will be much better place to sit...I know which way I would go.

[Pioneer]

We had a 2016 320i Sport Tourer with the Auto+ box (below). Felt pretty low rent inside even with a few options ticked. Sold and got a 2015 520d MSport+ for not a huge amount more. Much happier.

Edited by Pioneer on Saturday 7th October 07:57