Want a touring...which one?

[LGriffiths88]

So at the moment, I’ve got an E39 3.0 litre auto. Unfortunately, I can’t really afford to keep running it now and need something with a bigger boot. So it’s going to have to be moved on and replaced with something bigger (boot wise). Got kids bikes to lug about these days. Want to stick with bmw really (on bmw number 4 out of the 5 cars I’ve owned).

So my budget ain’t enormous. But I’m looking to get the car in M sport spec, as I prefer the aesthetics. Although the F31 and F11 look better than the E generation.

I’ve been looking at the,
E61 (LCI model)
F11
F31

Would a E90 (LCI) be too small? Of course the F cars are going to have to be high milers (to much of a risk?)

It would be better on my wallet if I went with the E61. But how reliable are they?
How is boot space on them? They all same to range from 490 to 500litres.

Ideally I want a petrol engine, but don’t seem to be many about these days. Mostly diesels from what I see, although I don’t do the miles for diesels. Had a 09 120d years ago, and suffered badly from a dodgy egr, even though I was doing 100 miles a day on my commute to and from work.

Any help would be great 👍

[d_a_n1979]

LGriffiths88 said:

So at the moment, I’ve got an E39 3.0 litre auto. Unfortunately, I can’t really afford to keep running it now and need something with a bigger boot. So it’s going to have to be moved on and replaced with something bigger (boot wise). Got kids bikes to lug about these days. Want to stick with bmw really (on bmw number 4 out of the 5 cars I’ve owned).

So my budget ain’t enormous. But I’m looking to get the car in M sport spec, as I prefer the aesthetics. Although the F31 and F11 look better than the E generation.

I’ve been looking at the,
E61 (LCI model)
F11
F31

Would a E90 (LCI) be too small? Of course the F cars are going to have to be high milers (to much of a risk?)

It would be better on my wallet if I went with the E61. But how reliable are they?
How is boot space on them? They all same to range from 490 to 500litres.

Ideally I want a petrol engine, but don’t seem to be many about these days. Mostly diesels from what I see, although I don’t do the miles for diesels. Had a 09 120d years ago, and suffered badly from a dodgy egr, even though I was doing 100 miles a day on my commute to and from work.

Any help would be great ??

Probably help to say what your overall budget is

Also; what about an E39 touring; or is it one of those you've got already and you're saying that's too small?

I personally won't go near another E6x range vehicle (unless I'm daft enough to stump up for a 650i E63 just for the V8 goodness); had so many niggling issues with an E65 730D; it put me off for life... But, horses for courses.

Would you consider an E39 touring; as long as it's immaculate/been well looked after etc?

And, if not already, join the BMW 5 forums; a wealth of knowledge on there for the 5 series tourings etc

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/

[LGriffiths88]

d_a_n1979 said:

Probably help to say what your overall budget is

Also; what about an E39 touring; or is it one of those you've got already and you're saying that's too small?

I personally won't go near another E6x range vehicle (unless I'm daft enough to stump up for a 650i E63 just for the V8 goodness); had so many niggling issues with an E65 730D; it put me off for life... But, horses for courses.

Would you consider an E39 touring; as long as it's immaculate/been well looked after etc?

And, if not already, join the BMW 5 forums; a wealth of knowledge on there for the 5 series tourings etc

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/

Haha that would help. Probably around 6k MAX. That’s without selling my e39. Like the F cars are really past my budget where a lci e61 is within budget.

I’ve got the saloon. I want a different car if that makes sense? Like newer model and different interior.

I’ll check those forums out.

[d_a_n1979]

LGriffiths88 said:

Haha that would help. Probably around 6k MAX. That’s without selling my e39. Like the F cars are really past my budget where a lci e61 is within budget.

I’ve got the saloon. I want a different car if that makes sense? Like newer model and different interior.

I’ll check those forums out.

£6k will get you a decent car IMO; but to get best spec in the E6x range, you'd need to go over to an oil burner, so 530D or 535D

Lots of owners and info on the 5 forums re them

I think you'd find the drop from a 5'er to a 3'er a hit, more so size size inside (I find them cramped personally; then again I'm not 'normal' sized)

For me, I'd still rather have a nice spec'd E39 over an E61; IMO the build is better in the E39; then again I am biased

[Timberwolf]

For lugging bikes and family around at the same time I reckon an F31 would be too small, IMO it's sized more for people who can put the rear seats down when they need to haul something bulky.

For me, E60 generation 5er is a definite step down from the E39 in both interior quality and the way it drives, although the latter is based on experience of SE spec so maybe M sport models are a bit less squidgy and indirect. However they are pretty solid (iDrive failures aside) and for that budget I'd rather a well looked after one of those than take my chances on a high mileage F-series car.

[LGriffiths88]

d_a_n1979 said:

£6k will get you a decent car IMO; but to get best spec in the E6x range, you'd need to go over to an oil burner, so 530D or 535D

Lots of owners and info on the 5 forums re them

I think you'd find the drop from a 5'er to a 3'er a hit, more so size size inside (I find them cramped personally; then again I'm not 'normal' sized)

For me, I'd still rather have a nice spec'd E39 over an E61; IMO the build is better in the E39; then again I am biased

I know, that's what i'm thinking, going to have to go to an oil burner. Definitely a LCI model though. Think they've aged well IMO.

In terms of size, I have a feeling that I won't appreciate the drop in size to the 3. Is the 5 a bit more grown up?

And yeah, the E39 is a great car. I've loved owning it, even when it's got a problem, it's not bothered me. Compared to me 120D coupe I had! That was awful for me!

I've always been a fan of the 5 more than the 3. I should go with a 5 over 3. And the E39 was one of my achievable dream cars. Granted it's not the M5 (the dream fun car), but the 530i was a good compromise.

This cemented me wanting the E39 after the 120D - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmv1k88i3NA

[LGriffiths88]

Timberwolf said:

For lugging bikes and family around at the same time I reckon an F31 would be too small, IMO it's sized more for people who can put the rear seats down when they need to haul something bulky.

For me, E60 generation 5er is a definite step down from the E39 in both interior quality and the way it drives, although the latter is based on experience of SE spec so maybe M sport models are a bit less squidgy and indirect. However they are pretty solid (iDrive failures aside) and for that budget I'd rather a well looked after one of those than take my chances on a high mileage F-series car.

Cheers! Yeah, thinking it will be a 5 as a better option and potentially a E61 LCI M Sport. The E39 is a great car, handles so well, plus with it being an auto it's so easy. The dash is great, the way it swoops into the door and side vents are on the doors is a nice touch.

[mmm-five]

Depends on how leggy you'll accept, is 100k miles too many?

If not there's an F11 520d M-Sport Touring on AT for £7k - alternatively SE spec are about £500 cheaper at this end of the market.

I'd rather have a slightly younger but leggy F11 than an older but lower mileage E61.

[LGriffiths88]

mmm-five said:

Depends on how leggy you'll accept, is 100k miles too many?

If not there's an F11 520d M-Sport Touring on AT for £7k - alternatively SE spec are about £500 cheaper at this end of the market.

I'd rather have a slightly younger but leggy F11 than an older but lower mileage E61.

100k isn't too many, as mentioned my E39 was purchased with 110k+ on the clock, and it's been relatively fine.

How come you say a F11 over the E61 out of curioisty?

[d_a_n1979]

LGriffiths88 said:

I know, that's what i'm thinking, going to have to go to an oil burner. Definitely a LCI model though. Think they've aged well IMO.

In terms of size, I have a feeling that I won't appreciate the drop in size to the 3. Is the 5 a bit more grown up?

And yeah, the E39 is a great car. I've loved owning it, even when it's got a problem, it's not bothered me. Compared to me 120D coupe I had! That was awful for me!

I've always been a fan of the 5 more than the 3. I should go with a 5 over 3. And the E39 was one of my achievable dream cars. Granted it's not the M5 (the dream fun car), but the 530i was a good compromise.

This cemented me wanting the E39 after the 120D - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmv1k88i3NA

I do think £6k could be a tough budget to get a touring with a decent spec, more so a facelift E61...

Stick with the E39, you know it makes sense

[Wilmslowboy]

mmm-five said:

Depends on how leggy you'll accept, is 100k miles too many?

If not there's an F11 520d M-Sport Touring on AT for £7k - alternatively SE spec are about £500 cheaper at this end of the market.

I'd rather have a slightly younger but leggy F11 than an older but lower mileage E61.

The link is to an E61 not a F11 (I think), I had a 2012 F11 (520d) that I looked to swap out and was offered over £6k by WBAC (107k miles) then realised it was the best car in the world so should not sell it

[d_a_n1979]

mmm-five said:

Depends on how leggy you'll accept, is 100k miles too many?

If not there's an F11 520d M-Sport Touring on AT for £7k - alternatively SE spec are about £500 cheaper at this end of the market.

I'd rather have a slightly younger but leggy F11 than an older but lower mileage E61.

With their well known issues, I personally wouldn’t be going anywhere near a 4 pot BMW engine in the later cars... Each to their own

[CustardOnChips]

The F11 is quite a step up in quality from the E61 and nicer inside than the 3 series. It's also got quite a bit more room. In my opinion anyway.

The F11 boot it quite big, but not massive. It's quite narrow due to the way it's finished to hide the arches and a load of electrical stuff.

I've done camping trips in it with 4 people a dog, a 6 man tent + awning and other gear with 4 bikes on the roof. You just have to be selective with what you take. Unlike when I had an XC90 and could take every we own

It does have flat entry which is nice.

[LGriffiths88]

d_a_n1979 said:

I do think £6k could be a tough budget to get a touring with a decent spec, more so a facelift E61...

Stick with the E39, you know it makes sense

Nice looking E39 there! As much as I want to, I just can't keep on top of them, with the rust especially. If I'm getting a new car, I want it to be different to what I currently have!

[LGriffiths88]

CustardOnChips said:

The F11 is quite a step up in quality from the E61 and nicer inside than the 3 series. It's also got quite a bit more room. In my opinion anyway.

The F11 boot it quite big, but not massive. It's quite narrow due to the way it's finished to hide the arches and a load of electrical stuff.

I've done camping trips in it with 4 people a dog, a 6 man tent + awning and other gear with 4 bikes on the roof. You just have to be selective with what you take. Unlike when I had an XC90 and could take every we own

It does have flat entry which is nice.

Yeah, as long as I could fit kids bikes in for going for a ride down Llandudno I'd be happy. I don't think I'll be getting a 3 series. Think I'll stick with a 5 Series.

When do the new reg plates come out? Do prices on used cars drop at this stage?

[gizlaroc]

I have had a few of these tourings.

E30 325i.

E36 328i

E46 320d SE, 330d Sport, 330i Sport.

E39 530d sport, 530i Sport and a late 530i sport.

E91 335d sport, 335i sport, 330i sport, 320d sport, 320d SE, 330i Sport 320d LCI SE and 320i SE lci (still have that)

E61 535d sport, 530i SE, 530d SE lci (arguably the best all round car I have owned)

F11 530d sport and 520d lci SE with the b47 engine (arguably all the car you would ever need).

F31 320d ed Touring (slightly smaller than the F11 but not that much and considerably more economical, has impressed, still have it.)



I would say an lci E61 would be a very good shout.
The one I had came with heated memory seats (so, so comfy and so much nicer than the pre lci sport seats) pano roof, soft close doors, adaptive xenons, nav prof with dab and rode wonderfully on its 17" non run flat wheels. Not something I can say about the pre lci sport, even once off the run flats.
I actually bought that after the F11 530d pre LCI.

I was not super impressed with the pre lci F11, not sure why, but something didn't feel right, it was a bit dull, nose heavy, crap steering and all a bit soft. So much so that I decided to have another E Class estate, bought the 3.5 litre V6 petrol W212, 306hp, silky smooth, nice and quick and I loved it, kept it 3 years nearly, a record.
However, I then picked up the 530d E61 lci, it was cheap, a second car, but I loved it, so sold the E350 estate and ran the older 530d for 18 months.

It was a failed starter at the 2 pump Shell on the Marylebone Road blocking dozens of taxis that made me think "I need something newer, something more reliable and something Euro 6 as well."
While waiting for the recovery truck I was looking through autotrader, I saw a 60k mile F11 facelift (this was Jan 2019) with nav prof and a few other bits for £12950 in black with beige and offered them £12500. I put a deposit down while in the recovery truck on the way back to Norwich.

I ran the F11 and was keeping the E61 for our second car replacing our ML. I did this as I had never gelled with the F11 530d pre lci, so thought the 520d could be a tool and I could tinker with the 530d, maybe some ferric grey E92 M3 wheels, and make it look funky, it was mapped already. As much as I loved the E61, and I really did, that LCI F11 was something else.

For a start it felt nice and light up front, the steering felt better for it, the seats were actually nicer (I was thinking I would buy some sport seats off ebay, I didn't bother) the cabin felt great, the infotainment on the NBT was just slicker the car returned 45mpg round town and would do 55mpg on a run with out trying too much. It had a tri channel tuning box from DT-UK fitted and showed 230hp on the rolling road, it managed 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, so always felt nimble enough.
The B47 engine in that car just really surprised me too in refinement, it genuinely did. I have an N47, it is a bag of spanners, but the B47 certainly felt as refined at the N57 in the 530d, it just ran out of steam at 3800rpm, but then it was auto and changed then anyway.
I liked it so much I went to look at a 535d, again lci and 2014, but in all honesty, however good that engine is, it just felt a bit lumbersome, the nose felt so heavy.

My daughter and her husband are back living with us, she nicked our E91 320i as her Fiat died, so I picked up an F31 320d ED touring for us as a second car, really have been impressed with that. I tried a few earlier on sports suspension, runflats and 19" and 20" wheels and didn't like them, ignored the F3x because of the test drives, the 320d on its 17" non run flat goodyears has made me fall for the F31. The F11 has gone and been replaced with a Z4 coupe. But the reality now is I am considering a 330d, 340i or Alpina D3 touring I like this so much.


I loved the E61 lci 530d, the F11 520d I actually preferred, but right now I would chose an F31 over all of them.
The size on the F31 is pretty damned good, not much in it, only really noticeable in the boot space, but not massive difference between them these days.


I would not own a pre lci E61, the pre lci F11 would have to be tight, most are feeling a bit tired now, and need to be well specced with dab and xenons and that is also pretty rare.

Mate bought a really well specced 2013 F31 320i sport touring auto with nav prof, xenons, dab, Harman, 110k miles for £6800 two years ago now, that is a peach imho. He is averaging 39mpg and had it mapped to 260hp. Now at 160k miles and had no issues at all. I found him that car and thought afterwards "why didn't I buy that?"


I would rather be in a higher mile newer model personally. The issues I find with BMWs is more age than miles.

Edited by gizlaroc on Wednesday 29th July 22:40

[bramley]

I’ve had an E39 530 touring and E39 M5 and my 2012 F31 330d sport with a remap is pretty much the same performance as the M5. Great car, highly recommend.

[LGriffiths88]

gizlaroc said:

I have had a few of these tourings.

E30 325i.

E36 328i

E46 320d SE, 330d Sport, 330i Sport.

E39 530d sport, 530i Sport and a late 530i sport.

E91 335d sport, 335i sport, 330i sport, 320d sport, 320d SE, 330i Sport 320d LCI SE and 320i SE lci (still have that)

E61 535d sport, 530i SE, 530d SE lci (arguably the best all round car I have owned)

F11 530d sport and 520d lci SE with the b47 engine (arguably all the car you would ever need).

F31 320d ed Touring (slightly smaller than the F11 but not that much and considerably more economical, has impressed, still have it.)



I would say an lci E61 would be a very good shout.
The one I had came with heated memory seats (so, so comfy and so much nicer than the pre lci sport seats) pano roof, soft close doors, adaptive xenons, nav prof with dab and rode wonderfully on its 17" non run flat wheels. Not something I can say about the pre lci sport, even once off the run flats.
I actually bought that after the F11 530d pre LCI.

I was not super impressed with the pre lci F11, not sure why, but something didn't feel right, it was a bit dull, nose heavy, crap steering and all a bit soft. So much so that I decided to have another E Class estate, bought the 3.5 litre V6 petrol W212, 306hp, silky smooth, nice and quick and I loved it, kept it 3 years nearly, a record.
However, I then picked up the 530d E61 lci, it was cheap, a second car, but I loved it, so sold the E350 estate and ran the older 530d for 18 months.

It was a failed starter at the 2 pump Shell on the Marylebone Road blocking dozens of taxis that made me think "I need something newer, something more reliable and something Euro 6 as well."
While waiting for the recovery truck I was looking through autotrader, I saw a 60k mile F11 facelift (this was Jan 2019) with nav prof and a few other bits for £12950 in black with beige and offered them £12500. I put a deposit down while in the recovery truck on the way back to Norwich.

I ran the F11 and was keeping the E61 for our second car replacing our ML. I did this as I had never gelled with the F11 530d pre lci, so thought the 520d could be a tool and I could tinker with the 530d, maybe some ferric grey E92 M3 wheels, and make it look funky, it was mapped already. As much as I loved the E61, and I really did, that LCI F11 was something else.

For a start it felt nice and light up front, the steering felt better for it, the seats were actually nicer (I was thinking I would buy some sport seats off ebay, I didn't bother) the cabin felt great, the infotainment on the NBT was just slicker the car returned 45mpg round town and would do 55mpg on a run with out trying too much. It had a tri channel tuning box from DT-UK fitted and showed 230hp on the rolling road, it managed 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, so always felt nimble enough.
The B47 engine in that car just really surprised me too in refinement, it genuinely did. I have an N47, it is a bag of spanners, but the B47 certainly felt as refined at the N57 in the 530d, it just ran out of steam at 3800rpm, but then it was auto and changed then anyway.
I liked it so much I went to look at a 535d, again lci and 2014, but in all honesty, however good that engine is, it just felt a bit lumbersome, the nose felt so heavy.

My daughter and her husband are back living with us, she nicked our E91 320i as her Fiat died, so I picked up an F31 320d ED touring for us as a second car, really have been impressed with that. I tried a few earlier on sports suspension, runflats and 19" and 20" wheels and didn't like them, ignored the F3x because of the test drives, the 320d on its 17" non run flat goodyears has made me fall for the F31. The F11 has gone and been replaced with a Z4 coupe. But the reality now is I am considering a 330d, 340i or Alpina D3 touring I like this so much.


I loved the E61 lci 530d, the F11 520d I actually preferred, but right now I would chose an F31 over all of them.
The size on the F31 is pretty damned good, not much in it, only really noticeable in the boot space, but not massive difference between them these days.


I would not own a pre lci E61, the pre lci F11 would have to be tight, most are feeling a bit tired now, and need to be well specced with dab and xenons and that is also pretty rare.

Mate bought a really well specced 2013 F31 320i sport touring auto with nav prof, xenons, dab, Harman, 110k miles for £6800 two years ago now, that is a peach imho. He is averaging 39mpg and had it mapped to 260hp. Now at 160k miles and had no issues at all. I found him that car and thought afterwards "why didn't I buy that?"


I would rather be in a higher mile newer model personally. The issues I find with BMWs is more age than miles.

Edited by gizlaroc on Wednesday 29th July 22:40

Great post! Cheers for that, how do you find the space on the F31 boot? Fit for 2 kids bikes?

I do like both the E61 and F11, I'd have to get M Sport. In terms of run flats, I dislike them, took them off my Z4 and the difference was night and day!

E61 wise it's definitely going to have to be LCI
F11 for an M sport it's going to have to be pre-LCI unless prices drop soon on LCI models.

Happily go another Auto! Definitely want an auto in a 5 series really.

Feel like I'm going to have to go the oil burner route, as they don't seem to be many petrols!

[LGriffiths88]

bramley said:

I’ve had an E39 530 touring and E39 M5 and my 2012 F31 330d sport with a remap is pretty much the same performance as the M5. Great car, highly recommend.

How do you find room in the F31? Could the boot swallow 2 kids bikes for a journey? Really don't want to go bike rack route (i'd end up damaging the car putting it on knowing my luck!)

[gizlaroc]

What size bikes?

I could get my mountain bike in the back of my E Class estate, but not the 5er touring without dropping the seats.

BMX will sit in either but a bit of a faff in both too. I still tend to drop one of the rear seats down to make life easier getting it in.