F31 330d 2016 ULEZ compliant

[Aiminghigh123]

Ok.

Loathed as I am my work has me working out of Scotland for the next year or so travelling up few times a month. 420 mile trip from London.
I can fly but flights can be expensive and not always ideal times. Trains are crap. I won’t be driving every time but may have to.
Done the trip once in my old battle ship Saab V6 petrol. Managed to get back in 6 hrs including a stop last time at the expense of under 30mpg.
So…….
I don’t like diesels and living 100 yards from ULEZ zone means I need a ULEZ compliant car.

I do like the sound of a 330d. I have been in a couple as a passenger and yes I hate diesels but my god it felt fast but refined.

Seen a 2016 model up for £14k. It does have 120k on the clock. I’m tempted to get one for a year mainly use it for the drive to Scotland if need be.

I have found buyers guides the ones I read date from 2015-2019, haven’t found any lates test ones.

1. Steering racks seem to be a problem. Check that.
2. Chains?
3. Turbos are weak?
4. 50 MPG on a run?

Any other advice would be much appreciated convince me why I should/shouldn’t have one etc.

Thanks.

[t955daytona]

HI,
I had one for a couple of years and it really is a great combination of enough performance with economy if needed. Genuine 49 mpg on a run but you would have to take it easy to get much more than that (at a 65mph cruise). The steering rack issue was apparent on mine but it can be adjusted which solved it for me. Make sure it has had the EGR valve recall which was involving a coolant leak issue which could cause a fire. I also use to do the trip up to North Scotland (570 miles in a single trip) and would suggest something more comfortable for a trip like that. If performance isn't your first criteria a 5 or 7 series would be a better choice and they are similar prices used. Even a 520d is not a bad car for that sort of trip and will return 55 mpg at steady cruise. I actually chose a 4.2 V8 XJ (x350) for the trip when I was doing it and even that returned 35 at a steady 70 mph cruise, it was super comfy and a really relaxing way of doing such a big trip. I think with that in mind a 730d would be my first choice.

[Aiminghigh123]

Yeah good point about comfort. Willing to sacrifice a few MPG. I know my Saab is old and only a smaller 9-3 but I did the whole Edinburgh to London with 1 15 min stop for fuel and toilet break. Wasn’t in any discomfort at all and I have back problems.

[t955daytona]

If comfort is important you could do worse than look at the Volvo S80/S90, fantastic seats and a great cruiser. Not the most dynamic of steers but when most of the time is spent on the motorway that's not as important.

[Aiminghigh123]

I did think of an S60 or S80 as a cheap option for a year. Older one at almost throw away price.

Never been in one and swayed by BMW performance.

[P700DEE]

ULEZ is for Euro 6 diesels which were only from September 2016 across all manufacturers. BMW however brought in Euro 6 early so about 2015 for the three litre. Easy check use the plate checker on line. I've had an 04 XJ8 4.2 since Feb principly to cover the ULEZ which may still make its way out to the M25. Nice car does 30+ mpg on an M way journey at legal speeds.

[helix402]

Turbos are fine. The weak point on these are timing chains and main bearings. Though I’m sure lots don’t have problems.

[curvature]

At the money you are talking about you could get a decent 6 series.

I went from a F31 330d to a 640d GC and do miss having an estate.

However my 6 is so much more refined will still show 50mpg in Eco mode on a long run. Mine has Comfort Seats which was also an option in the 5 series.

I had my 330d from 500 miles and took it up to 77k. No issues at all. The 6 series had 24k when I got it and it is now on 82k, again no issues.

[Aiminghigh123]

curvature said:

At the money you are talking about you could get a decent 6 series.

I went from a F31 330d to a 640d GC and do miss having an estate.

However my 6 is so much more refined will still show 50mpg in Eco mode on a long run. Mine has Comfort Seats which was also an option in the 5 series.

I had my 330d from 500 miles and took it up to 77k. No issues at all. The 6 series had 24k when I got it and it is now on 82k, again no issues.

Ah don’t tell me this!!! I do love the look of the 6 series f13/f6 look awesome cruisers.
Man wish you hadn’t said that. Hhmmmmm

[cableguy]

Take the rear wheels off and check the drive shafts and bearings. A friend had a 100k miler, owned for three years and driven gently as a daily, they were beyond repair with rot.

C.

[smashy]

2014 330d had 7 years from new 130k miles only thing that ever needed fixing was the green light on the auto gear stick,nothing else at all. if it hadnt been for that xxxx Khan and his ULEZ I would still have it

[Aluminati]

Currently have a 2017 Touring that I’ve run up to 120k. (X Drive)

Faultless . Good mpg, all the required toys. It’s an easy thing to do miles in.

[numtumfutunch]

If youre doing big trips the upgraded HK stereo is not negotiable in my opinion

I ran a povvo spec 335d F31 and regretted not spending extra every single time I drove it - standard audio is beyond shocking

Other than that its a lovely motor, especially for munching miles

Pro Nav is nice as it gives the interior a lift but functionally not as good as your phone, any other options are a bonus.

Just make sure you have HK

Cheers

EDIT/PS: the AWD versions have terrible suspension as standard, many are upgraded but TBH Id just avoid AWD and get a 2WD car and budget for a set of winters, on Bridgestone runflats my AWD car was terrible in snow and ice anyway

Edited by numtumfutunch on Tuesday 18th October 23:25

[beambeam1]

I had a courtesy 3 Series touring last week just days after driving Edinburgh to Loughborough without stopping and the same again on the return leg in my 520d with comfort seats. I found the 5 much more refined and comfortable compared to the 3. Having borrowed a mate's 530d in the past, 47-49mpg on the same type of trip seems about the norm.

[squareflops]

I have an F31 320d and an F11 520d and echo the same the 5 series is a league above in terms of refinement and comfort. I recently did 1200 miles to Poland and with the optional multi-contour comfort seats I was brand new on arrival

[Brett748]

I had an F30 330d for 2.5 years and 30,000 miles. It was faultless and on the motorway at sensible speeds it was late 50s or even early 60s mpg.

I will say though given my time again I’d of got a 530d, tbey are a nicer car generally.

[HayesDC2]

I have one at the moment, as has been said 30-40 in town and 50-60 on the motorway is pretty common. Most I have managed on a long run was 61.1 on a 400 mile run but at a steady 65. Only annoying thing about it has been the start stop seems to be quite aggressive if you are slowly rolling to a stop it can occasionally just stop dead.

Estate is useful to chuck things in although if you want to use the load cover the boot is probably not far off the saloon in size!

EGR cooler recall is the only thing I've had to do to it so far, had the added benefit of making the car feel quite rapid as I assume mine was fairly ruined.

Edited by HayesDC2 on Thursday 20th October 08:23