Discussion
Don't think there is anything to look out for. The xdrive suspension thing people talk about probably won't phase you if your last ride was a Disco, but worth considering. I assume you need 4x4 given you're prior car, but if not the 330d comes in rwd only too and could be a consideration.
hilly10 said:
Been a bit of a change of mind, wife said the 3 is to small so it’s all systems go 5 series touring 2.0 184 bhp SE. Looking at 14 plates nominal mileage. 25k to 30k these should be OK. I am useless on Beamers apart from Z4 Straight Six’s (best engine ever) I am clueless.
I'll be honest I didn't rate the engine in my E61 520d Touring at all(177bhp version though), I felt it didn't cope with the weight of the car, and it was noisy and overall pretty rough, in fairness though I think the 330d I had spoiled me, and it made the 4pot feel very lacklustre. My previous car was a 2013 330d xDrive Touring. If I needed more space, I wouldn't go for a 520d: I don't think the relatively small additional space is worth the huge downgrade in engine. I'd look at something different.
A lot of 3 series interiors are in black but ours was oyster, with a panoramic sunroof. These two things transform the perceived interior space on the 3, I think:
Rear-seat passengers found that the pano' sunroof made a huge difference on longer journeys. I only swapped the car because it was approaching end of the financing and there were good offers from BMW to buy back the outstanding payments for a new replacement. We downsized even further to an M235i Convertible .....
A lot of 3 series interiors are in black but ours was oyster, with a panoramic sunroof. These two things transform the perceived interior space on the 3, I think:
Rear-seat passengers found that the pano' sunroof made a huge difference on longer journeys. I only swapped the car because it was approaching end of the financing and there were good offers from BMW to buy back the outstanding payments for a new replacement. We downsized even further to an M235i Convertible .....
Edited by msej449 on Monday 23 October 12:01
Why not an X3 ?
Probably the best all round car that BMW make .. quality of a 5 series with a smaller footprint .. more room and boot space than a 3 series
I have both a 3 tourer and an X3 .. and the X3 is much nicer ., not as agile but a much nicer place to be
Probably a better fit if you’re coming from a Disco
Probably the best all round car that BMW make .. quality of a 5 series with a smaller footprint .. more room and boot space than a 3 series
I have both a 3 tourer and an X3 .. and the X3 is much nicer ., not as agile but a much nicer place to be
Probably a better fit if you’re coming from a Disco
msej449 said:
My previous car was a 2013 330d xDrive Touring. If I needed more space, I wouldn't go for a 520d: I don't think the relatively small additional space is worth the huge downgrade in engine. I'd look at something different.
A lot of 3 series interiors are in black but ours was oyster, with a panoramic sunroof. These two things transform the perceived interior space on the 3, I think:
Rear-seat passengers found that the pano' sunroof made a huge difference on longer journeys. I only swapped the car because it was approaching end of the financing and there were good offers from BMW to buy back the outstanding payments for a new replacement. We downsized even further to an M235i Convertible .....
Doesn't look any less pokey for having a light interior.A lot of 3 series interiors are in black but ours was oyster, with a panoramic sunroof. These two things transform the perceived interior space on the 3, I think:
Rear-seat passengers found that the pano' sunroof made a huge difference on longer journeys. I only swapped the car because it was approaching end of the financing and there were good offers from BMW to buy back the outstanding payments for a new replacement. We downsized even further to an M235i Convertible .....
Edited by msej449 on Monday 23 October 12:01
Luke. said:
Doesn't look any less pokey for having a light interior.
We'll have to agree to disagree. I still think that a panoramic sunroof and lighter interior make it look relatively more spacious inside. Fine if you don't like the 3 Series interior dimensions but I think the trouble is that as you move up the range, it's a diminishing return. Cars seem to add twice as much in length/width as you get internally, although I'd agree that the X3 is a good compromise of interior space vs external dimensions. I think you get the same thing with Audis as you move up from the A3 to A4/Q5 etc.
If we didn't have a second car, then I would probably have opted for the Q3 Quattro as a good all-rounder, but accepted it was never going to be much fun to drive.
Edited by msej449 on Tuesday 24th October 10:14
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