Which 3 series touring?

[Miramo]

Hi
I am about to buy a used 3 series touring as it has a good amount of boot space but not sure which engine to buy.
I've got 10k to spend and am doing about 5-6k mikes a year. Through a dealer I'd get around a 2011 plate one.

I was thinking 320i touring but heard a lot of reliability problems. What do you think? Petrol, diesel? What's the mpg like on the 325 or 330i

Thanks

[AlwynMike]

Are you sure about the boot space??

It is probably one of the least space efficient estates, not only in this class, but probably of any estate!!
I've had four of them!

However, if the room in the back is acceptable then.....

The 2 litre petrols and diesels have all well documented issues
If the diesel has had the timing chain replaced, then I wouldn't worry too much - turbo's do go bang though, to a greater or lesser degree of cost.

If you're doing mainly short runs - up to 15 miles, then I'd look at the petrol engines, as the diesels won't be warm enough, long enough, and you'll get into problems with the DPF.

The six cylinder engines, both diesel and petrol, whilst not bullet proof, seem to have less bad press about reliability, and they are VERY smooth and powerful. The four's are very economical though. If your main concern is economy though, get a Mondeo!
The sixes, being smooth, do encourage spirited driving, but if you have the willpower and a light right foot, they can be impressive at the pumps too.

[Miramo]

The 6 pot does look the way to go and economy isn't that bad so I'll probably opt for a 330i or even 325i if I can get one for 10k at a dealer.

lol @ Mondeo..., my current car I'm replacing Is a golf tdi.! The boot in the touring isn't massive but enough for a buggy and a fairly large amount of food as well on a big shop!
I've owned a 3.0 z4 and that was great and not too bad mpg wise but I didn't care at the time

[TheLordJohn]

I'd buy an E46 330i, and keep the £7k difference.
As above though, the boot is far from cavernous.
We have a Mk1 CR-V as our main dog car and the BMW would be no use if it was our main motor.
As it happens, it doesn't have to cart the dogs very often at all.

[dcb]

AlwynMike said:

The sixes, being smooth, do encourage spirited driving, but if you have the willpower and a light right foot, they can be impressive at the pumps too.

Not sure I'd call it impressive, but my 325 auto gets global average 31 mpg.
Up to 37 mpg if I drive like a pensioner and 25 mpg around town.

Very few 3 series are the 330 (< 5 % ? ), so if you want one of those, be prepared to wait.
Plenty of 320 available and about all you need or can reasonably use in the UK.

[Miramo]

I have noticed there aren't many around but looking for a 330 or 325 is now the choice

[kylos27]

If you do opt for a 325i make sure the timing belt has been changed.

[fat80b]

Miramo said:

I have noticed there aren't many around but looking for a 330 or 325 is now the choice

I made this choice a few years ago - we picked up a '54' 330i touring in very good condition for £5,8K (then with 58K miles on the clock at the time). 4.5 years, 30k miles and a few bills on, it is still going well.

I would echo the boot space comment - the 3 series boot is not the biggest.

I would also comment that the E46 6 pot is a great engine but not fuel economical - With the wife driving to and from work and around town, we get a lower MPG than my M3...... ~23MPG

That said, if you are only doing 5-6K per year, then I would buy the 3.0 petrol again.

Bob

[MrBen1]

kylos27 said:

If you do opt for a 325i make sure the timing belt has been changed.

Am I missing a whoosh here, but what timing belt? It's a chain?

At 5-6k per year, I'd definitely go six-cylinder petrol. I have an '09 325i, now on 125k, great car, reliable, reasonably quick if not earth shattering and MPG's really don't make much odds if you are doing that sort of mileage. Have had it for years but can't really decide what to replace it with as no six cylinder NA petrols in the newer shape.

[kylos27]

The early ones used a belt , it's not a big job to change and far less work instead of waiting for it to snap

[TheLordJohn]

kylos27 said:

The early ones used a belt , it's not a big job to change and far less work instead of waiting for it to snap

Really? News to me.
You may well be right but I haven't been aware of a BMW straight 6 driven by a belt for I don't know how long; mid 90's at least.

[Miramo]

Does this seem to huge mileage

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/3-Series/3.0-330i-M-Spor...

Or is it worth getting a younger one?

Agreed the boot space is not great but going from a golf it's bigger and i fancied a beemer that's at least decent to drive

[TheLordJohn]

You think 85k miles is 'too huge mileage'!? I genuinely thought it was going to have 200k+ on it or something.
My E46 is on 140k. My old P38 4.0 Vogue SE was on 255k.
I think you'd be fine...

[Shaoxter]

Miramo said:

Does this seem to huge mileage

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/3-Series/3.0-330i-M-Spor...

Or is it worth getting a younger one?

Agreed the boot space is not great but going from a golf it's bigger and i fancied a beemer that's at least decent to drive

Seems waaaay overpriced, even after factoring in the cost of a BMW warranty.
I doubt you'd find many for sale at BMW main dealers, look for both private and trade sales and buy the best example you can find. You can purchase a BMW or other warranty afterwards anyway.

The boot is fine, it fits a big pushchair and has room for other stuff. It's still a 3 series, not a 5 series so you can't expect the boot to be that big.

[TheLordJohn]

Why don't you look at a petrol E60 if need more space than a 3 series?
Personally, I'd buy the best E39 540iT I could afford and bank the rest of the cash

[MJ85]

Due to engine issues on most models, I'd say 330D.

I've just put a deposit on a 330D M Sport touring, manual, £7k of options, 67k miles at £9.5k (2008).

Your mileage is only a problem if those 6-7k miles a year are all short journeys.

[Miramo]

Yes they are all short journeys hence I'm heading towards a petrol. I may have a look around and see whats about if earlier models are better value

[TheLordJohn]

Avoid a diesel like the plague.
As a professional who's worked on diesels his entire working life, unless it is new/in full warranty/company car, buy a petrol.

[BMWBowler]

Would recommend the 6 cylinders over the 4 cylinder petrols for reliability and smooth nature, preferably a manual of this age for the better mpg. 325i/330i and 335i if you can find one! Would avoid the diesels on the E91 cars when driving less miles/shorter trips due to the dpf.

I currently run a '02' E46 330d Sport Touring Manual, claiming 39.7 mpg with a good mixture of driving including short trips to give an indication of the older generation cars.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... This 335i might be a tad more thristy but is a cool understated fast estate. Would be better in M Sport guise in my opinion, but panoramic roof is a nice option on this one.

[Gunk]

Miramo said:

Hi
I am about to buy a used 3 series touring as it has a good amount of boot space but not sure which engine to buy.
I've got 10k to spend and am doing about 5-6k mikes a year. Through a dealer I'd get around a 2011 plate one.

I was thinking 320i touring but heard a lot of reliability problems. What do you think? Petrol, diesel? What's the mpg like on the 325 or 330i

Thanks

All the petrol versions are a bit thirsty, my 325i auto manages about 25mpg. The 325i although very smooth feels a bit breathless.

£10,000 is a good budget, I'd suggest a late 320d Sport or if you can find one a 325d. (330d's IMO are a bit overpriced) The Diesel engine suits the E91 lots of lazy torque and reasonable economy.