330D or M135i?
Discussion
I am looking to get a new car and have narrowed it down to a 330D Touring or an M135i.
I would love a 330i/340i touring but with my £16-18k budget , I am really limited to the diesels due to availability.
So I do 2-3 50 mile round trips a week so 25 miles each way, mostly motorway for work and then shorter journeys on weekends. Maybe 8-10k a year if you include trips away in the UK, we tend to do 3-4 hour away trips 3-4 times a year.
We have a child and a dog so it needs to be an estate or a hatch, dog is small so goes in the boot. We have a large roof box for longer journeys.
A petrol appeals more due to doing shorter journeys but should I be worried about the DPF considering my commute?
Tax/Fuel/Insurance is less of a concern but I guess the 330d is likely 40mpg combined vs probably 30mpg for the M135i.
Thank you
I would love a 330i/340i touring but with my £16-18k budget , I am really limited to the diesels due to availability.
So I do 2-3 50 mile round trips a week so 25 miles each way, mostly motorway for work and then shorter journeys on weekends. Maybe 8-10k a year if you include trips away in the UK, we tend to do 3-4 hour away trips 3-4 times a year.
We have a child and a dog so it needs to be an estate or a hatch, dog is small so goes in the boot. We have a large roof box for longer journeys.
A petrol appeals more due to doing shorter journeys but should I be worried about the DPF considering my commute?
Tax/Fuel/Insurance is less of a concern but I guess the 330d is likely 40mpg combined vs probably 30mpg for the M135i.
Thank you
Not sure what answer your looking for.
Look at fuel cost this way, petrol slightly cheaper to buy than diesel,
Wifes TT does 35-38 ish per gallon - my 3.0d BMW does 40-44 = about 14-15p each per mile.
If its space you want, get the touring, if its fun you want get the Hatch, both are plenty fast enough.
Both will be great, my next car will likely be narrowed to the same two cars, i'll be looking at the best spec i can get for my money in either and then choosing based on that, both would be very welcome on my driveway.
I haven't had a 1 series, but the 330d touring is an amazing all round do anything car.
Driving wise they are very very capable, but do lack something. I think it is the lack of steering feel and I never found either of the ones I had fun to drive.
The engine is fantastic though, and doesn't sound horrendous considering it is a diesel.
But, I'm having more fun in the 16 year old Saab 9-3 I replaced it with.
Oh, and for that distance commute the DPF should be fine, I bought my car with 35k miles on which had been done over 6 years and the previous owner had had zero issues with the car in that time.
Driving wise they are very very capable, but do lack something. I think it is the lack of steering feel and I never found either of the ones I had fun to drive.
The engine is fantastic though, and doesn't sound horrendous considering it is a diesel.
But, I'm having more fun in the 16 year old Saab 9-3 I replaced it with.
Oh, and for that distance commute the DPF should be fine, I bought my car with 35k miles on which had been done over 6 years and the previous owner had had zero issues with the car in that time.
Edited by james6546 on Tuesday 8th June 09:11
Thanks all for the replies.
My head says 330D as its going to be more practical when we go away etc, I was just worried about the DPF issues considering the miles I do.
Used car prices are high at the moment so I am looking at 40-50k mile examples on 16/17 plates which seems ok.
In terms of spec, I would prefer the ProNav but its not the end of the world for me. Really not fussed about other options, as long as it has full history with oil changes being done on time.
My head says 330D as its going to be more practical when we go away etc, I was just worried about the DPF issues considering the miles I do.
Used car prices are high at the moment so I am looking at 40-50k mile examples on 16/17 plates which seems ok.
In terms of spec, I would prefer the ProNav but its not the end of the world for me. Really not fussed about other options, as long as it has full history with oil changes being done on time.
ArthurLee said:
Thanks all for the replies.
My head says 330D as its going to be more practical when we go away etc, I was just worried about the DPF issues considering the miles I do.
Used car prices are high at the moment so I am looking at 40-50k mile examples on 16/17 plates which seems ok.
In terms of spec, I would prefer the ProNav but its not the end of the world for me. Really not fussed about other options, as long as it has full history with oil changes being done on time.
Yeah, pro nav is worth having as they look a bit rubbish with the black borders on the screen and the extra screen in the dash is nice, HK stereo is adequate but not great, the adaptive suspension is great but very expensive if it needs replacing.My head says 330D as its going to be more practical when we go away etc, I was just worried about the DPF issues considering the miles I do.
Used car prices are high at the moment so I am looking at 40-50k mile examples on 16/17 plates which seems ok.
In terms of spec, I would prefer the ProNav but its not the end of the world for me. Really not fussed about other options, as long as it has full history with oil changes being done on time.
I've only had the ones with the M Sport Plus brakes (I think made by brembo) so can't comment on the non upgraded ones but my 95k 320d was on the original disks and pads!
The auto gearbox is very good but they are known to fail, so make sure it changes gear smoothly.
If you get one with paddle shifters it also means that it has the expensive option where it uses the satnav to predict corners and change gear to make everything smoother. I never noticed nor used the paddles!
Stuff to look for, the bushes are fluid filled and leak. That's about £600 to put right per side. The steering racks knock over bumps, a cheap fix to DIY but very expensive from BMW. Oh and make sure it has had the recall for the EGR cooler as they leak the coolant out and kill the engine.
Other than those there isn't that much that usually goes wrong with them I don't think.
I have a 2016 330D at the moment albeit a saloon and I am really struggling to find something to replace it with that I'd rather own for the same sort of money. Bought mine when I was doing 500 miles a week, then covid happened. I am now doing 50 miles a week if I am lucky and a lot of short journeys with the occasional longer one, has been that way for over a year now and haven't had any DPF issues.
The performance on offer when you are in the mood and the mpg it can achieve when you aren't are pretty brilliant to be honest. Sure it's a diesel so it doesn't sound brilliant but it is a 6 cylinder and makes a decent induction noise and you can definitely hear the single turbo whizzing up with the window down.
I can see the appeal of the M135i/M140i and I imagine they are also really good in their own way, but I just prefer the 3 series. Can't really put my finger on why.
My only regret with my car is that I didn't hold out for one that had the folding seats, it is an M Sport Plus though so has the pro nav, HK, heated seats, front and rear parking sensors which were more important to me. The folding seats obviously won't be an issue if you are getting an estate. The HK sound system is unremarkable to say the least so I can't imagine how bad the stereos are in the cars that don't have it. I have also retrofitted apple car play that is fully functional with the I-drive to my car which is a nice thing to have.
The performance on offer when you are in the mood and the mpg it can achieve when you aren't are pretty brilliant to be honest. Sure it's a diesel so it doesn't sound brilliant but it is a 6 cylinder and makes a decent induction noise and you can definitely hear the single turbo whizzing up with the window down.
I can see the appeal of the M135i/M140i and I imagine they are also really good in their own way, but I just prefer the 3 series. Can't really put my finger on why.
My only regret with my car is that I didn't hold out for one that had the folding seats, it is an M Sport Plus though so has the pro nav, HK, heated seats, front and rear parking sensors which were more important to me. The folding seats obviously won't be an issue if you are getting an estate. The HK sound system is unremarkable to say the least so I can't imagine how bad the stereos are in the cars that don't have it. I have also retrofitted apple car play that is fully functional with the I-drive to my car which is a nice thing to have.
I had a 330d in Modern trim but swapped the Police spec grey grill for a black one (black car). People did move out the way on the motorway mind you!
It sat on more rubber so was very comfortable, but also had Pro-nav, window tint, upgraded seats and a lot of other options. One thing to note with the F31 is that the boot isn't as big as you necessarily think it is - I was quite surprised when it came to filling it how little it actually took - it struggled with two sets of golf clubs for example. I still had to use all the footwells and back seats when I went away for a week at Christmas too - though you've said you've got a roof-box so should mitigate.
My ex now has it and won't sell it even to buy a property, so proof that they are loveable, despite the negatives on other threads!
Don't skimp on the tyres though, else you'll be browning your trousers on fast roundabouts.
I'd buy the M140i over another 330d but I don't have a dog or children so I think you'll potentially end up with the latter.
It sat on more rubber so was very comfortable, but also had Pro-nav, window tint, upgraded seats and a lot of other options. One thing to note with the F31 is that the boot isn't as big as you necessarily think it is - I was quite surprised when it came to filling it how little it actually took - it struggled with two sets of golf clubs for example. I still had to use all the footwells and back seats when I went away for a week at Christmas too - though you've said you've got a roof-box so should mitigate.
My ex now has it and won't sell it even to buy a property, so proof that they are loveable, despite the negatives on other threads!
Don't skimp on the tyres though, else you'll be browning your trousers on fast roundabouts.
I'd buy the M140i over another 330d but I don't have a dog or children so I think you'll potentially end up with the latter.
james6546 said:
If you get one with paddle shifters it also means that it has the expensive option where it uses the satnav to predict corners and change gear to make everything smoother. I never noticed nor used the paddles!
I thought the proactive drive was standard on all auto BMWs with sat-nav from around 2015? Only used in Eco Pro I think, which might be why I've never really used it!Chris
ScoobyChris said:
I thought the proactive drive was standard on all auto BMWs with sat-nav from around 2015? Only used in Eco Pro I think, which might be why I've never really used it!
Chris
Maybe, I didn't know that.Chris
I never used Eco Pro either, it didn't seem to make any difference to MPG other than blunting the accelerator when you needed it.
PH User said:
Jules Sunley said:
330d, plenty of fun with that engine and much more space for what you need than the 1 series.
It's a good engine, but it's not a fun engine. Jules Sunley said:
PH User said:
Jules Sunley said:
330d, plenty of fun with that engine and much more space for what you need than the 1 series.
It's a good engine, but it's not a fun engine. Owned 2015 330d touring (but luxury) and 2019 120d M-sport. Only saying so i compare size and driving dynamics.
330d engine is a peach. The missus drove it to work daily 25 miles round trip and then monthly runs to Angelesy from Cov day trip. Never any issues with the DPF and the car. Then got the 120d and the lack of weight at the back was noticeable (although how much the M-sport setup helped this idk). The car is a lot smaller in the rear and with the dog you will be struggling to use the boot for anything else. Had a 140i loaner and it was stupid, too much power and noisy.
my choice would be the 330d, however we never saw a /40mpg average as it settled about 36mpg
330d engine is a peach. The missus drove it to work daily 25 miles round trip and then monthly runs to Angelesy from Cov day trip. Never any issues with the DPF and the car. Then got the 120d and the lack of weight at the back was noticeable (although how much the M-sport setup helped this idk). The car is a lot smaller in the rear and with the dog you will be struggling to use the boot for anything else. Had a 140i loaner and it was stupid, too much power and noisy.
my choice would be the 330d, however we never saw a /40mpg average as it settled about 36mpg
PH User said:
Jules Sunley said:
PH User said:
Jules Sunley said:
330d, plenty of fun with that engine and much more space for what you need than the 1 series.
It's a good engine, but it's not a fun engine. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff