Advice for BMW 325d replacement

[Hidey]

Evening all

I have been lurking on here for a while and enjoy the entertaining and informed banter and now feel the need to put pen to paper and ask for some advice.

I currently drive a 2009 BMW 325d Touring M Sport Auto. Whilst I love the performance and economy I no longer need anything as large and the time has come to get rid. I am looking for something smaller that will still swallow 2 children for the school run and 2 mountain bikes at the weekend. Easy so far but I drive 25k miles per year and would like the replacement to be entertaining as well as refined and comfortable, and deliver at least 40mpg. Ride comfort is also a priority as this is something my car does not have. Looking to spend £14k max and to avoid hassle going to have to go via a dealer.

My choices seem to change on a daily basis but have considered Golf GTDs but can't get my head round the price for a 3 year old model, Mazda 3 Sport diesel 180bhp and also an Alfa Giulietta JTDM 170. However, am I missing something and is there a spec secret ie avoid 18inch wheels on a particular model.

Many thanks in advance.

[Fox-]

I would question whether its worth changing? You don't exactly have a long wheelbase 7 Series, the 3 Series isnt a large car. Yours is a 2009 so with a budget of £14k it's hard to see how you will be able to do anything but make a sideways move or even a downgrade.

Why not hang onto it?

[McSam]

This may not be what you want to hear but I'd keep it. In my book a small saloon is ideal for school run / occasional biking trip use, going into a hatchback is going to sacrifice a lot of quality and possibly also become a pain for space at times.

If you're not keen on the ride comfort of the BMW, fit some slightly smaller wheels without runflat tyres (selling the ones on it now for a likely profit) and marvel at the difference

[Hidey]

Thanks for your replies.

I have considered keeping the car and swapping the runflats for 'normal' tyres but this raises the age old debate about the merits of runflats vs non-runflats.

I think the ride on my car with 18s and runflats is completely unacceptable - I wish I had had an extended test drive when I bought it!

Any advice on what kind of non-runflats can be used? I seem to remember the debate has been further confused by suggestions that reinforced tyres can only replace runflats.

[P1H]

Hidey said:

Thanks for your replies.

I have considered keeping the car and swapping the runflats for 'normal' tyres but this raises the age old debate about the merits of runflats vs non-runflats.

I think the ride on my car with 18s and runflats is completely unacceptable - I wish I had had an extended test drive when I bought it!

Any advice on what kind of non-runflats can be used? I seem to remember the debate has been further confused by suggestions that reinforced tyres can only replace runflats.

I think Fox hit the nail on the head.

Providing you have factory Michelin Pilots, why not just replace them with the non-run flat version? That is what I did on my E92 330i.

[jackh707]

Nokian z g2. Go

[TimLambert7]

So you want something entertaining, refined, comfortable, >40mpg and capable of carrying 2 mountain bikes?

What you need is a BMW 325d Touring!


Oh wait....

[2hondadave]

My wife has a 320d touring also on 18's with runflats. I wouldn't go so far as to call the ride unacceptable, but it's definitely not 'plush'.

My contribution is that we have a set of winter wheels for it, 16" steels with Pirelli winters. The transformation is nothing short of amazing. It's like a different car. I for one have not noticed any difference in terms of grip (in the dry), and the winters are definitely quieter and give a more supple ride.

My vote is also to check out a change of tires at least, if not going all the way to new wheels as well.

[twokcc]

Also got a 2009 325d tourer auto but deliberately bought an SE its on michelin runflats and whilst I've no comparision with e91 M sport it rides far better than my E46 msport 330ci convertible(michelins on back still dreaded bridgestones on front). Both on 18" staggered setup. Certainly not in the league for comfort of my renault 20TS(who remembers them) but better than a Mercedes 220cdi on 19". I'll be changing to non runflats when the rears need replacing - another advantage cost for 4 non runflats (michelins) is same as for 2 rear runflats. Not sure which is the best tyre for ride but would be tempted to stick with Michelins, continentals or goodyear (from my very limited experience). As stated above if you can get the ride sorted you wont find a better car.

[Z.B]

My advice - trade in for a similar car but in SE spec. Get rid of the oversized wheels and pseudo-sport suspension and the runflats won't be an issue any more. Why do people choose the sport set up then moan about the hard ride?

[AB]

None RFT and Eibach springs were the first changes I made to all the BMW's I've ever had!

Night and day. Eibachs are much better than the M Sport springs.

What you already have is the idea car for your situation.

Wouldn't want to put two kids and a mountain bike in a Golf!!

[Hidey]

I appreciate all your comments.

Yep, should have gone for an SE but the M Sport just looks so much better to my eyes.

Yep, it is a good size for the school run and for carting bikes around but my wife has just been given an X1 as a company car so that now takes care of the family duties. Consequently I can look for something the next size down which will still take a bike. I agree it makes sense to hang on to it as it meets all the criteria I originally listed apart from comfort. This is now a priority due to my annual mileage.

Having said all that there is nothing that really grabs me to replace it with, hence my original post. It's just my opinion but there doesn't seem to be anything really desirable and special these days as there are so many niches filled by all manufacturers and 'premium' cars are 2-a-penny. Perhaps I've just talked myself into non-runflats and get on with it......

Thanks all again.