2012 3 Series or X1 Questions

[SmartManDan]

I'm looking for the next car at the moment. Two of the options I am considering are the 320D (Efficient Dynamics even) or the X1 20D from about 2012 onwards when they received the new 8 speed auto box.

Would anyone perhaps have a link to a buyers guide or any known issues that I could pay attention to? The car would just be used for going up and down the motorway for up to 15k miles a year. Auto is mandatory as is ride comfort (No no silly M kits etc). I'd like some toys like bluetooth (Stream podcasts from my Android) and even perhaps the upgraded sound system. But apart from this are there any "must haves" in your experience or things that are a waste of time?

I'm also often open to buy an enthusiasts cars, so apart from eBay, PH, AutoTrader, what are the best UK Owners club websites to check for sale adverts?

[Smuler]

SmartManDan said:

I'm looking for the next car at the moment. Two of the options I am considering are the 320D (Efficient Dynamics even) or the X1 20D from about 2012 onwards when they received the new 8 speed auto box.

Would anyone perhaps have a link to a buyers guide or any known issues that I could pay attention to? The car would just be used for going up and down the motorway for up to 15k miles a year. Auto is mandatory as is ride comfort (No no silly M kits etc). I'd like some toys like bluetooth (Stream podcasts from my Android) and even perhaps the upgraded sound system. But apart from this are there any "must haves" in your experience or things that are a waste of time?

I'm also often open to buy an enthusiasts cars, so apart from eBay, PH, AutoTrader, what are the best UK Owners club websites to check for sale adverts?

I wouldn't have thought an enthusiast would chose either of those cars, but E90post does have a for sale section, so maybe look there for the 3 series.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1...

We're chalk and cheese as I find the M Sport suspension / sports seats make a hell of a different on both of these.

If that's not for you, I'm more familiar with the X1, as I drove my fathers, so try and get lumbar support as that adds a bit more support to the non sport seats.

If it's just a motorway car, maybe stick with S Drive as you'll lose performance and fuel economy on X Drive. The 20d is the best engine, as I think you've sussed, as the others below e.g. 18d are detuned and in S drive with the 8 speed auto, it's plenty fast for motorway cruising. I've no idea re: anything musical, but I found electrically adjustable seats and folding mirrors really useful options.

[SmartManDan]

Thanks for the reply. You're right, I'm not really an enthusiast for the motorway/work transport, I keep the fun cars for the weekend, this is just a tool to get me to and from work in relative comfort

I shall pop down to BMW this weekend and see if they have a few different models in, apart from eather/cloth I did not even consider sports seats, so that's good thought since I shall be in them for many hours.

Thanks for the info and links, I shall have a look around on that forum as well, much appreciated.

[iSore]

SmartManDan said:

Thanks for the reply. You're right, I'm not really an enthusiast for the motorway/work transport, I keep the fun cars for the weekend, this is just a tool to get me to and from work in relative comfort

You'll find a 5 year old TDCi Mondeo Titanium to be just as nice a car, for a lot less money. A 320d is just a prestige* Sierra for the 2000's.