Need a little help buying a 3 series f30

[richneedsacar]

Hey guys, I’m wanting to buy a new car, I’m travelling 60 miles a day round trip for work and my r56 Mini Cooper s isn’t ideal for this!

I’m looking at getting an F30 320d automatic ... preferably an estate with less than 40,000 miles.

I have a few questions!

Between SE, sport and a m sport spec is there much of a difference comfort wise?

What are some of the must have options? I’m honestly not too fussed but would love to hear what the options you can’t live without are.

I’d prefer to spend as little as I have to whilst still obviously spending enough to get a nice car ... ideally I’d like a 2012-2014 year car to keep the cost down but I belive the engine was changed and improved in 2015 - would I be ok going for an earlier 2012-2014 version?

Thanks guys, I know this post is a little vague but I’ll feel more confident making a purchase after consulting you guys!

Cheers,
Rich

[smashy]

Just dont get an se or luxury unless you take it for an extremely long test drive and can live with the floating blancmange suspension.Keep with an m sport non xdrive unless its adaptive suspension.

Edited by smashy on Saturday 27th October 13:30

[AlwynMike]

SE seats can be uncomfortable over a distance - this isn't confined to F3x, the 5 series have the same effect.

You will know (hopefully) about timing chain issues, and now EGR problems with these engines.

Options?
You can live without all of them!
Halogen lights can be yellow and candle power
Stock audio is ordinary
Nav is poor, either Business or Pro
Some people won't do without Adaptive, I don't miss it.
Heated Seats & wheel? Wife must have, I don't.
Comfort Access may make the car easier to steal
Steer well clear of diamond cut alloys unless you like corrosion
Blue caliper M Performance brakes are prone to squeal

All service history should be on the iDrive- there's no service book.

Edited by AlwynMike on Saturday 27th October 13:53

[Pica-Pica]

Never had a squeal on my M performance blue-calipered brakes.
Heated steering wheel is unnecessary, IMHO, if it is that cold, you are going to need gloves when you leave the car anyway.
Heated seats are mildly useful.
Sport gear shift paddles are useful.
Autodip and auto wipers work well.
I don’t have, but wish I had electric adjust seats.
I have always had sports seats, on mine the side bolsters can be adjusted for width - useful to be able to get just right for your personal build.
Previous car had a grey band at the top of the windshield. I miss it a bit, but having moved, I always seem to be driving into the low sun at morning and again at night, so I need the sun-visors anyway.
If you go for a saloon, you MUST get a 40/20/40 folding rear seat back. I prefer that to an estate.
The HK audio is OK, but with a very decent audio set-up in the house, it will always fall short.
The Pro Nav works well.
Try and get a LCI model (mid-cycle update).
I am sure the 320d is fine enough, but I would always stretch to a 6-pot if you can.

[JamesRR]

SE seats are atrocious, get a sport or m sport. Which of those you choose depends whether you want the m sport exterior styling or not, as the basic sport looks like an SE but has sport seats and suspension. Sport also has an SE steering wheel, which isn’t as nice as the M Sport.

[richneedsacar]

Thank you so much for all the replies - I have learnt a lot there.

To be honest, I’ve only heard of the engine issues but I’m not too up on their liklihood. I remember reading about the timing chain issues with my r57 Mini Cooper s, and yup, my timing chain went! Hah so I do take them seriously.

I do think a pre LCI is more likely, but at the same time for not much more you can get a LCI!

That’s very interesting about the m sport, i guessed an SE would be comfier! I’ll go for an m sport now, they do look better anyway.

Thanks!