Any G31 530d owners on here? Reviews sought.

[SlowV6]

Looking for a new-to-me estate to replace our 2012 Mondeo Titanium X estate and these are currently top of the list. Up to £20K max so excludes the LCI. There's nothing much wrong with the Mondeo, but with daughter just having gone to Uni and us therefore trapsing back and forth from Dorset coast to Birmingham for 3 yrs I wish to use this as an excuse to treat myself to a nice load lugger. We also have a leggy, old E90 330d so have very much enjoyed the straight 6 diesel experience for 8yrs. Not interested in a 520d (i know it would be more than adequate). Not ruled out a late F11 535d but these seem barely cheaper than the G31 so that's what I am aiming for.

I would like an M-Sport with the HK stereo as a minimum. Variable dampers would also be good. Keen to know what other options people would recommend.

Any owners on here willing to provide an ownership report would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Yes 2017 G31 530d x drive m sport - I love it. Fast, frugal, cheap to run, good looking. Cant really fault it as a brilliant long distance mile muncher. Mine’s on 75000. Drove to Barcelona at Christmas - can’t think of many better ways to do it.

[numtumfutunch]

G31 530d owner reporting in

5y+ since new and its mostly superb

50mpg on motorway runs and a beast at traffic lights

Essential options for me are comfort pack - keyless entry, electric seat adj, reverse camera (and fancy boot release) - plus HK stereo upgrade

Irritations are terrible dealer support with the known door seal issue resulting in the car being inaccessible without a kettle of boiling water over the winter

The door seals are frustrating however have crystallised my thoughts and finances to run the car for a few years more instead of chopping it in for an M3 or M340i now the boys have left home so thanks to BMW I think..............

[Billy_Whizzzz]

No problem with door seals for me but more wheels - 20 inch with RF is an ‘acquired’ taste and unless you are careful you will crack rims. I have an annoying chassis warning light that comes on occasionally and no one can trace. However as my piston above, I still love the car

[P700DEE]

Another +1 for a G31, much nicer than the F11 that I had before. I too decided the 520D was a little lacking but didn't fancy the extra costs both to buy and run a 530D. I managed to get a high spec 525D , still the four pot but bigger Turbos and a nice compromise.

[SlowV6]

Thanks Both - much appreciated.

Whilst I previously mentioned an M-Sport and I agree they do look a bit more purposeful this SE has appeared reasonably locally to me (30 miles). It has a good spec including the comfort pack and also has VDC with adaptive drive. I must admit it has piqued my interest and I quite like the sleeper look.

Looking at the MOT history and the iDrive photos I think it is due a service and also rear tyres, with some attention also maybe required for the brake balance. I think I would be asking the seller to put a fresh MOT on it to see what else is lurking. Possible bargaining.

We have the M-Sport seats on our old E91 330d so slight nervousness about the SE seats in this. Anyone had both?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509286...

edit (question on suspension options). Is my understand of the 3 suspension options correct:
1) Standard (passive) - No "Adaptive" label next to the Sport, Comfort, Eco buttons. Assume these buttons affect engine/throttle/gearbox behaviour only.
2) VDC (active dampers). "Adaptive" label appears next to the Sport, Comfort, Eco buttons. Guessing mode selection includes the suspension behaviour. Road tests suggest VDC is a very good option to have to reduce harshness of M-Sport standard suspension.
3) Adaptive drive (VDC + active rollbars like a Williams FW 14b ). Adaptive label appears next to Sport, Comfort, Eco. As VDC but the active rollbars reduce body roll working alongside the active dampers cushioning the ride). This is an expensive option (wallet emptier waiting to happen?)

"Adaptive" is more than a label and is in fact a button in itself. Activating "Adaptive" overrides previous setting and lets the car decide what it thinks is best.

Edited by SlowV6 on Monday 29th September 11:15

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I have the adaptive option and must confess I never use it. I use sport (individual) the most - everything comfort except for throttle. I think adaptive is a waste of time… admittedly mine is an m sport on 20s so never want it harsher. When I’m on 18” winters I *very occasionally* engage sport suspension but almost never.

[Pica-Pica]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

I have the adaptive option and must confess I never use it. I use sport (individual) the most - everything comfort except for throttle. I think adaptive is a waste of time admittedly mine is an m sport on 20s so never want it harsher. When I m on 18 winters I *very occasionally* engage sport suspension but almost never.

I have an F30 335d. I have just run two tankfuls of BP Ultimate, and in comfort it feels more like I have Sport mode on. Tell the truth, the throttle response seems a bit too harsh. I would garner more opinions on this, so you can gauge what you would prefer.

[Flat6]

SlowV6 said:

Looking for a new-to-me estate to replace our 2012 Mondeo Titanium X estate and these are currently top of the list. Up to £20K max so excludes the LCI. There's nothing much wrong with the Mondeo, but with daughter just having gone to Uni and us therefore trapsing back and forth from Dorset coast to Birmingham for 3 yrs I wish to use this as an excuse to treat myself to a nice load lugger. We also have a leggy, old E90 330d so have very much enjoyed the straight 6 diesel experience for 8yrs. Not interested in a 520d (i know it would be more than adequate). Not ruled out a late F11 535d but these seem barely cheaper than the G31 so that's what I am aiming for.

I would like an M-Sport with the HK stereo as a minimum. Variable dampers would also be good. Keen to know what other options people would recommend.

Any owners on here willing to provide an ownership report would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Did 32k in mine over 3 years and absolutely loved it. Sold it earlier this year for an M340i touring and as refined as the G21 is, I still miss the comfort and waftiness of the G31 and would have another in a heartbeat.

Mine was a pre-facelift so without the mild hybrid of the later models but it was a 2020 model on the crossover, so came with the full idrive 7 virtual cockpit, which takes a bit of getting used to but works seamlessly with Apple carplay etc. It was well specced with pan roof, HK, comfort pack (memory seats, heated wheel, electric steering column etc) and Msport plus pack.. The factory fitted 20" Goodyear rfts lasted 3 months before 2 of them developed bulges from potholes, a real issue with these tyres so watch out if you find one on 20's with Goodyears. I swapped to PS4S all-round (1200 quid, ouch) but they improved the ride significantly, although fuel economy dropped a little.

Over the 32k it averaged 41mpg of mixed use (tracked by fuelly, which matched the car too). Best ever full tank was 47. It was never as good as people reported earlier cars to be and I even mentioned it to BMW but they found no issue. Didn't help when they gave me a 530d MHT model and the return journey to the dealers was showing a good 12mpg higher than I'd ever seen in my own car on the same route!

Only option I missed having on that, which my previous and subsequent car had is the adaptive cruise and adaptive headlights. I dare say I'd still have it if it had those. Loved the seats, comfiest ever for my dodgy back. Build quality feels a cut above a G21 3 series too, even though the interior is very similar, the 5 just somehow felt more premium.. The only downside? Steering is quite slow when you're making progress on a b-road but overall the car handled well for such a big barge. Parking in small spaces could be challenging due to the length but it doesn't feel massive on the road. Took us on a memorable family holiday through the Black Forest, over the Swiss Alps to Lake Garda, perfect tool for such a journey. I think it's probably the best car I've ever owned, just not a particularly fun one to drive when you finally get to the Furka Pass!

[SlowV6]

Thanks for the replies all. Very encouraging. Need to decide whether to make the round trip to that SE in Warminster later this week time permitting. Slight concern that Adaptive Drive is overkill and an expensive bill waiting to happen. VDC perhaps the sweet spot.

[Stillstand]

Had a pre-LCI 530d S Drive in the UK for a few years - did 60k in it. Drive as well as possible for a larger and heavy car. Nothing like as nimble as my older F31.

Very comfortable, good NVH if you get rid of the RFTs. Mine was an M-Sport and had HK, extended display and a few other bits. I retrofitted the OEM reversing camera - this is very helpful with such a big car, but a real pain to do. BMW offers an OEM kit to do it. Still managed high 40's overall. Wouldn't get the 4 cyl, just don't suit a car like this.

I moved to Germany a few months ago and got a late 2023 MHT 530d S-drive. This one has more options - HK, folding mirrors with warnings, factory tow bar, adaptive headlights and some nice wheels options that I never saw in the UK (636m). Also in Tanzanite Blue 2, which was a new colour for the LCIs. MPG is 5-10 improved over pre-LCI and even the 30d's now have twin turbos.

Just did 1400km round trip to Hungary.

Oh, fairly effortless at 200km/h + if you ever venture near an autobahn.

[sunnyb13]

Would love one with the laser lights

[Rob 131 Sport]

Whilst not a G31, I can comment on the 3 years I owned my G30 530d M Sport (non X Drive). I bought it at 6 months old and was used for long journeys including a number of trips to France and Spain.

The drive and quality of the vehicle was just superb and I genuinely miss it. I’ve had its replacement an M440d Coupe for 3 years and whilst the performance and dynamics are better, as an overall ownership proposition the G30/G31 with that 3.0 Diesel is beyond reproach.

[Night Owl]

I've got a G31 540i with the 704 suspension. I would say it is the best all-round vehicle I have ever owned. Lots of space, very comfortable, and the engine, handling, and brakes (Brembo blue setup) are excellent.

No experience with the diesels, but I think this car is well-suited to a larger petrol engine. Here in Germany it makes for a great Autobahn cruiser.

Some seem to say the handling is a bit dull, but I don't find that at all. I also own an M2 Competition and I find the 540 to handle exceptionally well on backroads. The turn-in is nearly as sharp as my M2.

The suspension is a bit on the comfy side, and there is some mild body roll, but it is quite nice to drive on flowy backroads. The weight and sheer size are always going to be an issue for any keen driver though.

Fantastic car.