BMW X DRIVE vs Diesel Emission Systems Reliability

[jaisingh340I]

'm looking to purchase my first BMW. However, I am hearing lots of different things and just wanted some clarity.

I'm looking to keep the car for a long time so wanted to pick a model and features which would allow that.

I wanted to compare what is more complicated/ will give me the least problems out of:

1) 2019 Petrol G20 BMW with X drive [M340i]

OR

2) 2019 Diesel G20 BMW without X drive [330d] EURO 6
[So essentially X drive vs Diesel reliability]

I like the idea of a 3.0 L Diesel due to the torque and fuel economy but worry if it's suitable for me. The 3.0 L petrol will have the torque and no hassle with diesel emissions but has X drive as a standard option, which I am unsure about.

As some say X drives can become problematic over time, as they are controlled by clutch packs/sensors compared to Audi Quattro which are mechanically controlled. And that you must be diligent with keeping all tyres in similar thread depths. And that BMW does not directly service the transfer case fluids. I can see there Is also a Class Action Lawsuit in the US RE Transfer Case problems.

But with diesels I worry about DPF/EGR issues - I drive 9 miles (14.5 km) from my home to work totalling 30 minutes. Then the same journey back. The journey is a mostly A roads - not all highway/motorway. At most Motorway would be 10 minutes of this journey from one junction to the next.

Then in the evening I travel 7.7 miles (12.4 km) to the gym totalling 20 minutes.

This leads to my yearly mileage being 7000 to 8000 miles at most.

Are these journeys sufficient to keep a diesel engine healthy? I am willing to take it out for a blast once a week for 45-60 minutes on the motorway/highway. Would this then be enough to mitigate risks of Diesel emission system issues?


I understand that a 330i/430i gran coupe would be a logical alternative that is the least problematic with it being petrol and non X drive; but I appreciate the 3L engines and that they hold more value long term due to being more desirable to buyers and simply being more fun to drive.