As a proper German, I am still in love with this beautiful car. I drive a 2013, 184 hp, 8-speed, Sportline model with configurable driving modes. Me and my four-wheeled companion have driven over 278,000 km together across europe, which equals 172741 miles. My best advice I can give to potential future F31 drivers is to fit 18-inch alloy wheels (preferably M-Perfomance), get rid of run-flat tires, change the springs to lower the car about 2cm, give your sweetheart an annual oil change and your might have found the perfect long-lasting car for a family of four. Lowering the car will result in better steering and less leaning into curves which in turn fells way more comfortable but it is a matter of taste here so feel free what ever suits you. Getting rid of run-flat tires makes driving tremendously smoother and of course more quiet, you should really go for it. The only thing I am missing momentarily is a bit more power. Specing in a 330d if possible would be the optimal solution I guess. Not saying that the 320d does not pack a punch, especially with its ~400 nm of torque but it's quite a gap on higher speeds compared to its bigger brother. However keep an eye on the turbocharger when you get over 190,000 kilometres. I changed it for a completely rebuilt aswell as the diesel particle filter and the exhaust gas recirculation valve. This ensures another 200.000 km. I was able to get the repairs done for roughly 600€ here in germany. This car also synergizes well with fuel containing additives. It runs very smoothly if fueled up with one of them and accellerates better. I hope you will have a lot of fun with your new 3-series.
Sold my f31 330d for couple months ago, miss it EVERY every single day. Best car I ever had, hands down. Drove it from sweden trough the alps in france. Very economical car aswell. Only thing i did was to exchange the run flat tires and lowered it with springs. Drove like my track car.
Bought a 2013 320d touring sprtline with 184hp last week. The first car I’ve ever bought. What a beautiful car and it has plenty power! I’m just hoping it will last because wow, what a cool car.
I have 2014 320d m sport on 19’’ run flats. I love the car…but find it very noisy. Wind, dampening from engine, agricultural sounding diesel etc Otherwise its spot on.
The problem you have, is the UK is a wash with German cars, where a lot are owned or rented by people trying to elevate their status in life, they like the idea of owning one of these cars, unfortunately they are not so keen on keeping up with the maintenance, so you need to be careful when looking at a BMW, Merc, Audi because there's a lot of bad ones out there.
And this is how these German cars get bad rep for reliability. Keep the maintenance up on them and they’re bulletproof, but sadly most people don’t get the message.
"If you are thinking about buying a Qashqai, sort your head out! Get yourself a 3 series estate." Could not agree more! A mate went from a - not a Qashqai - but an Audi Q5 to a 3 series Touring, and could not believe how much nicer it is. Every bit as solid feeling as the Audi, but far nicer to drive.
Having just taken delivery of my 320d Msport I really appreciate this video and some of the common faults to look out for. Mines a once-in-a-lifetime perfect example of an extremely well looked after used vehicle. It’s a late 2012 with 93k miles Japanese import but I’m blown away that there is not a single sign of use anywhere on the interior of the car, it’s looks and smells like it has just come out the factory. The exterior is beautifully clean too and not a single dent, scratch or scrape. The only thing showing any kind of age or use is 3 tiny stone chips on the front of the vehicle. Even the engine bay is so clean and free from rust and oil marks. The under carriage is even surprisingly clean with no signs of age, I don’t know if the Japanese climate is far less corrosive than the UK but it’s just unbelievable how clean and new everything is. The previous owner hasn’t even taken off the plastic film protection on the door sills and boot scrape plates. The car drives like a dream and runs as expected, definitely wouldn’t think this car is as old as it is. Being a Japanese spec, it has every optional extra including electric seats. My only worry about this car is of course the ticking time bomb, timing chain. Apparently the chain itself isn’t the problem on this engines. It’s the sprocket that has really aggressive edging on the teeth and causes the stretching and ultimately snapping in some cases. But for £10,900 and the absolute immaculate condition of the car I honestly couldn’t be happier, definitely hit the used car lottery and glad I drove 2 hours to have a look at it in person.
I've driven loads of different cars over 25 years for my job. I can honestly say the car I have now, a 320d X drive m sport f31 on a 64 plate is by far the best car I've ever had!! I've had it nearly 5 years and put over 200k on the clock and it's still as tight as a drum! No squeeks not rattles no knocks. All its had is tyres and brakes done. Oh and one infotainment system update. I agree with you on the back seat, it isn't the roomiest of cars but that would be my only negative comment! It handles like a dream, the grip is fantastic!! It is extremely comfortable and economical to drive. I'll definitely stick with bmw for my next company car!!!
I've had two F31's, agree with everything Matt says on here. The last one I had for 5 years, did over 20k miles a year in it for 3 years, then not a lot over lockdown. The only issue I had was a fault when I updated the satnav that needed a firmware update. Other than that, regular servicing and tyres were all it required for over 5 years! It's a great mile muncher on motorways but also nice to take around the twisties. Drop the box into manual and you get some really snappy changes with the paddle shift.
I've had one since 2018 - bought with 120K miles, 185k now and still feels fresh, very reliable! have wanted a new car for a while but struggle to find anything thats as good all round that doesn't cost 3 or 4 times what its worth
Buy an EV for your next beast, even a 2014 Tesla Model S. Filthy fossil fuel burners are so C20th, low fuel costs, negligible service and parts costs even if you have to spend £2K on an MCU over all no oil, no plugs likely brake pads only every few years…
Matt, I just realized you feed a pre-recorded script to yourself through an earpiece in your right ear. Your dialogue is consistently polished, and I wondered how you were always so on point. Makes total sense now. Nothing wrong with using different tools to get the job done - just an observation on my part.
Well Matt, yours is one of my favourite YT channels and you have just enhanced your reputation in my eyes by testing a car I actually have. I agree with so much of your comments about this supremely practical car, although my top spec would differ from yours. My main beef with BMWs is their normally gloomy interiors, so my F31 320D auto has light leather upholstery and a panoramic glass sunroof. A point about rear-wheel-drive that you did not mention is the tight turning circle that comes from front wheels able to turn through a greater angle. For such a big car it is very manoeuvrable.
I’m an ageing BMW nut and have had a string of them for the past 15 years. The best (except this one) have had straight six engines - it is such a shame that these are gradually being phased out. I had the previous model E91 330D which went like the wind with complete lack of stress - still probably my favourite. I progressed to an M140i which was terrifyingly fast and with which my ageing reflexes could not cope, so it had to go (my wife was so relieved). Thanks again for your great channel, long may it continue.
I’ve had an f31 335d msport for nearly 5 years now, I still absolutely adore it & have no plans to change it anytime soon, it’s a fantastic car! It’s only just turned over 50000 miles & the one & only problem I’ve had was that one of the electric boot struts failed which was covered under warranty. It does just about everything you could possibly want & I genuinely think it’s the best all things considered car you can buy. Good video as always
@@Space_dino-edits435 Absolutely, it’s got the complete package. It does beg the question Why would you buy an M3? 🤔 unless you go on a track regularly.
Had a 2015 facelifted 335xd Touring and I did 120k km on it over 3 years. Best drivetrain on the market in this segment. A bit old school interior but I liked it that way. Never let me down and the only car I ever owned in a bright red color
I still have my 2015 335xd Touring and will never sell it and keep it in the fleet instead. What a legendary car. Did a 500km+ round trip on the autobahn yesterday, and it’s just so competent, smooth and relaxing drive. Loving it. Will age well. New BMWs tend to suck, sadly.
At this point I prefer the 3 series estates look over the saloon and that’s mainly because the 4 gran coupe ruined the saloon for me as it’s essentially the same styling as the 3 still with 4 doors but with better looking proportions which I can’t help seeing every time I look at the 3 saloon.
Brilliant video and I couldn’t agree more. We went to buy a Tiguan but when we got to the dealership, it was sat next to a 520d touring and I just had to have it. A dog and 3 kids it’s literally the best car I could ask for! Drives well good mpg, fast enough , does everything
Great review these "are" the perfect small family tourer. I work solely on BMW's so here is a little more info around the diesel engined cars for potential buyers. All the N47/N57 & B47/B37/B57 diesels must have regular oil changes with decent quality oil, so before buying take the oil cap off the engine and look inside with a torch, you'll be able to see the aluminium cam carrier and a little bit of the exhaust cam. If it's not almost perfectly clean i.e. you can clearly see it's aluminium and the part of the cam is nice and clean then walk away and if it's black, run... All N47 engined models from 2012 onwards until the change to B engines the chain will eventually snap, with badly maintained cars seeing this failure sometimes under 70k miles. Well maintained cars especially 2013 onwards should last 200k before you should consider changing after having it checked. Decent BMW indies can check the camshaft chain and whether it's badly stretched with proprietry tools without dismantling the engine for approx 1½ hours labour give or take. All 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series from 2012 until the LCI facelift suffer with steering rack knocks over bumps with this starting around 30k on some cars. This was due to BMW cutting costs and using a plastic insert in the rack instead of the metal insert with rubber o-rings as used in the e90 generation cars. The official repair kit is available from all BMW main dealers at a cost of just £25 and would take an indy no more than an hour or two to fit and run the required service function. This completely transforms the feeling of the car, even if it hasn't started knocking badly (it has, you just can't hear it) Sticky EGR valve issues can usually be resolved for under £200 from an indy (using aftermarket parts) and an inlet manifold decoke especially if blocked badly will really improve economy and performance. Quickest way to check if your inlet manifold needs a decoke is to remove the MAP sensor which is easily accessible on the top of the manifold, only need to remove the engine cover to get to it. Usually secured with a T30 torx, undo and pull the sensor out and there should be a hole in the middle. If not and you can see it's blocked, get the manifold and EGR cleaned.
YOU HAVE MORE THAN THE BEGINNINGS OF A CHANNEL HERE. MANY BMW OWNERS WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH YOU ON THEIR CARS, INCLUDING CURRENT OWNERS AND THOSE CONSIDERING BUYING. A GOOD REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY GO A LONG WAY WITH JADED, SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE, SO DO THINK ABOUT IT AND IF YOU HAVE THE TIME OF COURSE.
@@grahamcarr17 Always happy to help my buddies in the Black Mountain Hills of Dakota, hope you managed to sort out that bother with Nancy. With the N57N engines mostly being paired with auto boxes, the stress on the chains is lessened somewhat but the same issue will occur eventually. It's all about regular servicing and BMW's service intervals are way longer than they should be (what works in a laboratory controlled environment isn't the same as on the road) try to keep oil changes to 8k miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. If your engine looks clean under the oil cap keep up the regular maintenance and there's no real need to think about the chain till you've hit 140k in my experience, then get it checked by an indy who can perform the stretch test using the top tensioner method. Oil changes are easy to do yourself with just a few tools, loads of videos covering them on TH-cam Jack up car and secure with axle stands, undo the sump drain bolt with a 17mm spanner or socket and drain oil into suitable container when the car is "warm" i.e. you've let it cool down for 20-30 minutes *NOTE* not straight after a drive as oil temps can reach 90C+. Place a little cloth around the oil filter housing to catch any drops and undo the oil filter cap with a 27mm socket until it can be removed but don't remove it fully yet. Wait a few minutes to allow as much oil as possible to drain, then remove the oil filter cap which will usually have the old oil filter attached. Remove the old oil filter (either from the cap or the housing) clean the cap and replace the rubber oil ring seal which will be included in the new oil filter box. Take the new oil filter noting the tab on the bottom which locates in the hole at the bottom of the oil filter housing. Push the filter into place and you should feel it locate securely. Replace the filter cap (don't forget to change the seal first) pushing down slightly until the thread engages and screw in by hand initially so you know the cap is going on straight, before tightening fullly. If you haven't got a torque wrench, they just need a little nip - no need to go nuts. Replace the copper sump bolt crush washer with the one supplied with the new filter and tighten up the sump drain bolt to 25nm or again just a little nip, as you tighten you can feel the copper give way slightly, don't over tighten. Re fill with oil and keep an eye on the dash cluster when starting, make sure there are no driver warnings and let it warm up whilst visually checking for leaks. Drop the car down after you're happy there are no leaks and pat yourself on the back for a job well done and spend the money saved on something nice :)
Great info, thanks. I’ve noticed my late 2014 330d Touring makes a slight knocking sound when going over speed bumps. I think the steering is fantastic in these (better than my previous E36 328 Sport, E46 M3 and E92 330i coupe), so if the steering rack fix improves it, I’d be absolutely delighted!
I’ve had my 2018 320d Touring Auto from new (pre-Reg bargain) and just can’t fault it, the best all-rounder on the road. Second MOT passed recently with nothing to note whatsoever. It feels like new, drives like new and hasn’t so much as blown a bulb in 4 years. Brilliant car.
As a 30-something who has just bought a '15 F31 and is trying his level best not to give up, I feel very seen by this review. The volume knob thing is spot on, so many times I've reached for the iDrive dial to turn the volume up.
@@GreenStorm01 Your hand is already down on the centre console, navigating between Bluetooth, DAB or whatever, and you decide you want to turn it up or down. Your immediate intuition is to use the dial in your hand, but it’s not there. It’s not a huge issue, it’s just a quirk of design that I noticed too.
Avoid the single tail pipe 320d pre 2015. Fitted with the N47 engine. This engine was replaced with the B47 engine which has twin tail pipes on the 320d. They are all fine provided they are oil changed EVERY year and not every 2 years as BMW dealers will state. Another thing is the 320d has 295ib torque over 195ib torque for the 320 petrol. Full consumption is far superior in the 320d ( around 50-55 mpg) where as the petrol equivalent is 35-40mpg ). I know from experience having just bought a low mileage 34k 320d . Neighbour has petrol model.
To be fair, my 2012 320d is now at 192800 miles as of today and has been flawless in my 4 years of ownership so far. I service the engine every 6-7k miles so running strong for me!
@@JayGatsby187 95% of the N47 timing chain failures are the people who service there car every 20k. Same thing happened to the OM651 that Mercedes used and some 3ltr vag engines.
@@Mentis-de g20 is really nice but not worth the huge jump in price to upgrade from the f31 - get mppsk on the f31 and you have the same power as the g20 and without the OPF filter bollocks too
I've a 2016 320d ED sport. It's now on 180k miles. It will get over 65mpg if I sit with the wagons in the slow lane and that's with the 19" staggered. More if you turn of the cruise and make the best of the ED coasting modes. You still get to have fun with the sports mode and traction turned off. As for reliability 180k 6 years old and only part replaced was a turbo actuator at £200. Other than that service parts only.
@@Mentis-de In Denmark we have a saying: "BMW 3-tyrker", that means something like BMW 3-Turks and is associated to the middle east gangs. Police drives Volvo V90 and VW Passat here.
@@Mentis-de Here it matters which gang you are a member of. Some drive Audi's, some Mercedes but mostly they drive BMW's. Also brand new cars, leased.. They cheat the the taxes on the cars. :)
My 330d M Sport Touring Shadow Line with M Performance body kit is the best car I’ve owned. Just an amazing all rounder. I also think it has some of the best steering response and feel of any BMW. Better than my previous E36 328 Sport, E46 M3 and E92 330i Coupe. I chose the 330d M Sport over the 335d as it’s RWD (335d is only available as X-drive which adds about 125kg) and the suspension is proper M Sport spec unlike M Sport 335d which run on SE suspension even in M Sport spec. The difference in turn-in and body control is big. BMW absolutely nailed it with the F31.
@@user-cn1em2qx6fwhat does expensive mean? It’s a BMW so it probably costs more in general to repair than a Ford. I never did the comparison. The only thing I had to repair on mine were punctured run-flat tyres. They’re pretty expensive!
Driving that exact car since I took it in P/X back in January, Pano Roof makes all the difference in my opinion, especially if you've got the ubiquitous Charcoal Black Leather interior, mines done 106,000 miles and truly drives like new still, spot on as usual Matt, all the best 👍
@@Godot28 I've lost count of the amount of these I've had with a pano roof over the years, personally never had a problem, and nor are they particularly prone to fault, I suppose you could be unlucky, but not something I'd worry about, good luck, can't really go wrong with a 3 series touring.
That 3 Series Estate is drop dead gorgeous! The estates, hatchbacks and sportsbacks are just as practical as as SUV's and more fun to drive. I wish we weren't so obsessed with SUV's here in the States. It seems like Europeans are starting to like them too.
i had a f30 320d m sport and ive done 214k miles in that car and still had plenty of life left and was driving like a dream,i obviously mantained the car and i over serviced it but everyting felt like a sub 50k car when i sold it
I've got an F30 30d Xdrive and it is the ultimate daily car. Great for crusing around in but got some horses there when you want or need it. Brilliant car! 17 plate with just 22k on the clock and I had it for £25k. I love it. Almost every option on it also in Tanzanite blue. 👍
Great, well balanced review as alway Matt 👌 If that F31 had a 3.0d engine it would be near perfection 👌 especially in that speck & colour. Having owned two 2.0d Touring previously (E46 & E91) was enough for me to never again buy a 4 pot BMW. For me at least, they all have to have at least 6 cylinders (petrol or diesel) so currently I'm dailying an E70 X5 Xdrive 30d which replaced an E61 525d 👍
I bought an F31 last year after selling my maserati Ghibli, I went for the x drive M sport with 120k on the clock. Since put 14k on and paid to have the chain replaced along with auto box service and diff service as preventative measures. Been driving it for a year now and I normally get bored of my cars after 3-4 months but this one has pleasantly surprised me. The cost of running is much cheaper than my maserati, it’s great in the snow, great for long journeys and has more optional extras than any other car I’ve owned. I’d give it 9/10 on my car score as an all round fun and comfortable but practical motor 😎.
If you wouldn’t mind sharing, what year model is your F31 and how did the chain look when you replaced it? Was it still fine or stretched or was it looking like it’s on its last legs?
"It's for that mid to late 30's man who's now got a family but hasn't given up on life yet" erm... 🙋🏾♂️ Great review! Nailed all the pros and cons. Zf8 is exceptional. Egr is an ongoing recall. Steering usually suffers from a knock from the rack which is an easy fix. But overall, fantastic car 👏🏽
I have a 3.0D 2018 X3, although I previously had a BMW 220D and must admit, the B47 engine is brilliant, can be relatively fast and fuel economy is good if you can tempt yourself to turn sports mode off, the 8 speed gearbox is great too, great review Matt.
I recently bought an f34 320d 2019 m sport- and wow what a car, the first ever automatic car ive owned and the zf-8 speed is fantastic some people say its the best auto ever made and i see why, yes its not lightning quick but for a family of 4 it is amazing and the boot is bigger than the estate version
I own this car, the handling, acceleration and fuel consumption are very good. The problems are: xdrive can break after 150 - 200k kms, the timing chain needs to be replaced around 180 -200 km (n47 engine) and EGR valve may also need to be replaced after this mileage (after 2015 they should be ok). Beware that the BMW car parts can be double the price of standard cars. Anyway I love this car and it would be a problem to replace it with a new one because new BMWs are very expensive :)
I had a 2014 from new / 335d xdrive touring, manual seats though in a 46k car . I would have got the 5 series but they were only 2 wheel drive . The 335d was very good on diesel .
I’ve owned an f31 335d for just over a month now and I love it, for what it is I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a great all rounder! Thanks for this review Mat
Hired a 335d a couple of times. Properly quick and the ZF box is amazing. Not a fan of the electric steering though. Numb. Not a patch on my old E36 coupe’s steering.
As an f31 owner, I have been waiting for this exact review for the longest time! I was on your channel even yesterday, looking through your reviews, and thinking to myself why you dont have a review video of one of the best selling cars in Europe. And the universe answered my prayers the morning after! I drive the baby version of this car. A simple 2017 316d with no fancy options. Still the car feels amazing to drive and perfect for my lifestyle of short commutes and occasional road trips. I only wish I had a chance to test drive a 6 cylinder model. But realistically, I do not need all that power. My car does over 22km/l on highways and i really cant complain about that. Thanks for the review!
Just as a note, the same exact engine is in the 316, 318, ,320 and 325d but only thned differently so a simple remap can get you 220-275bhp and the car would feel night and day in terms of performance
Sold my 320d m sport f31 in estroli blue in September last year for a m140i. I honestly think the 320d handled better. Glides in and out of corners .Travelled the UK in it with my band mates and fully loaded with music gear. Great cars and was/still tempted to trade my 1 series in for another. I would recommend getting the 330d though. My biggest regret was not getting the bigger engine. I had the Chrysler 300c estate with the merc v6 diesel prior and missed not having that bottom end power. Only negatives for me with the f31 was the crashy ride and creaky door sills. However ptfe tape sorted the noises and moving off runflats softed the ride. The adaptive suspension in my 1 series is a big win. Not many people spec'd it in the 3 series though.
Wanted a 1 series for a long time, specially the BIG engine, it has less driver aids than the 3 series so meant to be "more" a drivers car than the 3 series, would you agree? Or that just reviewer hyperbole? Where do you find the 1 series leaves you wanting more?
@@ZanderKaneUK I got given my m140i with mismatched tyres. Once I sorted that. It sharpened the handling up massively. Even after 7 months I'm still learning the car to be honest. Just discovered the fun of using the auto box in manual. The b58 engine is great! Not sure I have heard the m140i as being more of a drivers car, it shares all the same stuff as the 3. Same ZF box, electric power steering and many other bits.If I had an extra 7k I would of got the 340i estate. I think the chassis of the 1 series struggles with having so much power put though it so it's hard to get it down, Its still a good handling car. But it's not like a focus RS or Hyundai n30i.
@@jamesthesecond1123 I recommend ditching the adaptive dampers on the m140i for either the Birds B1 kit or the Bilstein B12 kit. Both are a massive improvement over the stock adaptive dampers.
@@1210mk5g See I was contemplating putting the money in to make it better. But LSD, Suspension and a bit more and I'm around 3k. I'm edging close to m2 money. Plus I like the comfort of having adaptive.
I have a 3 series touring with a 6 cylinder diesel. If you haven’t driven this engine you’ll be perfectly happy with the 4 cylinder. If you have, there’s no going back
I dont like tiny crossovers either, but you need that extra ground clearance in many places during heavy snowfalls that can last days. The only ones getting out from my 25 car parking lot this winter were the Mokkas, Kugas and the Qashqais :) And the same happens when 25cm of compressed snow starts to melt in the spring. The rear wheel drive Germans and the hybrids were left sitting. Luckily the awd is reasonably priced in the 3-series
I have a 2018 320d, and fit your stereotype perfectly. 30 something (just), wife and 2 kids. This is my second, and I love it. I must admit I find the DSG gearboxes a little better, but this auto does the job well. I’ve had a stage 1 remap on both of mine, and it adds a useful 40/50 bhp, at no real risk to the engine (in my experience anyway, my last one had 110k when I changed for current car). I have slightly less bling, and 17” wheels as I only fit premium tyres and the ride is a little more compliant in my opinion. Great review👍
@@puma78862 no problems. The isofix mounts are quite close to the middle, so you can only fit 2 seats in the back, but never been an issue for us. Boot really good size for buggies/prams etc.
Good honest review as always of a nice looking beemer touring as prefer this 3 model rather then the saloon model…much more classy I think. If the UK police force use them then you know they must be good robust quick n reliable too!!
The 3 Series Touring is the definitive "dad car", alongside the defunct Saab 9-5. It's a car that tailors to the need of a family, as all estates do, but still bears the signature focus on the driving experience that BMW's 3 Series line is marketed aggressively through. More than anything else, I remember an ad campaign for the 3 Series Touring that ran in Italy in the mid-2000s, with music by Giovanni Allevi, and the relaxing piano music paired really well with the looks of the car.
Have a 330d m sport Xdrive, absolutely great car. Terrific engine and build quality, pleasure to drive and good on fuel for the performance. Much better ride on the Xdrive which comes with non sports suspension. Surprised at your experience of BMW dealers as have found them to be very good on service compared to other makes. Car was an ex demo and came fully loaded. Won’t be changing anytime soon.
@@ajmufc2415 Depends on what you want to use it for. Touring has more space probably better for a family. Have not driven a touring so not sure how they compare from a driving perspective.
@@neilburgin4257 cheers for getting back to me mate. I think I might go for the saloon but I found a really nice touring on auto trader and I’m leaning towards it. Always driven hatchbacks so looking to upgrade!
My brother-in-law has the 335d x-drive… what an engine! I get that the 320d is more fuel efficient, but the BMW 6-cylinder diesel is incredible (and bloody fast). Great review though, as always.
I've literally just part exchanged a 2017 tiguan r line for one of these, 335d m sport touring with 12k extras on, what a car. I've had an audi rs4 in the past and this BMW comes bloody close to matching if not beating it for being an all rounder
Matt, I do love it that you slag off the Nissan Qhashimodo as much as I do! Always seen in black or grey and always driven by mums on the school run, usually with the door mirrors still folded in!
I had the 330d touring. A great car but in all honesty the 320 would be a better choice for economy and usability. For me it has to be an automatic too. The ultimate workhorse . If you're an engineer looking for a reason to dodge a transit, then this is it
Another great review Matt, I have a 4 series and can wholeheartedly agree with your comments about BMW main dealers. My experiences have been appalling on several occasions so I steer clear of them and use a local BMW independent specialist for half the price and much better service; I wish I'd checked the reviews of my local main dealer before I let them touch my car, it was almost exclusively negative feedback even to the point where people trying to buy a new car had even given up with their sales department. Do you realise there's a volume control on the wheel for the stereo so you don't really need one down near the iDrive controller?
Had one and loved it but had get rid of after knee replacements,just to low for entry and exit. Driving amorok now and loving it,your review on the amorok pointed me right direction.
Everyone I knew or listened to online said stick Michelin PS4 tyres on straight away. As ever in life, I didn't listen and ran the run flat Pirelli P Zero's it came with until they failed the MOT. I'd been underwhelmed by the steering and handling, even as a middle-aged driver who barely got out of comfort mode, and had started to question everyone who raved about the 3 series. I did of course replace the tyres with the PS4s and wow, what a difference! I still miss my previous S3 saloon but now I know my F31 touring is every bit the sports car this old boy can handle but with the added bonus of being the motorway cruiser my Audi could never be.
Alot of people seem to enjoy the handling of bmw with the 50/50 weight distribution. I'm definitely one of them. Owned 4 cars so far, all of them bmw 3-series from different generations. Driven a few hundred thousand km in total, never has one of them broken down on me. Few small faults like a cam position sensor, and a mass airflow sensor, but nothing major. Also always been able to drive home, even with a sensor failure.
I run a 2016 435i, and i can say that the steering and adaptive suspension (F30-F31-F32) is the Achilles tendon of this series. It definitely does not feel like a hydraulic rack resulting in very poor straight line stability and even more it's unreliable too, all electric racks start to develop a kind of knocking noise sooner or later due to premature wear of a plastic part in the mechanic's of the rack. The new improved part (with extra rubber o-rings) solves the knocking noises but it even completely now eliminates any kind of feedback of the front wheels, which in my opinion is really spoiling the driving experience. Suspension with the adaptive dampers does not feel natural, it may work on a good condition road but on bumpy roads it makes the care to move much to much, which feel very unnatural and does not give any confidence. So to conclude in my eyes the F '3 series' is not an ultimate driving machine, the problem becomes worse in the higher powered versions as expectations are higher there . It has to be said the new G series is doing better on the steering and riding properties
I'd buy one for my Fam, good choice 👍👍Biggest issue; 2018 BMW 3 series Touring only 236 for sale on AT. 2018 Qashqai = 2,256 for sale on AT. That's a lot of head sorting required Matt 🤣🤣
I had a brand new 2017 plate 335D, in exactly the same colour and a shadow edition. Monster engine, and very quick. One of the best cars I have ever owned. Kept it for 3 years and did 49k miles. 👍👍👍
Hi Matt, I think the electronic handbrake with auto hold function is the best thing since sliced bread, just stop and go, great for an old'un like me, also had a 630d GT for 20 months best car I've ever had, I think your review was spot on.
We just bought a 18' 330i xDrive full option last october and did already 10k kilometers on it. Perfect for daily use. My parents had a 520d F11 which was quite bigger and a much more comfortable ride. But i prefer more the petrol engine with the sportiness. Really love the facelift.
My 318d is a dream. Navi pro, m steering wheel just like yours.. It feels more expensive somehow, tho I wish it was 330 but oh well, all in all great car.
Absolutely love these cars Had a Range Rover and when I got fed up with the cost I got a 330d touring. Now got a L405 Range Rover because missed the luxury. But do miss my Bmw best all rounder you can have. Just does everything well
I couldn't agree with you more! In fact the only reasonable reason I can think of is if you needed to carry something larger then that would be the same set up but the 5 series!
I agree with a lot of what you said but suv's are a lot easier to get in and out of especially if you have baby/child seats, I have a 2018 f31 and passengers always complain about how low it is!
We also have an F31 320d and do about 35k km a year, the perfect car for a family with 2 children. My wife is nagging me to get a crossover but I refuse to give up the F31, we are on the second BMW, we had an E91.Our second car is what I get from the office for work,this year I have a boring Skoda octavia 1.6 diesel :(
Gave up ours for an suv, why age and mobility became a problem.. but Incould never understand why my wife says she’s Ben nearly T boned getting out of our road end. Until I tried it, from stop to go full lock required aircon was on and then it dawned .. as a 6ton tipper bore down on us the “ fly by wire throttle” was compromised by the lack of revs on full elec steering lock. Teh car almost stalled… they should come with a health warning
Nice car, only problem I have is much of the switch gear is the same as the E8x 1 series that is nearing 20 years old now. I had a complete lemon of one.
Drove a late 2014 plate one of these and actually quite impressed with the driving dynamics. Only thing was it was a manual so I would agree with matt and go for the Auto box.
I had black 2008 320D MSport (N47) with cloth interior, lovely adjustable bolster, unfortunatly got hit my a transit van and now a Tasman Metallic 2010 318D Exclusive (N47) with saddle brown interior. I sometimes miss having MSport, only sometimes, but the front end respose on both cars were/is still every bit BMW. Them both being 2.0 have very similar torque characteristics, so I don't really compare the 20D vs the 18D, except VED costs. The 320D made it to 201k miles, it still gave 53mpg average, passed all emissions, etc. I am considering an F10 5 series touring, but in terms of cost vs usabiltiy, etc, I can't seem to beat the BMW. Plus being a DIY mech, I have access to lots of info sources for the BMW, I know them, etc. Obviously I can't think that way forever! I have a 5 year old and estates should be a minium for familes.
Surely you should also have mentioned the Jag sportbrake as an alternative too, Matt? I think they look even better than the BMW. They are very much colour and trim dependent though.
Last June I shopped for a replacement for my ‘got it when I was desperate’ yeti, and went to Audi. Sorry sir you need to make an appointment, eh! BMW, to look at one of these - you want a test drive, oh erm we don’t normally allow that, eh! And then VW who seems to think they were selling Bentleys and riffraff like myself should perhaps consider it a privilege to look at their cars, yeah right f*£&off. So I ended up at Skoda, again. Not disappointed just oh well.
Good morning Matt I can't believe that the interior is exactly the same as my 2 Series convertible which is also excellent car but that's my opinion excellent videos usual nice one cheers Phil from Newark
Another great review Matt. A family member has the current 3 series saloon and to be honest it’s a very nice car but I am utterly underwhelmed by it. It’s too low and feels cramped. Stunningly refined though. That’s just my own opinion and would not tell anyone to avoid the Beemer. At least the boot looks as big as my C Class estate. A criticism I have of older 3 series tourers. A fuller comparison between this, the A4 Avant and the C class estate would make a great video. There is no right answer of which to get but what you want in your car. I agree with you. Why do folk buy these ridiculous SUVs? My dog dictated the Merc for me. I opened the boot in an E Niro a colleague at work has and the boot is smaller than a Mk7 Golf, my other car. My Labrador would not have approved.
I have owned my 2014 F31 330D 6 years, Has been serviced when due and has never needed anything repairing on it apart from a egr recall currently at 62000 miles.
Couldn’t agree more with your sentiment regards estates vs suvs - I think too many people wrongly opt for high seating position as opposed to driving dynamics. I have an f31 330d and love it so much I’m struggling to part with it despite the lust for an f80 m3, not sure I can stomach losing the practicalities and economy not to mention at least double the price tag. Last point I’d mention is really the diesel is the option for the long distance drivers….not the school run and popping to the shop, they get bunged up if they don’t get hot….and start breaking down..top tip, make sure if you opt for a diesel you’re going to get it up to temperature before turning it off 😊 Thanks for the vid, great review
As a proper German, I am still in love with this beautiful car. I drive a 2013, 184 hp, 8-speed, Sportline model with configurable driving modes. Me and my four-wheeled companion have driven over 278,000 km together across europe, which equals 172741 miles.
My best advice I can give to potential future F31 drivers is to fit 18-inch alloy wheels (preferably M-Perfomance), get rid of run-flat tires, change the springs to lower the car about 2cm, give your sweetheart an annual oil change and your might have found the perfect long-lasting car for a family of four.
Lowering the car will result in better steering and less leaning into curves which in turn fells way more comfortable but it is a matter of taste here so feel free what ever suits you. Getting rid of run-flat tires makes driving tremendously smoother and of course more quiet, you should really go for it.
The only thing I am missing momentarily is a bit more power. Specing in a 330d if possible would be the optimal solution I guess. Not saying that the 320d does not pack a punch, especially with its ~400 nm of torque but it's quite a gap on higher speeds compared to its bigger brother.
However keep an eye on the turbocharger when you get over 190,000 kilometres. I changed it for a completely rebuilt aswell as the diesel particle filter and the exhaust gas recirculation valve. This ensures another 200.000 km. I was able to get the repairs done for roughly 600€ here in germany. This car also synergizes well with fuel containing additives. It runs very smoothly if fueled up with one of them and accellerates better.
I hope you will have a lot of fun with your new 3-series.
I bought 1 month ago 330d F31 M sport, my first BMW and I fucking love it, what a beauty of a car
Sold my f31 330d for couple months ago, miss it EVERY every single day. Best car I ever had, hands down. Drove it from sweden trough the alps in france. Very economical car aswell. Only thing i did was to exchange the run flat tires and lowered it with springs. Drove like my track car.
Bought a 2013 320d touring sprtline with 184hp last week. The first car I’ve ever bought. What a beautiful car and it has plenty power! I’m just hoping it will last because wow, what a cool car.
I have 2014 320d m sport on 19’’ run flats.
I love the car…but find it very noisy. Wind, dampening from engine, agricultural sounding diesel etc
Otherwise its spot on.
How was the reliability of the automatic gearbox? I think it is a good transmission, how was your experience? Considering to buy one
The problem you have, is the UK is a wash with German cars, where a lot are owned or rented by people trying to elevate their status in life, they like the idea of owning one of these cars, unfortunately they are not so keen on keeping up with the maintenance, so you need to be careful when looking at a BMW, Merc, Audi because there's a lot of bad ones out there.
fur coat, no nickers as my ex would say 🤣
@@johniksushibar165 😂😂😂👍
@@johniksushibar165 wonderfully Funny…😀😀😀
@@quoman2232 thanks...i,m here all week
And this is how these German cars get bad rep for reliability. Keep the maintenance up on them and they’re bulletproof, but sadly most people don’t get the message.
"If you are thinking about buying a Qashqai, sort your head out! Get yourself a 3 series estate." Could not agree more! A mate went from a - not a Qashqai - but an Audi Q5 to a 3 series Touring, and could not believe how much nicer it is. Every bit as solid feeling as the Audi, but far nicer to drive.
Does that include the nismo version 😉🤣😍
Find one that had the indicators option ticked from new and you’re sorted!
@@ZanderKaneUK yes
@@modmod392 ha ha :|
Qashqai's are great - love mine. Great family car and never let us down 😁
“If you’re thinking of buying a qashqai, sort your head out” excellent advice sir, couldn’t have said it better myself.
Maybe you could said it better if you would try to.
Having just taken delivery of my 320d Msport I really appreciate this video and some of the common faults to look out for. Mines a once-in-a-lifetime perfect example of an extremely well looked after used vehicle.
It’s a late 2012 with 93k miles Japanese import but I’m blown away that there is not a single sign of use anywhere on the interior of the car, it’s looks and smells like it has just come out the factory. The exterior is beautifully clean too and not a single dent, scratch or scrape. The only thing showing any kind of age or use is 3 tiny stone chips on the front of the vehicle. Even the engine bay is so clean and free from rust and oil marks. The under carriage is even surprisingly clean with no signs of age, I don’t know if the Japanese climate is far less corrosive than the UK but it’s just unbelievable how clean and new everything is. The previous owner hasn’t even taken off the plastic film protection on the door sills and boot scrape plates. The car drives like a dream and runs as expected, definitely wouldn’t think this car is as old as it is. Being a Japanese spec, it has every optional extra including electric seats.
My only worry about this car is of course the ticking time bomb, timing chain. Apparently the chain itself isn’t the problem on this engines. It’s the sprocket that has really aggressive edging on the teeth and causes the stretching and ultimately snapping in some cases. But for £10,900 and the absolute immaculate condition of the car I honestly couldn’t be happier, definitely hit the used car lottery and glad I drove 2 hours to have a look at it in person.
Sounds like a cracking buy Steve 👍🏽
I've driven loads of different cars over 25 years for my job. I can honestly say the car I have now, a 320d X drive m sport f31 on a 64 plate is by far the best car I've ever had!! I've had it nearly 5 years and put over 200k on the clock and it's still as tight as a drum! No squeeks not rattles no knocks. All its had is tyres and brakes done. Oh and one infotainment system update. I agree with you on the back seat, it isn't the roomiest of cars but that would be my only negative comment! It handles like a dream, the grip is fantastic!! It is extremely comfortable and economical to drive. I'll definitely stick with bmw for my next company car!!!
I’ve had my 2014 320d tourer for a few months and love it. I’m 21, but being a petrol head drummer, it just makes sense. Superb cars for the money.
I've had two F31's, agree with everything Matt says on here.
The last one I had for 5 years, did over 20k miles a year in it for 3 years, then not a lot over lockdown. The only issue I had was a fault when I updated the satnav that needed a firmware update. Other than that, regular servicing and tyres were all it required for over 5 years! It's a great mile muncher on motorways but also nice to take around the twisties. Drop the box into manual and you get some really snappy changes with the paddle shift.
I've had one since 2018 - bought with 120K miles, 185k now and still feels fresh, very reliable! have wanted a new car for a while but struggle to find anything thats as good all round that doesn't cost 3 or 4 times what its worth
Any timing chain or turbo issues?
@@roverM30ds Nothing, still on original turbo - DPF and EGR went at about 155k miles which is to be expected really
@@scarlets911 normal diesel related engine issues then, not scary at all. You replace dpf or clean?
Buy an EV for your next beast, even a 2014 Tesla Model S. Filthy fossil fuel
burners are so C20th, low fuel costs, negligible service and parts costs even if you have to spend £2K on an MCU over all no oil, no plugs likely brake pads only every few years…
@@roverM30ds All replaced! wasn't too expensive and more reliable that way in my opinion
Matt, I just realized you feed a pre-recorded script to yourself through an earpiece in your right ear. Your dialogue is consistently polished, and I wondered how you were always so on point. Makes total sense now. Nothing wrong with using different tools to get the job done - just an observation on my part.
You can adjust the volume on the steering wheel as well as the dashboard mate 👍
I was thinking that. Not many cars now that you can't.
Well Matt, yours is one of my favourite YT channels and you have just enhanced your reputation in my eyes by testing a car I actually have. I agree with so much of your comments about this supremely practical car, although my top spec would differ from yours. My main beef with BMWs is their normally gloomy interiors, so my F31 320D auto has light leather upholstery and a panoramic glass sunroof. A point about rear-wheel-drive that you did not mention is the tight turning circle that comes from front wheels able to turn through a greater angle. For such a big car it is very manoeuvrable.
I’m an ageing BMW nut and have had a string of them for the past 15 years. The best (except this one) have had straight six engines - it is such a shame that these are gradually being phased out. I had the previous model E91 330D which went like the wind with complete lack of stress - still probably my favourite. I progressed to an M140i which was terrifyingly fast and with which my ageing reflexes could not cope, so it had to go (my wife was so relieved).
Thanks again for your great channel, long may it continue.
I’ve had an f31 335d msport for nearly 5 years now, I still absolutely adore it & have no plans to change it anytime soon, it’s a fantastic car! It’s only just turned over 50000 miles & the one & only problem I’ve had was that one of the electric boot struts failed which was covered under warranty. It does just about everything you could possibly want & I genuinely think it’s the best all things considered car you can buy.
Good video as always
According to the service history on my F31 this was replaced under warranty as well by BMW @ 18K
Great choice! Enjoy.
i have a15 plate 335d m sport all the car you could ever need 45mpg and goes lile a bat out of hell
@@Space_dino-edits435 Absolutely, it’s got the complete package. It does beg the question Why would you buy an M3? 🤔 unless you go on a track regularly.
Had a 2015 facelifted 335xd Touring and I did 120k km on it over 3 years. Best drivetrain on the market in this segment. A bit old school interior but I liked it that way. Never let me down and the only car I ever owned in a bright red color
I still have my 2015 335xd Touring and will never sell it and keep it in the fleet instead. What a legendary car. Did a 500km+ round trip on the autobahn yesterday, and it’s just so competent, smooth and relaxing drive. Loving it. Will age well. New BMWs tend to suck, sadly.
At this point I prefer the 3 series estates look over the saloon and that’s mainly because the 4 gran coupe ruined the saloon for me as it’s essentially the same styling as the 3 still with 4 doors but with better looking proportions which I can’t help seeing every time I look at the 3 saloon.
Brilliant video and I couldn’t agree more. We went to buy a Tiguan but when we got to the dealership, it was sat next to a 520d touring and I just had to have it. A dog and 3 kids it’s literally the best car I could ask for! Drives well good mpg, fast enough , does everything
Great review these "are" the perfect small family tourer.
I work solely on BMW's so here is a little more info around the diesel engined cars for potential buyers. All the N47/N57 & B47/B37/B57 diesels must have regular oil changes with decent quality oil, so before buying take the oil cap off the engine and look inside with a torch, you'll be able to see the aluminium cam carrier and a little bit of the exhaust cam. If it's not almost perfectly clean i.e. you can clearly see it's aluminium and the part of the cam is nice and clean then walk away and if it's black, run...
All N47 engined models from 2012 onwards until the change to B engines the chain will eventually snap, with badly maintained cars seeing this failure sometimes under 70k miles. Well maintained cars especially 2013 onwards should last 200k before you should consider changing after having it checked. Decent BMW indies can check the camshaft chain and whether it's badly stretched with proprietry tools without dismantling the engine for approx 1½ hours labour give or take.
All 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series from 2012 until the LCI facelift suffer with steering rack knocks over bumps with this starting around 30k on some cars. This was due to BMW cutting costs and using a plastic insert in the rack instead of the metal insert with rubber o-rings as used in the e90 generation cars. The official repair kit is available from all BMW main dealers at a cost of just £25 and would take an indy no more than an hour or two to fit and run the required service function. This completely transforms the feeling of the car, even if it hasn't started knocking badly (it has, you just can't hear it)
Sticky EGR valve issues can usually be resolved for under £200 from an indy (using aftermarket parts) and an inlet manifold decoke especially if blocked badly will really improve economy and performance. Quickest way to check if your inlet manifold needs a decoke is to remove the MAP sensor which is easily accessible on the top of the manifold, only need to remove the engine cover to get to it. Usually secured with a T30 torx, undo and pull the sensor out and there should be a hole in the middle. If not and you can see it's blocked, get the manifold and EGR cleaned.
YOU HAVE MORE THAN THE BEGINNINGS OF A CHANNEL HERE. MANY BMW OWNERS WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH YOU ON THEIR CARS, INCLUDING CURRENT OWNERS AND THOSE CONSIDERING BUYING. A GOOD REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY GO A LONG WAY WITH JADED, SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE, SO DO THINK ABOUT IT AND IF YOU HAVE THE TIME OF COURSE.
Really useful info. Thank you 😊
@@grahamcarr17 Always happy to help my buddies in the Black Mountain Hills of Dakota, hope you managed to sort out that bother with Nancy. With the N57N engines mostly being paired with auto boxes, the stress on the chains is lessened somewhat but the same issue will occur eventually.
It's all about regular servicing and BMW's service intervals are way longer than they should be (what works in a laboratory controlled environment isn't the same as on the road) try to keep oil changes to 8k miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
If your engine looks clean under the oil cap keep up the regular maintenance and there's no real need to think about the chain till you've hit 140k in my experience, then get it checked by an indy who can perform the stretch test using the top tensioner method.
Oil changes are easy to do yourself with just a few tools, loads of videos covering them on TH-cam
Jack up car and secure with axle stands, undo the sump drain bolt with a 17mm spanner or socket and drain oil into suitable container when the car is "warm" i.e. you've let it cool down for 20-30 minutes
*NOTE* not straight after a drive as oil temps can reach 90C+.
Place a little cloth around the oil filter housing to catch any drops and undo the oil filter cap with a 27mm socket until it can be removed but don't remove it fully yet. Wait a few minutes to allow as much oil as possible to drain, then remove the oil filter cap which will usually have the old oil filter attached.
Remove the old oil filter (either from the cap or the housing) clean the cap and replace the rubber oil ring seal which will be included in the new oil filter box. Take the new oil filter noting the tab on the bottom which locates in the hole at the bottom of the oil filter housing. Push the filter into place and you should feel it locate securely.
Replace the filter cap (don't forget to change the seal first) pushing down slightly until the thread engages and screw in by hand initially so you know the cap is going on straight, before tightening fullly. If you haven't got a torque wrench, they just need a little nip - no need to go nuts.
Replace the copper sump bolt crush washer with the one supplied with the new filter and tighten up the sump drain bolt to 25nm or again just a little nip, as you tighten you can feel the copper give way slightly, don't over tighten.
Re fill with oil and keep an eye on the dash cluster when starting, make sure there are no driver warnings and let it warm up whilst visually checking for leaks. Drop the car down after you're happy there are no leaks and pat yourself on the back for a job well done and spend the money saved on something nice :)
Excellent. I agree with the guy who says you could start a channel with your knowledge.
Great info, thanks.
I’ve noticed my late 2014 330d Touring makes a slight knocking sound when going over speed bumps. I think the steering is fantastic in these (better than my previous E36 328 Sport, E46 M3 and E92 330i coupe), so if the steering rack fix improves it, I’d be absolutely delighted!
I’ve had my 2018 320d Touring Auto from new (pre-Reg bargain) and just can’t fault it, the best all-rounder on the road. Second MOT passed recently with nothing to note whatsoever. It feels like new, drives like new and hasn’t so much as blown a bulb in 4 years. Brilliant car.
As a 30-something who has just bought a '15 F31 and is trying his level best not to give up, I feel very seen by this review. The volume knob thing is spot on, so many times I've reached for the iDrive dial to turn the volume up.
Why don't you use the volume buttons on the steering wheel?
@@GreenStorm01 Your hand is already down on the centre console, navigating between Bluetooth, DAB or whatever, and you decide you want to turn it up or down. Your immediate intuition is to use the dial in your hand, but it’s not there. It’s not a huge issue, it’s just a quirk of design that I noticed too.
@@KristoferFoster You actually can do all that on the steering wheel with the "mode"-button.
Avoid the single tail pipe 320d pre 2015. Fitted with the N47 engine.
This engine was replaced with the B47 engine which has twin tail pipes on the 320d.
They are all fine provided they are oil changed EVERY year and not every 2 years as BMW dealers will state.
Another thing is the 320d has 295ib torque over 195ib torque for the 320 petrol.
Full consumption is far superior in the 320d ( around 50-55 mpg) where as the petrol equivalent is 35-40mpg ).
I know from experience having just bought a low mileage 34k 320d . Neighbour has petrol model.
To be fair, my 2012 320d is now at 192800 miles as of today and has been flawless in my 4 years of ownership so far. I service the engine every 6-7k miles so running strong for me!
@@JayGatsby187 95% of the N47 timing chain failures are the people who service there car every 20k. Same thing happened to the OM651 that Mercedes used and some 3ltr vag engines.
@@JayGatsby187 good to know as I’ve just taken delivery of a beautiful 2012 320d at 94k. Thanks for this post
I have the 335d F31 and I can honestly say it's the complete car you will ever need!
What are the headlights like at night? I had read some comments that they are poor ?
I like the F31. My favourite design. Not keen on the bigger grille of the new ones.
Definitely a face only it's mother could love.
@@Mentis-de g20 is really nice but not worth the huge jump in price to upgrade from the f31 - get mppsk on the f31 and you have the same power as the g20 and without the OPF filter bollocks too
I've a 2016 320d ED sport. It's now on 180k miles.
It will get over 65mpg if I sit with the wagons in the slow lane and that's with the 19" staggered. More if you turn of the cruise and make the best of the ED coasting modes.
You still get to have fun with the sports mode and traction turned off.
As for reliability 180k 6 years old and only part replaced was a turbo actuator at £200. Other than that service parts only.
Trouble is with having a 3 series estate, everyone thinks you’re unmarked police! Still a great car though, and love the new model too👍
Police? I would think you were a member of the local gangsters..
I have a white one . Still draws glances. Especially if I sit at a lay-by with the back window open.
I would have thought that was an advantage, not to mention rather entertaining!
@@Mentis-de In Denmark we have a saying: "BMW 3-tyrker", that means something like BMW 3-Turks and is associated to the middle east gangs. Police drives Volvo V90 and VW Passat here.
@@Mentis-de Here it matters which gang you are a member of. Some drive Audi's, some Mercedes but mostly they drive BMW's. Also brand new cars, leased.. They cheat the the taxes on the cars. :)
My 2013 320d f31 has done 202000 miles and has not missed a beat apart from a clutch . Top review
Has the timing chain been replaced do you know? I’ve just bought 13’ 318d f31 with 90k. Worried as a few threads mention about them
No hasn't needed it doing just regular oil changes unless it's noisey .
How's it going still? I'm thinking of getting a 318d 2014 140k mileage. Only 4.3k for it too so ain't to bad...
My 330d M Sport Touring Shadow Line with M Performance body kit is the best car I’ve owned. Just an amazing all rounder. I also think it has some of the best steering response and feel of any BMW. Better than my previous E36 328 Sport, E46 M3 and E92 330i Coupe.
I chose the 330d M Sport over the 335d as it’s RWD (335d is only available as X-drive which adds about 125kg) and the suspension is proper M Sport spec unlike M Sport 335d which run on SE suspension even in M Sport spec. The difference in turn-in and body control is big.
BMW absolutely nailed it with the F31.
hello. what are repair costs like if u have had any experience with this? is it as high as people make out
@@user-cn1em2qx6fwhat does expensive mean? It’s a BMW so it probably costs more in general to repair than a Ford. I never did the comparison. The only thing I had to repair on mine were punctured run-flat tyres. They’re pretty expensive!
Driving that exact car since I took it in P/X back in January, Pano Roof makes all the difference in my opinion, especially if you've got the ubiquitous Charcoal Black Leather interior, mines done 106,000 miles and truly drives like new still, spot on as usual Matt, all the best 👍
pano roof is a must
Ever had any issues with the roof before? Looking at buying a 2013 plate with an opening pano roof, so grateful for any feedback 🙏
@@Godot28 I've lost count of the amount of these I've had with a pano roof over the years, personally never had a problem, and nor are they particularly prone to fault, I suppose you could be unlucky, but not something I'd worry about, good luck, can't really go wrong with a 3 series touring.
@@Broomehall thanks very much for your reply.
That 3 Series Estate is drop dead gorgeous! The estates, hatchbacks and sportsbacks are just as practical as as SUV's and more fun to drive. I wish we weren't so obsessed with SUV's here in the States. It seems like Europeans are starting to like them too.
i had a f30 320d m sport and ive done 214k miles in that car and still had plenty of life left and was driving like a dream,i obviously mantained the car and i over serviced it but everyting felt like a sub 50k car when i sold it
I had a f31 328i and regret getting rid of it. The ultimate all rounder for me 👍🏻
I've got an F30 30d Xdrive and it is the ultimate daily car. Great for crusing around in but got some horses there when you want or need it. Brilliant car! 17 plate with just 22k on the clock and I had it for £25k. I love it. Almost every option on it also in Tanzanite blue. 👍
Great, well balanced review as alway Matt 👌 If that F31 had a 3.0d engine it would be near perfection 👌 especially in that speck & colour. Having owned two 2.0d Touring previously (E46 & E91) was enough for me to never again buy a 4 pot BMW. For me at least, they all have to have at least 6 cylinders (petrol or diesel) so currently I'm dailying an E70 X5 Xdrive 30d which replaced an E61 525d 👍
I bought an F31 last year after selling my maserati Ghibli, I went for the x drive M sport with 120k on the clock. Since put 14k on and paid to have the chain replaced along with auto box service and diff service as preventative measures.
Been driving it for a year now and I normally get bored of my cars after 3-4 months but this one has pleasantly surprised me. The cost of running is much cheaper than my maserati, it’s great in the snow, great for long journeys and has more optional extras than any other car I’ve owned. I’d give it 9/10 on my car score as an all round fun and comfortable but practical motor 😎.
If you wouldn’t mind sharing, what year model is your F31 and how did the chain look when you replaced it? Was it still fine or stretched or was it looking like it’s on its last legs?
"It's for that mid to late 30's man who's now got a family but hasn't given up on life yet" erm... 🙋🏾♂️
Great review! Nailed all the pros and cons. Zf8 is exceptional. Egr is an ongoing recall. Steering usually suffers from a knock from the rack which is an easy fix. But overall, fantastic car 👏🏽
On my 320d I can hear a knock occasionally when turning left at low speed, is that what you mean? What is the usual fix?
I always prefer estates over a saloon it's soo much more practical. Even hatchbacks are more practical than saloons in some cases
Especially if you have dogs, with a saloon you cant put them anywhere. Hatchbacks, estates, crossovers ftw
Estates are ALWAYS better looking than the saloon version too.
@@Mentis-de All subjective, but its notbestates that are being culled from model lines is it?
I have a 3.0D 2018 X3, although I previously had a BMW 220D and must admit, the B47 engine is brilliant, can be relatively fast and fuel economy is good if you can tempt yourself to turn sports mode off, the 8 speed gearbox is great too, great review Matt.
I recently bought an f34 320d 2019 m sport- and wow what a car, the first ever automatic car ive owned and the zf-8 speed is fantastic some people say its the best auto ever made and i see why, yes its not lightning quick but for a family of 4 it is amazing and the boot is bigger than the estate version
I own this car, the handling, acceleration and fuel consumption are very good. The problems are: xdrive can break after 150 - 200k kms, the timing chain needs to be replaced around 180 -200 km (n47 engine) and EGR valve may also need to be replaced after this mileage (after 2015 they should be ok). Beware that the BMW car parts can be double the price of standard cars. Anyway I love this car and it would be a problem to replace it with a new one because new BMWs are very expensive :)
Even now the only car anyone would/could need. New one is brilliant. And there is the stunning prospect of the M3 Touring.
I had a 2014 from new / 335d xdrive touring, manual seats though in a 46k car . I would have got the 5 series but they were only 2 wheel drive . The 335d was very good on diesel .
I’ve owned an f31 335d for just over a month now and I love it, for what it is I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a great all rounder! Thanks for this review Mat
Hired a 335d a couple of times. Properly quick and the ZF box is amazing. Not a fan of the electric steering though. Numb. Not a patch on my old E36 coupe’s steering.
Yep, you honestly CAN tell the difference.
As an f31 owner, I have been waiting for this exact review for the longest time! I was on your channel even yesterday, looking through your reviews, and thinking to myself why you dont have a review video of one of the best selling cars in Europe. And the universe answered my prayers the morning after!
I drive the baby version of this car. A simple 2017 316d with no fancy options. Still the car feels amazing to drive and perfect for my lifestyle of short commutes and occasional road trips. I only wish I had a chance to test drive a 6 cylinder model. But realistically, I do not need all that power. My car does over 22km/l on highways and i really cant complain about that. Thanks for the review!
Just as a note, the same exact engine is in the 316, 318, ,320 and 325d but only thned differently so a simple remap can get you 220-275bhp and the car would feel night and day in terms of performance
Sold my 320d m sport f31 in estroli blue in September last year for a m140i. I honestly think the 320d handled better. Glides in and out of corners .Travelled the UK in it with my band mates and fully loaded with music gear. Great cars and was/still tempted to trade my 1 series in for another. I would recommend getting the 330d though. My biggest regret was not getting the bigger engine. I had the Chrysler 300c estate with the merc v6 diesel prior and missed not having that bottom end power. Only negatives for me with the f31 was the crashy ride and creaky door sills. However ptfe tape sorted the noises and moving off runflats softed the ride. The adaptive suspension in my 1 series is a big win. Not many people spec'd it in the 3 series though.
Wanted a 1 series for a long time, specially the BIG engine, it has less driver aids than the 3 series so meant to be "more" a drivers car than the 3 series, would you agree? Or that just reviewer hyperbole? Where do you find the 1 series leaves you wanting more?
@@ZanderKaneUK I got given my m140i with mismatched tyres. Once I sorted that. It sharpened the handling up massively. Even after 7 months I'm still learning the car to be honest. Just discovered the fun of using the auto box in manual. The b58 engine is great! Not sure I have heard the m140i as being more of a drivers car, it shares all the same stuff as the 3. Same ZF box, electric power steering and many other bits.If I had an extra 7k I would of got the 340i estate. I think the chassis of the 1 series struggles with having so much power put though it so it's hard to get it down, Its still a good handling car. But it's not like a focus RS or Hyundai n30i.
@@jamesthesecond1123 I recommend ditching the adaptive dampers on the m140i for either the Birds B1 kit or the Bilstein B12 kit. Both are a massive improvement over the stock adaptive dampers.
@@1210mk5g See I was contemplating putting the money in to make it better. But LSD, Suspension and a bit more and I'm around 3k. I'm edging close to m2 money. Plus I like the comfort of having adaptive.
@@jamesthesecond1123 B12 kit can be had for around £550 on autodoc and I found it more comfortable that the adaptive.
I have a 3 series touring with a 6 cylinder diesel. If you haven’t driven this engine you’ll be perfectly happy with the 4 cylinder. If you have, there’s no going back
I dont like tiny crossovers either, but you need that extra ground clearance in many places during heavy snowfalls that can last days. The only ones getting out from my 25 car parking lot this winter were the Mokkas, Kugas and the Qashqais :) And the same happens when 25cm of compressed snow starts to melt in the spring. The rear wheel drive Germans and the hybrids were left sitting. Luckily the awd is reasonably priced in the 3-series
It's a great looking car. Those tints are nice and subtle. Estates do look better even the A6 avant looks good. Great review, mate.
Thanks! 👍
I have a 2018 320d, and fit your stereotype perfectly. 30 something (just), wife and 2 kids. This is my second, and I love it. I must admit I find the DSG gearboxes a little better, but this auto does the job well.
I’ve had a stage 1 remap on both of mine, and it adds a useful 40/50 bhp, at no real risk to the engine (in my experience anyway, my last one had 110k when I changed for current car).
I have slightly less bling, and 17” wheels as I only fit premium tyres and the ride is a little more compliant in my opinion.
Great review👍
How is 3series Touring with 2 babyseats in the back? Is there enough room for that?
@@puma78862 no problems. The isofix mounts are quite close to the middle, so you can only fit 2 seats in the back, but never been an issue for us. Boot really good size for buggies/prams etc.
Good honest review as always of a nice looking beemer touring as prefer this 3 model rather then the saloon model…much more classy I think.
If the UK police force use them then you know they must be good robust quick n reliable too!!
You can actually adjust the volume from the steering wheel Mat..
I know but on Audis you can do both
Possibly all the car you could need in the UK
Apart from ice / snow conditions 2 wheel rear wheel drive stays in the garage. Take the bus or taxi
The 3 Series Touring is the definitive "dad car", alongside the defunct Saab 9-5. It's a car that tailors to the need of a family, as all estates do, but still bears the signature focus on the driving experience that BMW's 3 Series line is marketed aggressively through.
More than anything else, I remember an ad campaign for the 3 Series Touring that ran in Italy in the mid-2000s, with music by Giovanni Allevi, and the relaxing piano music paired really well with the looks of the car.
Have a 330d m sport Xdrive, absolutely great car. Terrific engine and build quality, pleasure to drive and good on fuel for the performance. Much better ride on the Xdrive which comes with non sports suspension. Surprised at your experience of BMW dealers as have found them to be very good on service compared to other makes. Car was an ex demo and came fully loaded. Won’t be changing anytime soon.
Is the touring better or the saloon for a young driver
@@ajmufc2415 Depends on what you want to use it for. Touring has more space probably better for a family. Have not driven a touring so not sure how they compare from a driving perspective.
@@neilburgin4257 cheers for getting back to me mate. I think I might go for the saloon but I found a really nice touring on auto trader and I’m leaning towards it. Always driven hatchbacks so looking to upgrade!
@@ajmufc2415 Enjoy whichever version you buy.
My brother-in-law has the 335d x-drive… what an engine! I get that the 320d is more fuel efficient, but the BMW 6-cylinder diesel is incredible (and bloody fast).
Great review though, as always.
I've literally just part exchanged a 2017 tiguan r line for one of these, 335d m sport touring with 12k extras on, what a car. I've had an audi rs4 in the past and this BMW comes bloody close to matching if not beating it for being an all rounder
Matt, I do love it that you slag off the Nissan Qhashimodo as much as I do! Always seen in black or grey and always driven by mums on the school run, usually with the door mirrors still folded in!
I had the 330d touring. A great car but in all honesty the 320 would be a better choice for economy and usability. For me it has to be an automatic too. The ultimate workhorse . If you're an engineer looking for a reason to dodge a transit, then this is it
handsome motor, understated, smart, great car.
Another great review Matt, I have a 4 series and can wholeheartedly agree with your comments about BMW main dealers. My experiences have been appalling on several occasions so I steer clear of them and use a local BMW independent specialist for half the price and much better service; I wish I'd checked the reviews of my local main dealer before I let them touch my car, it was almost exclusively negative feedback even to the point where people trying to buy a new car had even given up with their sales department. Do you realise there's a volume control on the wheel for the stereo so you don't really need one down near the iDrive controller?
Had one and loved it but had get rid of after knee replacements,just to low for entry and exit. Driving amorok now and loving it,your review on the amorok pointed me right direction.
Everyone I knew or listened to online said stick Michelin PS4 tyres on straight away. As ever in life, I didn't listen and ran the run flat Pirelli P Zero's it came with until they failed the MOT. I'd been underwhelmed by the steering and handling, even as a middle-aged driver who barely got out of comfort mode, and had started to question everyone who raved about the 3 series. I did of course replace the tyres with the PS4s and wow, what a difference! I still miss my previous S3 saloon but now I know my F31 touring is every bit the sports car this old boy can handle but with the added bonus of being the motorway cruiser my Audi could never be.
Alot of people seem to enjoy the handling of bmw with the 50/50 weight distribution. I'm definitely one of them. Owned 4 cars so far, all of them bmw 3-series from different generations. Driven a few hundred thousand km in total, never has one of them broken down on me. Few small faults like a cam position sensor, and a mass airflow sensor, but nothing major. Also always been able to drive home, even with a sensor failure.
My 2012 F31 320d Auto has done 225k. Service it well and it will look after you for many years/miles to come.
Never had any timing chain issues? That’s the only thing that’s stressing me out about mine (bought a 2012 F31 320d with 93k miles yesterday)
Thanks
I run a 2016 435i, and i can say that the steering and adaptive suspension (F30-F31-F32) is the Achilles tendon of this series. It definitely does not feel like a hydraulic rack resulting in very poor straight line stability and even more it's unreliable too, all electric racks start to develop a kind of knocking noise sooner or later due to premature wear of a plastic part in the mechanic's of the rack. The new improved part (with extra rubber o-rings) solves the knocking noises but it even completely now eliminates any kind of feedback of the front wheels, which in my opinion is really spoiling the driving experience. Suspension with the adaptive dampers does not feel natural, it may work on a good condition road but on bumpy roads it makes the care to move much to much, which feel very unnatural and does not give any confidence. So to conclude in my eyes the F '3 series' is not an ultimate driving machine, the problem becomes worse in the higher powered versions as expectations are higher there . It has to be said the new G series is doing better on the steering and riding properties
Spot on with the volume knob, was thinking it's in the wrong location when driving my 320d yesterday!
No regrets about avoiding the SUV
Cabin is so dark without a panoramic roof , friend has the same car with the glass roof and it is a very pleasant place to be as a passenger .
I'd buy one for my Fam, good choice 👍👍Biggest issue; 2018 BMW 3 series Touring only 236 for sale on AT. 2018 Qashqai = 2,256 for sale on AT. That's a lot of head sorting required Matt 🤣🤣
I had a brand new 2017 plate 335D, in exactly the same colour and a shadow edition. Monster engine, and very quick. One of the best cars I have ever owned. Kept it for 3 years and did 49k miles. 👍👍👍
Hi Matt, I think the electronic handbrake with auto hold function is the best thing since sliced bread, just stop and go, great for an old'un like me, also had a 630d GT for 20 months best car I've ever had, I think your review was spot on.
timeless looks
That Rishi comment about the fine is superb!
We just bought a 18' 330i xDrive full option last october and did already 10k kilometers on it.
Perfect for daily use. My parents had a 520d F11 which was quite bigger and a much more comfortable ride. But i prefer more the petrol engine with the sportiness.
Really love the facelift.
As a Volvo V70 owner, estates are just cool 👌😎
My 318d is a dream.
Navi pro, m steering wheel just like yours..
It feels more expensive somehow, tho I wish it was 330 but oh well, all in all great car.
I would have a wagon over a crossover SUV any day.
Absolutely love these cars
Had a Range Rover and when I got fed up with the cost I got a 330d touring. Now got a L405 Range Rover because missed the luxury. But do miss my Bmw best all rounder you can have. Just does everything well
I couldn't agree with you more! In fact the only reasonable reason I can think of is if you needed to carry something larger then that would be the same set up but the 5 series!
I agree with a lot of what you said but suv's are a lot easier to get in and out of especially if you have baby/child seats, I have a 2018 f31 and passengers always complain about how low it is!
I agree, I’ve got bad knees and my F31 absolutely destroys my knees getting in and out…especially when the footwell carpet slips when trying to get 😵
We also have an F31 320d and do about 35k km a year, the perfect car for a family with 2 children. My wife is nagging me to get a crossover but I refuse to give up the F31, we are on the second BMW, we had an E91.Our second car is what I get from the office for work,this year I have a boring Skoda octavia 1.6 diesel :(
Gave up ours for an suv, why age and mobility became a problem.. but Incould never understand why my wife says she’s Ben nearly T boned getting out of our road end. Until I tried it, from stop to go full lock required aircon was on and then it dawned .. as a 6ton tipper bore down on us the “ fly by wire throttle” was compromised by the lack of revs on full elec steering lock. Teh car almost stalled… they should come with a health warning
Had a 420d Coupe and it was faultless in the 4 years I had it.
Constantly did near 50mpg and I have to say the BMW dealership was great.
Nice car, only problem I have is much of the switch gear is the same as the E8x 1 series that is nearing 20 years old now. I had a complete lemon of one.
Couldn’t agree more, the perfect family car.
Loved my F31 320d estate. It was a fantastic car.
Does everyone else while watching these videos go straight to autotrader! Great video 👍
Yes. But have to exercise considerable restraint! 🤣
@@andrewoakley4957 😁
Drove a late 2014 plate one of these and actually quite impressed with the driving dynamics. Only thing was it was a manual so I would agree with matt and go for the
Auto box.
I had black 2008 320D MSport (N47) with cloth interior, lovely adjustable bolster, unfortunatly got hit my a transit van and now a Tasman Metallic 2010 318D Exclusive (N47) with saddle brown interior. I sometimes miss having MSport, only sometimes, but the front end respose on both cars were/is still every bit BMW. Them both being 2.0 have very similar torque characteristics, so I don't really compare the 20D vs the 18D, except VED costs. The 320D made it to 201k miles, it still gave 53mpg average, passed all emissions, etc. I am considering an F10 5 series touring, but in terms of cost vs usabiltiy, etc, I can't seem to beat the BMW. Plus being a DIY mech, I have access to lots of info sources for the BMW, I know them, etc. Obviously I can't think that way forever! I have a 5 year old and estates should be a minium for familes.
Had a '67 plate 335d Shadow Edition for just over a year now. Best BMW I've had. Love it. :D
Reliable ?
Surely you should also have mentioned the Jag sportbrake as an alternative too, Matt? I think they look even better than the BMW. They are very much colour and trim dependent though.
Dream car, hopefully in the next few years
BMTec in Salford are my independent specialist of choice in the NW. Great guys, fair and very practical if you work in Manchester.
If you would drive on the right(left) side of the road the volume button would be well in reach. Great review!
Last June I shopped for a replacement for my ‘got it when I was desperate’ yeti, and went to Audi. Sorry sir you need to make an appointment, eh! BMW, to look at one of these - you want a test drive, oh erm we don’t normally allow that, eh! And then VW who seems to think they were selling Bentleys and riffraff like myself should perhaps consider it a privilege to look at their cars, yeah right f*£&off. So I ended up at Skoda, again. Not disappointed just oh well.
Good morning Matt I can't believe that the interior is exactly the same as my 2 Series convertible which is also excellent car but that's my opinion excellent videos usual nice one cheers Phil from Newark
Totally agree with the Cash Cow sentiment. I personally have C250 estate and love it.
Another great review Matt. A family member has the current 3 series saloon and to be honest it’s a very nice car but I am utterly underwhelmed by it. It’s too low and feels cramped. Stunningly refined though. That’s just my own opinion and would not tell anyone to avoid the Beemer. At least the boot looks as big as my C Class estate. A criticism I have of older 3 series tourers. A fuller comparison between this, the A4 Avant and the C class estate would make a great video. There is no right answer of which to get but what you want in your car. I agree with you. Why do folk buy these ridiculous SUVs? My dog dictated the Merc for me. I opened the boot in an E Niro a colleague at work has and the boot is smaller than a Mk7 Golf, my other car. My Labrador would not have approved.
2015-2017 320d tourer £30 road tax a year.
However if you opt for the X drive model it pushes up emissions and increase the road tax.
I have owned my 2014 F31 330D 6 years, Has been serviced when due and has never needed anything repairing on it apart from a egr recall currently at 62000 miles.
Well said fella! 'Soft road' mid size SUVs are such lazy and misguided purchases.
Couldn’t agree more with your sentiment regards estates vs suvs - I think too many people wrongly opt for high seating position as opposed to driving dynamics.
I have an f31 330d and love it so much I’m struggling to part with it despite the lust for an f80 m3, not sure I can stomach losing the practicalities and economy not to mention at least double the price tag.
Last point I’d mention is really the diesel is the option for the long distance drivers….not the school run and popping to the shop, they get bunged up if they don’t get hot….and start breaking down..top tip, make sure if you opt for a diesel you’re going to get it up to temperature before turning it off 😊
Thanks for the vid, great review