£30k BMW.

I'm actually getting to the point whereby I'd pick the diesel one over the petrol one. Bizarre.

Other than when its warning up it's just such a fantastic engine.

As for fuel efficiency, mine is dreadful from cold on short trips but once it's warmed up its excellent. I just finished covering 175 miles and it averaged 51.9mpg.

Staggering given the performance on offer.
 
[TW]Fox;29321284 said:
I'm actually getting to the point whereby I'd pick the diesel one over the petrol one. Bizarre.

Other than when its warning up it's just such a fantastic engine.

As for fuel efficiency, mine is dreadful from cold on short trips but once it's warmed up its excellent. I just finished covering 175 miles and it averaged 51.9mpg.

Staggering given the performance on offer.
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Yup, though M5 is tempting at current money.
 
These are cars for covering big miles on long trips and if you do that then the long range and trivial fuel expenses are big bonuses. Especially for European touring where cheap diesel and excellent economy make even the longest of jaunts cheap.
 
Dis86 said:
Where does the op specify an estate or touring? It says five door which normally refers to a hatch.
And if you're spending 30k flat out on a car with 300 ponies then I don't see why economy is your greatest concern! He's obviously interested in performance which is more traditionally associated with petrol.
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He specifies 5 doors. The 3 and 5 series have 5 doors in touring guise. I would say 5 doors normally refers to a vehicle with 5 "doors", and no other distinction.

He also specified, specifically, a diesel, and 300+ bhp. The cost of the car is irrelevant next to his requirements surely? I spent £40k+ on mine, and wanted performance and economy. Hence the 530d.

The Mad Rapper said:
No it doesn't. 5 doors is 5 doors - doesn't matter whether it's hatch or estate body types.
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This.

[TW]Fox;29321284 said:
I'm actually getting to the point whereby I'd pick the diesel one over the petrol one. Bizarre.

Other than when its warning up it's just such a fantastic engine.

As for fuel efficiency, mine is dreadful from cold on short trips but once it's warmed up its excellent. I just finished covering 175 miles and it averaged 51.9mpg.

Staggering given the performance on offer.
Click to expand...

And this. From an apparent, vocal, diesel hater. Shows just how good a choice it really is. Especially given the fact he had his 335i for a whole of 3 months or so.
 
xs2man said:
He specifies 5 doors. The 3 and 5 series have 5 doors in touring guise. I would say 5 doors normally refers to a vehicle with 5 "doors", and no other distinction.

He also specified, specifically, a diesel, and 300+ bhp. The cost of the car is irrelevant next to his requirements surely? I spent £40k+ on mine, and wanted performance and economy. Hence the 530d.



This.
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Ok, so perhaps the OP could clarify? Does it include estates?
 
[TW]Fox;29321284 said:
I'm actually getting to the point whereby I'd pick the diesel one over the petrol one. Bizarre.
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sqtko.jpg


The only thing I'd question about the OP is why drop £30k cash on one. That sort of money could be used elsewhere imo.
 
Yes, they are. But it doesn't detract from the fact that the OP specifically mentions 5 doors, and the 3 series being top of the list so far.

So it is either the Touring or the Gran Turismo. And, to be honest, they are BOTH still 3 series, which contradicts your statement that the 3 series doesn't have 5 doors. 1 out of 3 variations of the 3 series doesn't have 5 doors.
 
Wait, no I didn't.

It doesn't contradict my statement at all. One is a Touring and again some seem to class this as a 5 door, some don't. The other - as i mentioned in the first post is a GT which is just disgusting.
 
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They are STILL 3 series though. They are still the 3 Series Touring, or 3 Series Gran Touring.

And as for some people who don't class estates as 5 doors? Just lol. Anyone who doesn't class an estate as a 5 door is simply wrong.
 
xs2man said:
He specifies 5 doors. The 3 and 5 series have 5 doors in touring guise. I would say 5 doors normally refers to a vehicle with 5 "doors", and no other distinction.

He also specified, specifically, a diesel, and 300+ bhp. The cost of the car is irrelevant next to his requirements surely? I spent £40k+ on mine, and wanted performance and economy. Hence the 530d.



This.



And this. From an apparent, vocal, diesel hater. Shows just how good a choice it really is. Especially given the fact he had his 335i for a whole of 3 months or so.
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Lol, every time I post something rational that might suggest somebody shouldn't buy a diesel you think I'm a rabid petrol fanboy. I've had plenty diesels and they're good for what they do, I just think there's a tool for every job. Calm down about it, and if you don't like someone else's view then feel free to counter it in a grown up manner, but the "omg diesel hater" rubbish in every thread is getting really boring. It's not like I've replied "I'd never buy a diesel lol, dagadagadaga"

We don't actually know the rationale behind the diesel requirement, my point was that it should probably be understood before accepting it. Just like if someone says "must be petrol" and is doing 30k miles a year then it should probably be questioned. If he says the guy is doing 18k a year and wants to take jaunts across Europe then cool, he's on the right line. If he does 8k a year then maybe it should be questioned, especially if he's after the best driving experience and never does long trips.

Yes, the BMW 6 pot diesels are incredibly impressive and the fact they're appealing to hardened petrol heads now is high praise. But if you want to argue they're a more enjoyable drive than the equivalent petrol then you'll have some justification to make! A better all rounder? Yeah, quite possibly, depending on how it's used.

Try giving some thought to the fact that not everyone uses a car like you do and doesn't have the same priorities, it's not a personal insult when someone says a diesel might not be the best choice!
 
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[TW]Fox;29321284 said:
I'm actually getting to the point whereby I'd pick the diesel one over the petrol one. Bizarre.

Other than when its warning up it's just such a fantastic engine.

As for fuel efficiency, mine is dreadful from cold on short trips but once it's warmed up its excellent. I just finished covering 175 miles and it averaged 51.9mpg.

Staggering given the performance on offer.
Click to expand...

Out of interest, is that calculated or as per the trip computer? Do you find a significant difference between the two on your car?

Thanks
 
Yeah, I am aware of all that. Wasn't a dig at anyone.

We don't actually know the rationale behind the diesel requirement, my point was that it should probably be understood before accepting it.
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In this context though, a diesel was part of the requirements. For whatever reason. That's not for me, or you to go against surely? It's not for being a diesel "fanboy". And being so new, and under warranty, the usual "extra" costs associated with the diesels are largely irrelevant.

But if you want to argue they're a more enjoyable drive than the equivalent petrol then you'll have some justification to make!
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They are to me, for my general daily driving style. All the justification I require really.

I am not against petrol either. I have a V8 range rover afterall. So it's not like I'm all about fuel economy. And I am actively looking to replace my excellent 530d with a petrol powered motor. I see the advantages of both. But for a 1 car household, or for the daily use car, it's hard to see how a diesel would be the worse choice with this budget / set of requirements (that we know about).
 
Joe T said:
Out of interest, is that calculated or as per the trip computer? Do you find a significant difference between the two on your car?

Thanks
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I don't.

Here is a link to my fuelly page for my 530d: http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/530d/2013/xs2man/250603

This obviously calculates the actual mpg, but in the notes, I generally always take not of what the OBC states as mpg, as well as the average mph over that tank, and the fuel brand used in the fill up.

There is 36k worth of data there. And I find the OBC is often within around 1 mpg of the calculated data.
 
I think questioning the requirements is perfectly fair and valid! We don't know the OPs friend, I think we ALL have known people who do low mileage and decide they must have a diesel for £30 tax and 60mpg. The OPs friend might be completely clued up and have perfectly good reasons, but we don't know that. He might have only ever driven a 1.2 corsa and a Golf 140 TDI and decided he absolutely must have the epic torques of a diesel for driving enjoyment because petrols suck. If we don't know, asking questions is completely fair and might actually help people out.
 
[TW]Fox;29322414 said:
That is from the trip computer but I do calculate it each tank and its always within +/- 0.5mpg.
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Interesting. That's pretty good. I've seen upwards of 10% difference in some cars!

I've also noticed that the difference reduces once the vehicle is run in.
 
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