BMW 320d xDrive (F30) long term impressions and why I think I might sell it (low key Volvo promo)...

I’ve absolutely loved the joy of my F30 3 Series on a windy road, sun beating in and listening to my lovely stereo, but it has it’s shortfalls for my lifestyle and so I wanted to share my long term feelings about this car and give a clue as to what I might need in my next daily driver.
If you enjoy this content, please do LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL so you don’t miss another Car Babble video.
Time stamps
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - Justifying why I want to change my car
03:01 - What I love about my F30
04:22 - Comfort issues
07:15 - Missing some toys
09:59 - Back seat niggles
10:54 - Summary
Thanks to www.bensound.com for the royalty free music and www.artlist.io for more backing tracks.

[@conman4119]

A great review and touching on issues that most reflect the everyday driver.. Looking forward to seeing how you chose your next car.

[@car_babble]

Thanks very much! Only real world reviews at Car Babble 😎

[@jaheermk]

great video mate! seen about 20 on youtube and this one seems to be the best so far, thanks !!

[@car_babble]

Thanks very much!!

[@DiscoDaveTheRave]

I'm a few days behind schedule Babble - you've smashed the thousand subs barrier - bravo! 🎉🥳

[@car_babble]

Thanks Disco Dave!

[@blakehughes9897]

You’re right about the seats, I find it so difficult to adjust the manual one to get the best position, having had elec comfort seats before there is a huge difference but my budget was limited since having kids. I went for a 2018 Sport 2.0d x-drive with HK and CarPlay, the ride is really smooth and it’s a lovely car. Got 64.5mpg recently in Eco mode on a 150 mile trip. Fantastic car all round!!! Love it!!!

[@car_babble]

Amazing! What size wheels did the Sport have?

[@johnlowery853]

Appreciate dilemma ! Me too f30 fantastic car even had people comment how great looks, but I feel of an upgrade dilemma....a lot of thinking

[@car_babble]

Yeah it's a real dilemma indeed. I hope I don't regret selling it. Thanks for watching

[@Chris-yc3mm]

I was looking at this sort of car earlier in the year. The seats are very low down and i guess my back would not like that, but what really annoyed me was bmw can have different profile tyres front and rear then insist on having run flats with no space in the rear for a spare 😢

[@car_babble]

Yeah if you have a bad back this is not likely the right car mate.

[@GangstaOS]

Hello, i recently puchased G20 and its not M sport. I drove an M Sport G20 on 18" wheels and it was little bit too firm for me. So mine is on regular suspension and 19" wheels and came with runflats. Ride was comfy but when city driving you can feel that runflats are hard as a brick. So i swaped them for a Goodyear all season tyres. Right away you can feel how smoother the ride is. Big difference in comfort. I will never go back to runflats. Great reviews btw 😊

[@car_babble]

Thanks for the feedback! If I ever kept a car long enough I'd definitely get rid of run flats!

[@GazzR84]

I currently have a f31 330d, brilliant car apart from its ridiculously poor halogen headlights, i had a volvo s40 r design previously and like you get bored quickly and want another car, im looking at the new shape v60 r design pro and plus models, absolutely love the look of them and the heated steering wheel, seats and screen all appeal at this time of year 😂

[@car_babble]

I feel like the window is closing for me to get my hands on a 6cyl BMW but I think the only way to get comfy seats in BMW is to go 5 series or bigger. Good luck with the Volvo!!

[@br5380]

I've the same car & seats and based on a pal who couldn't get comfortable in his car whereas I'm more than happy with it I reckon it's more to do with driver 'build'. He's a lot shorter & chunkier than me, nearer your build based on watching your vids. Mine's a 2018 and just ticked past 70k, no intention to get rid of it. Edit - ah, I've the optional lumber in mine.

[@car_babble]

Yeah the lumbar will make a difference I reckon. 5 series for me I reckon!

[@alfiecumming2710]

Good review Euan. Getting older has all sorts of cosequences... at least your not driving a gold coloured Rover😊

[@car_babble]

Haha thanks Alfie!

[@worldhello1234]

... and most of the time you are at the root of the problem because most of it doesn't has to be this way.

[@brankoskrnjug3231]

You can put digital speedo where the range is. But it must be unlocked in the menu.

[@car_babble]

Thanks, I did actually know that but forgot to mention and it's still another mod cost to code it which would be more hassle than it's worth. I'd rather just change my car 😂

[@speightman79]

Totally agree with the seats, I had a 2017 320D M-Sport, its not a family car in any way, isofix a total mare and I also couldn't find a comfy seat position. Changed to a 2019 420d and apart from having a more practical hatch-back boot, was essentially the same car in terms of comfort. I didn't keep that too long either and bought a 530e 2020 M Sport. Definitely a more comfy car and the the 1st of now 4 BMW PHEV's I have had since 2020.(I'm an absolute nutter for changing cars too, serious problem I know) . All I can now say in terms of absolute comfort and performance is my latest BMW is a 2019 X5 45e with the 3.0L petrol engine.(Between 60km-80Kms all electric range, for those interested) I should have just got one of these years ago but felt I couldn't justify it as a car for just bringing myself in and outa work (Not the family car) but I decided in November 2023 to just go ahead and do it. I went back from a 2023 X3 30e believe it or not to a 2019 X5. Lunacy I know but I just couldn't stop looking at X5's on the websites. I should probably have my own channel where I get evaluated regularly by a psychiatrist on what now is the latest reason I want to change my car, what mad justification will I come up with next!!. Anyways, I'm delighted to see there is another nutter out there suffering from the same affliction as I do with cars, although mine are only BMW related, No Volvo in my car history. Oh and I also briefly owned from Feb 2023 a iX1 Fully electric....didn't stick around long.. I could not stand the i-Drive 8, touch screen for everything, no rotary swivel dial on the iX1, impossible to live with for me. Got a new X3 30e in August, much better PHEV with the old i-Drive 7 with the rotary swivel dial but again could not stop looking at X5's, especially the PHEV 45e. I must say, I think I feel a bit of contentment now with the X5, I'm not looking at any other BMW's as for me the X5 is the ultimate....here's hoping I make it to the end of the year in this X5....Really like your videos', very practical descriptions of the cars...I'm looking at changing the family car in August, currently have a 2020 7 Seat Tarraco 2.0TD DSG 4x4, I'm very interested in the Sante Fe PHEV , might go for a 2022 model....7 seats, auto, 4x4 etc, ticks all the box's and maybe time to change from diesel to PHEV.

[@car_babble]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I'm seriously flattered that you wrote me such a massive reply so thank you so much for that. A fun read as well and good to see someone understands my car change obsession! Really interesting what you say about the X5. Would love one of those as our family hauler. Such a shame about iDrive 8 as well. Just such a bad move from BMW when everyone else was going touchscreen. The Santa Fe is not a bad car at all, I just can't really be arsed with PHEVs. Thanks again for the comment/ essay! :)

[@speightman79]

I'm after just doing a deal to trade my wife's 2020 Tarraco to a new 2024😂😂 diesel is definitely the best for our family car 100%, I did consider the santa fe phev but I feel the Tarraco DSG is still best option. Looking forward to next video mate 👍

[@car_babble]

@speightman79 the Santa Fe in the diesel would be a good shout I reckon but probably better mpg in the Tarraco

[@speightman79]

Just a better trade in value sticking with Seat Tarraco versus trading into a hyundai Dealership.

[@car_babble]

@speightman79 fair point!

[@worldhello1234]

@8:21 Get a Lexus man, you are no 20 year old whippersnapper anymore to drive a Beamer 3 series. 😘

[@car_babble]

Haha I have been considering a Lexus, actually. Just not sure I can stomach a CVT!

[@newbeginnings8566]

The downside of older vehicles that had a Spartan option list...

[@car_babble]

Big time!