4GC is working well for me with a medium 29er (1210mm wheelbase, 760mm handlebar). As long as one of the front seats isn’t too far back, take the front wheel off, dropper down, handlebar at 90deg, and put it in a bit diagonally and slide it forward, it just about fits in.

Not tried two bikes, they’d have to go on top of each other, and the rear of the boot is pretty shallow. Rear wheels off, front and rear mudguards off, protection between the bikes and wheels, it should go – but obv that’s a load more hassle. If the bikes fit, it’d be very tight for two people and a weekend’s worth of gear.

So it depends on if it’s a bike, or two.

As above 3 series touring 2017 with two bikes. I did 4 days with 2 bikes, 2 people, camping gear and food with space to spare. For this regularly I think you’d have a bit more space in the touring.

With one large 29er its wheel off and shove it in the back no issues. I really enjoy my car but I also really like the 4 series coupe shape.

Extra long Cotic 29er fits happily in the boot (with seats down) of an equivalent 3-series saloon with just the front wheel out. That’s without moving the front seats and I’ve them set well back as extra-long legs. Not getting 2 big bikes in though.

Quieter too than either the Touring or GC in normal operation.

what engines are in the cars?

I’ve been looking at 320d and 420d

My 320d auto xdrive is showing 46mpg (not reset the trip) over 50k miles and a proper lead foot.

2014 335d touring here.

Xl geometron or hello Dave fit with the front wheel off. I’ve gone to roof bars due to a child seat. Two bikes would be fine. 3 would be as tight as any car Ive been in with bikes loaded inside.

Mine caught fire (a bit) because the egr valve failed and sent hot exhaust gas through a plastic bit of the engine. £2000 bill. Is this a recall issue bmw- no.

Got a letter in the post saying the egr valve might fail and send…. The cost was refunded

This month Ive had a letter saying the new egr valve fitted might fail, bring it back for a third egr valve.

I’d be checking any diesel BMW to see if it needs the warranty work done and if it’s been done.

I went from runflats to non runflats as they are significantly cheaper and it also improved the ride significantly.

The car itself is super. I drove from the Midlands to the south of France in a day and at no point did I want another car🙂

“I went from runflats to non runflats…”

This, definitely. If there’s a choice, go for the one with non-runflats. The runflats give a pretty harsh ride, which isn’t great if you’ve got the MSport suspension.

There’s no spare or jack with the MSports though. I have a can of foam. I think the non-MSports have a spare, not sure.

Headlight blubs have to be changed through the wheelarch which is a PITA, especially as it means the wheel have to come off (for mine at least). The £8 blub fitting fee that Halfords change is then well worth it!

When fully loaded, the opening glass of the tailgate is very useful indeed. Looks like the GC doesn’t have this.

+1 to non run flats and the hatch in the Tourings boot.

And if you can get it, heated seats are a must. The are great for cold mornings or just after rides.

I had a 15 plate 320d Touring (auto xDrive). It was the best car I’ve ever had.
I tried the 4 gran coupe, but it was a bit too low for me.
Oh and yeah, bin the run flats ASAP.

I’ve pretty extensive experience of the F30 diesel range, between friends & I we’ve all owned & experienced…

F30 320d Auto M-SPort (2012)
F30 320d Manual M-Sport (2017 LCI)
F31 330d Auto SE X-Drive (2019 LCI)
F31 335d Auto M-sport X-Drive (2017 LCI)
F34 320d Auto Sport (2016)
F34 335d Auto M-Sport (2016)
F36 320d Auto M-Sport (2019 LCI)

My thoughts are as follows…

100% ditch the run flats, Id recommend Michelin Pilot Sport 4/5 or Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics.

Auto is much nice, 3 litre engines are nicer than 2 litres engines, but the 2 litre is a good 2.0 diesel engine in my experience.

M-Sport & Luxury trim levels are much better than others, Extras worth looking for are the improved Infotainment & Sound system. An if you get X-drive, the Adaptive Dampers.

X-Drive… Im not sure Id recommend it unless you need it, I have it now & miss the RWD. It heavier, Smaller turning circle & wollows, Ive had ACS springs fitted which help but the damping is still not sorted, Id go for standard M-Sport RWD if starting again.

The F34 GT is probably the biggest practical loader.

If it was me, id be after a F31 330d Auto M-Sport Touring, but they aren’t that common compared to the 320d & 335d.

If it was me, id be after a F31 330d Auto M-Sport Touring, but they aren’t that common compared to the 320d & 335d.

For those that have a 320d, what are the mechanical issues if any to have it re-mapped slightly to move toward the torque response of the 330d? I’d like to know that – media appears to suggest even the mildest remap is with paying for, for the greater torque spread in how it drives.

> I don’t think there is anything wrong with the ride.

Prob user-preference, wheel size, whether you have adaptive suspension, whether you’ve had crap runflats etc. :-). On my old E90 – much nicer with F1 Asymmetrics (17″) but on my F31 (18″) and now G21 (19″), both with MSport with adaptive suspension: fine for me + no complaints from passengers.

> Does anyone know which Thule Fitting kit is needed to connect the 753 footpack to the F31 Tourer’s flush rails?

4023.

Bought from Halfords when I had an F31. This PDF states 3-series touring 12- and 753: https://www.roofracks.co.uk/pdf/4023.pdf

@sofaman, thank you, it’s been driving me mad trying to find clear info.