Diesel and low mileage

needhelpguy

So I'm almost sold on selling my petrol Golf and getting a diesel BMW. Purely for a better driving experience.

I'll be going diesel because I can't newish get petrol m sports here in Ireland. Everything is diesel. I also don't have the patience or indeed the time to source one in the uk. And I've secured a really good deal on a 318D. I'm ready to pull the trigger on it.

This post is about diesel motors on low mileage. I know the DPF can cause issues. I do about 7500-8000km a year on average. Does anyone here drive a DPF diesel on low mileage? Are the issues over-exaggerated?

Would a motorway run once a month or so be sufficient to prevent the DPF blocking?

dingus12

This is what's wrong with the Irish motoring, a 318D purely for the driving experience

Cerco

See some of the BMW specific fora. Low mileage and short trips are reportedly a major cause of DPF failure, sooting up of the inlet manifolds, a turbo issues etc etc.
Great cars though!

dgt

When that DPF clogs, you'll need help, guy.....









I'll get my coat

166man

A motorway spin every so often should be enough.

I still reckon you're mad though, plenty of other nice driving car's other than a diesel BMW, as nice as they are. If I was spending the money I'd be taking my time over it too. IMO of course.

hanloj1

Get the DPF removed.

MuppetCheck

I know what you mean, I considered a used petrol before ordering a new diesel but it's incredibly difficult to find a nice well specced petrol in this country in the 2010-12 range. The result is people are buying diesel as there is very little choice otherwise in many cases.

Your mileage is low but what type of driving do you do? If you rarely do a long drive I'd hold out a while longer for a petrol, if you do some regularly flake away.

As for removing the dpf, I wouldn't do it unless it failed but I'd be pretty certain it will be compulsory for the NCT that if one is fitted it needs to be in place. They have started it in the UK with MOT's.

ShanE90

The majority of DPF failures in the E60 and E90 range are not caused by short driving trips alone.

It is a combination of short trips and a faulty coolant thermostat that will lead to the DPF becoming blocked.

As this range of BMWs doesn't have a coolant temperature gauge the driver is unaware of the low running temps caused by the thermostat opening too soon. For a regen to start the coolant temp must be above 75degcC, on a short trip with a faulty 'stat in the winter it's difficult for the engine to warm up enough to complete a regen when required.

So all you need to do is check your coolant running temps via the hidden menu on the obc, it should be between 88 - 91 after twenty mins driving or so if its not the main thermostat or egr thermostat or both need changing (€100 ish) and can be done yourself.

Most people are unaware of this problem because of the lack of a temp gauge and this could save so many DPFs and your wallet!

Del2005

166man wrote: »

A motorway spin every so often should be enough.

I still reckon you're mad though, plenty of other nice driving car's other than a diesel BMW, as nice as they are. If I was spending the money I'd be taking my time over it too. IMO of course.

I've heard that motorway spins don't do it for some diesels. People stick them in top gear thinking that it'll regen but they don't, you need to push the car to get it to regen.

+1 on better driving cars being available than a small diesel, about the only thing it has is the correct drive wheels.

homer90

Bring the missus to London, Get a 6 pot and be done with it......

Missus - weekend away

---

Win
You - 6 Pot bimmer

---

Win

Get your driving experience back to hollyhead......

Job Done.

jimgoose

For the love of Mike don't get a 318d for the "driving experience" on 5,000 miles a year. You do not need a diesel!

R.O.R

jimgoose wrote: »

For the love of Mike don't get a 318d for the "driving experience" on 5,000 miles a year. You do not need a diesel!

What would you suggest instead? It's nigh on impossible to find a decent, recent petrol car for sale in Ireland, and most that are for sale have ridiculous tax bills.

While the 318d isn't the pinnacle of driving dynamics, it's more than adequate for most people. M-Sport spec gives very good handling, and 143ps is more than enough to keep up with traffic, and even have some fun on the back roads. 320d would be better, but they are few and far between, and if the OP has a chance to get a 318d at a decent price, then go for and manage the probably DPF issues with taking it for a good ol' blast every couple of weeks.

jimgoose

R.O.R wrote: »

What would you suggest instead? It's nigh on impossible to find a decent, recent petrol car for sale in Ireland, and most that are for sale have ridiculous tax bills...

Donedeal appears to be full of them, at a quick glance. Looking for an M3 with an 1,800cc diesel in it seems to be subtly missing the point. Purists are already lamenting the recent demise of the V10 in the M5, replaced with a twin turbo V8 of all things. What next - the packet of Lucky Strikes tucked into the T-shirt sleeve??

R.O.R

jimgoose wrote: »

Donedeal appears to be full of them, at a quick glance. Looking for an M3 with an 1,800cc diesel in it seems to be subtly missing the point. Purists are already lamenting the recent demise of the V10 in the M5, replaced with a twin turbo V8 of all things. What next - the packet of Lucky Strikes tucked into the T-shirt sleeve??

Donedeal is giving 122 results for Petrol cars, 2009 onwards with 1.8 litre engines or above. I skimmed through the first 3 pages and the only ones that stood out as being any sort of fun to drive were an MX5 and a couple of Merc's.

For someone looking at a 3 Series, I doubt an MX5 is a realistic alternative. One of the Mercs (E200k Sport) is a lovely car, but not really that quick and costs over a grand a year to tax (was driving it last week).