BMW has a long history of great innovation. They produce some of the finest cars on the market and offer a variety of body styles. The BMW F31 is one of the best BMW touring cars ever produced. But what does BMW F31 has to offer?
The BMW F31 3-Series touring or wagon is a sleek and beautifully designed car. It can seat up to five people and comes with ample cargo space. As a result, it is one of the best practical cars on the market as it can be used for different purposes.
Besides, the F31 also comes with a top-notch interior with excellent finishes. It is also fun to drive because of the exceptional performance and ease of handling. However, the F31 is quite expensive to maintain, even though it is reliable.
History of the BMW F31
BMW 3-Series has existed from 1975 to date. The 3-Series is currently in the seventh generation, which is a great feat. The first-generation of the 3-Series was only available in a 2-door coupe, but this changed over the years as the 3-series offers coupes, sedans, convertibles, and wagons or touring.
The BMW F31 came into existence in BMW 3-Series seventh-generation. Its sibling, the F30 was produced in 2009, while the BMW F31 was produced in 2010. Later on, BMW also added the F34, which is a hatchback, also referred to as Gran Turismo. Note that the BMW F30 is a sedan.
Some of the notable BMW 3-Series models made under the F31 are the 328i, 320d, and 330d. All of these models were made in 2011. On the contrary, the 320i, 316d, and 318d models were made from 2012.
Features of the BMW F31
Appearance
When it comes to looks, the BMW F31 touring is one of the best-looking wagons on the market. This is because most wagons look bland, which is normal. Thanks to features like the medium-sized kidney grille that is beautifully sandwiched between two lovely LED headlights.
Besides, it also comes with large wheels, and the standard BMW side crease line blends perfectly with the rest of the car. The interior is also on another level as it’s not only spacious but as well as luxurious with expensive materials and advanced technologies.
The BMW F31 is a long and lovely car with a wheelbase of 110.6-inches, a length of 182-inches, a width of 71.3-inches, and a height of 56.3-inches.
Performance
If you desire performance, you should consider looking at the BMW F30 M variant as the BMW F31 was not built for performance. Nonetheless, it still has some excellent variants with powerful engines and speed. For instance, the BMW F31 330d has a powerful engine and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
Comfort and Cargo space
The BMW F31 is a touring wagon, meaning that it is very spacious. This car can seat up to five people with great comfort. It also comes with large cargo space, but the rear seats can also be folded when not in use to increase space. Hence, it is a very practical car and great for a family.
Fuel-efficiency
Most BMW 3-Series cars are fuel-efficient. The BMW F31 models are also fuel-efficient, with the 316d being the most efficient, while the 330d being the least fuel-efficient. For instance, the BMW 316d has a fuel-efficiency rate of 64.2 mpg, while the 330d has 54.3 mpg.
Price
Since BMW discontinued the F31 lineup in 2019, you can only find quality used BMW F31s on the market. Most of them range between $10,000 and $30,000. Always ensure to do a thorough inspection when buying used cars, more so from individuals or private dealers.
FAQ
Is the BMW F31 reliable?
Yes, the BMW F31 is very reliable. Many reliability agencies have ranked it slightly above average, which is a good thing. However, the cost of maintaining this car is still high and that’s why it doesn’t rank as highly as it should on reliability ratings.
What are some of the common problems with the BMW F31?
The BMW F31 is an exceptional luxury wagon that many people would love to have. Nonetheless, this car also has several issues that interested buyers or users should know about. Some of the troubles that BMW F31 has are engine overheating, timing chain problems, faulty airbags, faulty crankshaft sensor, and many others.
Even though the F31 has lots of issues to contend with, not all problems are found on one car. Some problems are only available in particular model years. Additionally, you can visit a BMW service center or certified technician to fix the above issues with much ease.
How fast is the BMW F31?
The BMW F31 touring wagon is not built for speed. However, it still performs exceptionally well and is faster than most cars in its class. For instance, the best performing car in this lineup is the BMW F31 330d.
The BMW F31 330d M Sport comes with a 3.0-liter single-turbo straight-six engine. This powerful engine delivers up to 254 bhp and 413 lb-ft of torque. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.
How long does BMW F31 last?
This touring wagon is fitted with one of the most reliable BMW engines. Therefore, if this car is properly maintained, it can last over 250,000 miles. However, if it’s not well maintained, then it may not make it over 150,000 miles.
Is BMW F31 easy to fix?
BMWs not only come with sophisticated technology, but they also break down a lot. And when they do break down, most of the issues require specialized equipment to fix. Even though BMWs are difficult to fix, the BMW F31 is not so difficult to repair, as long as you have the right tools.
Final thoughts
All in all, the BMW 3-Series F31 touring is an excellent car with lots of features to offer. This wagon is reliable, comfortable, luxurious, spacious, elegant, and safe. Nonetheless, it also has a few things to deal with, such as oil leaks, engine overheating, timing chain issues, and much more.
But if properly maintained, the BMW F31 will not have most of the above issues. The only challenge will be the cost of maintenance, which is quite high. Regardless, this is an excellent luxurious car and its very reliable.
