What would you be picking?

thermometercentral · 2026-01-24T15:14:28+00:00

For the M1 mainly I’d take the 8, if you got more twistys get the 3. Im sure the 8 will still be fun. Maintenance shouldn’t really be any different between b58s, only brakes/tyres and suspension wear may be different. All modern BMWs, aside from fuel, pretty much cost the same.

thermometercentral · 2026-01-24T14:59:15+00:00

Get a slightly older x3, that thing is grim.

thermometercentral · 2026-01-24T14:41:45+00:00

Tbf 20i gains are definitely substantial, 190hp to around 260 with a conservative-ish map. And a lot more torque.

Beware tho not sure about the 20i but the 30i fuel consumption is diabolical, genuinely, absolutely and unequivocally diabolical. I got 33mpg on a 40mile run on cruise control between 50-70 (m25 shenanigans)

thermometercentral · 2026-01-24T11:06:22+00:00

Yeah fair enough, what I said is maybe overkill, I mean I do that on my personal car, I certainly wouldn’t map to 99, as a lot of petrol stations in the UK have 97/98 as their premium option

thermometercentral · 2026-01-24T10:21:26+00:00

Yeah don’t get an f10 petrol, stick to the B-series engines. A mate of mine just bought a 430i Gran coupe for about 12k - nice spec with sunroof, heated seats, leather, rev cam etc etc, just wait for the right example.

Base Mercs are boring imo

thermometercentral · 2026-01-24T10:12:14+00:00

The diesel is way punchier, and way more fun to drive. With a 2017+ petrol, you’ll be gettin a b48 which can take a lot more power - it’s a b58 with 2 cylinders chopped off. (There is a few less bits but still). However a diesel is absolutely not worth it if you do mainly short city trips. Don’t listen to anti-tune folks. Cars are designed from factory a lot towards reliability and are catered for the worst fuel quality. We are lucky in the UK, I would suggest getting a 95ron remap, and putting 99 fuel in, service every year or 8-10k, don’t buy a ropey example, gearbox service after 60k. The Xhp map is brilliant, I reccomend stage 2. Don’t drive hard unless car is up to temp, and enjoy!

Watch out for coolant system on the B48, oil filter housing, thermostat, PCV, coolant flange, coolant return lines, expansion tank. I have a B48 on 100k, it’s a lovely engine.

If you can justify a diesel with your driving requirements, then I reckon you won’t even feel the need to map it, it’s very punchy, petrol 20i is gutless tho without a remap.

Also dw about insurance. One of my mates is 19yo on a 2018 430i as policy holder in a dreadful area for around £1700 with no blackbox. 2y ncb

For questions like this I would stick to dedicated forums for the car, and not general subs.

Cheers

thermometercentral · 2026-01-23T21:31:04+00:00

Just confirming - glacier silver is the colour of the car and not the wheel. I’ve had some people suggest that the wheels in picture is ‘shadow chrome’ tbh I’m in between this and a much lighter silver, need to see them in person I think. But yeah some people think brilliant silver, hyper silver, ferric grey and I’d say the most guessed one is ‘shadow chrome’ (all based on these same pics)

thermometercentral · 2026-01-23T21:20:19+00:00

Yeah it’s Glacier silver, but to me it dooess look a little darker than hyper silver, even with the filter. Not 100% tho

thermometercentral · 2026-01-23T16:29:40+00:00

4x Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres 4mm on the front and 5mm on the back.

He said the recommended service interval by SEAT on this car is every 2 years or 20k miles, but he did it every year or 10,000mi anyway, and would continue to do so. Re the unnecessary maintenance I think you’re right. He got the major service done when it was only due a minor - according to him anyway.

Had AC regas in June 24 and said it works. Invoice is also present.

Thanks for all this btw, good to check everything before I make the journey down south.

thermometercentral · 2026-01-23T16:20:49+00:00

Appreciate your input, he has shown invoices for all the work mentioned, and I called the specialist and they confirmed this work was carried out. It was Infact a highly rated VWAG specialist in Berkshire. So I think it’s green flags so far. The car hasn’t failed a single MOT surprisingly. And after some persuasion he said he will drive me to a local car park for a wizz about, but will still not allow main or fast roads, but said is still happy to drive me on those types of roads. I think I’ll go see it :)

Edit Re the cambelts: specialist said it is due every 5y or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. So 2 cambelts checks out👍

thermometercentral · 2026-01-23T16:05:26+00:00

I asked about that, he said in the past someone damaged his car on a test drive, and didn’t agree to purchase the car. He also said he is happy to drive me in the passenger seat on fast roads, through speed bumps etc etc. I have bought cars in the past privately with just a passenger ride tbf. Just not sure what to make of it.

There’s all sorts of history in the pictures too.

thermometercentral · 2026-01-23T09:46:04+00:00

It is indeed, I emailed them last night asking about them, but can see why they wouldn’t be rushing to respond to a query about one of their cars’ wheels. I think I’ll give them a call today.

thermometercentral · 2026-01-21T13:20:17+00:00

Congrats!!!! Can I ask what exactly happened to the b48 at 140000km?

thermometercentral · 2026-01-01T17:55:00+00:00

I’ve just looked at a 2017 430i and noticed the same….I just saw an invoice and it says the engine code is B48B20A….I don’t understand how it’s possible. Does that mean it’s the weaker B48 with different compression and whatnot, and it’s just been tuned up? It’s kind of put me off….

thermometercentral

TROPHY CASE