[Western Force]

Originally Posted by Freefreefive

OP

Who'd have thought that by coming to a BMW forum you'd be directed back towards a Holden or ford....

I doubt if you went to the holden forum and asked for advice on a performance car they would recommend an M3 before a HSV or FPV - even I they were the same price (BMw was a user car)

At least you know we have your best interests at heart and we're not just badge whores...

Seriously though, consider the E39 530i you will not be disappointed. I guarantee it!*











*Not a guarantee

Very good point (or Range Rover). At least not everyones 110% BMW.

[Ninjaoz]

or a E53 4.4is...rare find.

[Freefreefive]

I think you mean 4.8is (or 4.6is). The 4.4 is just the standard 8 cyl...

[John_01]

The issue with the 3 series on bad roads is the limited front suspension travel. It doesn't take much of a pothole until you hit the bump stops. With the macpherson strut front suspension, it makes a loud crashing sound when that happens. I guess the commodore it wasn't as much of an issue because it has a higher ride height and more suspension travel. Maybe the 5 series would be a bit better, but I don't really know.

[Ninjaoz]

yes 4.8is with the aero kit in Estoril Blue!

[Western Force]

If I was to get a 320i or diesel and put a space saver wheel in the boot (I'm assuming theres no room for a spare), how much boot space would I lose???

I would probably be be going this option rather than air compressor and slime because of the isolated distances I drive. Thx

[pavo335]

Originally Posted by Western Force

If I was to get a 320i or diesel and put a space saver wheel in the boot (I'm assuming theres no room for a spare), how much boot space would I lose???

I would probably be be going this option rather than air compressor and slime because of the isolated distances I drive. Thx

Another reason IMHO to NOT get a 320i/d they were never designed for anything resembling off road. Heck even the x's are 'soft roaders' not 'off roaders'

[Kiwi Peter]

As much as i like BMW i think they are not suitable for a daily commute over the roads that you seam to have, you have talked about you concern about resale, well after a couple of years running on those roads your BMW will be worth nothing, no one will pay anything for a worn out BMW. Do your self a favor and purchase a Toyota Prado or a new Holden they may not be the best car on the road but at least they will be cheaper to maintain and easier to sell when you are finished with it.

[sbce90]

Obviously OP thinks the roads are good enough. How about some pics just so the rest of us can get an idea of how bad the roads actually are?

John_01 has a spare wheel tied in his boot. Ill see if I can find the pic later.

[Western Force]

Originally Posted by sbce90

Obviously OP thinks the roads are good enough. How about some pics just so the rest of us can get an idea of how bad the roads actually are?

John_01 has a spare wheel tied in his boot. Ill see if I can find the pic later.

Good idea. I'll take a couple of pics tommorow and try and post them on here Mon night.

[Max555]

I've got a 320i with 18" 40 series tyres on the front. I feel the slightest pot holes with a fairly heavy crash on sealed roads. I'm extremely hesitant to go on unsealed roads, and when left with no other option take these roads at very low speeds.

[DosVerde]

I've taken my e90 down a few gravel roads, it handles great on the smooth ones, even with a boot full of wine

If theres no pot holes and not much corrogation, you should be OK, but I dont know the long term affects of the increased dust etc. And I would expect a higher % loss on resale compared to a Commodore.

@Max555, KWCoilovers have reduced the thud I was getting with my 19"s hitting potholes

[wassell2381]

Hey bud,

I'd defs go for a 320d if you can get hold of one. I was going to sell mine but when push came to shove, nothing else compares to the BM's.

320d on a run does just over 5l/100km which is good

As for tyres I've had both runflats and normal tyres on and they both handle fine on the roads the the wineries down south. See the pics below of my BMW space saver kit. It basically brings up the floor level to the boot entry height. TBH it makes it impossible to use the boot with it in there.

Cheers
Dan

[wassell2381]

Originally Posted by Western Force

Very good point (or Range Rover). At least not everyones 110% BMW.

Don't mean to give range rovers a bad wrap but the quality just isn't there. Dads 2 yr old in constantly for warranty issues - Door seals to flat batteries to the USB/3.5mm not working. Even the drivers leather seat is starting to become threadbare.

IMO ya cant beat the BM

[Max555]

Originally Posted by DosVerde

I've taken my e90 down a few gravel roads, it handles great on the smooth ones, even with a boot full of wine

You had me at boot full of wine

[Western Force]

Originally Posted by sbce90

Obviously OP thinks the roads are good enough. How about some pics just so the rest of us can get an idea of how bad the roads actually are?

John_01 has a spare wheel tied in his boot. Ill see if I can find the pic later.

Here are some pics of the road. This is very typical of what I drive on (I didn't stop at a good spot!). It's hard to take a decent picture of a road, as it's not the sort of thing I do every day.

Someone made a comment about me driving 100km/day. This is wrong as I only do about 15,000 km/year which means around 40km/day and as I said only about 50% of thats on gravel.

Thanks a lot Wassell for the picture. Just what I was trying to see.
Also for some of the later posts with other info.

[sbce90]

Those roads must be scary at night :S

Anyway there is no way I would drive my E90 over those roads at anything over 20km/h max.

[Max555]

Originally Posted by sbce90

Those roads must be scary at night :S

Anyway there is no way I would drive my E90 over those roads at anything over 20km/h max.

I'd probably let it creep up to 40km then slow back down after the first thud.

[BMW86]

I'd literally feel more comfortable driving an SUV on those kinds of roads, also never know what might jump out in front of you at night. Why drive a 3 series when you could drive an X3 which is ideal for those conditions? Also check out the Range Rovers or even the new Evoque. Plenty of options.

[pavo335]

Mmm doesn't look too bad (from iPhone), tell me op what are the corrugations like?

Assuming its reasonably level I don't see any mechanical reason why you wouldn't, but I still wouldn't in a 3! I would in an x5 though.

[Max555]

I'd also be concerned with passing cars throwing up stones and chipping the paintwork, windscreen etc...

[rayz]

Originally Posted by Max555

I'd also be concerned with passing cars throwing up stones and chipping the paintwork, windscreen etc...

^, the impact on your suspensions plus the more than regular washes from running on dirt road (can imagine it kicks up enough dirt from a day on those roads, and no one likes a dirty car with somebody writing "Wash Me" over the car). All of the above will not equal to a good resale value if that's what your after in the end.