Autocar India
13w

Hi, I currently own a Jeep Meridian and a BMW 330Li. I’m looking to trade in my BMW 330Li for a better car. The problem with the current 330Li is extremely poor ingress and egress, no ventilated seats and no 360-degree camera. My budget is 85 OTR Delhi. My current usage is a 50 km office drive three times a week and a quarter-yearly outstation trip with less than 400 km one way. Since I love driving and am the sole driver in my family, I don’t need a chauffeur. I’ve owned the Jeep for four years and driven it over 40,000 km. I’ve owned the BMW for two years and driven less than 10,000 km. I’ve seen a few options, including the Volvo XC90, BMW X3 30i, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E200, BYD Sealion 7 and felt that the 5 Series fits best. Please suggest the best way to proceed, or if there are other options that I have missed. I’ve considered selling the Jeep as well and getting two new cars. I’m looking for expert advice.

Verified
13w

You're right, the BMW 5 Series LWB is probably your best bet. For a self-driven upgrade, it delivers the best mix of performance, driving feel, luxury and long-distance comfort. The hip point is noticeably higher, and the doors open wider than your 330Li, so getting in and out is easier, and the ride is comfy over broken Delhi roads while still feeling stable out on the highway. It also has the features you're looking for, including ventilated seats.

Downsides are that it is a significantly larger car and not as exciting to drive as your 330Li, and since you enjoy driving, that might feel like a step backwards. Also, while ingress and egress are better than the 3 Series, it's still a low-slung sedan, so try it out, and if it's a bother, the BMW X3 30 might suit you better. Same engine, even more features, and almost as much fun to drive. The Sealion 7 is an excellent EV alternative, but the BYD car won't be as nice to drive as the BMW car, and though a 400km trip is manageable on a single charge, range anxiety will always hang over the journey.

If you're happy with the Jeep, hold on to it for a while. Diesel cars are becoming rarer these days, and you've already taken the depreciation hit, so you might as well enjoy it as long as you can.

 

BMW 5 Series LWB

BMW 5 Series LWB

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4h

Since your diesel Baleno is nearing 10 years, and you're being offered Rs 3-3.5 lakhs for it, it makes sense to sell it. Keeping your usage in mind, we'd recommend you to shortlist the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG and the Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel. Both these are very sensible, comfortable choices, and are likely to return strong efficiency. The Mahindra has an edge as far as performance goes. In summary, if you don't mind the long CNG queues at refilling pumps, the Brezza CNG will be an economical option, which is further backed by Maruti's widespread network. However, if you want a fill-it, shut-it, forget-in option the XUV 3XO diesel is a good choice.

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