F45 Active Tourer

[Muggins]

I am retired and considering a 2015 to 2017 used 225i active tourer – not pretty I know, but practical -high seating position and nice sized boot. I know the best way is to take test drives but: 1. I hate wasting sellers time and 2. There are none at all for sale in Eastern cape. So I would appreciate help with the following questions.

Comfort is more important than handling to me so I do not want lower or harder suspension or 18 inch wheels. From my reading, I think the “sport” model has bigger 17 inch wheels but the same suspension as the base model. Is that so?
Seems the “M sport” mode is harder with even bigger 18 inch wheels but I cannot find specifics – shorter springs? stiffer shocks? thicker roll bars? Is there a comfort setting? and if so, is the soft setting as comfortable as a non M sport model? Can I retrofit 16 inch wheels and will they clear the brakes on a 225i sport or M sport?

Must have a spare wheel. 1 magazine says they come with a spare, another says no. If they do not have a spare, can I get a space saver to fit in the space under the boot floor?

I want better than 9L/100km around town – will the 225i do that? (I doubt the claimed 5.9L is attainable).

And finally: is the sliding rear seat standard, or an option? How big is the boot size measured with the rear seat slid forwards?
Thanks in advance

 

[msm]

I am retired and considering a 2015 to 2017 used 225i active tourer

Why don't you buy a decent used Japanese SUV if you're retiring and want a higher seating position - less trouble, less trips to the dealer, less "we don't make this model any longer, so you're stuck for parts, etc"

Even something Korean like a 1-2 year old KIA Sportage will be a better option, unless you're a badge snob and it must be BMW.

Just my R0.02...

 

[husaindindar]

My 2c,

Rather a X3 20d. It might be around the same ballpark price range.
Much better motor. Much better resale value. More space. Parts will still be available in 10 years time!

 

[tman]

Rather get a diesel if fuel consumption is a Consideration. U won't get anywhere close to the claimed consumption.

For your needs get a non m-sport. Tires will be cheaper, ride will be better and car will be cheaper to buy

Sent on the move using Tapatalk

 

[momo1]

Rather get a diesel if fuel consumption is a Consideration. U won't get anywhere close to the claimed consumption.

For your needs get a non m-sport. Tires will be cheaper, ride will be better and car will be cheaper to buy

Sent on the move using Tapatalk

agree on this, look for a 220d Active T instead.
wont have much power as the 225i but it makes that up with more torque. fuel consumption should definitely be less than 6l/100.
also the N47T motor is wayyy more reliable, If im not mistaken the N20 engines had drive train errors caused by the timing chain.

 

[///M Individual]

Hi Muggins,

Have to agree with the previous posters.

1. Definitely get a diesel whatever you decide.
2. The X1 or X3 2.0d will be a better choice than the active tourer - plenty more space. The active tourer is also quite rare and availability of parts will be an issue later on as mentioned above.
3. There are spacesaver tyre options available for most BMW's
4. If you looking for added comfort and smaller tyres maybe stay away from the M Sport models in whatever choice you make.

 

[Muggins]

Thanks for the replies.
Agreed - go for 2.0 diesel.
Agreed - X1 or X3 probably better buy than Active Tourer.
So that raises a few more questions:

I looked at an E84 X1 and there was not even a space for a spare under the boot floor. The F48 is still a bit pricey. Is there space for a spare wheel (maybe a marie biscuit but not the inflatable nonsense) under the floor of the F48 version?

Was the F25 X3 2.0d sold in S drive (2wd) in South Africa? (I have only ever seen the G01 advertised with rear wheel drive and it is still too expensive).

 

[r0ckf1re]

Non M Sport X3 or X1 is the way to go in a Diesel Variant

 

[M135]

My 2c,

Rather a X3 20d. It might be around the same ballpark price range.
Much better motor. Much better resale value. More space. Parts will still be available in 10 years time!

2015 X3 (F25) 20d X-Line. That is what I would get


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[M135]

Thanks for the replies.
Agreed - go for 2.0 diesel.
Agreed - X1 or X3 probably better buy than Active Tourer.
So that raises a few more questions:

I looked at an E84 X1 and there was not even a space for a spare under the boot floor. The F48 is still a bit pricey. Is there space for a spare wheel (maybe a marie biscuit but not the inflatable nonsense) under the floor of the F48 version?

Was the F25 X3 2.0d sold in S drive (2wd) in South Africa? (I have only ever seen the G01 advertised with rear wheel drive and it is still too expensive).

I have the F48 (X1) and F25 (X3). The X1 sits and drives like a car. To be fair it is an M Sport, so lower than an SUV.

That being said, I prefer my X3 over the X1 any day. It sits high (and that is also M Sport), lots of space and economical.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AshG108]

Thanks for the replies.
Agreed - go for 2.0 diesel.
Agreed - X1 or X3 probably better buy than Active Tourer.
So that raises a few more questions:

I looked at an E84 X1 and there was not even a space for a spare under the boot floor. The F48 is still a bit pricey. Is there space for a spare wheel (maybe a marie biscuit but not the inflatable nonsense) under the floor of the F48 version?

Was the F25 X3 2.0d sold in S drive (2wd) in South Africa? (I have only ever seen the G01 advertised with rear wheel drive and it is still too expensive).

Honestly,

With your requirements...A Hyundai Tuscon 2.0CRDI Auto or the Kia Sportage equivalent is perfect, even the 1.7CRDIs are brilliant. They both come withe forward leveling rear seats and folding seats as standard, full size spare wheels with the original rims as standard and full tools.
They are damn comfortable and very light on fuel...my wife has the IX35 2.0CRDI but in manual and 2WD however that car doesnt see over 8.2l/100km in bumper to bumper traffic. On the open road i gets down to 4.6l/100km with the full load easy.

Heightwise, they are also very decent so easily accessible...

Tone cheaper as well and parts availability is plenty...also Sorento/Santa Fe is the 7 seater sibling to these and come in 2.2.CRDI...

 

[///M Individual]

Thanks for the replies.
Agreed - go for 2.0 diesel.
Agreed - X1 or X3 probably better buy than Active Tourer.
So that raises a few more questions:

I looked at an E84 X1 and there was not even a space for a spare under the boot floor. The F48 is still a bit pricey. Is there space for a spare wheel (maybe a marie biscuit but not the inflatable nonsense) under the floor of the F48 version?

Was the F25 X3 2.0d sold in S drive (2wd) in South Africa? (I have only ever seen the G01 advertised with rear wheel drive and it is still too expensive).

Doubt the E84 X1 will satisfy your requirements space wise.

With the F48 out of budget I think the F25 is the best choice in the BMW stable. I don't think the sdrive F25 was available in SA....have only seen xdrives on sale.

The non BMW options suggested by members are also great options since they come with spare wheels and satisfy your other requirements. Also could look at a 2017 to 2018 Toyota Rav4 2.2D VX AWD.

 

[Muggins]

Really useful advice guys, thank you.
I have an Audi A6 and am looking at BMW, so I might just be a bit of a snob.
I would rather avoid 4wd with the tyre wear/rotation/replacement complications.
Anyway, now thinking off topic, what about a BMW GT.
The 530d GT seems to tick all the boxes but is just too big.
320d GT looks good on paper (seems quite rare) but the recurring question is: does it have a spare wheel, or can I fit one under the boot floor?

 

[///M Individual]

Really useful advice guys, thank you.
I have an Audi A6 and am looking at BMW, so I might just be a bit of a snob.
I would rather avoid 4wd with the tyre wear/rotation/replacement complications.
Anyway, now thinking off topic, what about a BMW GT.
The 530d GT seems to tick all the boxes but is just too big.
320d GT looks good on paper (seems quite rare) but the recurring question is: does it have a spare wheel, or can I fit one under the boot floor?

I don't have personal experience with either of these cars but doubt they will have a spare wheel or the space to fit one under the boot floor.

That said the GT boot is considerably larger than the sedan/hatch versions and should fit the space saver wheel like below without compromising too much of space.

You will have to get the space saver option like the below:

Which will fit in a 320d GT as below:

 

[Muggins]

So it sounds like no space for a spare under the floor of the 320d GT. Can anyone confirm 100% either way?

Here is proof that a space saver can fit under the floor an F48 X1:

And here is proof that a space saver very nearly fits under the floor of a 520GT:

Anyone have proof for an active tourer?

Tks

 

[tman]

Really useful advice guys, thank you.
I have an Audi A6 and am looking at BMW, so I might just be a bit of a snob.
I would rather avoid 4wd with the tyre wear/rotation/replacement complications.
Anyway, now thinking off topic, what about a BMW GT.
The 530d GT seems to tick all the boxes but is just too big.
320d GT looks good on paper (seems quite rare) but the recurring question is: does it have a spare wheel, or can I fit one under the boot floor?

Please don't buy a GT, ever.

Sent on the move using Tapatalk

 

[Muggins]

4 years and 3 cars later, I am still pondering an active tourer. Quite a few more coming on the market, but still none in Eastern Cape.
Todays questions:
What are the different suspension stiffnesses available? I think they are standard, sport (a bit harder) and M sport (too stiff for old guys)
How do you tell what suspension the car has?
I input an F45 vin number into BMW decoder and the only bit that might be relevant is "7AC Sport line" (by the way, the report says it has an "emergency wheel")