For years, balancing automotive enthusiasm with daily practicality has been a delightful challenge. After parting ways with a beloved M Coupe, the quest began for a single vehicle capable of satisfying both the yearning for driving pleasure and the demands of everyday life, including the essential task of dog-hauling. My current daily driver, a 2011 E90 335d, has set a high bar, being one of the most rewarding cars I’ve ever owned. Any successor would need to offer a compelling blend of engagement and utility. This pursuit naturally led me to consider Wagon Automobiles, a body style that inherently promises versatility without sacrificing driving enjoyment.
The essential criteria for a worthy successor to the E90 were clear: it had to be a wagon, retain the diesel engine characteristics that made the 335d so appealing, and possess an engaging driving experience. Within the BMW realm, this narrowed the search to the F31 328d, the sole diesel wagon automobile offered in the U.S. market. While the four-cylinder N47 engine represented a step down in power from the tuned M57 in my E90, the enhanced cargo capacity of the wagon body style seemed a worthwhile trade-off.
My ideal specifications included a post-LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) 328d, specifically a 2016-2018 model, equipped with the M Sport package. Color preferences leaned away from the ubiquitous black and silver, and a heated steering wheel was a must-have comfort feature. Budget-wise, the target was around $25,000, a challenging figure in the current market. A promising 2017 Melbourne Red 328d M Sport surfaced at an Arizona Nissan dealership for $28,000, but the timing was unfavorable, and it lacked the heated steering wheel, requiring a retrofit.
Just weeks later, a 2014 Estoril Blue 328d M Sport appeared in a Facebook group, capturing my attention within minutes of being listed. Despite being a pre-LCI model, it ticked nearly every box and boasted a host of desirable aftermarket enhancements. These upgrades included blue M Sport brake calipers, H&R lowering springs, a front splitter, a rear hatch spoiler, and a rear diffuser with dual exhaust outlets. The interior featured a digital Euro instrument cluster, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system retrofit, folding rear headrests, and extended paddle shifters. Two sets of wheels were included: color-matched blue and black Style 437M wheels from the F8X M3/4, along with generic 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with blue accents. Crucially, factory cross bars and a color-matched BMW roof box were included – a detail that solidified the deal.
With just over 100,000 miles on the odometer, the asking price was $24,500. While the lower-mileage Melbourne Red wagon presented a financially compelling alternative, the Estoril Blue example’s unique modifications and overall character proved irresistible. It was evident that the previous owner had invested considerable effort and resources in personalizing this wagon automobile, enhancing its appeal as a distinctive single-car solution. The seller had acquired it on Cars & Bids and maintained its configuration throughout their ownership. Prior to that, it had even been featured on BMW Blog in 2020. The desire to own this unique wagon intensified. A deposit was promptly placed, and arrangements were made to travel to Western Minnesota to inspect it in person.
With the recent shift away from full-time service operations, time had become available for pursuing casual flight instruction. Serendipitously, a friend was pursuing an instrument rating, and the Piper Saratoga I co-own had recently received a glass cockpit upgrade. The plan materialized: fly to Minnesota, inspect the wagon, and if satisfactory, have another friend drive it back to Colorado. The flight eastward provided genuine instrument meteorological conditions, offering a practical training opportunity. The glass panel avionics significantly simplified instrument flying compared to traditional steam gauges, a sentiment expressed with a touch of seasoned pilot’s grumbling. Upon arrival, the wagon lived up to its description, the transaction was completed, and the road trip back to Colorado commenced for my friend, while we took to the skies for the return flight. The ensuing 24 hours were filled with anticipation for the arrival of my new wagon automobile.
However, the journey home for the wagon was not without incident. Near Omaha, Nebraska, the rear tires succumbed to severe wear, reaching the cords, and a check engine light illuminated, indicating an EGR valve malfunction. These issues were not entirely unexpected, as a degree of post-purchase maintenance was anticipated. Fortunately, the spare set of wheels and tires addressed the immediate tire problem, and the EGR issue wouldn’t completely immobilize the vehicle. A wheel swap in a frigid AutoZone parking lot ensued, and the journey continued towards Colorado. By the time it reached its destination, the tires on the second set of wheels were also showing cord wear, but they had served their purpose in bringing the wagon automobile home.
The initial tasks upon the wagon’s arrival included a thorough cleaning and addressing the identified mechanical and ride quality issues. While the lowered stance from the H&R springs provided an appealingly aggressive aesthetic, the ride quality proved too harsh for Colorado’s often less-than-perfect roads. Returning the suspension to the original springs improved comfort and practicality. The faulty EGR valve was replaced, and the correct battery was installed. The Euro instrument cluster, while visually interesting, presented a minor inconvenience by preventing the reactivation of the Electronic Damper Control (EDC), a trade-off accepted for the time being. New tires were immediately necessary, prompting a re-evaluation of the wheel situation.
The 20-inch generic Y-spoke wheels, despite their initially questionable styling, began to grow on me. However, their harsh ride and the excessively stretched rear tire fitment (necessary to maintain xDrive compatibility) were significant drawbacks. The Style 437M wheels, a popular upgrade for the F31 and visually similar to the OEM 400M M Sport wheels, were considered. However, a square setup was preferred for more balanced handling. A set of 19-inch BBS CH wheels with winter tires were available, but their substantial width appeared disproportionate when test-fitted to my wife’s F31. While narrower tires could address the width issue, the offset was not ideal for the stock ride height. Ultimately, the E90’s summer BBS wheels emerged as the most suitable option. Their 18×8.5-inch dimensions fit perfectly, but the existing 235/40 tires appeared too small for the F31, creating a “skateboard” look at the stock ride height. A set of 235/45 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S4 tires was ordered, providing an extra inch of sidewall and serving as a satisfactory interim solution.
Looking ahead, considering coilovers to achieve a ride height somewhere between stock and the lowered H&R springs remains an option. A professional detailing, paint correction, and protective film application are also planned. For canine transport duties, a custom-fitted dog protector for the cargo area has been ordered. An upgrade to the NBT Evo iDrive system to enable Apple CarPlay is also under consideration, contingent on retaining the Bang & Olufsen sound system functionality.
Apart from the shop truck, this F31 represents the newest vehicle I have personally owned. In the initial weeks of ownership, it has proven to be an excellent single-car solution. The F31 community is active and passionate about these wagon automobiles. While not as overtly sporty as the E90, the F31 328d wagon provides an engaging driving experience, inspiring that essential enthusiast’s backward glance upon parking – a crucial metric for any BMW owner. The wagon automobile configuration perfectly blends practicality and driving pleasure, making it an ideal choice for the discerning enthusiast. – Alex McCulloch
