This topic is only slightly relevant to E60 but I've received fab. advise on this forum and was hoping for some more

I now own an E60 530 Diesel auto. Due to job changes I need to buy another car to travel to my new job. 130 mile round trip around London's M25

The job will be of varying hours and weekend work therefore public transport is unfeasable.

I'm considering a 3 series diesel either 320d or 330d. My wife will only drive an auto. So the options are:
1. Wife: 530dAuto ; Me: 320d or 330d manual or auto. (Yes I love my wife!)
2. Wife: 320d or 330d auto ; Me: 530dAuto.

Fuel consumption is an issue though not of sole importance (auto values in brackets):
320d : Urban 35.8 (29.1), Extra-Urban 62.8 (52.3), Comb. 49.6 (40.9)
330d : Urban 31.0 (26.0), Extra-Urban 54.3 (46.3), Comb. 42.8 (36.7)
You can see that the manual 330d gives better mpg then the auto 320d.

I'm buying new so given depreciation, driver experience (did own a 330iSE), car insurance: which car, transmission type and option should I choose?

Before anyone suggests it: I can't afford another a E60530d Auto

 

3. Wife: Ford Focus (1.6i Auto) You: 530d

 

Hehehe.....thanks for your input. Problem for Focus is:
- boot is too small
- petrol not diesel
- depreciation
- driving pleasure, reliability, safety, security
- Ford not BMW!!

Given that 330d insurance is much more then 320d, also 320d depreciation is marginally better then 330d, I reckon the best option is :
Wife: 320d Auto, Me: 530d.

 

You Defender 90 TD5 her 530d