BMW 3 series 320d manual or 5 series 520d auto

Well the 3 series should be slightly cheaper to maintain, consumable parts such as tyres suspension breaks etc will be a little bit cheaper. They both use the same engine tho so depending on big unexpected repair bills it could go either way.

Why would you want a manual 320d? I would forget about that and decide whether you want an automatic 3 series or an automatic 5 series.

I remember back around 2020 I was looking at 2017/18 530e and 330e, found a dealership with both.

Had a look around a good few 530s and then one 330e, had the 3 series ruled out in seconds due to the vast interior design difference. The 5 series was a brand new design at the time, the 3 series was a 2011 design and about to be replaced which it was in 2019.

There must be a big price differences between the 2 cars you're looking at if both are same year/mileage?

Don't buy a manual BMW, buy the auto.

OP find a lower mileage 316d or 318d with auto box and some extras. There’s some Japanese cars on the market now, worth look. And don’t look at the manual unless you want to drift it weekly :)

Why not they can be remapped easily and drive like 320 stock

Few diesels from Japan. Browse carsireland, there are a few.

I looked at japanese 320d but it was already sold, unfortunately!

never heard of dsl jap imports besides jeeps