Good man 
Mine was averaging 27mpg over the 8.5 years I had it, driven normally with some overtaking blasts. Driven hard all the time, it dropped to low 20s easily.
Yeah I really like it. I was a bit underwhelmed initially as it's so different to the GTI, but having lived with it for a year, it's actually a decent handling car, and just as fast as the ED30 (mine was stage 1 Revo) but double the mpg, literally
If considering one, I would definitely get the M Sport flavour with the blue Brembo brakes 
The Touring is decent but not especially big in the back if you have prams and cots to lug about.
Yeah it is sad, especially after so many years with it, but I got over it after a week or so and haven't looked back tbh
What about an EV? There's bound to be some PCP deals about? The Brabus Smart #1 thingy with 500 odd brake is cheap as far as EVs go, and almost matches a current M3 Competition to the 1/4 mile
But if you prefer outright purchases, then a BMW Touring is a good all rounder I can't think of anything German in the same class that isn't a yawn fest tbh!
Yeah it’s surprising how fast you can get over them. Only cars at the end of the day but after years of spending time and money on them you do become attached.
Glad you’re liking the 3 series, seems a logical step, improved comfort and mpg - whats not to like. Began to look at the weekend but there’s so many variations/combinations. 4 Series Grand Coupe has caught my eye but may come down to boot space. Defintely wants to be some kind of M Sport version as you say. Xdrive sounds quite appealing but often don’t look as nice. Saw a lovely 330e but quickly dismissed that after reading up on potential costs for a replacement battery. 
PCP EV deals are still a bit out of budget for me, for anything decent that is.
Think I might list mine privately and see what interest it gets but part ex will just make life easier and is a good bartering tool as you say.
Thanks for all your help on here btw. It’s pretty quiet now as people have moved on but the information on this forum has helped hugely over the years.
You certainly do get attached to them. All the ridiculous 3K oil changes I used to do, and changing the brakes and tyres if they looked even slightly worn from 10 yards away. More love and attention than the missus ever got. They were the days
BMW life is a steep learning curve! I was equally bewildered by it, but in the end I just picked the best spec I could afford.
You can't go wrong with an LCI (facelift in English!) M sport with the Brembos, LED headlights and Harman Kardon audio
Everything is an option on Bimmers, so some cars will be stingy on the extras due to the £40K luxury car tax threshold. So some come with all of the above, but minus reversing camera, heated seats, folding mirrors, pro Navigation etc to get it down to £39,999. TBH that's all fluff, focus on the stuff that matters like the brakes, lights and stereo
It's often why you'll find better spec'd 320Ds than 330 and 335Ds.
Gran Coupes are lovely cars, a step up from the saloon and are sportier as standard
I would avoid X Drive. You can't get the diesel X drives in M Sport flavour and they are wallowy old boats as a result. X drive is also extremely picky with uneven tyre wear. The transfer box really doesn't like it at all. Personally I would stick to RWD, less weight and handle nicer. If traction is a concern, stick some winter tyres on it
330e just has the auxillary battery as it's main concern afaik, which is about £100 from BMW apparently. They're quick and frugal, and not as agricultural sounding as the diesel
The icing on the cake for me is the ZF 8 speed. It's such a brilliant gearbox. They are also incredibly easy to work on, much more so than the Golf, which really surprised me.
Yeah I know what you mean re: EVs. I was looking at going that way with the salary sacrifice scheme at work but, naaaah, I'd rather own a car personally.
No worries, just doing my bit. Just holla if you need any more specifics about Bimmers, but in any case, good luck with what ever you settle on and keep us posted
