I have an F31 320d Msport RWD - it’s great - good low down torque with the ZF makes it feel quick enough most of the time.

No issues with it in 30,000km.

I have myself a f31 lci 320d and I am super happy with it. 190hp is enough for normal trafic. Don’t remember how much power a 318d has but it shares the same engine with 320d. It just has some tweaks and a tune to make it less powerfull.

Pre lci 318d and 320d have the n47 engine. That engine is notorious for its timing chain problems. The lci comes with a b47 that fixes the timing chain issue for the most part. Haven’t heard any nightmare stories with b47 timing chain.

Also the lci has better lights and they look netter imo.

My car is rwd so no xdrive and this is my first winter with it. I could imagine xdrive perfomring better on snow no doubt.

Hope this helps you atleast a little bit.

I would say go for 320d if you can. Basically the same engine and fuel economy is identical to 318d (in some real world tests I’ve actually seen 320d with slightly better economy as it doesn’t need to be driven as hard).

I had a 420d for a year and power was “adequate” for the type of car - if could only afford a 18d engine I’d honestly rather just get a nicer spec non premium car than a slow BMW.

Post LCI has the much improved so in any case go for the B47 some others have said

I have an F31 320d Msport RWD - it’s great - good low down torque with the ZF makes it feel quick enough most of the time.

No issues with it in 30,000km.