Help deciding between 430d sDrive or 435d xDrive

[Wills2]

My average is 39mpg in a 335d xdrive touring, I can see 46mpg on a run.

I hoped to see 50mpg on a run and I would I guess if I drove at 70mph.

[smashy]

Welshbeef said:

Any Eco pro or just comfort and Sport for the odd blast.

Good shout!! 60% comfort 35% eco pro and a bit of sport....an amazing engine and as I drove I was thinking ofAlpinas take on this engine and TBH what is the point?,,,,Mind you what is the point of my engine lol a 2ltr BMW derv is all you really need in this country truth be told

[Welshbeef]

Wills2 said:

My average is 39mpg in a 335d xdrive touring, I can see 46mpg on a run.

I hoped to see 50mpg on a run and I would I guess if I drove at 70mph.

What's the absolute best you have got so far?

Commuting is so far coming at 38mpg one way 40mpg the other. Best so far - fully laden 4 up boot rammed and headwind I got it up to mid 40's mpg.
F10 535d M rwd.

Its a very good engine and gearbox partnership.

[IATM]

gizlaroc said:

I agree, every diesel has disappointed me MPG wise, and I have wanted out after a few months, where as every petrol has generally been a little better than expected and held my interest far longer.

In all fairness I think thats to do with peoples expectations rather than the engine being better or more economical.

BOth engines have their place.

[smashy]

IATM said:

In all fairness I think thats to do with peoples expectations rather than the engine being better or more economical.

BOth engines have their place.

Then I suggest you have not driven the 330d engine 8 speed auto , as fast as most things on the road and brought in 52 mpg on a 3 hr 170 mile trip? With no stop start on and a brand new tight engine??

[Welshbeef]

smashy said:

Then I suggest you have not driven the 330d engine 8 speed auto , as fast as most things on the road and brought in 52 mpg on a 3 hr 170 mile trip? With no stop start on and a brand new tight engine??

In fairness I achieved the same if not a touch higher in my old E90 330d 231bhp auto6 speed. I would get much much more with the 8 speeder F30 330d.

My F10 535d 8 speed is so far v my old E90 330d 6 speed auto giving marginally better MPG even though it has a lot more weight and what 35% more power. (Really you cannot compare the 5 to the 3 totally different cars the interiors are some way apart much wider and even though I'm loving the F10 handling the F30 I tested when pushed to the max handles better)

[smashy]

..re handling I never thought id say it,,,but my 12Od auto was my Go Kart compared to this F30 .I had actually ordered a 225d but the month delivery turned into 5 months ,couldnt wait and so here I am,its too big really. I expect now that the 235i must be wonderful.

[Welshbeef]

smashy said:

..re handling I never thought id say it,,,but my 12Od auto was my Go Kart compared to this F30 .I had actually ordered a 225d but the month delivery turned into 5 months ,couldnt wait and so here I am,its too big really. I expect now that the 235i must be wonderful.

F10/30 has a lower COG v the 1 series

[smashy]

What is a COG?

[cerb4.5lee]

smashy said:

What is a COG?

Centre of gravity

[smashy]

Gotcha ,well it could be two things going on ,the seats that come in my luxury do not hug me like my 57 plate 120d and they are slidy leather and the suspension is a bit wallowy/floaty...see how I go may get the ACS springs put on around £650 and are supposed to transform the handling.

[Welshbeef]

smashy said:

Gotcha ,well it could be two things going on ,the seats that come in my luxury do not hug me like my 57 plate 120d and they are slidy leather and the suspension is a bit wallowy/floaty...see how I go may get the ACS springs put on around £650 and are supposed to transform the handling.

Its the shocks too not just spring refurb rate - generally cheaper to get the M sport, also come selling on those suspension changes will add nothing and possibly decrease the cars value as its non std and most punters want OEM out of factory.

[Wills2]

I find the standard setup on the xdrive is fine, it handles really well IMHO.

It's brilliant on the b roads around where I live in Yorkshire, soaks up the bumps and doesn't float, lean or dive excessively.

I don't mind the way it sits either and that's coming from a CP M3 which was 10mm lower than a standard M3 so pretty low!

[smashy]

Fair dos ,I expect I will get use to it ,its a big piece of kit compared to a 1 series,god knows how people drive the new 5 series around London and parking etc

[JNW1]

Wills2 said:

I find the standard setup on the xdrive is fine, it handles really well IMHO.

It's brilliant on the b roads around where I live in Yorkshire, soaks up the bumps and doesn't float, lean or dive excessively.

I don't mind the way it sits either and that's coming from a CP M3 which was 10mm lower than a standard M3 so pretty low!

I like my F31 but am genuinely surprised you find the standard X-Drive set-up fine after a CP M3; great that you do but even after an E92 335i I think mine feels floaty when pushing on and my old E46 M3 CS was much more accomplished over a challenging road. I do agree that the X-Drive rides the bumps very well but to be honest I'm glad I specced adaptive suspension so I can firm things up when I want!

[Wills2]

JNW1 said:

Wills2 said:

I find the standard setup on the xdrive is fine, it handles really well IMHO.

It's brilliant on the b roads around where I live in Yorkshire, soaks up the bumps and doesn't float, lean or dive excessively.

I don't mind the way it sits either and that's coming from a CP M3 which was 10mm lower than a standard M3 so pretty low!

I like my F31 but am genuinely surprised you find the standard X-Drive set-up fine after a CP M3; great that you do but even after an E92 335i I think mine feels floaty when pushing on and my old E46 M3 CS was much more accomplished over a challenging road. I do agree that the X-Drive rides the bumps very well but to be honest I'm glad I specced adaptive suspension so I can firm things up when I want!

I have to clarify that I'm not comparing the two in terms of handling, the 335d does lean/dive and float but not excessively and I've been surprised at how quickly I can cover the ground over the twisting, dipping and crested moor roads we have round here.

I'm on record for being underwhelmed by the engine/brakes and leather in other threads so I have to say something nice about the old girl.

I would have specced the adaptive suspension myself but it was a stock car so had no choice.

[JNW1]

smashy said:

Then I suggest you have not driven the 330d engine 8 speed auto , as fast as most things on the road and brought in 52 mpg on a 3 hr 170 mile trip? With no stop start on and a brand new tight engine??

I daresay over 50mpg is possible from a 330d on a specific journey but I seriously doubt it will prove to be a long-term average in normal driving; on previous threads owners of F3x 330d's have suggested more like mid-40's which sounds nearer the mark to me.

Edited by JNW1 on Monday 27th October 07:27

[JNW1]

Wills2 said:

I have to clarify that I'm not comparing the two in terms of handling, the 335d does lean/dive and float but not excessively and I've been surprised at how quickly I can cover the ground over the twisting, dipping and crested moor roads we have round here.

I'm on record for being underwhelmed by the engine/brakes and leather in other threads so I have to say something nice about the old girl.

I would have specced the adaptive suspension myself but it was a stock car so had no choice.

I suspect we're of a similar opinion where the F31 335d is concerned; an excellent car for what it is but just not the sports car some people would have you believe! That doesn't bother me because I was expecting a medium-size estate and that's exactly what I've got; however, if you want an involving, engaging, drive you need to look elsewhere IMO. That said when I'm going across the M62 in heavy traffic and pouring rain the comfort and refinement of the 335d is very nice thank you and it's also very good at transporting people and the dog; it's therefore doing the job it was bought for so no complaints from me. Really it's all about horses for courses which is why the OP posed an interesting question as to me the M235i is quite different in nature from a 430d/435d; in my eyes the former is more the sports car end of the spectrum whereas the latter are more mile-munching GT's - decent at what they do but less involving to drive and dare I say it a touch boring in comparison?

[Welshbeef]

JNW1 said:

I daresay over 50mpg is possible from a 330d on a specific journey but I seriously doubt it will prove to be a long-term average in normal driving; on previous threads owners of F30x 330d's have suggested more like mid-40's which sounds nearer the mark to me.

I'm not so sure - I'm creeping up to 41mpg combined in the F10 535d average speed 37mph over c25-30miles each way.
So a lighter car with the more efficient 3ltr single turbo lump should do notably more - plus the new ones have Eco pro mine is comfort or sport or sport + only option

[JNW1]

Welshbeef said:

I'm not so sure - I'm creeping up to 41mpg combined in the F10 535d average speed 37mph over c25-30miles each way.
So a lighter car with the more efficient 3ltr single turbo lump should do notably more - plus the new ones have Eco pro mine is comfort or sport or sport + only option

My F31 335d seems to be settling at around 39-40; Wills2 appears to be getting similar out of his and I'm not seeing any published figures to suggest a 330d is likely to be over 10mpg better? Perhaps 50 is possible as a long-term average from a 330d but to achieve that I suspect you'd be using the performance of the car very infrequently; fine if that's what you want to do but you might as well get a 318d or 320d if that's the case!