Help deciding between 430d sDrive or 435d xDrive

Help deciding between 430d sDrive or 435d xDrive

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BuzzLightyear77

Original Poster:

2 posts

113 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Hi everyone,

I’m a first time BMW buyer with the thanks of a promotion at work so a better company car and need to order my new car in the next few days. I started my search with a M235i and was so close to going with that. However, head prevailed over heart, and due to the fact of doing 20k+ miles, I know the cost of fuel will rest on my mind too much so couldn’t live with it. I’ve narrowed it down to 3, a 430d sDrive, 430d xDrive, and the 435d xDrive

I’ve just a couple of questions in regards to engine and colour choices and would love some advise. All the cars in question will have the same spec (8 Speed Auto, Pro Media, H&K Audio, Sun Protection Glass, and Adaptive Headlights) on top of the UK spec M-Sport trim. Price isn’t actually the biggest concern here, which would suggest to just go for the biggest/most powerful engine. It will cost me up to £50 a month more to go from a 430d sDrive to a 435d xDrive so nothing which will break the bank.

Coming from a FWD, and never owning RWD, a RWD has always been appealing; which is why it’s not clear cut to just go for the most expensive car here due the 435d being xDrive only. So if going for RWD only, I will missing out on the 435d engine. Now I’ve never had AWD in a car before, and never felt the need to have it per say. I’m under no allusion going for an xDrive is not going to make it available to drive in the snow. After being a user of winter tyres in the past, fully understand that those are the better choice for those 2-3 days of snow which may or may not arrive each year. The reason the xDrive appeals is for the 100+ days of rain and damp roads we have. Now my first question is exactly this, will I really notice any difference here, or is the RWD good enough most of the time. My other concerns for the xDrive over the sDrive is the fact that it rides 15mm higher, and doesn’t come with M-Sport suspension. I haven’t specced adaptive suspension as an option, but might have to consider it due to the lack of this.

Now the next thing is the engine itself. Obviously if I pick RWD, this finishes this debate straight away as can’t get the 435d engine with that. So it's 258bhp vs 313bhp and 560nm vs 630nm of torque. The torque in particular is quite different with the banding ratio’s. The 430d peaks at between 2000-3000 RPM, and the 435d is 1500-2500 RPM. Now does this mean the 430d will suffer from some turbo lag due to probably resting at around 1500 RPM when driving about, but has longer legs. To me, this makes the 435d seem a far better choice as the torque is there from the get go.

In all honesty, writing this out probably makes me think it’s more a two horse race, 430d sDrive or 435d xDrive as if I go xDrive, might as well get the bigger one. Would love to hear people opinions on which they’d go for and why. And due to the lack of M Sport Suspension on the xDrive, is the adaptive suspension a must? I would have in the sportiest settings all the time anyway hence why it wasn’t specced originally as was looking at the 430d only.

Also on a final note after deciding the engine option, what your preference on these two colours. Oyster leather (white one) with either Estoril Blue or Melbourne Red?

DUMBO100

1,878 posts

183 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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I suggest driving them and then you'll see why the 435 x drive is so popular, it's like a smarter quattro system and is faster than any diesel car should ever be. Just don't shout about it at work or they'll all want one

JNW1

7,711 posts

193 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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I’ve no experience of either the 430d or the 435d but I own an F31 335d and have driven both an F30 and F31 330d as well as a 435i. In terms of the engine, the 335d is very good as diesels go and personally I think it’s more refined than the 330d; I didn’t drive the two back to back but I can remember thinking that the 330d had a distinct diesel rattle to it whereas I’ve never thought that about the 335d. However, neither is as refined – or sounds as nice - as the N55 petrol in the M235i.

In terms of suspension, I drove an F30 330d X-Drive back to back with the 435i M-Sport; both were on 19” wheels and neither had adaptive suspension. The low-speed ride quality was significantly better in the 330d but it felt nowhere near as planted when going quickly over a twisty, undulating, road. Therefore, for me the adaptive suspension was one of the first options I ticked for my F31 and now I’ve got it I feel happy I made the right decision; the ride quality around town is excellent but at the press of a button you can firm it up when needed. However, it’s still no sports car as it’s simply too big and heavy.

I can understand why you think the M235i may not be the right choice given your annual mileage but I suspect one of those will do mid-30’s on a run while a 435d will probably be low 40’s in the same situation. Therefore, even if you do 25k miles/annum that’s less than £50/month extra on fuel so, on the basis that sort of monthly amount doesn’t matter to you, why not stick with Plan A and go for the M235i? It will be a far more engaging drive than either of the oil burners and unless you'll find the shorter range a pain it still seems the more desirable option to me!

335d

758 posts

117 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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There is a big difference between the 30d and 35d engines. The key one for ordinary driving is the complete absence of lag in the 35d. When you step into a 30d after driving a 35d, it does feel quite laggy. Coming from most other cars the 30d engine still feels great though, so it depends upon your frame of reference.

There is no doubt that the softer suspension on the xDrive does blunt the handling. It is still not bad, but it does make the steering feel a little less direct as the first reaction to steering input is to shift the weight rather than turn. After a few months I changed the springs on my car to the AC Schnitzer ones. This transforms the handling - it is now sharper than the sDrive, with barely any loss of ride comfort. Quite annoying that a 40k car 'needs' to be modified like this, but the cost is pretty small.

I think you need an extended test drive in both. If the 30d feels fine to you, then that is the cheaper option that works off the shelf.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Read the first paragraph only.....Got to be the M235i imho, or certainly don't write it off anyway.

Doing 20k miles a year you will see 34 average, I went for a hoon in one for 4 hours and never dropped below 28 and ended at 31mpg after 110 miles.

Resetting the obc whilst on the dual it was showing 40mpg.

The 435xd will be about 44mpg I reckon.

So at 34mpg that is around £65 a week in fuel on the M235i.
At 44mpg that will be about £51 a week in fuel.

Will you really notice that? Is going diesel worth the sacrifice?


gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Oh, and if going 4 series I preferred the 30d over the xdrive 40d.

I tried the 330d touring vs the 335xd saloon mind, but preferred the feel of the rwd.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Read the first paragraph only.....Got to be the M235i imho, or certainly don't write it off anyway.

Doing 20k miles a year you will see 34 average, I went for a hoon in one for 4 hours and never dropped below 28 and ended at 31mpg after 110 miles.

Resetting the obc whilst on the dual it was showing 40mpg.

The 435xd will be about 44mpg I reckon.

So at 34mpg that is around £65 a week in fuel on the M235i.
At 44mpg that will be about £51 a week in fuel.

Will you really notice that? Is going diesel worth the sacrifice?
I agree with this chap, but also don't understand why if it's a company car fuel cost is such an issue as the business miles would be paid for wouldn't they??

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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OP, my mileage is pretty much bang on yours, and I've just swapped from an E46 330d (similar MPG to the current 330d, bizarrely) to a 125i Coupé (probably similar figures to the M235i). The drop from 39 to 32 mpg is costing me about £20 a month in fuel.

Go for the M235i. Life is far too short not to.

BuzzLightyear77

Original Poster:

2 posts

113 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
Smuler said:
gizlaroc said:
Read the first paragraph only.....Got to be the M235i imho, or certainly don't write it off anyway.

Doing 20k miles a year you will see 34 average, I went for a hoon in one for 4 hours and never dropped below 28 and ended at 31mpg after 110 miles.

Resetting the obc whilst on the dual it was showing 40mpg.

The 435xd will be about 44mpg I reckon.

So at 34mpg that is around £65 a week in fuel on the M235i.
At 44mpg that will be about £51 a week in fuel.

Will you really notice that? Is going diesel worth the sacrifice?
I agree with this chap, but also don't understand why if it's a company car fuel cost is such an issue as the business miles would be paid for wouldn't they??
It's more a perk than for job use. Probably will be lucky to do 100 business miles a month. Reason for high private mileage is having some family in Germany which I drive over to see a couple of times a year.

In regards to the M235i, I had 2 days with one, and admittedly had a beaming smile those 2 days. It had 3k on the clock so probably run in a little, but I only achieved 27 MPG. Yes, was going for it a bit, but I genuinely think I'd only be getting 29-31 for general use. I'd imagine the 430/435's will be doing about 39 lowest, but more realistically low to mid forties. Once I factored in the cost of fuel, it was a pretty big jump in fuel cost. And sadly, I just know that will rest on my mind too much and not allow me to have fun as I'll be constantly thinking about it rather than enjoying it. As mental as that sounds, it's just the way I am so can't justify it.

In regards to trying them, I'm going to have a drive of a 435d. They wouldn't let me have an extended test drive annoyingly, so will only get an hour or so with it at best. No one seems to have a RWD 430d as a demo; not sure if this speaks for itself. I believe when I had a wonder around there was an ex BMW UK 330d so I'd assume that feels similar ish at least to compare.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Hopefully the test drives will be insightful.

Snollygoster

1,538 posts

138 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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I recently had the same dilemma and originally going to go with the non xDrive 430d as those were relativity cheap on my car list.

After spending some time doing research and reading reviews, plus the fact the 435d wasn't much on the lease as is meant to have a much better residual value to the 30d engine, I've gone with the 435d. The fact it is standard with auto and xDrive seems to be what more and more people want so will hold it's value better.

If you're coming from a FWD, the BMW will still be fun to drive in xDrive format as still puts 60% of the power to the rears for the majority of the time. Don't get me wrong, not as fun as 100%, but certainly doesn't make it not fun.

We have a lot of 4 Series's in the car park, mostly M Sports. The xDrive looks a little wrong when parked next to a normal one due to the higher hight, but when not parked next to one it looks fine.

In regards to colour, I've gone with Estoril because I've ordered the M Sport Plus Pack which has blue brake callipers. Looked nice on the configurator along with the two tone alloys.

As others have said, double check the maths on the M235i. I currently drive one and can vouch at how brilliant they are. Best BMW they currently make IMO. Only reason for coming out of is fuel, plus got a skiing holiday planned so getting the xDrive with some winters on it.

Either way, you can't go wrong with either. Power of the 435d is always to hand, and can overtake anything in a flash. It's also quicker than a lot of other cars out there and will leave some performance oriented petrols a bit embarrassed whilst they see you dirty black diesel cloud.

Diderot

7,263 posts

191 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Choice for me would be the 435d. The engine is amazing - no lag, not peaky, just a wall of torque from tick over to the redline. I have the previous gen version (635d) and an M135i, but have had a 335d loaner for a week. Power delivery isn't that much different tbh between the petrol and diesel, fuel consumption is though. Diesel is undoubtedly quicker in gear too. No noise though, but then it's piped in through the speakers on the petrol.

Nice choice to have.

Diderot

7,263 posts

191 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Ps, x drive great to have IMO especially during the winter.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Decide if you want RWD v 4x4

Then if it is rwd and x35 think 640d or 535d (I went 535d and am really enjoying it)

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Diderot said:
Ps, x drive great to have IMO especially during the winter.
But you have the lug around the added weight, mpg, maintenance, cost, tranny loss, etc etc all year whereas winter tyres are next to free and removable.

X drive on summers is never gonna cut it anyway.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Diderot said:
Ps, x drive great to have IMO especially during the winter.
But you have ditched your Doscovery and freelancer for a 635d and 135i so it cannot be that much of a plus

JNW1

7,711 posts

193 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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BuzzLightyear77 said:
I genuinely think I'd only be getting 29-31 for general use. I'd imagine the 430/435's will be doing about 39 lowest, but more realistically low to mid forties.
To be honest, I think you're kidding yourself if you think a 435d will be more than 10mpg better than an M235i in similar driving conditions; in my experience diesels miss their published figures by a lot more than petrols and, although still better in absolute terms, their advantage in the real world is much less than the official figures would have you believe. Therefore, if your high annual mileage is being driven by a couple of trips a year to Germany I'd still be going for the M235i in your situation; in reality it won't be that much worse on fuel and it will be far more engaging to drive.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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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.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Re mpg on a diesel,,,I have a Journey from M4/M25/M23...Worthing and back to Chiswick every few weeks ....My 120d auto many times averaged around 47mpg...I have just done it in a 20 mile old brand new 330d saloon auto and it showed 52

That is in my mind very impressive ,still to loosen up and the engine well its sublime...Laggy?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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smashy said:
Re mpg on a diesel,,,I have a Journey from M4/M25/M23...Worthing and back to Chiswick every few weeks ....My 120d auto many times averaged around 47mpg...I have just done it in a 20 mile old brand new 330d saloon auto and it showed 52

That is in my mind very impressive ,still to loosen up and the engine well its sublime...Laggy?
Any Eco pro or just comfort and Sport for the odd blast.

Diderot

7,263 posts

191 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Welshbeef said:
Diderot said:
Ps, x drive great to have IMO especially during the winter.
But you have ditched your Doscovery and freelancer for a 635d and 135i so it cannot be that much of a plus
Never had a Disco. Ask me in the spring whether I've missed 4WD. smile