Which 4 Series Should I Go For?

Which 4 Series Should I Go For?

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qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
So I will start by explaining my situation briefly...

I have a commute Monday to Friday of 36 miles (one way) which consists of 23 miles on A roads and 13 miles on the motorway. I am estimating an annual mileage for myself of 20,000 miles. I have done some quick comparisons below using estimates I got online. I test drove both of the below yesterday, and I know which one I really want (435d) but I am thinking there must be more of a difference in the running costs I have outlined below. The sensible side of me is saying get the 420d. Aside from the actual cost of the car, is there anything which I am forgetting here? Which would you have?

The BMW 420d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Combined MPG = 60.1
Total Annual Fuel Consumption (Gallons) = 347.22
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £1,595.87
Insurance Cost (Annual) = £837.68

BMW 435d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Combined MPG = 50.4
Total Annual Fuel Consumption (Gallons) = 396.83
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £1,823.85
Insurance Cost (Annual) = £862.86

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
qwerty88 said:
So I will start by explaining my situation briefly...

I have a commute Monday to Friday of 36 miles (one way) which consists of 23 miles on A roads and 13 miles on the motorway. I am estimating an annual mileage for myself of 20,000 miles. I have done some quick comparisons below using estimates I got online. I test drove both of the below yesterday, and I know which one I really want (435d) but I am thinking there must be more of a difference in the running costs I have outlined below. The sensible side of me is saying get the 420d. Aside from the actual cost of the car, is there anything which I am forgetting here? Which would you have?

The BMW 420d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Combined MPG = 60.1
Total Annual Fuel Consumption (Gallons) = 347.22
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £1,595.87
Insurance Cost (Annual) = £837.68

BMW 435d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Combined MPG = 50.4
Total Annual Fuel Consumption (Gallons) = 396.83
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £1,823.85
Insurance Cost (Annual) = £862.86
I've had a 320d as a loaner and it was okay, but I simply did not find it fast enough. I have a 335i. So I can't see how any one who wants a 435d could be happy with a 420!!

It's a nice surprise to see such a small difference in fuel cost. I don't have the figures to hand, but I guess it's the extra cost of buying 435d which is a factor? Other than that, it's 4WD which may or may not be a good thing?

If cost of purchase is an issue (and I've read posts on here which would say otherwise, as discounts greater on bigger engined cars it seems) are the petrol models an option? 20k is not mega miles. Could you factor the faster petrols into your calculations?










apotts

254 posts

206 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
Let me help:

The BMW 420d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 44
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £2169
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 20d = £1,500
Total: £3669

BMW 435d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 35
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £2727
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 35d = £500
Total: £3227

BMW 435i/440i xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 28
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £3212
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 35i/40i = £0
Total: £3212


Monty Python

4,812 posts

196 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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If you're worried about running costs, why are you looking at BMW? They're not exactly the cheapest cars to buy and run. If that's all you're making the decision based on, get a Mondeo or an Insignia. If you want a BMW because of the badge then forget running costs and buy the one you like.

wibblebrain

656 posts

139 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
apotts said:
Let me help:

The BMW 420d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 44
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £2169
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 20d = £1,500
Total: £3669

BMW 435d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 35
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £2727
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 35d = £500
Total: £3227

BMW 435i/440i xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 28
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £3212
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 35i/40i = £0
Total: £3212
Whatever you decide OP base it upon realistic fuel consumption figures, not the official quoted ones as they are not realistic. My 6 series is 10mpg down on the official consumption figures.

But FWIW I would definitely be choosing a 6 cylinder car over a 4 cylinder.

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
Smuler said:
I've had a 320d as a loaner and it was okay, but I simply did not find it fast enough. I have a 335i. So I can't see how any one who wants a 435d could be happy with a 420!!
I am (considering) being sensible!

Smuler said:
It's a nice surprise to see such a small difference in fuel cost. I don't have the figures to hand, but I guess it's the extra cost of buying 435d which is a factor? Other than that, it's 4WD which may or may not be a good thing?
Potentially, below are the best lease deals I can find. (Not looking for suggestions on cheaper deals here, don't want to go off topic as such, have asked for this in another thread.)

Well, I have read the 0-62mph in the 4WD is quicker, not that this will be a major factor in everyday use! I also drive on country roads a fair bit and in the winter, the 4WD could prove handy, not that it snows a lot in the UK.

Bmw 4 Series Diesel Coupe 420d [190] xDrive M Sport 2dr Auto [Prof Media]
9+23
20k miles per year
Admin fee: £360.00 inc-vat
Initial Rental: £2859.66 inc-VAT
Monthly Rental: £317.74 inc-VAT

Bmw 4 Series Diesel Coupe 435d xDrive M Sport 2dr Auto [Professional Media]
9+23
20k miles per year
Admin fee: £360.00 inc-vat
Initial Rental: £4148.19 inc-VAT
Monthly Rental: £460.91 inc-VAT

Smuler said:
If cost of purchase is an issue (and I've read posts on here which would say otherwise, as discounts greater on bigger engined cars it seems) are the petrol models an option? 20k is not mega miles. Could you factor the faster petrols into your calculations?
They potentially could, to be honest I haven't considered them up until now because my perception is a diesel for my situation would be more efficient. Both from a fuel economy and insurance perspective. Although I would love to be proved wrong.

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
apotts said:
Let me help:

The BMW 420d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 44
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £2169
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 20d = £1,500
Total: £3669

BMW 435d xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 35
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £2727
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 35d = £500
Total: £3227

BMW 435i/440i xDrive M Sport Coupe Automatic
Spritmonitor MPG = 28
Total Annual Fuel Cost = £3212
Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 35i/40i = £0
Total: £3212
Hahaha! I'm not sure if you're taking the mick (guess you are) or not but what is behind this figure: "Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 20d = £1,500"?

jayemm89

4,007 posts

129 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
I'd also be looking at what deals can be done on petrols.

I do recall when the 4 series came out, some very smart people got some epic deals on the 6 series. IT was being discounted by crazy figures like £20k because they simply couldn't shift them as demand focused on the then-new 4.

cerb4.5lee

30,197 posts

179 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
wibblebrain said:
But FWIW I would definitely be choosing a 6 cylinder car over a 4 cylinder.
This all day long, the 6 cylinder diesel is noisy from the outside but not too bad inside but the 4 cylinder diesel is noisy inside and outside, unless you are doing high miles it has to be a petrol engine without a doubt.

apotts

254 posts

206 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
qwerty88 said:
Hahaha! I'm not sure if you're taking the mick (guess you are) or not but what is behind this figure: "Amount I would pay, annually, to not drive a 20d = £1,500"?
No, not taking the mick.

£1500 is the amount I would pay, a year, for the extra smoothness, grunt and power of the other engines over and above the somewhat tractor-like 20d. It's a bit like balancing how much extra you would pay for a "nice" car rather than a "nasty" car. It's not all about fuel economy and annual costs - if it was, then why on earth buy a 4 series BMW?

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
Monty Python said:
If you're worried about running costs, why are you looking at BMW? They're not exactly the cheapest cars to buy and run. If that's all you're making the decision based on, get a Mondeo or an Insignia. If you want a BMW because of the badge then forget running costs and buy the one you like.
I'm not worried as such, I'm more considering. This would be my first 'prestige' car so I am just considering all options. I will find out in the next month or two if I will be getting a car allowance from work, if I do, this decision will be a no brainer for me. I am just assuming it wont happen for the moment and if it doesn't, it does not mean that I will rule out the 435d (or 435i for that matter).

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
wibblebrain said:
Whatever you decide OP base it upon realistic fuel consumption figures, not the official quoted ones as they are not realistic. My 6 series is 10mpg down on the official consumption figures.

But FWIW I would definitely be choosing a 6 cylinder car over a 4 cylinder.
Noted, will do. I think @apotts has helped with that!

This is what a lot of people have said, including the guy at BMW but I suppose if he didn't he wouldn't be doing his job! Then again, he seemed like a nice genuine fella so I think it was his actual personal opinion.

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
jayemm89 said:
I'd also be looking at what deals can be done on petrols.

I do recall when the 4 series came out, some very smart people got some epic deals on the 6 series. IT was being discounted by crazy figures like £20k because they simply couldn't shift them as demand focused on the then-new 4.
I will take a look out of curiosity now.

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
This all day long, the 6 cylinder diesel is noisy from the outside but not too bad inside but the 4 cylinder diesel is noisy inside and outside, unless you are doing high miles it has to be a petrol engine without a doubt.
Would you consider 20,000 miles per year high miles? I thought it was hence me originally only looking at diesels.

cerb4.5lee

30,197 posts

179 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
qwerty88 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
This all day long, the 6 cylinder diesel is noisy from the outside but not too bad inside but the 4 cylinder diesel is noisy inside and outside, unless you are doing high miles it has to be a petrol engine without a doubt.
Would you consider 20,000 miles per year high miles? I thought it was hence me originally only looking at diesels.
Yes we do 35k a year so that is the reason for going diesel for us and I do still class 20k a year high so diesel would certainly be a strong consideration for sure.

I tend to think anything less than 15k a year then go petrol but it just depends on the individual obviously.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

qwerty88

Original Poster:

277 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
smashy said:
Wow, according to that the 435d Auto is only 0.8 mpg less than the 420d xDrive Auto.

JNW1

7,711 posts

193 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
qwerty88 said:
Wow, according to that the 435d Auto is only 0.8 mpg less than the 420d xDrive Auto.
And if the soon to be launched 440i also achieves 83% of its combined figure (i.e. the same as that apparently achieved by the 435i auto) it will be only around 2mpg worse than the 435d; know which I'd rather have.....

silent ninja

863 posts

99 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
Monty Python said:
If you're worried about running costs, why are you looking at BMW? They're not exactly the cheapest cars to buy and run. If that's all you're making the decision based on, get a Mondeo or an Insignia. If you want a BMW because of the badge then forget running costs and buy the one you like.
As a soon to be 420d Gran Coupe owner, I'd hardly say the badge pulled me. In fact, I had to overlook the stigma associated with the badge. BMW owners have a certain 'image' which I didn't think would suit me, not to mention the ubiquitous nature of 3/5 series. I picked the car because of it's aesthetics (very few saloon's with a coupe/hatchback), practicality and somewhat uniqueness (few 4 series the on the road). I sat in one and it felt a heck of a lot better than a C Class. The badge was a negative. I would rather have got a Jaguar XE but the pricing difference ruled that out.

I went for the 420d rather than a 335d -- they were about the same price-- because in my opinion it's a family saloon. Yes they have sporty elements but in my opinion these cars are not sports cars; who would i be kidding if i bought one thinking i'd scratched the sports car itch? No one. But other opinions are available. I hear the 35d engine is much better, but I was quite satisfied with the 20d for my purposes. Pedal-to-the-metal isn't something I'd be doing too much in with such a big car.

I had an F Type over the weekend. That was a sports car. It was nimble, lively and sounded glorious. I just would not get that with a 3/4 series and wouldn't pretend to (don't like the M cars; they look like track cars which I have no interest in) . I like that the M Sport cars bring in a nice compromise and add sportiness to family cars, but they're still a compromise.

Edited by silent ninja on Sunday 31st January 18:45

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
id like to see the difference doing 75/80mph oh all right 85 for dozens of miles on a motorway ,wonder what the differentials would be then ?? Interested not being Billy Big Diesel smile