435d or 435i?

[Snollygoster]

My brother is looking to replace his car, and set on a 4 series. I've recommend the 435i as I have the 235i, and can't speak highly enough of the engine. Just wanting to see what people's preference would be and why. It will also be the auto version.

435i is £43k, realistic probably about 30mpg, book 38mpg. 435d is £45k (also an xDrive), and will do about 40mpg, book 50mpg

So there's a £2k premium for the diesel and the xDrive, but fuel will make this up as he's doing best part of 20k per year. Financially, the diesel will work out cheaper, as well as having the benefit of four wheel drive, although personally I like the rear wheel drive. I imagine residuals will be pretty comparable on both. However, there's not a great deal in it.

Would you take the petrol like me, or does the diesel make to have on our UK roads?

[Tea Pot One]

I have a Z4 35iS ... so should recommend the 435i ...as I love my 35iS ... but for 20K miles per annum I would have the 435d with it's 4wd. The 435d will feel quicker on a day to day basis I would think but without the noise of the 435i.

[Lozw86]

As above I would usually go for the petrol, but at 20k miles per year, the Diesel may be more sensible. All depends how much he is prepared to spend on fuel. Performance wise there is not much in it

[Wills2]

Tea Pot One said:

I have a Z4 35iS ... so should recommend the 435i ...as I love my 35iS ... but for 20K miles per annum I would have the 435d with it's 4wd. The 435d will feel quicker on a day to day basis I would think but without the noise of the 435i.

The 435d is quicker but the 435i will feel quicker on the open road IMH0 and sound a lot better, I'd go for the 435i.

I'll edit this to say I have the 35d engine in my F31 touring, get the 35i!

Edited by Wills2 on Monday 22 September 22:31

[thegreatdogwood]

I think the residuals on the diesel will be a fair bit stronger but for pure driving enjoyment the petrol wins

[James_G]

I have been thinking along the same lines, but was thinking 430d vs 435i (both auto).

Don't like the 435d - has the elevated ride height due to the xDrive and while no doubt quicker I doubt in the real world there is enough to warrant the difference if you don't want 4wd.

[gizlaroc]

435i every time.

Doing 20k miles a year on a car that is over £40k new will loose around £20,000 in the first 3 years regardless of engine, then you have insurance, servicing, tyres etc.
So does an extra £10 a week on fuel really matter?

[335d]

I think he needs to give both an extended test drive on the sort of roads he will be using. There is no doubt that the larger diesel models used to be less satisfying to drive than petrol, but to a large extent the ZF8 gearbox has taken away the downside of diesel. The narrower power band isn't an issue any more with a very slick gearbox. The 435d even makes quite a nice noise when pressing on, but less nice than the 435i clearly.

The other issue is that the 435i engine is due to be replaced in 9 months with a much improved 440i, while the 435d engine remains unchanged. That could affect the relative depreciation levels.

They are both good cars - I'm sure he will be happy either way.

I would either get the 435d now, or hang on for the 440i

Edited by 335d on Tuesday 23 September 09:08

[xxChrisxx]

335d said:

They are both good cars - I'm sure he will be happy either way.
I would either get the 435d now, or hang on for the 440i

Edited by 335d on Tuesday 23 September 09:08

As a counter to this, do you really want to buy the first model with a new powertrain? The N55 is fundamentally a good engine, they largely solved all the issues with the N54.

As an ownership prospect I would chose the known good engine over the unknown quantity every single time.

[Wills2]

Not sure it will be a new engine just a small power hike to 320hp like the 640i or 326hp like the 235i etc...

[xxChrisxx]

BMW are moving to their new modular engine. x40i is slated to be the new B58. New x30i will be the B48.

[Wills2]

Ah interesting, thanks for the info.

[moffat]

I recently had the same decision.

Went into BMW to discuss the 435d and walked out ordering a new 640d.

Why?

Well the 640d discounts are amazing, I managed to get £22k off list. The car comes loaded with stuff and a lot is not standard on the 435d. My monthly cost was lower for the 640d.

I also didn't like the suspension on the 435d as it looks like it is on stilts to me and the exhausts look a bit lame for the car - why they aren't like the 435i and previous 335d is beyond me??

With regard the 435i it is disappointing that it doesn't have the same bhp as the M235i. Also, the numbers just didn't stack up too well as the car doesn't have great residuals. Finally in reality I would be looking at 27-30mpg.

So a new Imola Red 640d with Ivory white interior, 20" alloys for me... will be remapped shortly after collection too!

[335d]

moffat said:

Went into BMW to discuss the 435d and walked out ordering a new 640d.

Why?

Well the 640d discounts are amazing, I managed to get £22k off list. The car comes loaded with stuff and a lot is not standard on the 435d. My monthly cost was lower for the 640d.

I also didn't like the suspension on the 435d as it looks like it is on stilts to me and the exhausts look a bit lame for the car - why they aren't like the 435i and previous 335d is beyond me??

Congrats. Interesting that the 640d is cheaper than the 435d. I imagine you are aware that the pricing of the 6 series is a little odd, which gives rise to these discounts. The 640d M Sport is the coupé version of the 535d M Sport, and yet there is a £19k gap between the list prices. £5k would be more realistic. What you paid sounds about right, and takes account of this price structure.

It is a shame that the exhausts on the 435d (and 335d) couldn't be similar to the 435i. There are after market solutions to that, although not many bother.

Enjoy the new toy.

[gizlaroc]

Great result.

Hope he enjoys it, sure he will.

[Snollygoster]

Good advise regarding the 640d. I will pass it onto him as would be a no brainier if going down the diesel route.

[JNW1]

I'd also thought the 640d could be worth considering albeit the rear seat room is pretty poor if such things matter (far worse than a 4-series despite being physically a much bigger car).

In terms of 435i or 435d, I think the only answer is to drive both (preferably back to back over the same roads) and decide which you prefer. I do understand the recommendations for the 435i and having spent over 30k miles behind the wheel of an E92 335i with the N55 engine I can vouch for what an excellent power-plant it is. However, 20k miles/annum sounds like it probably entails a fair proportion of motorway and dual carriageway driving and in those circumstances the 435d would probably make a very good case for itself; 90mph equates to only about 2k revs so it will munch long distances in a very effortless and relaxed manner! Obviously it won't sound as good as the petrol but if you spend a lot of time trawling motorways I reckon the engine will be pretty much inaudible in either car. However, I do agree that the 435d looks a tad strange with its raised ride height; for me a coupe is in large part about the looks and on that score the 435d is very much second best to the 435i IMO.

[gizlaroc]

gizlaroc said:

Great result.

Hope he enjoys it, sure he will.

Just realised it was not the OP saying they went for the 640d.

[moffat]

Snollygoster said:

Good advise regarding the 640d. I will pass it onto him as would be a no brainier if going down the diesel route.

640d advantages - loaded with kit as standard, best BMW interior, looks great and huge boot
640d disadvantages - rear space is cramped, you won't fit adults in there unless the front seats are moved forward, I've got a 2 1/2 year old so not so much of an issue and a wife with a 4 door car.