Help deciding between 430d sDrive or 435d xDrive
Discussion
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?
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?
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??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?
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.
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