435i: Buy now or wait?
Discussion
Hi Pistonheads,
I've lurked without an account for year after year, reading the content with great pleasure like some kind of seedy voyeur, but I have a question that requires the expert advice of the hooning masses so Im finally going to get involved.
I'm looking at buying a car, preferably used and up to £30k and Ill likely hold on to it for up to 4 years. I do 12k a year, mostly short trips with an occasional 2-400mile blast every month or so so Ive ruled out diesels. I have no family to worry about so I want it to be fun and involving and preferably a coupe but realistically it will need to be a daily driver with a boot and 4 seats still. I'm hoping to buy a fun 2 seat weekend car next year so ideally this daily driver will be reasonably economical.
I've always been a fan of the 335i coupe and prices are great but there aren't too many in the spec I'd like and I've noticed the 435i has just about hit my budget and they are ideal being fast, good looking and mid 30's mpg and with lots more gadgets than the 335i. An Estoril blue one sold recently with 8k on the clock for £30k for example.
Question is: The 435i is still pretty new and am I buying used whilst its still depreciating too heavily? The 440i is looming and whilst its not really going to be a colossal improvement, and could be matched and bettered with a relatively light remap, will it impact 435i prices even more? I know cars depreciate and I do accept that I will be losing money on a car as we all do, but I'm worried I will be losing more than I need to.
Would it be better to buy something short term for 6-12mths while prices tumble further and then get a 435i and if that is the case, what would be on your radar? Or do I just say sod the massive depreciation and go for the 435i which I really like with all its lovely gadgets and hold on to it for the 3-4 years?
Please help!!
I've lurked without an account for year after year, reading the content with great pleasure like some kind of seedy voyeur, but I have a question that requires the expert advice of the hooning masses so Im finally going to get involved.
I'm looking at buying a car, preferably used and up to £30k and Ill likely hold on to it for up to 4 years. I do 12k a year, mostly short trips with an occasional 2-400mile blast every month or so so Ive ruled out diesels. I have no family to worry about so I want it to be fun and involving and preferably a coupe but realistically it will need to be a daily driver with a boot and 4 seats still. I'm hoping to buy a fun 2 seat weekend car next year so ideally this daily driver will be reasonably economical.
I've always been a fan of the 335i coupe and prices are great but there aren't too many in the spec I'd like and I've noticed the 435i has just about hit my budget and they are ideal being fast, good looking and mid 30's mpg and with lots more gadgets than the 335i. An Estoril blue one sold recently with 8k on the clock for £30k for example.
Question is: The 435i is still pretty new and am I buying used whilst its still depreciating too heavily? The 440i is looming and whilst its not really going to be a colossal improvement, and could be matched and bettered with a relatively light remap, will it impact 435i prices even more? I know cars depreciate and I do accept that I will be losing money on a car as we all do, but I'm worried I will be losing more than I need to.
Would it be better to buy something short term for 6-12mths while prices tumble further and then get a 435i and if that is the case, what would be on your radar? Or do I just say sod the massive depreciation and go for the 435i which I really like with all its lovely gadgets and hold on to it for the 3-4 years?
Please help!!
Thanks guys!
Smuler - Whats a Porn Hub? Haha I thought I'd make a light hearted entry to the forums but perhaps it was more creepy than I thought. A 335i might not be a bad shout really. I have to admit I love the interior and gadgets of the F32 vs E92 and I prefer the exterior too, though as you point out I may be losing a few percentage points in terms of driver involvement whilst only gaining a few in economy and performance.
I wouldn't mind that at all as I want the weekend car to really fill that driver involvement role but like you point out a 335i will save me SOOOO much money. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the gearbox, I thought the ZF8 is pretty much universally adored? Chris Harris absolutely raves about it.
Ftypical - 235i is meant to be a lot better to drive and is of course more powerful (why did they hold the 435i power back?!) and faster. Looking at the negatives though I find the looks to be a little squashed in comparison to the 4 series and have never been crazy about smaller cars, and price wise its reasonably similar to the 435i though and so I guess it will be in the same depreciation wise?
Moffat - Where have you got those 440i figures? Most sources I've seen have estimated between 320-340hp though I guess no one will know for sure till nearer the release?
MrBurt - Life is too short, you're right. I guess I do love everything about the idea of just going straight in for the 435i as it ticks every box other than my worry about the potential over the odds depreciation. I just wasn't sure if my thinking was sound or if there was another option I hadn't thought of.
Smuler - Whats a Porn Hub? Haha I thought I'd make a light hearted entry to the forums but perhaps it was more creepy than I thought. A 335i might not be a bad shout really. I have to admit I love the interior and gadgets of the F32 vs E92 and I prefer the exterior too, though as you point out I may be losing a few percentage points in terms of driver involvement whilst only gaining a few in economy and performance.
I wouldn't mind that at all as I want the weekend car to really fill that driver involvement role but like you point out a 335i will save me SOOOO much money. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the gearbox, I thought the ZF8 is pretty much universally adored? Chris Harris absolutely raves about it.
Ftypical - 235i is meant to be a lot better to drive and is of course more powerful (why did they hold the 435i power back?!) and faster. Looking at the negatives though I find the looks to be a little squashed in comparison to the 4 series and have never been crazy about smaller cars, and price wise its reasonably similar to the 435i though and so I guess it will be in the same depreciation wise?
Moffat - Where have you got those 440i figures? Most sources I've seen have estimated between 320-340hp though I guess no one will know for sure till nearer the release?
MrBurt - Life is too short, you're right. I guess I do love everything about the idea of just going straight in for the 435i as it ticks every box other than my worry about the potential over the odds depreciation. I just wasn't sure if my thinking was sound or if there was another option I hadn't thought of.
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