435 X Drive or 240i as an everyday car?

[Davel]

Looking at two cars at the moment, a black 435d x-drive Sport with red leather

And a grey M 240i with oyster leather.

How practical is Oyster leather and can it be kept clean? Thinking of marks from wearing jeans etc.

The 435 is higher spec'd and, I guess, more suited for the poorer weather but I'm struggling to decide really.

Both pre-registered and so discounted.

Which would you choose and why?

Coming from a Boxster which I've just sold.

Edited by Davel on Sunday 20th November 12:54

Edited by Davel on Sunday 20th November 12:54

[Davel]

Well I use my R1200GS in the decent weather mostly and commute about 30 miles per day.

I think the M240i looks lovely in mineral grey and understated, which might be a good thing.

Just struggling to choose.

Edited by Davel on Sunday 20th November 14:12

[Davel]

It's an auto but I do buy autos these days - old git of 62.

Think the M240i is the way to go.

Thanks for the feedback.

Oh and

DAB
M aero body styling
Cruise control with brake function
BMW online services
Sports multi function steering wheel
USB Audio Interface
M Sport braking system
Headlamp power wash
Business Nav
Mobility Kit (WTF?)

4 miles and registered 4 November £30,987

[Davel]

Would Business Nav be a deal breaker for you.

Don't really need the disc capacity but what are the other downsides apart from a smaller screen?

[Davel]

Thanks for that, so not really the saving that the guy stated.

Will have to think now about if I can wait that long.

Cheers

[Davel]

Can you have the nav upgraded at all to the pro or is it too late if already speccd

[Davel]

Thanks everyone for your input - apart for the comment about needing mobility help to get in and out

Anyway, I've bought the M240i and love the colour combination.

Hope to pick her up Friday.

Motorcycle commute until then in all this rain.

Never slept so little pondering about which car to buy and really looking forward picking her up.

Photos will follow......

Meanwhile a couple of tasters:



|http://thumbsnap.com/fvsqYK14[/url]

Edited by Davel on Monday 21st November 16:57

[Davel]

No - heart over head decision as always with me.....

[Davel]

msej449 said:

@Fox-:So the Inventory for free stuff is

1L of Engine Oil
1L Winter Screenwash
1x Spare Bulb Set as required for EU
Proper EU-Conformant Number Plates
Fitting of the useful footwell net, which you might deign to actually pay for ....

Edited by msej449 on Monday 21st November 18:01

May be too late but will ask.

Sorry Julian, my response was a little short. The 435 X drive was in York and the M240i is the middle of the Chester showroom, so a test drive wasn't really an option.

Just saw it and was smitten - hence heart over head. I tend to act on impulse with cars.

Maybe the wrong decision but will know soon enough.

Thanks again all....

[Davel]

Great stuff - cheers

[Davel]

Well picked her up yesterday morning from Chester Dealership who have been good to deal with.

Love the colour, the interior, the engine and gearbox and the way that she drives.

Not happy with the lack of steering feedback, nor keen on the business navigation. Little things like showing the speed limit on the roads that you are driving on although, to be fair, they were often wrong on the Boxster in any case as speed limits change. Would have preferred the bigger screen.

Will slowly get use to the I-drive stuff but can anyone tell me how to turn off the bloody traffic announcements please.

Oh and a few photos:

[Davel]

Cheers

It kills each announcement as it's being made but doesn't seem to stop them.

[Davel]

Thanks very much.

Was shown the buttons - really handy

Actually, seem to have stopped the traffic announcements now!

Edited by Davel on Tuesday 6th December 10:26

[Davel]

Well two weeks in and almost 500 miles to date, I have to admit to being very disappointed.

After all the rave reviews, I made the mistake of buying without a test drive.

I'm finding the lack of steering feedback quite unnerving and find the car fast but pretty characterless.

So sadly, I think that this will be a brief relationship and wish I'd kept the Boxster.

Oh dear, how to tell the wife ...

Edited by Davel on Wednesday 7th December 21:22

[Davel]

I think you're right and suspect that my 14 plate Boxster also had similar steering but, somehow, it felt a much better drive and much more flickable.

I think I'll let it go as soon as I can and move on, rather than spend more money on it.

[Davel]

I think that's fair.

I was guided pretty much by many of the rave reviews including a Top Gear one and a few on Youtube - all good.

I said at the start that mine was a heart over head decision and there weren't any locally to try.

So my fault entirely and lesson learned.

There's nothing wrong with the car as such, it's just not what I thought it would be in terms of fun / character etc.

[Davel]

Well thanks everyone for your input.

I'm now at about 1200 miles and have to say that, apart from the lack of feel in the steering, the car is really growing on me.

The Professional Nav might have been better but it does the job and I'm slowly getting used to the i-drive system.

I think that the grip is far better than first thought - you just don't 'feel' it.

Edited by Davel on Tuesday 10th January 12:07