535i advice please

[piperdelux]

After a weekend looking at Golfs, S3's and the like, myself and the other half have ruled out anything this size, for practicality reasons. Definitely needs to be bigger.

Having had LOTS of useful input from people on here previously, I have narrowed down my options to a few. If Drive the Deal figures are accurate, will go and look at an A4 Avant Black edition with tech pack.

As far as used, have ruled out diesel due to mileage required, and definitely want auto. Also peace of mind of a decent warranty.

I am very tempted to go and take a look at the following 535i - it would be a 4 hour round trip mind, so would like some opinions from anyone knowledgeable on here - does it look like a decent example? Is there anything particular I need to look for if I'm test driving etc? Pricing about right?

https://www.sytner.co.uk/bmw/car-search/9347377-11...

As always, all help is much appreciated.

[strath44]

The price is not bad, there aren't big numbers of them about.

Personally I would be avoiding it as its too far the other end of your search spectrum, they are great cars but hardly nimble and at that age the potential for a fairly hefty repair bill is likely. With a 4 hour drive when the inevitable happens maybe look for one closer to home! It will consume a fair bit of party juice as well!

As discussed here before I think that version of the 5 series (in any guise) was a real let down to its predecessor!

If you like the BMW route have you considered a 4 series? - the Gt has a really decent boot and easier then the 5 series for access!

This is obviously a diesel but a lot of bang for buck IMO and a newer car overall!

https://www.sytner.co.uk/bmw/car-search/9141419-11...

That one above has 40 odd less horses but still gets you to 5.5 ish 0-60!! Nice and frugal also in comparison!

Edited by strath44 on Monday 18th February 12:01

[strath44]

have a spare sec, here are some petrols! Excuse the irony of them being half way around the country but you get the idea!!

This looks a bit of a bargain ;-) 440i !! Via BMW dealer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Also


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


And

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[piperdelux]

Thanks for taking the time for such a detailed reply. I did have a 420 coupe a few years back, company car. Apart from the dual mass flywheel going pop I really enjoyed it.

I had read that the shape of the Gran Coupe made it a ballache trying to get the kids seat in the back - I do prefer the look of it though.

Also you're most likely right about the 5 being a bit too much the other end of the scale - especially as I'm going to be coming out of an S5 coupe.

I'm trying to have practical/family head on. My local BMW have a 440i Gran Coupe so i'll go take a nosey at that.

The 440 you linked to does look a steal - thanks again.

[strath44]

No worries, coming from an S5 that will take a bit of beating in the box ticking! Sorry I think you'd be disappointed with the 5 series quite quickly.

[piperdelux]

Anyone have any experience of a 435i or 440i? Have had a good trawl at available cars today, these stand out as good options - wondering if the 440 is worth the extra outlay....

Here is the 440i;

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201902014521447...

And the 435;

https://www.sytner.co.uk/bmw/car-search/9410521-11...

[GreatGranny]

Not had experience but I think these are a great looking car.

It seems not much between them in performance.

Are they basically the same engine just different tune?

You just need to drive both and decide.

[SWoll]

For the budget of that 535i this is where my money would go.

So much more car for the money than the 4 or 5 series and comes with official used warranty so no worries there
.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201901123881734...

[piperdelux]

SWoll said:

For the budget of that 535i this is where my money would go.

So much more car for the money than the 4 or 5 series and comes with official used warranty so no worries there
.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201901123881734...

That looks a great car - I have ruled out diesel in my mind due to low mileage requirements - from reading on here I'd be asking for trouble?

[SWoll]

piperdelux said:

SWoll said:

For the budget of that 535i this is where my money would go.

So much more car for the money than the 4 or 5 series and comes with official used warranty so no worries there
.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201901123881734...

That looks a great car - I have ruled out diesel in my mind due to low mileage requirements - from reading on here I'd be asking for trouble?

Understand what you are saying but petrol models are few and far between and if you keep it under official warranty and give it a decent run once a week I don't think there's too much to worry about.

Here's a 640i GC for comparison, ups the budget a bit though. https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201901143920397...

FYI, the silver 640D also has the M Sport Plus package fitted so upgraded hi-fi, bigger wheels, heads up display etc. and being a 2014 car you also get the digital cockpit.

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 19th February 09:50

[ScoobyChris]

If it's like the 1-series, the engines are different (35i is N55 IIRC and 40i is B58) but pretty similar in size and configuration. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either but worth a drive of each to see for yourself. I picked the 40i

Chris

[ZX10R NIN]

Here are a couple of other 535i's

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

640i GC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 19th February 15:56

[snake_oil]

Would also agree with the 6 series suggestion. Been looking recently and pricewise used are about the same as 4 series. Petrols thin on the ground but check the reviews of the 40d. As diesels go it's one of the best and quite tuneful too.

Petrol here:

I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

[TheAlastair34]

snake_oil said:

Would also agree with the 6 series suggestion. Been looking recently and pricewise used are about the same as 4 series. Petrols thin on the ground but check the reviews of the 40d. As diesels go it's one of the best and quite tuneful too.

Petrol here:

I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

i drove a 640d recently and i really liked it, you get a 80k car 5 years old for 20k and its good on fuel and in the real word its fairly rapid! it surprised me thats for sure

[piperdelux]

TheAlastair34 said:

i drove a 640d recently and i really liked it, you get a 80k car 5 years old for 20k and its good on fuel and in the real word its fairly rapid! it surprised me thats for sure

Oh it looks fantastic and a huge amount of metal for the £ - as I said I had ruled out diesel in my mind due to seeing so many replies on here about low mileage daily commutes being a no no for the DPF etc... My daily commute is circa 8 miles round trip, with a stop off en route at the nursery to drop the nipper off. It would get a longer run fairly often on weekends.

Am I ruling diesel back in with that criteria? Just as I'd narrowed down a huge field :-)

[cerb4.5lee]

I loved my 640d and it is a great engine(for a diesel), really punchy yet offers 40 mpg. If you do go in the direction of the 6 series either petrol or diesel...I'd go for the 19" wheels rather than the 20" wheels. The ride is punishing on the 20's with the run flats.

The 6 series is a great looking car to my eyes and I'm usually quick to slate the looks of Bmw's. I loved the shape of the 6 series.

[SWoll]

cerb4.5lee said:

I loved my 640d and it is a great engine(for a diesel), really punchy yet offers 40 mpg. If you do go in the direction of the 6 series either petrol or diesel...I'd go for the 19" wheels rather than the 20" wheels. The ride is punishing on the 20's with the run flats.

The 6 series is a great looking car to my eyes and I'm usually quick to slate the looks of Bmw's. I loved the shape of the 6 series.

The GC version being particularly handsome in my eyes at least. Agree that the engine is a beauty and the best way to sort the ride with any BMW is dump the RFT's as quick as possible as they'll ruin the ride quality no matter the size of wheels.

Had an E61 530D years ago on 17's that rode horribly until I changed the tyres out for normal ones. Literally night and day, and that was on SE suspension.

TheAlastair34 said:

i drove a 640d recently and i really liked it, you get a 80k car 5 years old for 20k and its good on fuel and in the real word its fairly rapid! it surprised me thats for sure

This. Running costs are similar to 4/5 series, just as practical, interior is in a different league (as are the looks). The only possibly downside is that it's a big car.

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 19th February 16:27

[cerb4.5lee]

SWoll said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I loved my 640d and it is a great engine(for a diesel), really punchy yet offers 40 mpg. If you do go in the direction of the 6 series either petrol or diesel...I'd go for the 19" wheels rather than the 20" wheels. The ride is punishing on the 20's with the run flats.

The 6 series is a great looking car to my eyes and I'm usually quick to slate the looks of Bmw's. I loved the shape of the 6 series.

The GC version being particularly handsome in my eyes at least. Agree that the engine is a beauty and the best way to sort the ride with any BMW is dump the RFT's as quick as possible as they'll ruin the ride quality no matter the size of wheels.

Had an E61 530D years ago on 17's that rode horribly until I changed the tyres out for normal ones. Literally night and day, and that was on SE suspension.

I swapped the run flats on mine to normal on the 20" wheels and it transformed the ride/car for sure. Annoyingly though I suffered from three punctures in a short space of time for some reason. I guess it was the tiny sidewall that just didn't hold up very well on the normal tyres or I was just massively unlucky.

I did consider buying a spacesaver off eBay and leaving it in the boot if I had kept the car, because the compressor/gunk didn't work out for me. It was frustrating because I was left stranded twice and I was then regretting changing the run flats. Luckily my third puncture was on the drive so I took it off and got a new tyre from my local tyre place.

[Shiv_P]

The first post 535i - steering wheel looks very worn for 25k miles...

[ScoobyChris]

Shiv_P said:

The first post 535i - steering wheel looks very worn for 25k miles...

Errrrrrrrrrrr....

Chris