BMW 435i or 428i?
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Discussion

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
Could really do with some advice on this.

Been looking at these two cars and I really need some advice on what I should go with.

First guy with the 435i has said he would take 16.2k for the car. His reason is, he's in a bit of a rush and dealers are offering to buy it for 16k, but he would rather sell it privately. It does have 4 owners but does have low miles of 39k. This is the listing: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104231...

Second guy with a 428i has been super straight forward with me, been speaking with him for days now back and fourth. His one I like as it has a body kit and exhaust, it has 58k miles but 3 owners (1 owner less then the 435i) but it's a 4 pot of course. He has said he would take 15.2k for it and I am seeing him tomorrow. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104071...

I do have a budget here of 15k so the stretch to 16k is a bit hurtful and I am not 100% sure if it is legit. Sounds a bit too good to be true unless you guys think otherwise. Also the MPG on the 435i isn't as good so they kind of even out eachother. Your views on this would be great thank you in advance.


HM-2

12,467 posts

197 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
Do you want a 3-door or a 5-door? The first one is a GC.
I'd always rather have the excellent I6 (even in the older N55 guise) than the I4. Plus the try-hard exhaust on the 428i looks a bit silly.

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for your reply and a 3 door really, the 3 doors in my area are just out of my price range. They are 18k-19k. Literally that 435i is a one of a kind. Cheapest I have been offered or seen within 50 miles from me

blue_haddock

5,003 posts

95 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
428i looks 100% pure chav whereas the 435i looks so much better and obviously has the better engine.

No brainer for me.

320d is all you need

2,114 posts

71 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
Irrespective of specific modifications the 35i is such a nicer engine. Performance wise and not really worse economy (outside of stop start traffic).


The linked 428 looks very nice but all those exhausts and still only a 2.0...

Look elsewhere and buy a 435i.

You don't need to worry looking for negative 15 owners with 12 miles.

Buy a higher mileage if you need to or stretch your budget.

For the sake of 1K or 20K Miles or so - I'd buy a 435 over a 428 any day of the week.

Edited by 320d is all you need on Wednesday 28th April 19:58

drdino

1,306 posts

170 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
One is a coupe, the other one a Grandcoupe... I'd avoid the 428i simply due to the N20 issues. The 435i is a bit better equipped if you care about that.

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
320d is all you need said:
Irrespective of specific modifications the 35i is such a nicer engine. Performance wise and not really worse economy (outside of stop start traffic).
Love your name lol I currently have a 320d. And thanks for the info, its more of the case of, is the guy legit, I suppose I don't know till I see him tomorrow. I'm 99% certain the 428i guy is genuine.

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

135 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
100% the 435i. No brainer for the price.

320d is all you need

2,114 posts

71 months

Wednesday 28th April 2021
quotequote all
Way2Fast said:
320d is all you need said:
Irrespective of specific modifications the 35i is such a nicer engine. Performance wise and not really worse economy (outside of stop start traffic).
Love your name lol I currently have a 320d. And thanks for the info, its more of the case of, is the guy legit, I suppose I don't know till I see him tomorrow. I'm 99% certain the 428i guy is genuine.
Great car? What model?

I have a lowly E46 with the slushmatic. Its tatty to look at but has good brakes, suspension bushes etc all upgraded and a tune.

What do you mean by "genuine" (as In a genuine seller)?

Just look at both cars, and judge them on their merits.
Don't rush into a purchase. Check with HPI / Vcheck etc.

Believe me you should stretch to the 35i. Even if not that specific one. There is another blue one on ebay for 16750 so I'm sure you could get him down to 16 if you show up ready to transfer? Check it out smile

The linked car is a GT model so more SUV-like, not svelte like the normal 4 series

The 28i is still a 2.0. 240hp. Yawn
The 35i is 3.0. 320ish HP. Sounds great.
And on a run not really much less economical. Not really any more expensive to run (2 more spark plugs and 2L extra oil, aside).

Even if you need to wait another month or two. You'll be so glad you did every single time you drive it.


Elroy Blue

8,836 posts

220 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
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Have spent quite a while looking for a 435 with my son. You should look at the BMW website. Those prices aren't far off AUC listings .
He got £700 off a £19k car, so worth haggling

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
320d is all you need said:
Great car? What model?

I have a lowly E46 with the slushmatic. Its tatty to look at but has good brakes, suspension bushes etc all upgraded and a tune.

What do you mean by "genuine" (as In a genuine seller)?

Just look at both cars, and judge them on their merits.
Don't rush into a purchase. Check with HPI / Vcheck etc.

Believe me you should stretch to the 35i. Even if not that specific one. There is another blue one on ebay for 16750 so I'm sure you could get him down to 16 if you show up ready to transfer? Check it out smile

The linked car is a GT model so more SUV-like, not svelte like the normal 4 series

The 28i is still a 2.0. 240hp. Yawn
The 35i is 3.0. 320ish HP. Sounds great.
And on a run not really much less economical. Not really any more expensive to run (2 more spark plugs and 2L extra oil, aside).

Even if you need to wait another month or two. You'll be so glad you did every single time you drive it.
I have a mapped stage 1 e92 320d, its a great car which pulls well and has 40mpg on average. But yeah I am going to look at the 435i today, after doing research it seems the GT model is only slightly heavier and a lot of people say its worth getting as its more practical so the fact the car is a GT doesn't bother me really. Its always been a pain with passengers getting in my car with 320d coupe, they could never sit behind me as i am 6ft 4 lol.

Thanks for your advice, looking forward to seeing the 435i today

Andy665

4,159 posts

256 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
320d is all you need said:
The linked car is a GT model so more SUV-like, not svelte like the normal 4 series
Its not the GT, its a GC, the GT is pig ugly and as you say, more SUV like, the GranCoupe is a great looking car. If condition was similar it would be the 35i every time

MrBen1

642 posts

146 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
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I test drove both 428 and 435 and I bought the 435, and three years on absolutely love it. Overall I get about 28mpg, which really isn't that bad and it'll turn in a true 40mpg on a long run. Lovely cruiser but when you want to enjoy the engine, pop it in sport mode and it flies, plus makes a gorgeous noise when really going for it. Compared to that the 428 just felt like a slightly upgraded 320i fleet car.

There's mention above of a choice between 3 door and 5 door - to be pedantic it's a choice between 2 door and 5 door as the coupe is a true coupe with a boot, whilst the Gran Coupe is a hatchback - that might sway you if you need a hatch. If not quite a few 435i coupes do come up around that sort of price point.

drgoatboy

2,027 posts

235 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
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I have sold cars like the 435 at a smidge over trade in. Selling cars at this price point privately is tough so if you want a quick sale you have to be in proper bargain territory, particularly if the car has been hanging round a while or a new car is nearly ready...

Check it out, if it looks legit 435 every time. Think the GC is the best looking of the normal BMW line up. But I am old...

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
Andy665 said:
Its not the GT, its a GC, the GT is pig ugly and as you say, more SUV like, the GranCoupe is a great looking car. If condition was similar it would be the 35i every time
Yeah its only slightly more heavy too which is quite good I thought, they seem to be quite rare where I live, barely any listed on auto trader within a 60 mile radius of me.

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
drgoatboy said:
I have sold cars like the 435 at a smidge over trade in. Selling cars at this price point privately is tough so if you want a quick sale you have to be in proper bargain territory, particularly if the car has been hanging round a while or a new car is nearly ready...

Check it out, if it looks legit 435 every time. Think the GC is the best looking of the normal BMW line up. But I am old...
That's a good point, I plan to keep it for several years, by then it will prob be worth a lot less so selling privately shouldn't be as hard (fingers crossed)

Supercell

112 posts

160 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
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The 435i has much better spec and of course engine. Not sure I quite believe the seller that he's happy to take £16200 when they've offered £16000 trade in. £200 profit for the hassle of a private sale, added to the fact it costs between £55 and £75 ish to list on autotrader...


320d is all you need

2,114 posts

71 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
Andy665 said:
320d is all you need said:
The linked car is a GT model so more SUV-like, not svelte like the normal 4 series
Its not the GT, its a GC, the GT is pig ugly and as you say, more SUV like, the GranCoupe is a great looking car. If condition was similar it would be the 35i every time
Ah ok, my mistake. Still looks a bit like a puffer fish to me laughsmile

Way2Fast

Original Poster:

44 posts

74 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
quotequote all
Supercell said:
The 435i has much better spec and of course engine. Not sure I quite believe the seller that he's happy to take £16200 when they've offered £16000 trade in. £200 profit for the hassle of a private sale, added to the fact it costs between £55 and £75 ish to list on autotrader...
Saw him today and got him down to £16,000 , the car was really great and in perfect condition. He is selling privately as it's his own car he's used for a while. The only thing that could be remotely criticised was the fact the service before the last one was done slightly late according to the computer in the car. He did say and showed me that he got a full service done and everything checked. As it's low mileage though some owners feel it's not 'necessary' to get serviced which isn't ideal.

ZX10R NIN

30,471 posts

153 months

Thursday 29th April 2021
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The 435i is a better spec than the 428i & for that reason & of course the 6 pot it would be the 435i GC everytime out of those two.