340i/440i GC/540i/S4 - £25k 300bhp plus petrol auto choices

340i/440i GC/540i/S4 - £25k 300bhp plus petrol auto choices

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Discussion

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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I think the assumed higher running costs, slightly higher purchase cost, higher mileage and older car might descope the M variants to be honest.

I too have budget crept, was 17, then 20, then 25. Really I think it has to be a 540i, 640i GC, 440i GC or 340i.

I might open it up to coupe variants though.

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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The M's counter the higher running costs with slower depreciation but I understand what you mean.

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

106 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Wouldn’t want an M car on the driveway, especially with little ones in the home.


RonnieHotdogs

1,002 posts

100 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Pistonheader101 said:
Wouldn’t want an M car on the driveway, especially with little ones in the home.
100%.

I had a 440i GC for 2 1/2 years and had zero issues, even parked on the road outside the house for over half of that.

Friend had an M3 competition he bought around the same time ... House broken into and stolen within 12 months.

Another friend has an M2 and has to keep it garaged, but has had people attempt to steal it twice. He's also had a few occasions where people have blatantly followed him and tried to get him to pull over claiming there's something hanging off his car etc.

Both in the Midlands, but nowhere near Birmingham.

Oh, and my 440i with the MPPSK sounded far better than both M cars, and cost significantly less to run.

Edited by RonnieHotdogs on Saturday 6th March 22:18

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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That is a big factor for me - actually just looked at the hot hatches , shame the Golf R shares a similar issue I wouldn't touch one, but actually I think it would be a good fit for me otherwise.

The Seat Leon Cupra and Cupra Ateca are interesting.

There don't seem to be many 40i's at the moment that are suitable. Hope more come on the market after the lockdown.

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
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ZX10R NIN said:
AndyD360 said:
Well timed thread for me - be interested in what you eventually end up with.

I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k

The very definition of budget creep...
The thing is you can get a nice M4 for 25k & I'll be honest & say I'd buy the 4 over the 2:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...
Not sure his home management would agree to the M tax.

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
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Pistonheader101 said:
Wouldn’t want an M car on the driveway, especially with little ones in the home.
I've had 6 and no one has ever coming knocking for it, the fear of vehicle theft is much higher than the reality of any risk as with all crime.





fflump

1,271 posts

37 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
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De-badging M cars can help. It’s the cool thing to do anyway

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
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Having another look today, there are only 15 or so 440i for sale on auto trader with age / mileage and price filters - seems unlikely I'm going to get one that is right.

Looking more at the interior agree with previous comments, I think the 6 series has quite an edge. The TFT dash I think is a must have , looks great .

My friend who had and saold a 540i very quickly says the engine doesn't suit the bigger cars. I used to do around 10kpa, we do a lot of weekend trips etc so diesel probably isn't an issue for me but did 'want' the Petrol.

There are heaps more 640d, 335d 435d available, power and driving pleasure wise I think I will get on with them (I had a remapped E60 530d) so I am edging towards them.

I have found a few new shape 530d well within budget. Dropping a little bit on power again, but gaining massively on interior spec.

Type R Tom

3,859 posts

148 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
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Did anyone mention the Kia stinger gt yet? Bit different.

aussieal

479 posts

160 months

Monday 8th March 2021
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joropug said:
There are heaps more 640d, 335d 435d available, power and driving pleasure wise I think I will get on with them (I had a remapped E60 530d) so I am edging towards them.

I have found a few new shape 530d well within budget. Dropping a little bit on power again, but gaining massively on interior spec.
I'm surprised you've decided to start looking at diesels, although appreciate good petrol options aren't as abundant. We went down to one car back in August, as both WFH and barely use one, even with the kids. It's a solid family wagon, but I can't wait to swap it for something petrol - will likely be another 12 months or so as need to prioritise some stuff on the house.

When I do, I think it will be one of 540i touring, S6 Avant (the 4.0T) or S5 sportback.

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Monday 8th March 2021
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aussieal said:
I'm surprised you've decided to start looking at diesels, although appreciate good petrol options aren't as abundant. We went down to one car back in August, as both WFH and barely use one, even with the kids. It's a solid family wagon, but I can't wait to swap it for something petrol - will likely be another 12 months or so as need to prioritise some stuff on the house.

When I do, I think it will be one of 540i touring, S6 Avant (the 4.0T) or S5 sportback.
I'm not settled yet to be honest, I think my main issue is that there are literally 10-15 440i in budget with sub 50kish miles, in the entire country. Most of these are devoid of spec, or have a colour combination I don't like.

640i again can count on one hand, but 640d There are 50 odd under 20k, facelifts with decent mileage and spec - Just seems I can get a lot more for the money

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Monday 8th March 2021
quotequote all
Type R Tom said:
Did anyone mention the Kia stinger gt yet? Bit different.
There's a white one for sale in budget and have to say it does catch my eye, but my Wife thinks it looks disgusting and can't get past the badge.

To be honest, neither can I - I'm sure they're great but just don't stir any emotions for me.

aussieal

479 posts

160 months

Monday 8th March 2021
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joropug said:
I'm not settled yet to be honest, I think my main issue is that there are literally 10-15 440i in budget with sub 50kish miles, in the entire country. Most of these are devoid of spec, or have a colour combination I don't like.

640i again can count on one hand, but 640d There are 50 odd under 20k, facelifts with decent mileage and spec - Just seems I can get a lot more for the money
I know what you mean, the combination of shortage of options on petrol models and the lack of additional spec is quite frustrating isn't it.

I like the idea of a 340i touring or a 440i GC, I'm just not a fan of the F3X interiors, particularly the seats.

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Monday 8th March 2021
quotequote all
aussieal said:
I know what you mean, the combination of shortage of options on petrol models and the lack of additional spec is quite frustrating isn't it.

I like the idea of a 340i touring or a 440i GC, I'm just not a fan of the F3X interiors, particularly the seats.
The seats are what's putting me off too, here is a 440i vs 640i - A flattering photo in both, in adverts they look really narrow in the 4 compared. A little lost.

640i:
https://izmostock.photoshelter.com/image/I0000V4N....

440i:
https://izmostock.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/B...


I just listened to a few 640i and 640d videos, think the sound of the petrol is going to swing it - that said, for a diesel, it sounds pretty good.

Seeker UK

1,442 posts

157 months

Monday 8th March 2021
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If you fancy a Ghibli, check you can live with its dimensions. They're a big old thing but hide it very well, until you need to park it.

MarkJS

1,517 posts

146 months

Monday 8th March 2021
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joropug said:
aussieal said:
I know what you mean, the combination of shortage of options on petrol models and the lack of additional spec is quite frustrating isn't it.

I like the idea of a 340i touring or a 440i GC, I'm just not a fan of the F3X interiors, particularly the seats.
The seats are what's putting me off too, here is a 440i vs 640i - A flattering photo in both, in adverts they look really narrow in the 4 compared. A little lost.

640i:
https://izmostock.photoshelter.com/image/I0000V4N....

440i:
https://izmostock.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/B...


I just listened to a few 640i and 640d videos, think the sound of the petrol is going to swing it - that said, for a diesel, it sounds pretty good.
I think the head-rest of the 6 Series seats help to give the impression that the seats themselves are wider. I have sat in both and both seats are supremely comfortable and you also get adjustable side bolsters which changes the width. I’d try to avoid the Dakota leather if possible - it wears very well but doesn’t feel/look quite as nice as the upgraded leather.

If you can, try to hold out for a 40i. The Diesel’s are good but the Petrol 3.0 is much better and there is surprisingly little in it when it comes to economy (unless you are constantly on the motorway, of course). Have a look at BMW’s AUC part of their site - quite often cars will come up on there before they have been prep’d and long before they appear on Autotrader.

You seem to have ruled it out anyway, but the KIA Stinger was ruled out by me as it feels (relatively) massive on the road and comes with stupidly short 6000 mile service intervals. Some exotica doesn’t need servicing that often...




dunc69

687 posts

246 months

Monday 8th March 2021
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If the wife doesn’t like the Stinger, I guess it’s an uphill battle.

But maybe try one. And you should both see one in the flesh, and check out the spec / toys. Go post Mar ‘19 for most of the the latest upgrades.

I was looking seriously at the 540i xDrive, but once I tried the Stinger, and realised the vfm, it was an easy decision.


carparkno1

1,432 posts

157 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
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I take it the 4 doors is a definitive requirement? My 2 door 440i is very well specced and up for £25.5 so would come in your budget.

If not, I would say as someone who drove both a 640d and a 440i, I picked the 4 series (even if the 6 had had the B58 in it).

Newer, less miles for the money, the interior is great (the 6 is plusher for sure but the 4 is hardly poverty), it's a better steer, and the rear room even in the 2 door is better than the 6 which is a reverse tardis.

I get myself (6ft4), my wife (5ft8) in the front and my 4yr old in the back no problems, just move the front seat forward and he pops in. The boot obviously isn't the same as the GC which is more of a Mondeo-style hatch.

Big fan of the styling of both, you can't go wrong but do get the petrol, it's a monumentally good engine combined with the ZF8.


joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
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I've just had another look at them - It's just not for me, I can't get excited about it to look at - I am very much a BMW fanboy, the favourite cars I have owned have been:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

Honda Accord Type R - For the raw driving pleasure, I was 19
330ci M Sport - This was such a nice example, drove flawlessly and sounded fantastic
330ci Clubsport - Not as good an example, but looked better and had the 6 speed
TT225 Roadster - Rapid little thing after a remap, but impractical
530d M Sport - Had bags of torque after a remap, owned it for 2.5 years but started getting a bit long in the tooth and hadn't had any significant maintenance so sold before it started needing it all at once.

The Merc makes it into the list for looks and driving dynamics - I think it handles superbly and actually goes well being twin turbo, but at only 170hp it just doesn't thrill in the slightest and sounds very diesely.

In terms of this new ambient lighting in the BMW range, i think so far the only model that has it is the New shape 5 series is that right? It does make the interior look quite special - My BIL and FIL both have E classes with it. Not essential but wondering if it's optional on the older cars.