BMW car buying decision

BMW car buying decision

Author
Discussion

JoelTLOU

Original Poster:

11 posts

41 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
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Hello,

I am currently doing my research into what BMW I should buy. I know I want a BMW, but with a large range to choose from, I am trying to figure out what would be best for my circumstance. I do not have great car knowledge, so thought I'd come here where I'm sure most people reading would know a large deal more knowledge than I do currently.

In my ideal world, I'd be getting something like a 435d, which to me, seemed to have a good balance between performance and efficiency. Though with diesels being demonised (as they seemingly always have been), I'd rather just not go for a diesel if I can help it. I had my mind set on a 440i GC for about a year, but then my circumstances changed due to COVID and my commute is now longer, and likely to stay that way for a while.

My current commute is that I drive 120/140 miles (that's there and back) 1-2 times a week. It's about 30% motorway, 70% country roads. Depends on my route really. Could make it more 70% motor way 30% country roads, though tend to go the scenic route as it is more fun to drive. I do this 1-2 times a week.

I'd like a car that was a bit pokey and could hold the road, so I could enjoy certain parts of my commute; the country roads. I recently thought I'd get a 530e, which seemed to be 'fast' while also maintaining a high MPG. Doing my research into plug-in hybrids, I don't think I would get any real benefit from having one, and the official MPG just doesn't seem achievable on my commute. It seems I'd basically have 24~ miles on the electric battery, then the remaining 100 odd miles on a less efficient B48 cause of the extra car weight from the battery. So seems like a company car you'd get for tax reasons, and for me I would be better off getting a 530i. I know you can put the car into a mode where it charges the electric battery back up, but then you lose more efficiency on the petrol engine... I just don't know if it would be worth it? Any input here would obviously be helpful if anyone could advise on the efficiency of the 530e vs the 530i on longer journeys.

Basically, I just want something that isn't going to cost a ridiculous amount in fuel, is comfortable for long journeys and my commute (I do sometimes do 300 mile journeys to see family etc...), but is also fun to drive and has good performance. Obviously you sacrifice MPG for performance to a degree, so it's more finding a suitable middle-ground. I don't really have a budget on the car itself, though I would want this for the next 5+ years so running costs are more important, and I don't want to buy something I'd get bored of within a year... . . . .

Any input from anyone would be appreciated.



Edited by JoelTLOU on Saturday 24th October 19:20


Edited by JoelTLOU on Saturday 24th October 19:21

Starm

83 posts

153 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
A 530d is probably the car you need for frugality and performance but if you don’t want a diesel, maybe a petrol 3 series, I’m considering a 540i at the moment but reviews sway to the 530d instead.

JoelTLOU

Original Poster:

11 posts

41 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
My life would be a lot easier if I felt that buying a diesel was a long term solution. It just seems like the value of a diesel car isn't going to fair well in the next 5+ years with all the emission laws in the midst. Or maybe it will take longer than 5 years for the value of diesels to be affected. I don't know...

530d is definitely around the lines of something I would want though in terms of MPG and performance.


Edited by JoelTLOU on Saturday 24th October 20:37

xcesx

134 posts

151 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
I've just bought a G31 530d X Drive. I looked at the 540i as well but the reviews pushed me towards the diesel. I must admit I do like the BMW 6 cylinder oil burner (used to have a F30 335d).

I'm not worried about the decline of diesel, it will be about for years yet. They still make up a big percentage of new car sales and will continue to do so until EVs become viable.


Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
I’d avoid a diesel , this article sums up a lot of concerns and is already dated as the ban on new petrol and diesel cars is brought forward to 2030. Plus there’s a lot of post Covid literature promoting a greener future , a “great reset” to quote Time Magazine. If adopted all non EVs are under more threat. Diesel top of the list.

https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/will-coronavirus-ki...

I found the current generation G20/21 3 series a very nice daily driver. In the previous generation I hated anything that wasn’t 6 cylinder , but the 320i petrol loaner I had at the commencement of lockdown was decent performance and more fun being RWD.
I’ve had a loan of a 530d touring , fast but too effortless ; so much torque it felt like I had warp and speed. The 40i petrol engines offered more of a thrill. So if you have the budget , I’d sacrifice some of the 5 series luxury and get a petrol 3.
If you were thinking of a GC , then a touring ; more practical and I prefer looks/ image.


loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
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i dont think you said new or used. But if "buying" on PCP new and handing it back it won't matter if it is derv or not

DeWar

906 posts

45 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
Using the following figures:
440i - 37.7mpg
435d - 45.6mpg
530d - 60mpg
Petrol = £1.18/L
Diesel = £1.15/L
OP doing 13k miles p/a on motorway/A roads

and assuming that the MPG figure for each car is accurate (they’re obviously not but the commute described means getting close to official figures might be possible and in any case one could assume they will be equally inaccurate)

then the annual fuel costs would be:
440i - £1800
435d - £1530
530d - £1160

I don’t know to what degree tax, insurance and maintenance costs would differ between the three cars but based purely on the fuel costs, my personal preference for petrol and first hand knowledge of what a brilliant engine the B58 is, I’d look no further than the 440i.

Magnum 475

3,507 posts

131 months

Monday 26th October 2020
quotequote all
I think you've already talked yourself out of a 530e. This is probably a good thing. I was investigating the 330e / 530e / Mercedes C350e before Covid arrived. The issue with these is the battery warranty. Generally, by the time the car is 6 years old the battery is out of warranty. At this point the cost of a replacement battery is close the value of the car. I tend to keep my cars for a relatively long time, and this put me off completely.


Maxus

951 posts

180 months

Monday 26th October 2020
quotequote all
Pre COVID I was doing a similar commute to you but 3 days a week. I had a company 520d which was great for the journey. I borrowed a 530e as a potential replacement. Very impressive and I enjoyed the tech but realistically I would need to work hard to get 40 MPG (the 520d was 50mpg). Makes sense as a company car but not a private purchase.
Ended up opting out as not doing the commute anymore so considered a 530d, a 540i or a 640d. Went with the 640d GC.
I would say the 530d is a great choice. c£33k and you can get a 1 year old car from a Dealer.

Pizzaeatingking

493 posts

70 months

Monday 26th October 2020
quotequote all
If you can drive with enough restraint then the 40i engine really is fantastically economical. I've been doing a run that's about 40% country roads and 60% motorway, if I drive sensibly then it'll return 50mpg, for a near 400bhp car that's very impressive imo. Of course if I drive like a plonka then it'll soon drop but on a run it always seems to do 40mpg fairly easily.

I know people cry about buying a quick car and driving it economically but I'd rather take it steady on the commute and have a fun car for when I want a hoon than drive a diesel. I know everyone has their own priorities and what they want from a car though.

billshoreham

358 posts

124 months

Monday 26th October 2020
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I wrote my F31 335d off in a flood last December, I was reluctant to buy diesel again for the reasons above. I bought a 440i GC in January. I love the car but not quite as much as the 335D. I miss the diesel grunt!

loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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perhaps you shouldn't have driven into a flood?

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
billshoreham said:
I wrote my F31 335d off in a flood last December, I was reluctant to buy diesel again for the reasons above. I bought a 440i GC in January. I love the car but not quite as much as the 335D. I miss the diesel grunt!
I had exactly the same feeling switching from a F31 335d to a G31 540i - economy was worse by 40 % and that low down grunt was missed.

Maxus

951 posts

180 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
rassi said:
billshoreham said:
I wrote my F31 335d off in a flood last December, I was reluctant to buy diesel again for the reasons above. I bought a 440i GC in January. I love the car but not quite as much as the 335D. I miss the diesel grunt!
I had exactly the same feeling switching from a F31 335d to a G31 540i - economy was worse by 40 % and that low down grunt was missed.
This helps me validate my purchase decision smile I wanted the sound of the 40i but the half throttle grunt in the 40d is very satisfying.

ashenfie

704 posts

45 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
Smuler said:
I’d avoid a diesel , this article sums up a lot of concerns and is already dated as the ban on new petrol and diesel cars is brought forward to 2030. Plus there’s a lot of post Covid literature promoting a greener future , a “great reset” to quote Time Magazine. If adopted all non EVs are under more threat. Diesel top of the list.

https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/will-coronavirus-ki...

I found the current generation G20/21 3 series a very nice daily driver. In the previous generation I hated anything that wasn’t 6 cylinder , but the 320i petrol loaner I had at the commencement of lockdown was decent performance and more fun being RWD.
I’ve had a loan of a 530d touring , fast but too effortless ; so much torque it felt like I had warp and speed. The 40i petrol engines offered more of a thrill. So if you have the budget , I’d sacrifice some of the 5 series luxury and get a petrol 3.
If you were thinking of a GC , then a touring ; more practical and I prefer looks/ image.
Personally is see this article as the typical BS being spouted by people trying to sell or be convinced they need a new car. Making everyone think somehow what you have is no good and you need a new one advertising.

I don't really see how diesel cars go the wrap and VW didn't. VW are the bad guys here and Diesel the victim. The 2035 date is to remove petrol AND diesel cars because more or less they are BOTH bad for the environment.

Hybrid solutions are a mixed bag and the 330e could be worse than a 320d in running costs depending on your journeys.

Electric cars work for company car users because of the tax breaks for drivers who have their own way to charge. I see more and more charge point fulls these days and this suggests charging is not scalable. I suspect it's another google glass moment and we should remove the tax breaks and give children. lunch during the holidays. Seems more helpful during these COVID days




david-j8694

479 posts

47 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
DeWar said:
Using the following figures:
440i - 37.7mpg
435d - 45.6mpg
530d - 60mpg
Petrol = £1.18/L
Diesel = £1.15/L
OP doing 13k miles p/a on motorway/A roads

and assuming that the MPG figure for each car is accurate (they’re obviously not but the commute described means getting close to official figures might be possible and in any case one could assume they will be equally inaccurate)

then the annual fuel costs would be:
440i - £1800
435d - £1530
530d - £1160

I don’t know to what degree tax, insurance and maintenance costs would differ between the three cars but based purely on the fuel costs, my personal preference for petrol and first hand knowledge of what a brilliant engine the B58 is, I’d look no further than the 440i.
Those 440i figures will be pretty accurate for the OP's commute I reckon. I've got one, and 40-42mpg is easily achievable on a motorway run even on a fast run.

If he's booting it out of every slow corner on those country roads it'll be a different story though biggrin



Edited by david-j8694 on Tuesday 27th October 13:33

Uncle Meat

729 posts

249 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
The price of petrol and diesel per litre is the wrong way round.

DeWar

906 posts

45 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
Uncle Meat said:
The price of petrol and diesel per litre is the wrong way round.
Facepalm.

Though that does swing the equation further towards the B58!

billshoreham

358 posts

124 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
loskie said:
perhaps you shouldn't have driven into a flood?
perhaps if you dont have a sensible comment to make, you should shut your mouth

loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
quotequote all
you ok hun?