BMW car buying decision
Discussion
As much as the OP doesn't want one, a diesel does sound like it would suit his usage.
My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
Court_S said:
As much as the OP doesn't want one, a diesel does sound like it would suit his usage.
My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
My F30 LCI 335d, and now on 18” wheels is OK for me, nothing dire about it. I have read a lot about suspension upgrades, Birds etc, but I cannot see how £xxx amount spent will make me £xxx amount more content. Tank range just nudges over 500 miles before ‘50 mile remaining’ comes up.My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
Once you are used to having the torque, it would be hard to drop lower.
ashenfie said:
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.
The first part of your first sentence is correct - electric cars work as company cars because of the tax breaks. The second part, regarding charging, is less so. I know of several people who choose the company car hybrid option, and don't have the means to charge the car, nor any particular interest in doing so. Example: A friend got a 530e as a company car, and never charged it (on-street parking only at home). He had a fuel card, so didn't ultimately care if it did 20mpg or 120mpg. He would have had the 530i under normal circumstances, but the BIK argument is a convincing one.I'm not sure what you mean by charging not being scalable, as it is (scalable). It's just not happening at the same rate as electric cars or plug-in hybrids are being sold. Everyone I know with a fully electric car has a driveway and a charging point. I think you'd need to look at the logistics and feasibility of charging otherwise, which may become a massive drawback (i.e. driving round for 30 mins looking for a free charger, possibly having to pay for parking at the same time, and having to move the car again when it's charged). They suit some people for different reasons, but not everyone.
Back on the chat about which BMW to buy, there is a big difference in quality between the 1/2/3/4 series BMWs, and the 5/6/7 series. We owned a 1 series (F20), and I've driven a few 3 series F30's - they're similar in terms of refinement. The 5 though is a massive step up.
Court_S said:
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
Similar thoughts from me too, I tested one before getting my 40i. The diesel has plenty of shove but it does need the suspension sorting, the SE setup is too soft for something of that performance, at least for how I'd want to use it. I had an F30 335d for 3 years but wrote it off in an accident. I bought it brand new and fitted the AC springs straight away. Made it drive and look better. I think I spent about £500 all in for the springs and fitting.
I agree the 5 series up is a step up in quality.
I’ve got 2 cars, a G31 530d X Drive and a Golf GTI PP. I echo the comments about the petrol cars being ok on fuel. There’s nothing in it with mine cost wise, the D might be more efficient on a run but petrol is cheaper so I’d say they’re about the same.
I agree the 5 series up is a step up in quality.
I’ve got 2 cars, a G31 530d X Drive and a Golf GTI PP. I echo the comments about the petrol cars being ok on fuel. There’s nothing in it with mine cost wise, the D might be more efficient on a run but petrol is cheaper so I’d say they’re about the same.
Thank you everyone for your input. I think while a diesel definitely tickets all the boxes for what I would like, I'd feel more comfortable going with a 530i for now. The MPG is reasonable, according to Honest John, 36 mpg. The 40i @ 29mpg is just a tad too thirsty for me, though I'd love a 6 cylinder one day....
Anything is a step up from my current car (of which I will not be disclosing the make......lol)
Hopefully in a few years BMW hybrids become more viable, as at the moment it seems pointless for me as a private buyer.
Anything is a step up from my current car (of which I will not be disclosing the make......lol)
Hopefully in a few years BMW hybrids become more viable, as at the moment it seems pointless for me as a private buyer.
Pica-Pica said:
Court_S said:
As much as the OP doesn't want one, a diesel does sound like it would suit his usage.
My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
My F30 LCI 335d, and now on 18” wheels is OK for me, nothing dire about it. I have read a lot about suspension upgrades, Birds etc, but I cannot see how £xxx amount spent will make me £xxx amount more content. Tank range just nudges over 500 miles before ‘50 mile remaining’ comes up.My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
Once you are used to having the torque, it would be hard to drop lower.
Court_S said:
Pica-Pica said:
Court_S said:
As much as the OP doesn't want one, a diesel does sound like it would suit his usage.
My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
My F30 LCI 335d, and now on 18” wheels is OK for me, nothing dire about it. I have read a lot about suspension upgrades, Birds etc, but I cannot see how £xxx amount spent will make me £xxx amount more content. Tank range just nudges over 500 miles before ‘50 mile remaining’ comes up.My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
Once you are used to having the torque, it would be hard to drop lower.
Pica-Pica said:
Court_S said:
Pica-Pica said:
Court_S said:
As much as the OP doesn't want one, a diesel does sound like it would suit his usage.
My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
My F30 LCI 335d, and now on 18” wheels is OK for me, nothing dire about it. I have read a lot about suspension upgrades, Birds etc, but I cannot see how £xxx amount spent will make me £xxx amount more content. Tank range just nudges over 500 miles before ‘50 mile remaining’ comes up.My M140i is pretty efficient for what it is, but with a relatively small tank the range is pretty limited and at best I might nudge 400 miles whereas my previous diesel vRS would pretty much be pushing 600 if driven in a similar fashion.
The six cylinder diesels are pretty damn good. I was tempted by an F30 335d but the suspension was dire and rather killed it for me.
Once you are used to having the torque, it would be hard to drop lower.
I was never a fan of diesel, mainly because I’d had small non turbo models, or work vans etc, so stayed away from them.
I went from 2.0L ecoboost (remapped) to the 335d xdrive and I love it.
Loads of power and refinement, comfort and great spec.
Doesn’t sound or feel like diesel, and would only be 150 quid a year tax (except for the Over 40k extra fee)
I’ll happily keep this for 10 years .
I’m sure technology will have galloped on by then.
The new Delorean will be out for sure. 👍
I went from 2.0L ecoboost (remapped) to the 335d xdrive and I love it.
Loads of power and refinement, comfort and great spec.
Doesn’t sound or feel like diesel, and would only be 150 quid a year tax (except for the Over 40k extra fee)
I’ll happily keep this for 10 years .
I’m sure technology will have galloped on by then.
The new Delorean will be out for sure. 👍
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