435D M Sport or Luxury?
Discussion
Having just sold a BMW M3 E92 that i have really enjoyed for a few months, bought at auction cheaply, i am looking at a couple of 435ds locally for sale, a car which has moved quietly and unnoticed into the 20 grand area used, representing for me, an awful lot of car for the money. It ticks a lot of boxes and will complement the other cars in the current stable quite nicely. But M Sport or Luxury? The gut reaction is M Sport due to the body kit, the 19s rather than 18s, stiffer shocks, sportier steering wheel and lower profile tyres of course. But then the Luxury is not just £1,000 cheaper but it's done 28,000 miles rather than 43,000 miles, quite a difference, % wise. I note that the wheels on the Luxury are actually lighter and any unsprung weight saving is always good and the suspension according to the reviews is nicer 90% of the time. Tyres will be cheaper to replace on the Luxury and the ride is apparently a lot better with the higher-profile tyres and softer suspension. But then M Sport is THE man, so to speak. If you wanted an economical diesel coupe with 300+ bhp, sub-5 seconds 0-60 and 50 mpg which of those cars would you get?
personally as 25 year old single guy, id buy the m sport as millage isn't something i worry about if the service history is good, depends what you need the car for is it a daily commuter or a weekend toy or family wagon do only you drive it or does a partner need to use it . im not a luxury fan in the BMW range if i wanted soft suspension id by a merc
Grindle said:
Having just sold a BMW M3 E92 that i have really enjoyed for a few months, bought at auction cheaply, i am looking at a couple of 435ds locally for sale, a car which has moved quietly and unnoticed into the 20 grand area used, representing for me, an awful lot of car for the money. It ticks a lot of boxes and will complement the other cars in the current stable quite nicely. But M Sport or Luxury? The gut reaction is M Sport due to the body kit, the 19s rather than 18s, stiffer shocks, sportier steering wheel and lower profile tyres of course. But then the Luxury is not just £1,000 cheaper but it's done 28,000 miles rather than 43,000 miles, quite a difference, % wise. I note that the wheels on the Luxury are actually lighter and any unsprung weight saving is always good and the suspension according to the reviews is nicer 90% of the time. Tyres will be cheaper to replace on the Luxury and the ride is apparently a lot better with the higher-profile tyres and softer suspension. But then M Sport is THE man, so to speak. If you wanted an economical diesel coupe with 300+ bhp, sub-5 seconds 0-60 and 50 mpg which of those cars would you get?
I drove a loaner in 220 luxury spec and the seats were not supportive enough, certainly not a patch on the M Sport seats I happened to sit in, in a 35d when I returned said 220 to the dealer. So unless it has sport seats, that would rule out the luxury.
I'm not sure how sporty any 435d is, due to X drive and sitting higher, as many people on here will change the suspension anyway. ACS I think they use. Therefore, if you're going to make a change anyway, that's a vote for the luxury.
19s don't thrill me, I preferred 17s on my M Sport 335i, made the car feel nimbler and handled better actually.
So 18s is a vote for luxury.
But even if it the Lux does have the sport seats, there is the looks. M Sport wins. But then is image important, you've just sold the better car : M3
So most likely if forced to pick I'd say go M Sport.
But if these have dropped, how about a 430d, you're only a little over 5 seconds, you'd get Rear wheel drive and a better chance of 50mpg.
Can you really get 50mpg in a 435 unless only doing, yawn, long m/way cruises?
I personally prefer the more understated styling of the Luxury models, M Sport is too aggressive for my taste. Better ride quality is a bonus. As said above though, Sports seats are a must. I see that BMW have now dropped Luxury spec in the UK on new 3/4 series (with the exception of the GT) which is a shame IMO.
That said, from what you posted I think you'd enjoy the M Sport more. The extra mileage wouldn't concern me.
That said, from what you posted I think you'd enjoy the M Sport more. The extra mileage wouldn't concern me.
You shouldnt go for either till you have had an extensive test drive to see how you feel about the suspension on both the M sport and Luxury use the standard se suspension which really is a floating blangmange top that off with X drive and its worse IMHO. You cannot have M Sport suspension on an Xdrive unless you have adaptive,
This is a 335d xdrive when he says its like a 70s cadillac hes not wrong ,the 4 will be the same surely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=137EVxK9G-s&t=...
This is a 335d xdrive when he says its like a 70s cadillac hes not wrong ,the 4 will be the same surely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=137EVxK9G-s&t=...
Edited by smashy on Monday 4th September 13:35
Grindle said:
Having just sold a BMW M3 E92 that i have really enjoyed for a few months, bought at auction cheaply, i am looking at a couple of 435ds locally for sale, a car which has moved quietly and unnoticed into the 20 grand area used, representing for me, an awful lot of car for the money. It ticks a lot of boxes and will complement the other cars in the current stable quite nicely. But M Sport or Luxury? The gut reaction is M Sport due to the body kit, the 19s rather than 18s, stiffer shocks, sportier steering wheel and lower profile tyres of course. But then the Luxury is not just £1,000 cheaper but it's done 28,000 miles rather than 43,000 miles, quite a difference, % wise. I note that the wheels on the Luxury are actually lighter and any unsprung weight saving is always good and the suspension according to the reviews is nicer 90% of the time. Tyres will be cheaper to replace on the Luxury and the ride is apparently a lot better with the higher-profile tyres and softer suspension. But then M Sport is THE man, so to speak. If you wanted an economical diesel coupe with 300+ bhp, sub-5 seconds 0-60 and 50 mpg which of those cars would you get?
You'll have to excuse my ignorance but can you actually get a 435d coupe in Luxury trim? Thought they were all M-Sports to be honest....ETA: And people are correct when they say the standard X-drive chassis leaves much to be desired; even M-Sports get SE suspension and an M3 - or even an S-Drive M-Sport - it's not!
Edited by JNW1 on Monday 4th September 20:51
I sold the E92 M3 as it was too compromised for me, ultimately. Neither a track day/sunny Sunday morning stripped out lightweight hooner, nor an economical every day car. Hence the Lotus purchase and now for a diesel with the same (as the M3 V8) 0-70 mph time, very similar 0-100 mph and much cheaper to run. Way more grunt for real life public road use too, no need to constantly search for lower gears to go quickly. I drove one as a courtesy car and it was a stunning vehicle. Probably the finest all round car ever sold, although Golf R owners may disagree. For me the 4 series coupe looks fantastic, the 313 bhp 435D engine is a gem, there's room for 4, the equipment levels are good and it's got German reliability and fit and finish. Regular 45 mpg is the icing on the cake, with 50 mpg on a run.
I think the Luxury suits my needs, because the 435 of any trim level or type of fuel is never going to be a track car or Lotus beater.
Four wheel drive is a massive bonus, especially with the UK climate 8 months of the year (did someone say 10 months?). Not just for incredible initial acceleration which can be so useful but for winter safety. My VXR8 had to be abandoned 3 times in snowy conditions as it was simply not going anywhere except sideways. Modern 4WD is superb.
I think the Luxury suits my needs, because the 435 of any trim level or type of fuel is never going to be a track car or Lotus beater.
Four wheel drive is a massive bonus, especially with the UK climate 8 months of the year (did someone say 10 months?). Not just for incredible initial acceleration which can be so useful but for winter safety. My VXR8 had to be abandoned 3 times in snowy conditions as it was simply not going anywhere except sideways. Modern 4WD is superb.
To be honest if it gets snowy even with 4WD on such large wheels you would be better off getting Winter tyres. It comes back to the same old argument. The biggest problem is not getting going, but stopping and steering around obstacles such large wheels with low profiles are going to have a number of compromises.
I will be honest my 640 in Winter running 17's is a different beast than in Summer running 20's. Even though BMW does the xdrive on the 6 elsewhere it was never brought to the UK, I would still have decided to go just RWD. Plus my Winter tyres are £150 a corner...
I will be honest my 640 in Winter running 17's is a different beast than in Summer running 20's. Even though BMW does the xdrive on the 6 elsewhere it was never brought to the UK, I would still have decided to go just RWD. Plus my Winter tyres are £150 a corner...
I would have thought that the decision between a Luxury and M-sport would be mostly about which looks you prefer given a similar set of options. I ended up with an M Sport even though I preferred the Luxury because there was a better deal to be had.
In my experience most of the higher-end 3 / 4 series cars are relatively high specification. My 340i xDrive touring had options which cost > 50% of the base price which was not untypical here in Switzerland.
On the 3 or 4 series I don't see the issue with xDrive (with the new 5 some of the suspension options aren't available with xDrive). Mine has the adaptive suspension. On the motorway, in town or on flowing roads the comfort / eco pro is much nicer. As soon as I hit the passes I put it in sport. Hence for me the adaptive suspension is the best option regardless of whether it's M Sport or Luxury and I wouldn't have a car without it.
As far as the seats go I have electric sports seats with the lumbar support. They're decent. I drove an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio recently and much preferred those seats but my wife preferred the BMW's.
The xDrive doesn't (to me) seem much of a compromise. With some cars, like Porsche 997s, I felt that it reduced feel from the steering but the modern BMWs don't have any steering feel to start with. Here, whilst we can get 340s in Luxury trim we can't get anything over a 320 with RWD.
From my limited summer experience the tyres are the limiting factor. I recently had to drive over wet grass to park at a bike race. Coming from a Subaru there were several car park places which would have been easily accessible in the Subaru which I couldn't get to in the BMW due to the wheels spinning. On Saturday I had to drive through snow before the snow-plough arrived and there wasn't much grip. The order has just gone in for a second set of wheels with winter tyres - the local BMW agent recommended the 17" wheels in winter so we'll see what that is like compared to the 19" it currently has. I don't think there is an option for winter tyres with 19" wheels though I might be wrong.
In my experience most of the higher-end 3 / 4 series cars are relatively high specification. My 340i xDrive touring had options which cost > 50% of the base price which was not untypical here in Switzerland.
On the 3 or 4 series I don't see the issue with xDrive (with the new 5 some of the suspension options aren't available with xDrive). Mine has the adaptive suspension. On the motorway, in town or on flowing roads the comfort / eco pro is much nicer. As soon as I hit the passes I put it in sport. Hence for me the adaptive suspension is the best option regardless of whether it's M Sport or Luxury and I wouldn't have a car without it.
As far as the seats go I have electric sports seats with the lumbar support. They're decent. I drove an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio recently and much preferred those seats but my wife preferred the BMW's.
The xDrive doesn't (to me) seem much of a compromise. With some cars, like Porsche 997s, I felt that it reduced feel from the steering but the modern BMWs don't have any steering feel to start with. Here, whilst we can get 340s in Luxury trim we can't get anything over a 320 with RWD.
From my limited summer experience the tyres are the limiting factor. I recently had to drive over wet grass to park at a bike race. Coming from a Subaru there were several car park places which would have been easily accessible in the Subaru which I couldn't get to in the BMW due to the wheels spinning. On Saturday I had to drive through snow before the snow-plough arrived and there wasn't much grip. The order has just gone in for a second set of wheels with winter tyres - the local BMW agent recommended the 17" wheels in winter so we'll see what that is like compared to the 19" it currently has. I don't think there is an option for winter tyres with 19" wheels though I might be wrong.
Grindle said:
I sold the E92 M3 as it was too compromised for me, ultimately. Neither a track day/sunny Sunday morning stripped out lightweight hooner, nor an economical every day car. Hence the Lotus purchase and now for a diesel with the same (as the M3 V8) 0-70 mph time, very similar 0-100 mph and much cheaper to run. Way more grunt for real life public road use too, no need to constantly search for lower gears to go quickly. I drove one as a courtesy car and it was a stunning vehicle. Probably the finest all round car ever sold, although Golf R owners may disagree. For me the 4 series coupe looks fantastic, the 313 bhp 435D engine is a gem, there's room for 4, the equipment levels are good and it's got German reliability and fit and finish. Regular 45 mpg is the icing on the cake, with 50 mpg on a run.
I think the Luxury suits my needs, because the 435 of any trim level or type of fuel is never going to be a track car or Lotus beater.
Four wheel drive is a massive bonus, especially with the UK climate 8 months of the year (did someone say 10 months?). Not just for incredible initial acceleration which can be so useful but for winter safety. My VXR8 had to be abandoned 3 times in snowy conditions as it was simply not going anywhere except sideways. Modern 4WD is superb.
lI think the Luxury suits my needs, because the 435 of any trim level or type of fuel is never going to be a track car or Lotus beater.
Four wheel drive is a massive bonus, especially with the UK climate 8 months of the year (did someone say 10 months?). Not just for incredible initial acceleration which can be so useful but for winter safety. My VXR8 had to be abandoned 3 times in snowy conditions as it was simply not going anywhere except sideways. Modern 4WD is superb.
Some similar car history, I run an Elise and recently swapped my 640d for a 335d tourer, the x drive suspension is really disappointing and ruins the car, I had a Birds suspension upgrade and it transforms the drive, the engine and 8 speed gearbox combination are spot on, I was aiming for an Alpina on the cheap as wasn't prepared to pay the thick end of 50k for a D3
I will still go for winter tyres though (having been rather embarrassed in the snow in my old Monaro, but you already know about that!), as 4wd is fine but you still have to stop.
Grindle said:
I sold the E92 M3 as it was too compromised for me, ultimately. Neither a track day/sunny Sunday morning stripped out lightweight hooner, nor an economical every day car. Hence the Lotus purchase and now for a diesel with the same (as the M3 V8) 0-70 mph time, very similar 0-100 mph and much cheaper to run. Way more grunt for real life public road use too, no need to constantly search for lower gears to go quickly. I drove one as a courtesy car and it was a stunning vehicle. Probably the finest all round car ever sold, although Golf R owners may disagree. For me the 4 series coupe looks fantastic, the 313 bhp 435D engine is a gem, there's room for 4, the equipment levels are good and it's got German reliability and fit and finish. Regular 45 mpg is the icing on the cake, with 50 mpg on a run.
I think the Luxury suits my needs, because the 435 of any trim level or type of fuel is never going to be a track car or Lotus beater.
Four wheel drive is a massive bonus, especially with the UK climate 8 months of the year (did someone say 10 months?). Not just for incredible initial acceleration which can be so useful but for winter safety. My VXR8 had to be abandoned 3 times in snowy conditions as it was simply not going anywhere except sideways. Modern 4WD is superb.
I have an F15 and an f10 with the 35d lump in them, and while the engine is a showcase of diesel technology, to me, its also just a bit dull. I think the Luxury suits my needs, because the 435 of any trim level or type of fuel is never going to be a track car or Lotus beater.
Four wheel drive is a massive bonus, especially with the UK climate 8 months of the year (did someone say 10 months?). Not just for incredible initial acceleration which can be so useful but for winter safety. My VXR8 had to be abandoned 3 times in snowy conditions as it was simply not going anywhere except sideways. Modern 4WD is superb.
I never have the urge to really push it on, or even bother using the paddles, because there is no payoff.
While they are awesome everyday cars, I'm often left thinking that any of the BMW diesel units would deliver the same enjoyment, albeit with a bit less pace.
We find SEs, Sports, Urbans, Luxurys, Moderns etc etc (basically anything non- M Sport) hard to shift and subsequently pay less for them, often > £1,000 less.
On that basis, the 'saving' you find yourself making by buying a Luxury is a false economy, as it will be worth less than the equivalent M Sport when you come to sell.
On that basis, the 'saving' you find yourself making by buying a Luxury is a false economy, as it will be worth less than the equivalent M Sport when you come to sell.
AOK said:
We find SEs, Sports, Urbans, Luxurys, Moderns etc etc (basically anything non- M Sport) hard to shift and subsequently pay less for them, often > £1,000 less.
On that basis, the 'saving' you find yourself making by buying a Luxury is a false economy, as it will be worth less than the equivalent M Sport when you come to sell.
I would agree with this, it's a false saving as it will always be worth less. On that basis, the 'saving' you find yourself making by buying a Luxury is a false economy, as it will be worth less than the equivalent M Sport when you come to sell.
Helicopter123 said:
OP, if you are under 60, get the M Sport. Otherwise, the Luxury.
I dont get that at all ,I think the luxurys interior the chrome around the windows and on the front and rear , plus the wheels to me looks really classy.Just add adaptive suspension which gets rid of the awful floating blangmange SE suspension. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff