Discussion
For a good few months I have been thinking about getting a BMW 3 or 4 series diesel as an everyday do it all car. I have seen a BMW 435D up for sale which I am seriously tempted by, as it’s a car which ticks a lot of boxes for me. I haven’t driven one but from what I have read it should be very quick, comfortable and still get reasonable mpg if driven sensibly!
I do 96 miles a day and so want something nice on the motorway but also a fun steer when on a country lane. My only worry is that the world is falling out of favour with diesel at the moment and will this mean I end up with a car that plummets in value over the next few years as everyone continues to abandon the black pump. I’m also moving to a house soon with an electric charging port which means I could start looking at something electric, but feel this might be my last chance to get something a bit special like the beemer before having to go EV.
Any thoughts or advice appreciated!
I do 96 miles a day and so want something nice on the motorway but also a fun steer when on a country lane. My only worry is that the world is falling out of favour with diesel at the moment and will this mean I end up with a car that plummets in value over the next few years as everyone continues to abandon the black pump. I’m also moving to a house soon with an electric charging port which means I could start looking at something electric, but feel this might be my last chance to get something a bit special like the beemer before having to go EV.
Any thoughts or advice appreciated!
I love the 3 series version of the mentioned car. Does all the things you said and has its own character.
EV will work out cheaper on fuel but you’ll probably be doing at least a £600 a month deal for an EV similar in quality to the 435d (assuming used). Maybe a bit of maths required.
I’d rather the BMW and it’s value at the end is what it is.
EV will work out cheaper on fuel but you’ll probably be doing at least a £600 a month deal for an EV similar in quality to the 435d (assuming used). Maybe a bit of maths required.
I’d rather the BMW and it’s value at the end is what it is.
I had a 430d new in 2016. Kept it 3 years. One of my favourite cars ever. It's shines on long drives because it's effectively a tourer. 90mph at 2000rpm if I remember, and had lots of grunt for change of speed. Steering and gearbox are glorious, car feels small and easy to maoevure. I think BMW have the best autoboxes.
I would recommend you go for the NON XDrive version because it's 2-4cm lower and it looks like a different car, hence why I went for 430d instead of the 435d which only came XDrive at the time. Pretty massive difference visually imo, it looks sleeker. You can get XDrive and get after market springs, otherwise the XDrive just doesn't look as sporty - my neighbor had a 435d at the same time and even my wife used to comment why our one looked better.
The one negative is run flat tyres. The car tramlines and is fidgety on roads that aren't totally smooth. Normal rubber tyres solve this, but if I recall there's no space for a spare.
I changed mine due to a baby, but otherwise it's a fabulous family car. The hatchback boot is pretty big, good space in back for 2 kids.
I would recommend you go for the NON XDrive version because it's 2-4cm lower and it looks like a different car, hence why I went for 430d instead of the 435d which only came XDrive at the time. Pretty massive difference visually imo, it looks sleeker. You can get XDrive and get after market springs, otherwise the XDrive just doesn't look as sporty - my neighbor had a 435d at the same time and even my wife used to comment why our one looked better.
The one negative is run flat tyres. The car tramlines and is fidgety on roads that aren't totally smooth. Normal rubber tyres solve this, but if I recall there's no space for a spare.
I changed mine due to a baby, but otherwise it's a fabulous family car. The hatchback boot is pretty big, good space in back for 2 kids.
Edited by silent ninja on Saturday 29th October 12:27
I don’t have a 435d, but do have a ‘66 plate 335d saloon from new. Great car. Some comments:
Go for 18” rather than 19” wheels, if you want more comfort.
I changed to Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres at the same time, quieter than the Pirellis and still run flat, and none of this tram-lining that I hear of.
The ride height is handy for me, it keeps the front from being damaged (mostly) when overhanging kerbs at parking, it also allows adequate ground clearance for back lanes with grass humps down the middle.
A must-have is folding rear seats.
You’ll be lucky to find electric front seats, not a huge issue though.
44mpg overall, and 520 miles on a tankful, which can get to 600+ miles on motorways with some calm driving.
Go for 18” rather than 19” wheels, if you want more comfort.
I changed to Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres at the same time, quieter than the Pirellis and still run flat, and none of this tram-lining that I hear of.
The ride height is handy for me, it keeps the front from being damaged (mostly) when overhanging kerbs at parking, it also allows adequate ground clearance for back lanes with grass humps down the middle.
A must-have is folding rear seats.
You’ll be lucky to find electric front seats, not a huge issue though.
44mpg overall, and 520 miles on a tankful, which can get to 600+ miles on motorways with some calm driving.
Thanks for the replies, the car I have seen is a 435d so has Xdrive as that’s the only choice. Didn’t realise they looked a bit different to the 330d model.
One of the main reasons I like this one is that it has adaptive cruise control (or active cruise as BMW call it), which seems to be really hard to track down on a BMW. There are certainly enough 3 and 4 series out there but ones with acc are rare.
It’s not the best time for me to look at a car right now as a move is on the horizon and my lease car has another payment before going back, but when you see a car that appeals so much it’s hard to ignore!
One of the main reasons I like this one is that it has adaptive cruise control (or active cruise as BMW call it), which seems to be really hard to track down on a BMW. There are certainly enough 3 and 4 series out there but ones with acc are rare.
It’s not the best time for me to look at a car right now as a move is on the horizon and my lease car has another payment before going back, but when you see a car that appeals so much it’s hard to ignore!
Pica-Pica said:
I don’t have a 435d, but do have a ‘66 plate 335d saloon from new. Great car. Some comments:
Go for 18” rather than 19” wheels, if you want more comfort.
You’ll be lucky to find electric front seats, not a huge issue though.
A 435d gets electric front seats (which are also heated) as standard. Go for 18” rather than 19” wheels, if you want more comfort.
You’ll be lucky to find electric front seats, not a huge issue though.
My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
I appreciate the 3 & 4 Series are very similar underneath, but there can be big differences in terms of equipment specification.
[quote=MarkJS]
My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
[quote]
My brother has a 330i Tourer on 19's. My same age 440 GC is on 18's
The cars are like chalk and cheese! His ride is rock hard compared to mine....not as bad as an E46 though!
My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
[quote]
My brother has a 330i Tourer on 19's. My same age 440 GC is on 18's
The cars are like chalk and cheese! His ride is rock hard compared to mine....not as bad as an E46 though!
MarkJS said:
A 435d gets electric front seats (which are also heated) as standard.
My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
I appreciate the 3 & 4 Series are very similar underneath, but there can be big differences in terms of equipment specification.
OK if electric seats are standard for 435d. My comments were mainly about the 335dx power train.My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
I appreciate the 3 & 4 Series are very similar underneath, but there can be big differences in terms of equipment specification.
(For me there was a difference in ride quality with 18” comparing summer to summer - no question).
AlwynMike said:
MarkJS said:
My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
[quote]
My brother has a 330i Tourer on 19's. My same age 440 GC is on 18's
The cars are like chalk and cheese! His ride is rock hard compared to mine....not as bad as an E46 though!
I’m pretty sure if you fitted 19” wheels to your car, the ride would still be good. My car is an LCI and there were some suspension revisions carried out during that period which might account for my experience. [quote]
My brother has a 330i Tourer on 19's. My same age 440 GC is on 18's
The cars are like chalk and cheese! His ride is rock hard compared to mine....not as bad as an E46 though!
Pica-Pica said:
MarkJS said:
A 435d gets electric front seats (which are also heated) as standard.
My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
I appreciate the 3 & 4 Series are very similar underneath, but there can be big differences in terms of equipment specification.
OK if electric seats are standard for 435d. My comments were mainly about the 335dx power train.My 440 left the factory on 19” wheels with summer tyres, but I also have an OEM set of 18” with winter tyres. There is no difference in ride quality with the 18”s.
I appreciate the 3 & 4 Series are very similar underneath, but there can be big differences in terms of equipment specification.
(For me there was a difference in ride quality with 18” comparing summer to summer - no question).
(I actually think electric seats are standard on all 4 Series
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