BMW car buying decision
Discussion
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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