[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

You can call it what you like, but facts are....the B58 on a motorway run can easily hit well into the 40's.
I did a 100 mile trip and back in my 240i and recorded 43 MPG door to door, including trudging through Maidstone. That's without trying for fuel economy, (keeping up with traffic on M25 mostly) but restraining against the constant desire to drop and cog or two for soul enrichment purposes (The 335d does not have this distracting feature at all ).

Nisfan is right
I drove back from the far West of Cornwall to South London last night in my 4GC 440i, using A30, M5, M4. MPG for the trip was 37.8. Had a bit of a blast for the first 10 miles. Most of the time I was doing 75/77 using cruise control in the 70mph sections. There were a few small sections on the M4 where the speed was reduced to 50. Going from West London to South London wasn't too much of a crawl as it was late at night. Trip MPG nudged past 40 on a few occasions during the journey.
I'm not interested in comparing the fuel efficiency of diesel and petrol engines as we all know the answer. What's more interesting to me is the efficiency of BMW petrol engines when compared with other manufacturers. One of my neighbours has a MK7 Golf GTi and he's at 32mpg overall average since purchase. That's a 4cyl 2L engine, albeit with manual transmission. I'm at just over 31. I don't know how BMW does it, tbh

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by Rudz

I have heard people say they get 40mpg on a 340i, I call that bullshit, there is no way u could get that unless pottering around at 50, under similar circumstances a 335d would do 60mpg

I think there is 10mpg at least between the two cars

So you call bulls!t based on driving a car with a completely different engine (335i).....

[Manivxr]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I don't think anyone is disputing that.

The question is more about whether the fuel economy benefits make up for the dullness and sound of the diesel.

Yes and yes.

Dullness really? Compared to what? The 35d engine is a cracking engine imho. Great torque and minimal lag. Personally I love the wallop of the huge torque. Prefer that to the higher revs of the petrol.

Sound. Again relative. The petrol is not a v8 either. The diesal 6 cylinder again may not sound like a tvr straight six but apart from start up is quite refined and on the move sound ok . Set the Asd to M4 and in sport and you are off to the races

Its a pretty good package overall and for people who do some serious mileage the best day to day car.

If I want excitement and sound at the weekend..I just jump into my vxR220

I must say that each to their own. Some like diesals others don't. One may be better to suit your circumstances. All cars will have some compromise.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by Rudz

And ur opinion is based on what ? I've run an N55 for about 50k miles and my current car is a 335d?

My 335d is about 5mpg better than my m140.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

My 335d is about 5mpg better than my m140.

5mpg doesn't sound a lot, but it makes your 335d 15% more fuel efficient. So costs 15% less to run in fuel costs.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Rudz

And ur opinion is based on what ? I've run an N55 for about 50k miles and my current car is a 335d?

My opinion is based on roughly 100k miles in pretty much like for like conditions with firstly an E92 335i (also N55 engine, manual gearbox) and now my current F31 335d; the petrol averaged just over 30mpg and the diesel is sitting at 38. For a short time we also had an E91 335d at the same time as the 335i and that wasn't 10mpg better than the petrol either (pretty similar to the F31 actually).

Given that by common consent the B58 is a more fuel efficient engine than the N55 would it not be fair to assume that the gap between one of those and my F31 335d would be smaller not larger? I think it would and that's why I think the idea a 35d will be "at least" 10mpg better than a 40i is just pie in the sky; 6 or 7mpg is probably more like it and, on the sort of annual mileage the OP's doing, that's just not enough to be worth worrying about IMO.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by dopper99

5mpg doesn't sound a lot, but it makes your 335d 15% more fuel efficient. So costs 15% less to run in fuel costs.

But unless you're doing a very high mileage 5mpg equates to the square root of bugger all in the context of running a £40k car like a 440i or a 435d; pales into complete insignificance compared to things like depreciation.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Rudz

I have heard people say they get 40mpg on a 340i, I call that bullshit, there is no way u could get that unless pottering around at 50, under similar circumstances a 335d would do 60mpg

I think there is 10mpg at least between the two cars

Bullshit. Mid-40s is easy on a motorway run going with the flow.

Pottering is high 40s - with time in hand the other week, so driving like miss daisy, I saw 50.4mpg the other week over the first 100 miles from cold. The last two miles before parking up brought it down to 49.something.

Getting below 40 on a long motorway run is quite difficult without pushing your luck in the 3rd lane.

[Ss66]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Bullshit. Mid-40s is easy on a motorway run going with the flow.

Pottering is high 40s - with time in hand the other week, so driving like miss daisy, I saw 50.4mpg the other week over the first 100 miles from cold. The last two miles before parking up brought it down to 49.something.

Getting below 40 on a long motorway run is quite difficult without pushing your luck in the 3rd lane.

Spot on.

[rosstin]

Originally Posted by TW666

Currently leasing 435dGC but want to buy a 2017 2 Door. Do about 10k/12k miles a year and will keep car at least 8 years. My head says 435d (4wd, economy) but heart says 440i (b58 petrol high mileage ?). Given the bad press diesel is getting and higher maintenance costs at high miles (DPF, injectors etc) what do you consider pros and cons. Also been in m140i but wondered how B58 performs in heavier body compared to massive torque of 435d which provides effortless performance.

If you're in a 435d today, but still asking the question..

Just get the petrol and be done. Mine makes me smile everytime I hit start

[Soul_Glo]

Interested to know if folks have had any further thoughts on this...

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by dopper99

5mpg doesn't sound a lot, but it makes your 335d 15% more fuel efficient. So costs 15% less to run in fuel costs.

That's true but the 335d is mapped to around 400bhp and the M140 was standard. My 330d with MPPK was about 10mpg better than the M140, the 335d standard was around 7. Obviously rough ball park figures tho…..

[aquazi]

Cost of fuel is negligible between them.... even if the diesel has 10mpg more diesel is atleast 5-6p more at the pump.

For me i wanted xdrive first and settled with a diesel... hopefully the next gen M440 sorts that out!

[lethbridge]

Rule of thumb remains same for me - order these based on your priorities - high miles (i.e. 20-25k+): 35d, low miles: 40i... Effortless performance: 35d, driver involvement: 40i... xDrive: 35d, sDrive: 40i... Twin pipes like a 320d: 35d, wheelbarrow exhaust: 40i... Nondescript sounding car: 35d, nice sounding car: 40i... Best at the traffic lights: 35d, best on a track: 40i... Best at an overtake if you are lazy: 35d, best car for some me time: 40i.

Personally, when my miles dropped I went from 35d to M3CP as I didn't want a borderline decision as to what would be better for me - but appreciate that isn't a choice everyone can make - but putting purchase costs to one side, and assuming low miles, there is not much in it on running costs between a 40i and an M3... Regarding the OPs criteria which is basically long term running costs, I would say either is going to be fine so for me it is all about the things I have listed...

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by lethbridge

Rule of thumb remains same for me - order these based on your priorities - high miles (i.e. 20-25k+): 35d, low miles: 40i... Effortless performance: 35d, driver involvement: 40i... xDrive: 35d, sDrive: 40i... Twin pipes like a 320d: 35d, wheelbarrow exhaust: 40i... Nondescript sounding car: 35d, nice sounding car: 40i... Best at the traffic lights: 35d, best on a track: 40i... Best at an overtake if you are lazy: 35d, best car for some me time: 40i.

Personally, when my miles dropped I went from 35d to M3CP as I didn't want a borderline decision as to what would be better for me - but appreciate that isn't a choice everyone can make - but putting purchase costs to one side, and assuming low miles, there is not much in it on running costs between a 40i and an M3... Regarding the OPs criteria which is basically long term running costs, I would say either is going to be fine so for me it is all about the things I have listed...

Good post
I'd add home location as a criterion. I live in London. With the boundary extension of the ULEZ not that far away, I wouldn't want a diesel now, even if it was EU6 compliant.

[goodbyalfa]

I still remember last April when I was testing the waters with a test drive in a 440i, coming out of a 330d.
After a short accompanied test drive (30 mins) in wet conditions, I was a little bit meh... Wanted to love it, but missed the low down instant diesel shove.
However, after taking an extended test drive by myself (a one day loaner), I was totally smitten. Whilst clearly there is plenty low down and particularly mid range shove in the 40i, you still need to adapt your driving style if coming out of long time diesel ownership. Once "re-programmed" to petrol, there is no going back. As others have said, the hum on start up alone is worth it, but general refinement and ability to pick up the skirt if needed is something else in the 40i.
So in summary, if you are considering a 40i, make sure you have an extended test drive, and make sure it's unaccompanied...

[TW666]

In the end I got another 435d, bought this one rather than lease as I intend to keep for 10 years or so in retirement (100K plus miles). I tried a 440i but decided to stick with xdrive and effortless low down power in the end. If the 440i had been xdrive and with the extra power of m140i engine I would have been tempted, however I still feel 100k miles ownership favours the diesel.

[DriveS]

If I wanted I could get a 440i next week, but I am quite happy with my 335d, even though I only do about 7-8K per year.

This is because most of my driving is around the outer city area. Lots of stop starts and very little opportunity to accelerate past 4th gear. The 335d (with 415/730 remap) is perfect for me as most of the time I want to put the power down is a lower speeds and often in the wet when the 4wd and instant torque comes into its own. There are some rare occasions like day trips when I get out onto the open road and wish I had a 440i, but not worth changing cars just for those times.
Sound is not an issue for me as I have active sound which I am very happy with. So there is just no reason for me to change. I am waiting for the M440i, which will hopefully have 4wd and a bit more torque.

[jackstrath]

Im not reading the whole topics but iv just made the change from a 2007 335d e91 (had it 4 years) to a 2016 340i f31

I was very close to going to a 335d but i just fancied a change of engine noise and tbh i couldn't make my mind up if i wanted xdrive or not. I was fully expecting it to be worse on fuel but i had accepted that and it didn't bother me to much.

335d - (non rft, stage 2 remap) on a run id get about 46mpg sitting at 75mph
Round town it was 28 average.
a 60 mile trip from Dundee to just south of Aberdeen id get about 47mpg

340i - (non rft, standard) on a 530 mile trip from high wycombe to just south of Aberdeen i got an average of 41mpg
same 60 mile trip from Dundee to just south of Aberdeen - 44mpg....
i haven't drove it about town for very long so i cant comment to much on town MPG but its currently at 23mpg - i put this down to being "excited with new pops and bangs" it might go up but i dont think it will pass 25mpg

Fuel price, iv always used V power shell for my fuel, be it petrol or diesel, Vpower petrol was £1.33 a ltr, Vpower diesel was £1.43....
The 335d had a 61ltr tank = £87.23 to fill , 340i has a 60ltr tank = £79.80 to fill.

Thats some figures, but being honest personal preference should be the key here.

[ossi1]

I got 47 MPG on a 125 mile run last week, mainly motorway / dual carriageway with a few traffic hold ups at Oxford. Average speed was 56 mph (couldnt really go faster due to traffic conditions and people tell me to get a 320d).

41 MPG on the way home, no holes barred - went for it within the boundaries of legality- if you know what I mean.

Amazingly versatile engines.

Edit..I see the OP has stuck with a diesel..

[SW6Steve]

I say the six 6 pot diesel diesel sounds great!
Nothing like turbo whistle, smooth and beefy!
If you want more boy racer noise, then go for the petrol!
Oh and more costly servicing!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

As others have said, the hum on start up alone is worth it, but general refinement and ability to pick up the skirt if needed is something else in the 40i.
So in summary, if you are considering a 40i, make sure you have an extended test drive, and make sure it's unaccompanied...

The bit in bold is one of the least discussed aspects of the 40i, quite possibly because it's of less importance to many versus other characteristics.

For me, the 40i motor is the component that lifts the refinement of the F36 to another level - and with the much-discussed lack of soundproofing in the F3x, this is an important factor, especially below 50mph i.e. all urban motoring.

I've driven a variety of six cylinder diesels in recent months, in SUV form, and it's only the exceptionally insulated ones that match the 440i for refinement in the stop-start environment.