[alarustic]

OK, I've not posted here a lot but have spent a lot of time reading, I hope you'll be able to help with this...

I've got two options:

Brand new 335d M-Sport, £37k currently on order
- plus pack, visibility pack, few other small extras

or

9 month old 640d M-Sport, £39k, 5k miles
- also with plus pack, some other really nice bits

The 6 has lost nearly 50% of its value in 9 months, which makes it a relative bargain. I realise no-one would have paid the full price but don't let the facts get in the way of the man maths! I never expected it would be available in this price range, which is why I'm faced with this dilemma.

My concern is will the 6 start to retain some value or will it continue to tank? Or should I play it safer and stick with the 3?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by NoShirtsNoShoes

OK, I've not posted here a lot but have spent a lot of time reading, I hope you'll be able to help with this...

I've got two options:

Brand new 335d M-Sport, £37k currently on order
- plus pack, visibility pack, few other small extras

or

9 month old 640d M-Sport, £39k, 5k miles
- also with plus pack, some other really nice bits

The 6 has lost nearly 50% of its value in 9 months, which makes it a relative bargain. I realise no-one would have paid the full price but don't let the facts get in the way of the man maths! I never expected it would be available in this price range, which is why I'm faced with this dilemma.

My concern is will the 6 start to retain some value or will it continue to tank? Or should I play it safer and stick with the 3?

A Mate of mine (M5 owner) says his 640 was the best car he's had.

It's also a class above the 3 however the rear seats are small so depends on your needs. If it were me? 640d (sorry kids).

[Tengocity]

I expect the 6 will be slightly better as its already worked off its early depreciation.

But won't be a big difference, so choose the car you want that suits your needs surely?

[Eliott_C]

The 3 series is sportier than the 6 series, but the 6 series is really beautiful and more exclusive. If you really search driving agility and pleasure I will go for the F30 but if you just want to cruise and from times to times drive more aggressively go for the 640d

[Archer-s]

so the 6 is probably a bit cheaper as the 6 LCI is coming out and it is beginning to age, however as it is still more exclusive than the 3, I expect it will hold on to its value better.

have a look here for new 6 series deals, and peoples experience:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...iscount+&mid=0

there was 0% on new, not sure if that offer is still on.
If the values where the same, I would go with the 6,

How about haggling more on the 3?
M-sport 335d with vis pack on C2C is £32K, even with a few extras say £33K? so £37k, there must be some room for negotiation?

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Eliott_C

The 3 series is sportier than the 6 series, but the 6 series is really beautiful and more exclusive. If you really search driving agility and pleasure I will go for the F30 but if you just want to cruise and from times to times drive more aggressively go for the 640d

Really? Over rough A roads I would put money on the 6, it would be able to travel at a much higher speed safely. The 335d suspension is the pits.

OP: If you don't need rear seats (6 series rear seats are non functional), then I would go with the 640d, it is 2 classes above a 3 series. If you keep it a few years, the 640d is bound to be worth more as it is more special than a boggo 3, even a rare 335d version.

[MWA]

I am very glad you have started this thread! I have 335d that I either fancied changing to a 640d GC or a 435i GC

My 335d has gone to investigate its second set of warped discs and I have been driving my weekend/summer car a 645ci Convertible. It's a 2004 model, V8. I have to say it feels much more smoother and refined than the 335d and having been driving it for the last two days constant, I think I may go with the idea of a 640d GC.

I have two test drives booked this weekend for the above two vehicles mentioned.

As for your post, I think I would be more inclined to go with the 6er!

[JustChris]

6 is class but don't buy it blind, make sure you drive it of course and its a big big car, almost 5 metres. The price seems spot on for the mileage and as you say mist folks get £17k off the 640D. Rear is near useless for passengers oddly?

Check out the Bob Flavin Youtube review of the 640D, he loves it, his quirky style makes me laugh.

I'll end with customaty sign off in the car choice battle....no bad cars in that pair.

[alarustic]

I just specced my car on c2c, it comes to £36,734 which is more than the I'm paying. I was light on the spec above, its actually:

BMW 3-Series Saloon diesel SALOON 335d xDrive M Sport 4dr Step Auto [Prof Media]
Active cruise control with stop and go + speed limiter
Head up Display
Speed limit display
Electric heated, folding and auto dimming door mirrors with memory
Heated front seats
M Sport Plus pack - 3 Series (In conjunction with visibility pack)
Visibility pack - 3 Series
Adaptive M Sports suspension

If anyone wants to take it off my hands for delivery next month you are welcome to it

I should have tried it before buying. I just assumed it would be better than my 330s. That was my mistake, going into the unknown. I'm not loving the stilts effect and I won't be doing a suspension upgrade (why should I?), it was annoying to read the suspension will be sorted in the facelift model.

I have tried the 6 series before for a couple of days and loved it (it was a free rental upgrade, from a booked 1 series!). I'd have probably gone down that route initially if I'd been able to get it at the price above, but didn't think this was possible (as I said above).

Argh, decisions, decisions.

[Archer-s]

haha, yes I don't think few other small extra's really covers it

[MWA]

By the way, whatever they're doing to the suspension setup on the LCI could that be retro fitted to the pre-lci model? Whether it's springs, arb etc

[alarustic]

Chris, you are right, thanks. I think the problem is I've driven the 640d and loved it and the 335d is a bit more into the unkown, from comments elsewhere in this forum! You don't find many folk saying bad things about the 330d but the 335d seems to be a love/hate model.

[MWA]

@NISFAN

Are the rear seats that bad in the 6? Coupe or GC or both? I've got a two year old :

I personally sat inside the back a while ago in the showroom and didn't find it very bad.

I don't want to change from my car because of one issue only to discover the new one has another

[Nick the Greek]

The 640d is the only diesel car I would buy.

The 3 series is for poor people.

The 6 is in another league altogether.

In a dark metallic, with 20s, it looks stunning.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NoShirtsNoShoes

I just specced my car on c2c, it comes to 36,734 which is more than the I'm paying. I was light on the spec above, its actually:

BMW 3-Series Saloon diesel SALOON 335d xDrive M Sport 4dr Step Auto [Prof Media]
Active cruise control with stop and go + speed limiter
Head up Display
Speed limit display
Electric heated, folding and auto dimming door mirrors with memory
Heated front seats
M Sport Plus pack - 3 Series (In conjunction with visibility pack)
Visibility pack - 3 Series
Adaptive M Sports suspension

If anyone wants to take it off my hands for delivery next month you are welcome to it

I should have tried it before buying. I just assumed it would be better than my 330s. That was my mistake, going into the unknown. I'm not loving the stilts effect and I won't be doing a suspension upgrade (why should I?), it was annoying to read the suspension will be sorted in the facelift model.

I have tried the 6 series before for a couple of days and loved it (it was a free rental upgrade, from a booked 1 series!). I'd have probably gone down that route initially if I'd been able to get it at the price above, but didn't think this was possible (as I said above).

Argh, decisions, decisions.

Part of the problem is that the typical 335d buyer had higher expectations of the car. They wanted more than just a boggo 3 with a larger engine.

BMW should really have applied a little more effort and come up with something like a M335d with more performance engineering effort put in.

However, deciding not to modify anything out of "principle" strikes me more as cutting of your nose to spite your face, to use the cliche.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by MWA

@NISFAN

Are the rear seats that bad in the 6? Coupe or GC or both? I've got a two year old :

I personally sat inside the back a while ago in the showroom and didn't find it very bad.

I don't want to change from my car because of one issue only to discover the new one has another

Yes, I had a 6 series (coupe) and could, in theory put my little ones child seat in the back, but then the front seat was pushed so far forward it was virtually unusable. The GC solves this issue. There is no way you'll get adults into the back of a 6 coupe.

My son was quite happy riding up front.

[MWA]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Yes, I had a 6 series (coupe) and could, in theory put my little ones child seat in the back, but then the front seat was pushed so far forward it was virtually unusable. The GC solves this issue. There is no way you'll get adults into the back of a 6 coupe.

I love you man haha. I will be taking my car seat with me for the test drive to be on the safe side

[alarustic]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

However, deciding not to modify anything out of "principle" strikes me more as cutting of your nose to spite your face, to use the cliche.

I just think it should work as it is delivered. To have to rectify problems on a car at this price isn't right. Spending £650 to fix the springs because BMW couldn't do it right? Then each time I buy insurance I have to tell them its modded, just seems a PITA. Plus, I've already paid £500 for adaptive suspension to help the problem! That's my view on it.

It is my own fault, as I said above, for not getting a test drive. Also, for reading this forum, as otherwise I'd be oblivious to suspension issues (see other thread about dangers of forum use)! I would have assumed it had full M-sport suspension.

If the 335d was available with RWD with the proper M-Sport suspension that would be my model of choice.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Part of the problem is that the typical 335d buyer had higher expectations of the car. They wanted more than just a boggo 3 with a larger engine.

BMW should really have applied a little more effort and come up with something like a M335d with more performance engineering effort put in.

However, deciding not to modify anything out of "principle" strikes me more as cutting of your nose to spite your face, to use the cliche.

Nail on head....totally agree.

[JustChris]

Does BMW actually still use the Ult Driv Machinestrap line anymore? Isn't it delivering joy or something slightly changed? Hmm. Disturbing.

I'm going to look.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NoShirtsNoShoes

I just think it should work as it is delivered. To have to rectify problems on a car at this price isn't right. Spending 650 to fix the springs because BMW couldn't do it right? Then each time I buy insurance I have to tell them its modded, just seems a PITA. Plus, I've already paid 500 for adaptive suspension to help the problem! That's my view on it.

It is my own fault, as I said above, for not getting a test drive. Also, for reading this forum, as otherwise I'd be oblivious to suspension issues (see other thread about dangers of forum use)! I would have assumed it had full M-sport suspension.

If the 335d was available with RWD with the proper M-Sport suspension that would be my model of choice.

Yes indeed, but it doesn't.

So given you've just spent £40k on a car are you really going to worry about £600 when it makes so much difference?

In terms of VFM there isn't another mod that even comes close!

[happycow6171]

I really like the 6 gc what puts me off is the depreciation, they really do drop off a cliff financially, some great deals out there, how about a used m50d a great allrounder!.