[RobUK]

Stuff everything - if you're in the market for an F430 then you're probably not short of a bob or two, so drive each of the cars you're interested in and then buy whatever floats yer boat. Man science!

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by Syn_Tom

I'd go for the M4, just because they're great value at the moment. If you find one with a service pack the all you really need to pay is the petrol cost.

My M4 over the 5000 miles I've owned it for gets 37mpg motorway, 25mpg city, 30 mpg average.

I'm not familiar with the 440i's mpg figures but I don't think they're really any different from the M4's.

Although if you're going to modify your vehicle, modifications for the f3X vs the F8X are much much cheaper, with a few drivetrain modifications you can modify a 6 pot diesel to crazy power. You'll still get awesome mileage out of your diesel too.

I'd also consider your insurance premiums in this equation. Plugging your details into a site like GoCompare to see how reasonable, or unreasonable your quotes are. Especially after living outside of the UK for a while.

My 420i manual cost me around £700 for the year to insure, whereas the M4 now costs me around £2700, £2000 more p/a for a different engine and transmission.

Whatever the choice you make, you won't regret it and this forum is the best place to go to for any help you need.

My 440i MPPSK gives me 43mpg on motorway runs, and 37mpg average - but I'd imagine the biggest difference is that the 440i is very cossetting when you're not driving it hard, but pretty brutal when you are, whereas the M4 probably is more of a one-trick pony...

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by MarkH13

My 440i MPPSK gives me 43mpg on motorway runs, and 37mpg average - but I'd imagine the biggest difference is that the 440i is very cossetting when you're not driving it hard, but pretty brutal when you are, whereas the M4 probably is more of a one-trick pony...

How many M-cars have you owned?

[MashinBenzin]

I'd say 440i, plus winter tyres for genuine all year round use including snow. If you want to stay in when it properly snows then no need for winters. Still need winter tyres for xDrive for snowy braking.

I used my 440i in all conditions up to very light snow and it was absolutely fine. Once the rear tyres get below 5mm and the temp gets below 5 degrees AND it's wet, then you get a bit of rear end playfulness. But nothing that a bit of foot control can't take care of.

The 440i is the most playful of the cars mentioned as the torque is more easily meted out. IMHO.

[isleaiw1]

The solution is simple:

4wd
refinement
later tech
and an M car

Get an M5. Job done.

[lethbridge]

Just because the OP is considering an F430 doesn't mean he won't want something efficient as his daily. At the end of the day you can pick up F430s now for less than I paid for my M3CP (and the M3 is near identical performance at vaguely legal speeds). Not sure I see the point of going diesel at 10k miles and RWD BMWs are very safe cars these days with DSC and predictable handling. Indeed having a RWD BMW with plenty of aids that allow you to safely explore your limits is probably no bad thing if you are then jumping into an F430 at the weekend.

I would think the 440i would be a good choice - not sure if the OP is buying new or not as to whether it would be a bad idea to buy the current 440i/M4 now or not. An M4 will cost a fair bit more both in depreciation & run costs and would make the F430 feel less special from a driving experience although on all other counts it is clearly night & day.

In terms of M cars as a daily I'd say absolutely fine - the latest CPs are a great balance yes they are a bit firmer, DCT is not quite as smooth, & more road noise from significantly wider tyres but my wife reckons it is one of the most comfortable cars we've had when I have it in Economy/Comfort modes (it's another story when it is Sport but that is partly because I have the M Performance exhaust). The M3CP is night and day different to the 35ds I've had - it really is a completely different car. The 40i is going to be better than the 35d from a sound and handling perspective but again no real comparison with an M4...

Having said all of the above I'd be considering the M340i if I was needing to buy new right now and had an F430 in the garage (and I think the OP was hinting that they would be using more than 2 seats). But then I've never been a huge fan of the 4 coupe shape and I do think the interiors are falling well behind now.

[Norris-wf]

Originally Posted by stuboy2uk

What are your initial thoughts, how different is the M3 from the 335d?

Hopefully I wont hijack the thread, but initial thoughts are that it is a very different car. I was expecting something much more potent, but it does seem to handle sensible driving quite well, but it has a raw side to it if you want it.
There is no comparison in the noise, its addictive, but I suspect the ASD has somehow been disabled previously.

In terms of comfort, as I commute into Edinburgh, I now try very hard to avoid the cobbled streets as they are so uncomfortable. It was much less of an issue in the 335. Normal streets are fine, just the cobbles.

In terms of the handling, I find them completely different. I left the 335d stock and it always felt a bit wallowey, and it also had the adaptive dampers. The M3 just sticks, so little roll - its incredible.

The power delivery is not what I was expecting in the M3 - in efficient mode, it can almost feel less sensitive than the 335d, which is nice for normal driving. In sport mode and in manual, it just goes, flies through the gears. I think it feels more like my old 330d than the 335d which is more fun.

If you are interested in one, definitely get a drive in one, They are much more "practical" than I was expecting.

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by JNW1

How many M-cars have you owned?

Just the one...

[larven]

One of my friends had an M4 for his daily commute. He loved it but found it quite tiring on long journeys, hard work for the mileage he was doing (20k+ pa) and the fuel bills were through the roof. So he swapped it for a 440i.

As for the OP comments about 4wd l’m completely on board with that. I’ve owned powerful rear drive cars and am currently in a 335d. I love the way it accelerates with little or no wheel spin no matter what the conditions or how slippery the road. It was a must have for my next car which is why l’ve gone for an M340i which l’m due to pick up next week.

I’d go for the 435d of the cars listed in the title if l had an F430 in the garage.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by MarkH13

Just the one...

And did you find it to be a one trick pony? I've also owned only one (an E46 M3 CS) and it's the best car I've ever had; it would do the mundane stuff when necessary but would also play when you were in the mood. I covered over 60k miles in 4 years in mine and I just don't understand those who say cars like the M3 and M4 are too hardcore as daily drivers; if my requirements were different I'd jump into something like an M4 CP without hesitation (especially given the prices of nearly-new ones!).

I've also had an E92 335i - which I imagine is more akin to a 440i - and, nice car as it was, it was lacking compared to the M3. Pretty much as quick in a straight line but try to push on a twisty road and the chassis simply wasn't as well sorted as the M3 - more of a 7/10th's car IMO.

[lethbridge]

Originally Posted by JNW1

And did you find it to be a one trick pony? I've also owned only one (an E46 M3 CS) and it's the best car I've ever had; it would do the mundane stuff when necessary but would also play when you were in the mood. I covered over 60k miles in 4 years in mine and I just don't understand those who say cars like the M3 and M4 are too hardcore as daily drivers; if my requirements were different I'd jump into something like an M4 CP without hesitation (especially given the prices of nearly-new ones!).

I've also had an E92 335i - which I imagine is more akin to a 440i - and, nice car as it was, it was lacking compared to the M3. Pretty much as quick in a straight line but try to push on a twisty road and the chassis simply wasn't as well sorted as the M3 - more of a 7/10th's car IMO.

I would also add that the latest M3/4CPs have evolved significantly from the earlier F8Xs in areas such as suspension, engine map and DCT to remove a lot of the skittish manners of the earlier cars - DCT is not perfect, but the suspension is pretty much spot on now I would say... I would certainly recommend the latest variants as a daily (in the context of it being an M-car, so it will cost more and clearly has suspension at the firmer end of the spectrum) - I even seem to average at 27mpg...

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by robbiep

If you 'need' xDrive to drive safely, then the problem isn't the weather, or the xDrive, but your driving.

Amazing as it might sound, I've done 75k+ in my RWD F31 without it falling off the road once. As have hundreds of thousands of other people.

But you can't put your foot to the floor to quickly get in to a gap when it's wet can you?

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by JNW1

And did you find it to be a one trick pony? I've also owned only one (an E46 M3 CS) and it's the best car I've ever had; it would do the mundane stuff when necessary but would also play when you were in the mood. I covered over 60k miles in 4 years in mine and I just don't understand those who say cars like the M3 and M4 are too hardcore as daily drivers; if my requirements were different I'd jump into something like an M4 CP without hesitation (especially given the prices of nearly-new ones!).

I've also had an E92 335i - which I imagine is more akin to a 440i - and, nice car as it was, it was lacking compared to the M3. Pretty much as quick in a straight line but try to push on a twisty road and the chassis simply wasn't as well sorted as the M3 - more of a 7/10th's car IMO.

Well said. I've never driven a M-car, but I've never been under the illusion that a 440i would come close. Yes, in a straight line it's not so embarrassing, but in the twisties a 418d will be as good or better than a 440i. All in the same ballpark. Not so a M4.

ETA - I bloody loved my 440i btw and would recommend it to anyone, don't want to give another impression!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

But you can't put your foot to the floor to quickly get in to a gap when it's wet can you?

Yes, you can. If the gap is that vanishingly small then you are taking too many chances. Huge tyres have plenty of grip at the back for all normal driving.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Yes, you can. If the gap is that vanishingly small then you are taking too many chances. Huge tyres have plenty of grip at the back for all normal driving.

Oh my give it a rest will you? Please don't ever try and convince me you can pull away as quick in the wet in a RWD car as you can in a AWD. You won't even convince me you can in the dry.

Oh and please don't patronise me on my driving style that in reality you know nothing about.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Oh my give it a rest will you? Please don't ever try and convince me you can pull away as quick in the wet in a RWD car as you can in a AWD. You won't even convince me you can in the dry.

Oh and please don't patronise me on my driving style that in reality you know nothing about.

I didn't try to convince you that RWD was as quick as 4WD. Apologies if it came across as patronising.

I have a 4WD car now, it's not as capable as slotting into gaps as my RWD car was ;-)

Now I will give it a rest, as you suggest. This is a good thread that is in no need of handbags.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

I didn't try to convince you that RWD was as quick as 4WD. Apologies if it came across as patronising.

I have a 4WD car now, it's not as capable as slotting into gaps as my RWD car was ;-)

Now I will give it a rest, as you suggest. This is a good thread that is in no need of handbags.

You have a much calmer nature than what I have! Fair play.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

You have a much calmer nature than what I have! Fair play.

[t5pilot]

You've got this all wrong.

You're having an F430? Then use it! 20 mile commute is nothing. Alternate with the following as & when necessary...

For when the weather is unsuitable, or you're having family days, get an X5....

But to specifically answer the question, the answers an M4. Unless having rear doors is a must. In which case the answers an M3.

[gippy]

so lets get this straight
you're buying an F430 for a weekend toy, and you're fretting over fuel economy differences over 10,000 miles and a few hundred quid here or there?
despite being happy to stretch the budget from a 420d to a 435d or M4 because you "have the money".

you could quickly google the relative mpg's of all those cars, take a real world view, compare against the mpg you achieve in your own car now etc.... its not that hard to see if a diesel would be more economical or not. And over 10,000 miles it would barely make a difference, as you yourself have already calculated online.

yeh i'm confused. Just buy what you want......
don't mean to be hostile, i'm not trying to be - but what an odd post.

[MarkH13]

Originally Posted by JNW1

And did you find it to be a one trick pony? I've also owned only one (an E46 M3 CS) and it's the best car I've ever had; it would do the mundane stuff when necessary but would also play when you were in the mood. I covered over 60k miles in 4 years in mine and I just don't understand those who say cars like the M3 and M4 are too hardcore as daily drivers; if my requirements were different I'd jump into something like an M4 CP without hesitation (especially given the prices of nearly-new ones!).

I've also had an E92 335i - which I imagine is more akin to a 440i - and, nice car as it was, it was lacking compared to the M3. Pretty much as quick in a straight line but try to push on a twisty road and the chassis simply wasn't as well sorted as the M3 - more of a 7/10th's car IMO.

To be fair, what I meant to say was that I imagine the M4 to be more hardcore than the 440i - but that is based on hearsay, so I'm happy to be wrong on that!

I had an E36 M3, which was a good car, but at the limit a little disappointing both on performance and on handling - I think the E46 was a big improvement...

[SynTom]

All I'm saying is, the current M4 is a very special car.

I pay Williams BMW £170 for the oil service and standard scope which is cheaper than the £280 for my 420i so I can't justify the servicing for the M cars being much more expensive? Yes the major service is expensive but that's equally as true on the regular cars.

If there's money for a Ferrari. Screw fuel cost, be happy with 30mpg, get an M4. It's not a one trick pony, it's easily the best car I've ever owned and it turns heads constantly. Mostly other BMW drivers, nodding and giving thumbs up to the car.

The M4 turns driving into an event, a special occasion.

Tyres are no dearer than run flats on the regular cars, and in my experience, servicing is equally priced.

However I am far too biased to give an objective opinion of course. I agree with RobUK, drive them all and pick your favourite.