[225]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Having done the speed thing with the 35i is what makes me think twice about a fx40i, although a stock 40i wouldn't be as quick as my e92 it's still a bit unnecessary for Mrs Chappers to take the dog out in & going to the shops & I'd most likely only do a couple of hundred miles a month in it, which makes me think a f31 30d would do the job, although it may be little dull.

Lots of short runs dont suit diesels though. I agree the 330d lump is nice.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by 225

Lots of short runs dont suit diesels though. I agree the 330d lump is nice.

The 30d discovery that I have use of mostly does only short trips & is fine but yeah I have read about dpf & regen issues with the e9 range of diesels when only used for short journeys, although if I do go diesel I suspect it's get a reasonable run at least twice a month.
The idea of buying a diesel doesn't fill me with joy, it just seems to be the best compromise but it'll depend on what's for sale April/May time.

[The0pportunist]

Ahh the old petrol V diesel debate.

Chappers I'll give you the same advise you gave me many years ago when deciding between the 640i & 640d..

Diesel, the fuel of satan.
Think of the children!

[gippy]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Having done the speed thing with the 35i is what makes me think twice about a fx40i, although a stock 40i wouldn't be as quick as my e92 it's still a bit unnecessary for Mrs Chappers to take the dog out in & going to the shops & I'd most likely only do a couple of hundred miles a month in it, which makes me think a f31 30d would do the job, although it may be little dull.

i don't get it. You start the thread asking people to comment on their B58 ownership experience.

Then look for every opportunity to comment that you don't need the power or speed and infact a lesser engine would be fine.

so...............what are you trying to find out exactly?


Either you enjoy those few moments where you can go fast on todays roads, which is rarely, enough to warrant the extra spend - or you don't.
Its whatever you feel is important to you.

I bought a 440i because i couldn't afford an M4 (running costs and warranty are on another level), and wanted something quick enough purely because i know i was going to use it on track days.

if i wasn't going to do the odd track day i'd never have bought a 440i, its just pointless for the UK....a 430i would have been fine.

if you need fuel economy due to budget......then get diesel. If you don't....then don't. A simple spreadsheet totting up the cost/benefit would suffice.

sorry i don't mean to sound dismissive, i just always find these type of threads really odd, frankly. "please help me decide".
"oh but i've already decided, actually"


in terms of ownership experience - the car is 3 and a bit years old, the engine hasn't missed a beat, i extended the warranty anyway @ £400 for the year which buys me peace of mind.
Fuel economy is awful for urban/short runs - 20-24mpg.
Motorway runs are 38mpg at 85mph on cruise (if one were to travel at that speed).

The B58 engine is awesome, but due to the F3x's size/bulk, its not exactly a spritely B-road runner, and it has poor damper and body control. None of that really matters on a smooth track where the car handles fine and much fun can be had.
If you only rarely get a chance to accelerate to 70mph+ and don't do track days then a 330i or d (for economy) would be fine.

[MashinBenzin]

To add to what Gippy said, for me the B58 had a second and winning trump card. The refinement and smoothness it brings below 3k/4k rpm. In the F3x, that makes a major difference in lifting the ambience of the car.

I've driven two 30d BMWs, a X3 and a X5. The X3 sounded like a bag of spanners compared with my 440i and I couldn't wait to give it back. The X5 was better, but a lot more 'diesel' sounding than the Discovery I ended up buying.

In the F3x I'd take the 40i over any diesel, every time. For the refinement. The only exception would be if I needed 4wd.

[Techno 9000]

Originally Posted by gippy

i don't get it. You start the thread asking people to comment on their B58 ownership experience.

Then look for every opportunity to comment that you don't need the power or speed and infact a lesser engine would be fine.

so...............what are you trying to find out exactly?

I think you need to re-read the opening post again.

Chappers makes his quandary quite obvious, BMW f31 or a day van and even if BMW then what engine.....

He doesn’t say the B58 was his only option.

He asks for some thoughts and several have given theirs, as now you have.

[gippy]

Originally Posted by Techno 9000

I think you need to re-read the opening post again.

Chappers makes his quandary quite obvious, BMW f31 or a day van and even if BMW then what engine.....

He doesn’t say the B58 was his only option.

He asks for some thoughts and several have given theirs, as now you have.

Not really. That's not the main query in his post at all. That wasn't his quandry, as he presented it.

You should read his post again.
And look what his first question is, which appears in the 3rd paragraph.
He initially talks about the choice of a bmw or a van, and then goes on to talk about what Engine if he chose the BMW, initally musing over diesel or petrol and then specifically asking about the ownership experiences of B58 owners.......

so you're completely wrong.

and then when people do suggest how lovely or otherwise the B58 is he continues to respond trying to justify why he doens't need the power..........Hence my confusion.

I would multi quote from it but i don't know how unfortunately. I need to learn to use message boards

EDIT: sorry i'm not well and on my period, do ignore me.

[Chappers 71]

I asked about the b58 as I wanted to know how ownership of a 40i would compare regarding reliability & repair costs compared to my current n54 35i, which has had a fair bit of money spent with maintaince/repairs over my 7+ years
of ownership.

In an ideal world I would of course buy a 40i f31, I'm a car guy but & as I've never had to use my car as a dd I have always bought quick cars but now as I've gotten older I've realised that I don't live in an ideal world, so I'm maybe considering a little compromise when I replace the e92.
That & I've made the mistake of occasionally reviewing dash can footage of some Mrs Chappers 'little trips to the shops' which makes me think a slower car may not be such a bad idea

So, yeah maybe I am trying to give myself reasons not to get a fx40i

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

Ahh the old petrol V diesel debate.

Chappers I'll give you the same advise you gave me many years ago when deciding between the 640i & 640d..

Diesel, the fuel of satan.
Think of the children!

Cheers, am trying to be more open minded & believe that a diesel wagon may be kinda socially acceptable and to be fair, most children 'nowadays' are little shits

[Chappers 71]

After much deliberation & having driven a f30 40i, 30d & a 35d before the lockdown I am going to go for a B58 powered car.

With things the way they are at the moment the replacement car will obviously have to wait at least until the lockdown is over & if I stretch my budget by 5/6k & used car prices drop a bit I'm hopeful that I may be able to afford a G31, which I think would likely tick all my boxes.

Just need to find one in silver

[AlwynMike]

The only sensible decision you could have made.

440 GC ticks the boxes for me (and 30-odd kilo dog).

[winther1]

Originally Posted by AlwynMike

The only sensible decision you could have made.

440 GC ticks the boxes for me (and 30-odd kilo dog).

Same here. So impressed with the balance between practicality and performance/fun and awesome looks. Biggest boot I ever had. And MPPSK turns it anti-social at the switch of a button

[goodbyalfa]

Had a f30 330d, great car. Fast and economical. Torque there all the time. Averaged 45 mpg in my 50k Miles.
Now in a 440i GC. Prettier, faster, smoother, much better noise, 38mpg. What's not to like.

[winther1]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

Had a f30 330d, great car. Fast and economical. Torque there all the time. Averaged 45 mpg in my 50k Miles.
Now in a 440i GC. Prettier, faster, smoother, much better noise, 38mpg. What's not to like.

I average 18mpg in mine

[goodbyalfa]

Originally Posted by winther1

I average 18mpg in mine

Loving your work...

Most of my miles are on the motorway commute. Set at 70 mph and ignore..

[winther1]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

Loving your work...

Most of my miles are on the motorway commute. Set at 70 mph and ignore..

95% of my journeys are London East to West and back in sport+. Hooning it between traffic lights, speed bumps and cameras
When I drove the car home from Yorkshire I did get very impressive mileage though

[Gavsur]

While my f31 335d does not have the same refinement of the 5 series it more than makes up for it with smiles per mile. Even with standard engine the performance is stonking. Even pushing on my mpg rarely dips below 40 mpg with high 40s certainly achievable when in comfort mode across all types of driving. Another plus for the modern diesel is that is does not sound like a Ferguson tractor, granted it won’t have the growl of the petrol equivalent but you can’t have it all and what ever you decide upon, petrol or diesel you won’t be disappointed. Keep safe all

[Racing Teatray]

I would have thought an F36 Gran Coupe would be your answer if you don't want a Touring. That's why we have one. The 2dr coupe or convertible wasn't practical enough, the saloons manages to be both company-car dull and insufficiently practical, and an estate was too sensible-shoes and not necessary most of the time.

The GC's hatchback tailgate is surprisingly practical and electric as standard, although a large dog would doubtless prefer an estate. And of course BMW's Tourings have that handy feature for dog owners that allows you to open just the rear tailgate glass making it much easier to get stuff out of the back when Fido is in there, whilst stopping the dog doing what dogs nearly always do when the tailgate is opened, which is try to leap out.