[ep22jg]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I suspect for 95% of most people's driving the d would be better, but it maybe won't give you quite what you want to feel the other 5% of times.... so which do you go for when neither are bad in any situation? For most it will be balancing their mileage with their need for petrol sounds.

I think this is spot on!
For me, the d will still be good for that 5%, just not quite as good as the i !!

[ep22jg]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

I think just quoting the performance figures alone is missing the point of the petrol. Having recently switched from a 330d to a 440i, I find that for the most part the 440i is no faster than what went before. The 3.0d engines BMW produce are a masterclass in diesel technology, powerful and smooth with a not horrendous noise IMO.
However, when extending the revs in the petrol you are positively encouraged to let it climb, with the corresponding increase in power and all accompanied with the howling 6 pot petrol engine note. Glorious.
Clearly above ~5000 rpm the 440i is plenty faster than the 330d, and put all that together it's probably why I find myself using the loud pedal much more that I ever did in the 330d, as it's far more smile inducing!

I agree with most of this.
In my experience, the 35/40d is more rewarding to extend the revs than the 30d. I know it’s only to around 4500-5000, but definitely worth it.
I do agree that a 6 cyl. petrol is more enjoyable to rev, but the difference to me isn’t as big as it is for some.
Comparing my driving when I had The S4 and now, I use the loud pedal the same!!

[JustChris]

OP...where are you at currently. More in than out and looking at the D?

[Rbrown]

If anybody wants to see the M40i, I'm in Glasgow.

Also, if it helps, I could try to get a drive in a "d" to give you guys a comparison?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

If anybody wants to see the M40i, I'm in Glasgow.

Also, if it helps, I could try to get a drive in a "d" to give you guys a comparison?

That would be interesting

[Soul_Glo]

What is the catch with 24 hr test drives? Are there extra costs? Is it free? How does it work? Interested. Thanks

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Surg_Capt_R

What is the catch with 24 hr test drives? Are there extra costs? Is it free? How does it work? Interested. Thanks

Just do it on the website:

https://www.bmw.co.uk/forms/pdi_bmw_24tdfm_tda

The catch is some dealers don’t bother contacting you, or in my case they only offered a test drive with one of them riding in the car with me, so I had to fight to get a 9am to 5pm test drive, although it was a very new model so may be different with ones that have been away for a while.

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by JustChris

OP...where are you at currently. More in than out and looking at the D?

I'm out. It's not the car for me. Too tall, too big, too SUV in a word. I think if I was going to get something of this genre (a practical, big, high seating car with few aspirations to be a driver's car) then I would go for the diesel.

I'm now going to wait for the G20 hearse - probably the 340i. I just hope it's not x-drive only.

[goodbyalfa]

Originally Posted by pdk42

I'm out. It's not the car for me. Too tall, too big, too SUV in a word. I think if I was going to get something of this genre (a practical, big, high seating car with few aspirations to be a driver's car) then I would go for the diesel.

I'm now going to wait for the G20 hearse - probably the 340i. I just hope it's not x-drive only.

I think the g20 m40i saloon could be available rear drive, but the hearse will definitely be x drive only. You wouldn't want to be slipping around out of wet corners as the coffins might break free...

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by pdk42

I'm out. It's not the car for me. Too tall, too big, too SUV in a word. I think if I was going to get something of this genre (a practical, big, high seating car with few aspirations to be a driver's car) then I would go for the diesel.

I'm now going to wait for the G20 hearse - probably the 340i. I just hope it's not x-drive only.

Fair play, SAV life is not for all.

G21 will be a cracking funeral car, drivers car and DD. They won't get anything wrong on it, ok nothing's perfect but all major boxes ticked and moved onwards!