[SammT]

Hey,

Just started a new job with BT and being young naturally the first thing I want to buy is a nice car. I've got a van for work so I'll only drive in the evenings/weekends and because of this I'm torn between the 420d and 430d.

I want the 430d because I feel it'll be a more enjoyable drive when I am driving around, but would the 420d be a smarter move for me due to its higher MPG and lower insurance costs? I'd probably be driving around 3-4000 miles a year with it, maybe more.

Any input would help massively!

[F30Andy]

If your mileage is that low don't get an oil burner. Get yourself a 440i.

[....,,,,..,,..]

As mentioned yes you are mad go for a 440i.

Seems rather obvious a choice.

[Fuse]

Agreed, you're mad for considering a diesel for that sort of mileage, you should be going petrol.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Fuse

Agreed, you're mad for considering a diesel for that sort of mileage, you should be going petrol.

Yep, but perhaps he wants the low down torque of the 30d as it does make for easy progress, but I'd go for a petrol with that mileage as well.

[Dave-ncl]

Why not a 3 instead of a 4?

They look so much better

[Sheepy]

I’ve only been doing 5k miles a year for the last few years & just jumped from an e92 330d to a f32 440, don’t miss the diesel at all even though it was a fantastic car. I’d test drive a 435/440 before jumping in a diesel at that low mileage.

[SkyJawa]

3-4K per year is petrol without a doubt.

[SammT]

Originally Posted by Brigand

As mentioned yes you are mad go for a 440i.

Seems rather obvious a choice.

Think a 428i would suffice? Not really any 435is+ near me that are within my budget

Originally Posted by Sheepy

I’ve only been doing 5k miles a year for the last few years & just jumped from an e92 330d to a f32 440, don’t miss the diesel at all even though it was a fantastic car. I’d test drive a 435/440 before jumping in a diesel at that low mileage.

Hmm, problem is there aren't really any 435is near me that are in my price range, if it's petrol I'd likely have to get a 428i, just want something that's quick and I love the style of the 4 series.

Originally Posted by F30Andy

If your mileage is that low don't get an oil burner. Get yourself a 440i.

Think the 428i is a good spec also?

[Hooded]

Yes a 428i would suffice and a much better choice than a diesel if doing that low miles per year.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by SammT

Think a 428i would suffice? Not really any 435is+ near me that are within my budget



Hmm, problem is there aren't really any 435is near me that are in my price range, if it's petrol I'd likely have to get a 428i, just want something that's quick and I love the style of the 4 series.



Think the 428i is a good spec also?

Don’t get a 28i, there’s been loads of problems with them. It really would be worth paying a little extra for a 35i.

[spangle1980]

Order of preference given your mileage 440i -> 430d -> nothing ;-)

If you're young and have disposable cash, and are doing that few miles, screw the mpg ;-)

[SammT]

Originally Posted by teaston

Don’t get a 28i, there’s been loads of problems with them. It really would be worth paying a little extra for a 35i.

Really? Looking to buy in cash and there are very few/next to none 35is that are for sale, a load of diesels ones on the other hand.

Originally Posted by spangle1980

Order of preference given your mileage 440i -> 430d -> nothing ;-)

If you're young and have disposable cash, and are doing that few miles, screw the mpg ;-)

Yeah it's also the availability which is an issue, seems to be barely any petrol 4 series for my budget unfortunately

Originally Posted by LobB

The perfect car for you, young man, is either an M140i or 240i. Test drive one and you'll see what I mean

Honestly I was torn between the 2 series and 4 series for the longest time, 4 series to me looks nicer but if there's more options on the market for the 2 I may have to reconsider. They're very similar cars correct? Think I've read reviews before saying that there isn't a whole lot of difference between them.

[Chris330]

Just throwing it out there but if I was you, I'd consider the Mini JCW. I wouldn't touch a 20d or 30d with that type of mileage.

You also get BMW build and design.

Granted the JCW is not as refined as a F30/32 but I get so much more enjoyment driving and pushing on in that than my old 340i and X5 40d.

[SammT]

Originally Posted by Chris330

Just throwing it out there but if I was you, I'd consider the Mini JCW. I wouldn't touch a 20d or 30d with that type of mileage.

You also get BMW build and design.

Granted the JCW is not as refined as a F30/32 but I get so much more enjoyment driving and pushing on in that than my old 340i and X5 40d.

Hmm if I was gonna change from a BMW it would be for either an Audi or a Mercedes, too many choices out there..

[teaston]

Originally Posted by SammT

Really? Looking to buy in cash and there are very few/next to none 35is that are for sale, a load of diesels ones on the other hand.

Yeah it's also the availability which is an issue, seems to be barely any petrol 4 series for my budget unfortunately

Honestly I was torn between the 2 series and 4 series for the longest time, 4 series to me looks nicer but if there's more options on the market for the 2 I may have to reconsider. They're very similar cars correct? Think I've read reviews before saying that there isn't a whole lot of difference between them.

If 430d's are in your price range then go for it, but you will need to do long journeys every so often to let the DPF do a regen.

[SammT]

Originally Posted by teaston

If 430d's are in your price range then go for it, but you will need to do long journeys every so often to let the DPF do a regen.

Yeah there's a lot more 3 litre diesel 4 series on the market than petrol which forces my hand a bit. Yeah I'll have to research about that to see how much it needs to be driven to do it

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by SammT

Yeah there's a lot more 3 litre diesel 4 series on the market than petrol which forces my hand a bit. Yeah I'll have to research about that to see how much it needs to be driven to do it

This is the problem buying used .. there just aren't anywhere near as much choice buying petrol unless it's a small city car.

Doing 4K miles per year in a diesel won't be that much of a problem as long as it gets a decent run at least once a month.
To be fair There's a hell of a lot of diesel cars on the road used by women just for trips to the shops and school runs etc that they bought due to the better advertised manufacturer mpg figures, and most of these are still running just fine.

[NISFAN]

I can't understand why a young person would buy an old farts car? Surely if only doing 3-4000 miles you would buy something fun, Renaultsport Cup, Elise, even a Porsche Boxster over a boring rep mobile 420d. You'll have plenty of time spending years behind the wheel of a family car......when you've got a family.

Cheers G

Drives old farts 330d and mid life crisis 240i

[Isow]

Originally Posted by teaston

Don’t get a 28i, there’s been loads of problems with them. It really would be worth paying a little extra for a 35i.

What sort of problems ?

[EssexD]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I can't understand why a young person would buy an old farts car? Surely if only doing 3-4000 miles you would buy something fun, Renaultsport Cup, Elise, even a Porsche Boxster over a boring rep mobile 420d. You'll have plenty of time spending years behind the wheel of a family car......when you've got a family.

Cheers G

Drives old farts 330d and mid life crisis 240i

Not everyone is a chav

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by EssexD

Not everyone is a chav

Oh a Lotus Elise is the ultimate chavriot?