[Ham1]

Hi all,

My car is ready at the dealership, due to be collected next Sunday now. It's a 435d, I am extremely excited. But having spent a few weeks now at this forum, I am somewhat becoming more petrol bias. You guys can be darn convincing with ur clever man maths lol.

Now I am becoming more and more drawn into a 235i, fully loaded it still works out quite a bit cheaper! I have been trying hard to dislike the 235i, for peace of mind. But the more I look into it, it seems almost identical to a 4 series in terms of interior refinement and build quality albeit a bit smaller, which I don't mind because it's only me and the wife.

So the unsettled devil in me is thinking, cheaper monthlies on the 235i, which allows for more fuel and eventually more fun??

Please can anyone here either talk me out of the 235i! Or reinforce my views.
With the 435d I have paid a 500 pound holding deposit, haven't visited the dealership. So if I somehow get convinced to go petrol, can I still walk away with the car built and waiting for my collection?

Any help is massively appreciated!

[G82Dude]

There's always a 440i...

[Ham1]

Originally Posted by F32Dude

There's always a 440i...

That would be the icing on the cake! As it works out cheaper than the 435d. But I am somewhat drawn to the smaller body of the 235i.

But if I am somehow able to walk away from the 435d (if that's what I decide to do) then the 440i will be a strong contender. Only because 40i is more than 35i

[Tengocity]

How many miles do you do?

[G82Dude]

4 series much prettier than 2. And 4 is twice as much as 2...

[planemad]

Cannot understand last minute jitters!!!
Your heart had chosen 435d a few months back and you will not be disappointed.

PS: last thing my dad said to me 5 mins before my "now" wife arrived to the registry office.
Dad: Son are you sure you want to go ahead with this? If not I have a fast car in the car park if you want to change your mind!!

He was dead serious.. And his weekend drive at the time was a DB7.

[ajfoggy]

Have you compared your monthly payments to the TRL M3/4 deals ;-)

[Ss66]

Stick with the 435d

[Ham1]

Originally Posted by planemad

Cannot understand last minute jitters!!!
Your heart had chosen 435d a few months back and you will not be disappointed.

PS: last thing my dad said to me 5 mins before my "now" wife arrived to the registry office.
Dad: Son are you sure you want to go ahead with this? If not I have a fast car in the car park if you want to change your mind!!

He was dead serious..

To be honest I don't understand it my self. I am normally well organised and I do my research and when I choose something it's because I ruled out other options. But since this is my first ever bmw, heck my first ever new car nerves are running high!

Don't get me wrong a few months ago I would have been absolutely over the moon with a 116d! But like I said this forum has funny way of wanting bigger and louder. First world problems I guess.

I do around 15 to 20k yearly.

As a whole I do agree that even though the 4 series is bigger, from the outside it looks quite a bit classier.

[Ham1]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Have you compared your monthly payments to the TRL M3/4 deals ;-)

That's one thread I have avoided all together lol!

[NISFAN]

A real BMW is a 6 cylinder, petrol, rear wheel drive....preferably manual. The 435d doesn't qualify.

On s serious note, the 435d is a seriously competent car, but it won't make you giggle like an M235i will. 20k miles is quite a lot for an M235i?!?!?

[Englishbloke]

The 35d engine is mega! Prefer the power delivery to petrol personally.

[DarCol]

Why wait till now to question your choice?

2 series is nothing like the 4.

Stick with your original choice, you won't be disappointed!!!!

[Tengocity]

20k miles a year then I think you'll be happy enough in a 435d.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Dazzer

Why wait till now to question your choice?

2 series is nothing like the 4.

Stick with your original choice, you won't be disappointed!!!!

I say this, stand firm.

If this forum did not exist, what would you be happy with?


Certainly test an M235i......quickly, see if you like the look, sound and feel behind the wheel. Very different drive to a 3/435D.

[Kal101]

35d is a superb engine with a stinking power delivery

And gives you best part of 40 mpg

4 series looks much better

Plus you got X drive

Win all round.

[Ham1]

Thanks for the input fellas!

If this forum did not exist I would have ordered a 420d as I initially was planning to do. A 435d is a dream car for me in every way(since I live on motorways on daily basis), I test drove one and loved it! Also my wife will be able to drive it quite easily.

I have been soo busy with work that the time actually flew by untill the car actually arrived at dealership. I will try and squeeze a test drive this week before Sunday, if somehow I end up loving the 235 that much will it be too late now to turn back? I will just have to find the missus a different car in that case lol.

But to be honest if I stay firm till Sunday, and get into the 435d all will be history and I will be sweet for a long time.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Ham1

Thanks for the input fellas!

If this forum did not exist I would have ordered a 420d as I initially was planning to do. A 435d is a dream car for me in every way(since I live on motorways on daily basis), I test drove one and loved it! Also my wife will be able to drive it quite easily.

I have been soo busy with work that the time actually flew by untill the car actually arrived at dealership. I will try and squeeze a test drive this week before Sunday, if somehow I end up loving the 235 that much will it be too late now to turn back? I will just have to find the missus a different car in that case lol.

But to be honest if I stay firm till Sunday, and get into the 435d all will be history and I will be sweet for a long time.

The 4 is the car for you. Superb motorway car.... The effortless way you can hit 3 figure speeds with a slight flex of the right foot is addictive.
If you said you get the train to work everyday and then use the car at weekends on the back roads then I'd maybe say try other cars, but I think you'll be very happy with the 4.

[jnismith]

Originally Posted by Ham1

Hi all,

My car is ready at the dealership, due to be collected next Sunday now. It's a 435d, I am extremely excited. But having spent a few weeks now at this forum, I am somewhat becoming more petrol bias. You guys can be darn convincing with ur clever man maths lol.

Now I am becoming more and more drawn into a 235i, fully loaded it still works out quite a bit cheaper! I have been trying hard to dislike the 235i, for peace of mind. But the more I look into it, it seems almost identical to a 4 series in terms of interior refinement and build quality albeit a bit smaller, which I don't mind because it's only me and the wife.

So the unsettled devil in me is thinking, cheaper monthlies on the 235i, which allows for more fuel and eventually more fun??

Please can anyone here either talk me out of the 235i! Or reinforce my views.
With the 435d I have paid a 500 pound holding deposit, haven't visited the dealership. So if I somehow get convinced to go petrol, can I still walk away with the car built and waiting for my collection?

Any help is massively appreciated!

I'm sort of in the same position as you as my 440i GC should be ready in a week and now I'm thinking should I have bought an M3. But in reality, I'm happy with the choice and you will be too Ham. The 35D engine is nearly as fast as the M3 in real life (and faster than the 35i) and you will do nearly 40mpg. And you can get people in the back. Go with your original and probably well reasoned choice.

[HookJaw]

I totally get the appeal of the petrol, but doing 15-20k will hurt your wallet in a 235i.
If that's a factor then I'd go with the 435d.
It's a luxurious cruiser on the motorway, very economical and seriously good looking.
And fast

[AnthonyR]

I was about to pick up a m235i, but saw the 435d. Personally I preferred the f32 as it ticked more boxes than the 2. I'd say stick with the 435d as it is a better allrounder

[FSE23]

Exactly agree with previous posts. You will be happy with 435d. Xdrive launches in fenomenal way on wet tarmac etc. then 20k miles per year would cost you a lot more in 235i so initial less monthly payment will disappear. I'm in a different position driving 335d now after 335i before. So now thinking about M3/4 . But I'm only doing 10-12k miles per year