[Addinuff]

Hi all,

Time to get rid of the 320d although I've loved the car, I turn the big 40 this year and want something that puts a smile on my face (mid-life crisis you say).

So I really want a 335d with all the toys on (I do 15,000 motorway miles a year) and the current car I have is awesome apart from the smile factor, just want a bigger power-plant/tech. My dilemma is the F30 is a bit old tooth now? With a new version due next year is it still worth spending 30-32k on one. Needs to be under 1 year old, I'm worried (a little) about massive depreciation? If I can get my head round that, then I will get one, help me please Oh and needs 4 doors for the kids!

Other options are:

4 series 435d GC - although at around 35k might be pushing it cash wise
old model 535d m sport - seems a bargin?
Merc C Class 250d premium plus (engines a bit the same as my 320d) but blingy
Jag XE R-Sport (same as above 250d, naff engine)
New Audi A5 3.0 (love the virtual cockpit) but low BHP?

Help me out here, going out of my mind with CarWow reviews on Youtube

[GEP77]

The F30 EOP is currently October 2018 so a little wait.

Those are all rather different cars. My advice is to start getting some test drives in.

If you only do 15,000 miles why limit yourself to a diesel?

[Addinuff]

Originally Posted by GEP77

If you only do 15,000 miles why limit yourself to a diesel?

MPG I guess? I hate giving the taxman my hard earned money I claim my business mileage. The petrol's seem to top out at 35mpg, so i guess its the sensible side of me saying I should get a diesel? Although I do have a doubt about this diesel tax stuff so maybe, I dunno?

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by GEP77

The F30 EOP is currently October 2018 so a little wait.

Those are all rather different cars. My advice is to start getting some test drives in.

If you only do 15,000 miles why limit yourself to a diesel?

Exactly this.

If I only did 15k a year I would not even look at cars that run on the devils urine.

[GEP77]

Fair enough about diesel, however moving on....
The 335d/435d are sledgehammers to crack a nut, one reason I love mine but also why I want to change, without mods they are a bit one dimensional. They are very quick, but not particularly involving. If you want something that's a bit more fun try and go for RWD and drop the engine down to an 330d/430d sdrive or if you can stomach petrol a 340i/440i (you won't regret it emotionally at least). Antoerh possible option might be the 330e (taxman friendly plugin hybrid, but might not be tht suited to just sticking to the motorway, and you'd need somewhere to charge it).
I'd avoid 4 cylinder diesels from other manufactrures unless you want more of the same in a different wrapper. The Audi 3.0 Diesel is very good, however you're looking a 4WD and also you need to consider adBlue as well (something that really puts me off some modern diesels.)

[335dMSport+]

PM sent mate

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Addinuff

MPG I guess? I hate giving the taxman my hard earned money I claim my business mileage. The petrol's seem to top out at 35mpg, so i guess its the sensible side of me saying I should get a diesel? Although I do have a doubt about this diesel tax stuff so maybe, I dunno?

At 15k miles/annum I'd also say don't bother with the diesel. In my experience the 335d X-drives aren't that much more economical than the petrol equivalent so there's isn't a significant benefit in terms of either running cost or range; in your situation a 340i would be a better choice IMHO.