I don't like my 435d after 4 months - what to do?
Discussion
I am not sure this is going to be controversial or not. And i can't quite put my finger on even why i feel this way.
But i am not loving my 435d x-drive anymore and as such, thinking it could be time to swap it out.
I know alot of people like them. But for me, over the last 4 months the body roll, floating boat like handling from the suspension. The underwhelming x-drive (subjective perhaps). The odd brake feel that it has. The lack of visibility out the rear are just a number of things that i've just not gotten along with. To the point where i had planned to keep it maybe 12 months and i'm wanting to cut this relationship short. However i love the typical BMW interior, sound, tech etc. Its great for all that.
So i'd like something smaller but still able to comfortably sit 4 people and with the bells and whistles. That has a lovely more up market feel and not sh*tty plastics etc. I want somewhere nice to sit. The 435d does that nicely if i'm honest. This rules out coupes and 3 doors. I'm looking for a 4door saloon or a 5dr hatch.
I don't want diesel again, i just can't warrant it based on my mileage as i'm not getting the benefit from 170p/lt fuel here for the journeys i do. I am doing roughly 400 miles per month.
However, i do love the speed and shove that the 435d has. So i want something that has a decent amount of go. Benchmark roughly 300+bhp + (0-60 4.5 - 5.5 seconds is probably about right performance wise).
Ride/Handling - I would like it to handle well. Sharp turn in, grippy, not very much body roll, but suitably subtle enough for most A-Roads that my spine isn't destroyed. Bear in mind i have a very stiffly sprung weekend car so you know. As long as its not coilover hard, i don't mind stiff suspension. But some subtlety would help.
I want it to have 4 wheel drive preferably but given how tail happy the 435d is, even with "x-drive" (you may as well really just get rwd IMHO, x-drive is fine for blasts from traffic lights but other than that, i kind of feel its pointless a bit) So i don't mind rwd (or fwd for that matter).
I don't want it to be Japanese (had too many subaru and evo issues in the past).
I want it circa 2013/14 onwards
I want it to be in the ball park of £18-25k (thats as much movement as i have budget wise).
Wondering what you guys/gals all think? I think i know where most people will go but be interesting to see if you are on the same lines as myself (i'll refrain for listing my thoughts for now).
But i am not loving my 435d x-drive anymore and as such, thinking it could be time to swap it out.
I know alot of people like them. But for me, over the last 4 months the body roll, floating boat like handling from the suspension. The underwhelming x-drive (subjective perhaps). The odd brake feel that it has. The lack of visibility out the rear are just a number of things that i've just not gotten along with. To the point where i had planned to keep it maybe 12 months and i'm wanting to cut this relationship short. However i love the typical BMW interior, sound, tech etc. Its great for all that.
So i'd like something smaller but still able to comfortably sit 4 people and with the bells and whistles. That has a lovely more up market feel and not sh*tty plastics etc. I want somewhere nice to sit. The 435d does that nicely if i'm honest. This rules out coupes and 3 doors. I'm looking for a 4door saloon or a 5dr hatch.
I don't want diesel again, i just can't warrant it based on my mileage as i'm not getting the benefit from 170p/lt fuel here for the journeys i do. I am doing roughly 400 miles per month.
However, i do love the speed and shove that the 435d has. So i want something that has a decent amount of go. Benchmark roughly 300+bhp + (0-60 4.5 - 5.5 seconds is probably about right performance wise).
Ride/Handling - I would like it to handle well. Sharp turn in, grippy, not very much body roll, but suitably subtle enough for most A-Roads that my spine isn't destroyed. Bear in mind i have a very stiffly sprung weekend car so you know. As long as its not coilover hard, i don't mind stiff suspension. But some subtlety would help.
I want it to have 4 wheel drive preferably but given how tail happy the 435d is, even with "x-drive" (you may as well really just get rwd IMHO, x-drive is fine for blasts from traffic lights but other than that, i kind of feel its pointless a bit) So i don't mind rwd (or fwd for that matter).
I don't want it to be Japanese (had too many subaru and evo issues in the past).
I want it circa 2013/14 onwards
I want it to be in the ball park of £18-25k (thats as much movement as i have budget wise).
Wondering what you guys/gals all think? I think i know where most people will go but be interesting to see if you are on the same lines as myself (i'll refrain for listing my thoughts for now).
Edited by stevekoz on Monday 28th February 17:08
CLA45 perhaps?
I should add that I have never driven one, but I do rather like them.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...
Ticks a few boxes at least...
I should add that I have never driven one, but I do rather like them.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...
Ticks a few boxes at least...
Edited by Canon_Fodder on Monday 28th February 17:02
Not sure what to recommend if you want AWD and not Jap for that budget unless it has an Audi badge on it. TTRS would be my shout but depends if you need decent back seats or not. Alternatively how about an Inisignia VXR with a remap so flatten out the power curve?
If you're still stuck at what to do with your 435d. I'll take it off your hands free of charge, no admin fee!
If you're still stuck at what to do with your 435d. I'll take it off your hands free of charge, no admin fee!
Mustang!
2016 GT will squeeze into the upper end of your budget and will give you more smiles than a 4 series could ever hope to (including the M4 which I toyed with before buying my mustang!)
How quiet is your 435d on a run? I've a 330d too (thread started about it) that's just far too loud to the point I'm considering selling it so am curious as to whether it's quieter - it should be due to bodystyle if nothing else!
2016 GT will squeeze into the upper end of your budget and will give you more smiles than a 4 series could ever hope to (including the M4 which I toyed with before buying my mustang!)
How quiet is your 435d on a run? I've a 330d too (thread started about it) that's just far too loud to the point I'm considering selling it so am curious as to whether it's quieter - it should be due to bodystyle if nothing else!
pb8g09 said:
Not sure what to recommend if you want AWD and not Jap for that budget unless it has an Audi badge on it. TTRS would be my shout but depends if you need decent back seats or not. Alternatively how about an Inisignia VXR with a remap so flatten out the power curve?
If you're still stuck at what to do with your 435d. I'll take it off your hands free of charge, no admin fee!
I would prefer 4 wheel drive BUT i will take anything. Its one of those things i'll compromise on. The seating in the TTRS isn't doable though. It needs to fit large kids and 4 adults (amended original brief)If you're still stuck at what to do with your 435d. I'll take it off your hands free of charge, no admin fee!
Not keen Insignia at all - just not a Vauxhall Fan. Happy consider other brands. I've had too many Subaru's and 2012 plus is only the 2.5 and i wouldn't daily one of those and my budget really only gets me a 2010 - 2012 evo X with SST and that is troublesome trans.
QuattroDave said:
Mustang!
2016 GT will squeeze into the upper end of your budget and will give you more smiles than a 4 series could ever hope to (including the M4 which I toyed with before buying my mustang!)
How quiet is your 435d on a run? I've a 330d too (thread started about it) that's just far too loud to the point I'm considering selling it so am curious as to whether it's quieter - it should be due to bodystyle if nothing else!
Hmmm quietness - Tyre's make up a lot of the noise on mine. To begin with it had non brand mismatched s2016 GT will squeeze into the upper end of your budget and will give you more smiles than a 4 series could ever hope to (including the M4 which I toyed with before buying my mustang!)
How quiet is your 435d on a run? I've a 330d too (thread started about it) that's just far too loud to the point I'm considering selling it so am curious as to whether it's quieter - it should be due to bodystyle if nothing else!
t tyres. I swapped them out for the brand specific run flat bridgestones and it made a massive difference to handling and to road noise. I don't really get that much noise though from driving. You can have a perfectly normal conversation at motorway speeds. So i'd say no, its not an issue on the 435d. Not that i have noticed.
Audi S4 is good alternative, a little numb as most fast Audis are but makes for a good daily driver overall.
I've not driven any the following but should be good options.
- BMW 540i (xdrive)
- Merc CLA45 AMG (4matic)
- Audi S6 (Quattro)
- Maserati Ghibli
My pick would be the 540i if you're happy with a BMW interior
I've not driven any the following but should be good options.
- BMW 540i (xdrive)
- Merc CLA45 AMG (4matic)
- Audi S6 (Quattro)
- Maserati Ghibli
My pick would be the 540i if you're happy with a BMW interior
Edited by eleveneleven on Monday 28th February 18:17
Pablo16v said:
That would be my suggestion but not sure they are smaller than a 4 series My initial instinct was another BMW with a petrol engine and a different suspension (and RWD).
I assume that an Audi or Mercedes aren’t going to handle better than a BMW, but this might be an old fashioned.
However maybe this is the answer, Alfa Romeo’s first truly good car in 25+ years according to some.
I assume that an Audi or Mercedes aren’t going to handle better than a BMW, but this might be an old fashioned.
However maybe this is the answer, Alfa Romeo’s first truly good car in 25+ years according to some.
Madness60 said:
Alfa Guilia Veloce? Look great, just about quick enough but not 4 wheel drive
Why does it have to be 4WD? If you like the interior of the 4 series but want a more chuckable hatchback, then why not just get an M140i?
Seems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
Seems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
Al U said:
If you like the interior of the 4 series but want a more chuckable hatchback, then why not just get an M140i?
Seems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
They aren't very stable and have a floaty feeling with stock suspension as well, I don't think the OP will enjoy itSeems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
Coming in from left field.
Maserati Ghibli.
We've got the S with 410 bhp. No worries about rear wheel drive only and it is very sure footed.
Our 2016 is fully loaded and was over your budget but there should be plenty around the mid 20's.
Ours is a very special place to be. You very quickly get past the average touch screen - it's not that bad, and settle into a comfy seat, soft leather and the nods of pretty much everyone you waft past, or growl if you press the loud button.
We've had so many compliments. Workmen on the side of the road look up and nod, even a bloke in a Delta Integrale gave me a thumps-up!
We love ours. Do it.
Maserati Ghibli.
We've got the S with 410 bhp. No worries about rear wheel drive only and it is very sure footed.
Our 2016 is fully loaded and was over your budget but there should be plenty around the mid 20's.
Ours is a very special place to be. You very quickly get past the average touch screen - it's not that bad, and settle into a comfy seat, soft leather and the nods of pretty much everyone you waft past, or growl if you press the loud button.
We've had so many compliments. Workmen on the side of the road look up and nod, even a bloke in a Delta Integrale gave me a thumps-up!
We love ours. Do it.
Shiv_P said:
Al U said:
If you like the interior of the 4 series but want a more chuckable hatchback, then why not just get an M140i?
Seems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
They aren't very stable and have a floaty feeling with stock suspension as well, I don't think the OP will enjoy itSeems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
QuattroDave said:
Shiv_P said:
Al U said:
If you like the interior of the 4 series but want a more chuckable hatchback, then why not just get an M140i?
Seems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
They aren't very stable and have a floaty feeling with stock suspension as well, I don't think the OP will enjoy itSeems to fit the bill given what you have said. I understand it doesn't meet the 4 wheel drive requirement but when I bought a 330d I test drove an X-drive and RWD and couldn't tell much difference other than well pulling away quickly as you say.
I haven't driven an M140i but if they are anything as stable as the RWD 3/4 series then I can't see the need for 4WD. With that requirement you are just essentially forcing yourself to get a Golf R/S3 or a newer M135i all of which mean going down to 4 cylinders.
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