M2 or 335d Xdrive - A cliched PH question
Discussion
Morning all
Just started a new role that is going to necessitate driving to the office once a week.
Said office is 165 miles away - with all bar 1.2 miles entirely on our glorious motorway network.
I could look at the usual comfy but boring fare, however in true PH style I'd like the 'cake and eat it' unicorn that is a car that will eat up the mileage in the week comfortably but also give the potential of fun at the weekend...
So current shortlist are both BMW flavoured. M2 or 335d.
I know, I know...(M2 on a motorway...what's the point etc etc)
Also, as this will be a finance purchase I'd like to keep an eye on residuals.
Heart is saying M2 with as low a mileage as £30k will muster or the 335d....
Any experience of how a junior M will eat up motorway miles / extended warranties gratefully received.
Or even if you think a better option could be a Golf R etc etc...?
Thanks in advance!
Just started a new role that is going to necessitate driving to the office once a week.
Said office is 165 miles away - with all bar 1.2 miles entirely on our glorious motorway network.
I could look at the usual comfy but boring fare, however in true PH style I'd like the 'cake and eat it' unicorn that is a car that will eat up the mileage in the week comfortably but also give the potential of fun at the weekend...
So current shortlist are both BMW flavoured. M2 or 335d.
I know, I know...(M2 on a motorway...what's the point etc etc)
Also, as this will be a finance purchase I'd like to keep an eye on residuals.
Heart is saying M2 with as low a mileage as £30k will muster or the 335d....
Any experience of how a junior M will eat up motorway miles / extended warranties gratefully received.
Or even if you think a better option could be a Golf R etc etc...?
Thanks in advance!
I had a 2018 M2 - still the best car I've owned, sublime thing.
But in your situation I think I'd rather have the 335d - the M2 has a very firm ride, and is a bit frisky when you really push it (great fun). X Drive useful when the weather is bad.
Not to mention the running costs difference
But in your situation I think I'd rather have the 335d - the M2 has a very firm ride, and is a bit frisky when you really push it (great fun). X Drive useful when the weather is bad.
Not to mention the running costs difference
I have an M2 comp DCT and do quite a few motorway miles.
A regular journey for me is 100 miles each way and I see 32 - 36mpg sat at 70mph with cruise which amazes me to be honest, I was expecting it to be much worse.
I do also have a big comfy diesel merc though which I tend to use occasionally as well because it does get a bit tedious in the M2, it isn’t the comfiest.
As a once a week thing I think the M2 would be a good option, but any more than that then I’d be looking at the 335d.
A regular journey for me is 100 miles each way and I see 32 - 36mpg sat at 70mph with cruise which amazes me to be honest, I was expecting it to be much worse.
I do also have a big comfy diesel merc though which I tend to use occasionally as well because it does get a bit tedious in the M2, it isn’t the comfiest.
As a once a week thing I think the M2 would be a good option, but any more than that then I’d be looking at the 335d.
It depends what you're going to do with it when you're not commuting.
For the commute itself, a 335d will do everything the M2 will do at least as well, if not better.
1) As good or better on a motorway
2) Cheaper to fuel
3) Cheaper to service (no M-tax)
4) Better all-weather ability (if you really HAVE to get there)
An M2 will be more engaging, enjoyable and entertaining on a good bit of road, and in a different league altogether on track.
Which goes back to the question of what it's going to be doing when you're not commuting.
For the commute itself, a 335d will do everything the M2 will do at least as well, if not better.
1) As good or better on a motorway
2) Cheaper to fuel
3) Cheaper to service (no M-tax)
4) Better all-weather ability (if you really HAVE to get there)
An M2 will be more engaging, enjoyable and entertaining on a good bit of road, and in a different league altogether on track.
Which goes back to the question of what it's going to be doing when you're not commuting.
^^ What he said.
If you do your weekly 330-mile commute and the rest of your driving is none-existent, within the bounds of conurbations or on busy A-roads, then I’d feel an M2 presents no material upside.
If, for the other 6 days of the week, your errands and leisure-time takes you down miles of quiet country roads, then the M2 certainly sounds tempting.
If you do your weekly 330-mile commute and the rest of your driving is none-existent, within the bounds of conurbations or on busy A-roads, then I’d feel an M2 presents no material upside.
If, for the other 6 days of the week, your errands and leisure-time takes you down miles of quiet country roads, then the M2 certainly sounds tempting.
Limpet said:
It depends what you're going to do with it when you're not commuting.
For the commute itself, a 335d will do everything the M2 will do at least as well, if not better.
1) As good or better on a motorway
2) Cheaper to fuel
3) Cheaper to service (no M-tax)
4) Better all-weather ability (if you really HAVE to get there)
An M2 will be more engaging, enjoyable and entertaining on a good bit of road, and in a different league altogether on track.
Which goes back to the question of what it's going to be doing when you're not commuting.
I've got other stuff that is even less appropriate for large miles that are very much occasional drivers, so I guess I wanted this to be the commuter in the week and then the B-road cobweb blower at weekends... the holy grail I guess.For the commute itself, a 335d will do everything the M2 will do at least as well, if not better.
1) As good or better on a motorway
2) Cheaper to fuel
3) Cheaper to service (no M-tax)
4) Better all-weather ability (if you really HAVE to get there)
An M2 will be more engaging, enjoyable and entertaining on a good bit of road, and in a different league altogether on track.
Which goes back to the question of what it's going to be doing when you're not commuting.
Also, I'm mindful of getting the right finance deal as I don't usually finance my cars... so thought perhaps an M2 would be better on residuals? Again, I have zero clue on whether PCP HP or any other finance acronym would be best... just know I want to put around 10k down and then pay circa £5-600 / mnth.
M2 clocking 30+mpg on a run is great to hear btw!
AmyRichardson said:
^^ What he said.
If you do your weekly 330-mile commute and the rest of your driving is none-existent, within the bounds of conurbations or on busy A-roads, then I’d feel an M2 presents no material upside.
If, for the other 6 days of the week, your errands and leisure-time takes you down miles of quiet country roads, then the M2 certainly sounds tempting.
'Home' is 'the countryside' and surrounded by tempting B-Roads...hence the conundrum! If you do your weekly 330-mile commute and the rest of your driving is none-existent, within the bounds of conurbations or on busy A-roads, then I’d feel an M2 presents no material upside.
If, for the other 6 days of the week, your errands and leisure-time takes you down miles of quiet country roads, then the M2 certainly sounds tempting.
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
M2. 335d is a boring 3 Series with a powerful engine. M2 is a great car with a powerful engine.
Ignoring the fact the M2 will use substantially more fuelHas much wider and larger tyres meaning higher costs of ownership
And m2 will ride a lot more uncomfortably.
Day to day use the 335d would be significantly better.
320d is all you need said:
Ignoring the fact the M2 will use substantially more fuel
Has much wider and larger tyres meaning higher costs of ownership
And m2 will ride a lot more uncomfortably.
Day to day use the 335d would be significantly better.
I guess the OP understands the running cost difference. It's whether he wants to save money and drive a diesel 3 Series or spend a little more and have some fun.Has much wider and larger tyres meaning higher costs of ownership
And m2 will ride a lot more uncomfortably.
Day to day use the 335d would be significantly better.
320d is all you need said:
Ignoring the fact the M2 will use substantially more fuel
Has much wider and larger tyres meaning higher costs of ownership
And m2 will ride a lot more uncomfortably.
Day to day use the 335d would be significantly better.
Totally agree that running costs will be better with the 335 - Has much wider and larger tyres meaning higher costs of ownership
And m2 will ride a lot more uncomfortably.
Day to day use the 335d would be significantly better.
But my hunch is the M2 could enjoy more solid residuals? (Assuming I don't do truly interstellar miles in it...)
Also, it's once a week to and from the office + 30+mpg motorway cruise potential as stated above, then the fuel costs per year aren't going to be night and day different I'd hope?
Wolfsbait said:
Totally agree that running costs will be better with the 335 -
But my hunch is the M2 could enjoy more solid residuals? (Assuming I don't do truly interstellar miles in it...)
Also, it's once a week to and from the office + 30+mpg motorway cruise potential as stated above, then the fuel costs per year aren't going to be night and day different I'd hope?
I don't think the residuals are strong for either car to be honest.But my hunch is the M2 could enjoy more solid residuals? (Assuming I don't do truly interstellar miles in it...)
Also, it's once a week to and from the office + 30+mpg motorway cruise potential as stated above, then the fuel costs per year aren't going to be night and day different I'd hope?
M2s and even M2 Comps dropped like a rock from my monitoring of the market. 335d the same
Just your one trip to the office is nearly 9k miles a year so.
I just think the 335d xDrive is a better car more of the time.
Canon_Fodder said:
Did they ever put the 6-cyl diesel into the 2 series body?
Not from factory. No idea why you'd want to anyway. F3X interior is much nicer than the F2X and the ride is better. Not to mention F3X get the proper Pro Logic Harmon Kardon audio not the "rubbish" speaker-only upgrade in the F2XLoads more room in an F30 as well.
All depends on where the OP is on the fun/economy line.
I doubt you'd find yourself getting up early in the morning just to drive your diesel 3 Series.
Separately I've run a 320d (it isn't all you need, it's dull), an M140 and an M3CP. Unless I couldn't afford the M2 running costs or needed the space of the larger car, the diesel 3 series wouldn't get a look in.
I doubt you'd find yourself getting up early in the morning just to drive your diesel 3 Series.
Separately I've run a 320d (it isn't all you need, it's dull), an M140 and an M3CP. Unless I couldn't afford the M2 running costs or needed the space of the larger car, the diesel 3 series wouldn't get a look in.
320d is all you need said:
I don't think the residuals are strong for either car to be honest.
M2s and even M2 Comps dropped like a rock from my monitoring of the market. 335d the same
Just your one trip to the office is nearly 9k miles a year so.
I just think the 335d xDrive is a better car more of the time.
Yup. It's head and heart stuff for sure. I've got a variety of other metal that is used occasionally, so really want the car that I 'have' to drive to be a bit more entertaining when I want it to be / going the long way home etc.M2s and even M2 Comps dropped like a rock from my monitoring of the market. 335d the same
Just your one trip to the office is nearly 9k miles a year so.
I just think the 335d xDrive is a better car more of the time.
Otherwise I may as well get a Tesla (that was on an early shortlist!)
The 335d will be the better car in the never ending UK adverse weather, more comfortable over distance, has better outward vision, has easily sufficient power with 313 bhp and a shed load of torque, 4 doors is far more practical as a work car and traction will be better as well as the running costs and it will be less boomy on the motorway where you will be a lot of your time.
You're looking for a practical car, an M2 is not in the same league.
If you want fun as well get a 10 year old 320D for a pittance and buy an Exige for pleasure.
You're looking for a practical car, an M2 is not in the same league.
If you want fun as well get a 10 year old 320D for a pittance and buy an Exige for pleasure.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff