BMW and M Power Owners

I‘ve never been happy with petrol engines in 4x4 vehicles as they lack the low down grunt needed to propel them forward. That’s what it feels like anyway. I’ve got a 540i which I think has the same engine and it flies along just fine even with Xdrive
 
Housey said:
I have an X5 4.0i Xdrive in the states on hire and a few things have struck me.

The seats feel much poorer versions than those in my 530D. I feel like the left hand lumber is gone (X5 is only 14k miles from new) and it feels far less supportive in general.

I am sorry to say for me the 3L petrol in this car is not well suited. I guess it’s heavier than my 530D but it feels very sluggish (probably not helped by the crap fuel they have here) and the diesel in my car just feels so much better suited to low down stuff.

Leg room in the back is also rubbish and for me I’d not chose one over mine.
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That's what I found with the X5 40i compared to the X3 M40i, the engine was about 30bhp down and in a heavier car. It may well be different in the LCI as it has a healthy power boost to about 380ish bhp.
I find the comfort seat to be really good in my X5.
 
Not sure I'm going to go for either, but found a couple of interesting F33 440i's

1. 2018 (68) - Smoked Topaz / Opal Merino - 22k Miles @[TW]Fox Very well optioned (struggling to find what's missing, TV Tuner is about it, but has Active cruise, 6WB dash, surround view, adaptive icon headlights, and all the more common options, including adaptive suspension (contentious), extended leather (XT1), M-Sport brakes, HK Audio, Fine Ash Wood trim and the usual minor options with comfort access etc).
It's £31K, BMW UAC, but the one PITA aspect is won't be able to have MPPSK due to being a 'model year CO2 change' i.e. will be GPF.
Awaiting AUC images, but here's a pre LCI Smoke Topaz

UJS6EfM.jpg

or

2. 2018 (18) - Mineral gray / Cognac - 14K Miles Decent options (missing Icon adaptive headlights / surround view Extended leather, but has TV Tuner (useless), active cruise, 6WB dash, adaptive suspension, HK Audio etc. It's got gloss black styling bits (aftermarket) and 763 Style alloys (aftermarket) and has the MPPSK!, has the same minor options, lumbar on the seats, comfort access, etc, etc.
Its £30k, private sale, does have a years BMW Extended warranty (Comprehensive, £250 excess).
UZYjZiel.jpg

The key difference is, an individual car, extended leather, adaptive headlights and a few more options vs a more sporty option with MPPSK.., Both are interesting, possibly marmite colour combos (Cognac leather vs Smoked Topaz exterior).

Aside from the genuine dileman of MPPSK with sporty looks vs no mppsk and standard looks (although icon headlights do look for more modern!) with nicer interior, I'm struggling as these are priced high for 2018 cars, so if I didn't get on (and the F33 440i is quite close to the E46 M3 I've just sold, so possibly too similar and will still have passengers (essentially all adults) complaing it's a PITA to get in/out with the roof up), then trade values are pitifully low, so would need to find an enthusiast private buyer, it's not a classic car, and don't think that desirable, and both have adaptive suspension which is criticised by purists, so needs an option whore (possibly like myself!)

Thoughts?

I've just discounted a C43 AMG Cabriolet, the rear legroom was worse than my E46 M3, we tried, but there was no way to squeeze 4 'adults' in (My teenagers are 17/19 and my son is already 6ft) without everyone being uncomfortable, an E53 AMG cabriolet (just the right size) is a little north of what I feel comfortable with considering the low miles I do.. I was looking at E400's but rare and getting options is even rarer..
 
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MissChief said:
The topaz one looks great, most individual colours do.
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It can look a bit dowdy in normal light, looks great under the right lights!

I think in reality the lack of MPPSK is the main issue, the exhaust I can live without, but the 'vert is really heavy at 1845Kg, so the extra BHP just restores it back to the performance level it should be, and it's all warrantied which is a bonus.. Anything you do exhaust wise, such as the Akrapovic exhaust void warranty and not even sure if MOT friendly, I beleive the actual sticking point is the EU sound level problem, this era of cars all got stupidly muted, but I see they seem to have slightly worked around it these days and cars are sounding a bit fruitier again!
 
I can't see the 440i you mention on the BMW site - is it still available?

Regardless, this seems like far too much money to spend on a car which in design terms is now really very old. This generation of BMW technology first appeared back in 2008 with the 7 Series and you can tell. For £20k or so they make sense but at £30k+? I think there is significant depreciation risk at this end of the market and I don't think there is much about it that feels like a £30k+ car anymore

Which is a problem, because the answer to 'well what else?' isn't clear. There really isn't much like it at £30k - its a difficult budget because it's really far too much for an F Series BMW now but not enough to get you something like an M440i.

I think you either need to spend a lot more or a lot less. Or potentially look at an M4 - at least you then have 'It's an M4' to go with 'How was that £30k!?'.
 
[TW]Fox said:
I can't see the 440i you mention on the BMW site - is it still available?

Regardless, this seems like far too much money to spend on a car which in design terms is now really very old. This generation of BMW technology first appeared back in 2008 with the 7 Series and you can tell. For £20k or so they make sense but at £30k+? I think there is significant depreciation risk at this end of the market and I don't think there is much about it that feels like a £30k+ car anymore

Which is a problem, because the answer to 'well what else?' isn't clear. There really isn't much like it at £30k - its a difficult budget because it's really far too much for an F Series BMW now but not enough to get you something like an M440i.

I think you either need to spend a lot more or a lot less. Or potentially look at an M4 - at least you then have 'It's an M4' to go with 'How was that £30k!?'.
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Yaayuh! said:
I agree with Fox, but even with an M4 at £30K you'll scrape the bottom of the barrel.
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Robbo said:
Not sure a flood damaged Australian import is ideal :p

I would agree though, the F Series cars are getting on a bit now.
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I've not phoned, but the Ad is still there.. it just went live this morning: https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202308221065028

Pretty much already feeling this way about the late F-Series for £30k aspect, so thanks for confirming!

Same thing with the M4, you can get OK ones for £32k or so, but it's still 'old' and weirdly they can't even have the 6WB dash which is still showing it's age but nothing like the analogue clocks, never mind no ACC which is quite useful for my gammy leg (having nerve damage affecting the left leg, means hte right leg has to compensate and that is prone to the odd bout of severe pain, and I use ACC in the Mrs car which allows me to spend more time with both feet off pedals which helps). My brother had one of the late ones with Ultimate pack (San Marino Blue with a light leather, and the Ultimate pack does give a lot of options!) last year but sold it after 6 months as he felt it was potentially going to depreciate with the M440i's coming on the second hand market.


Or, LOL, do I face a ban and go and actually look at:
ad1VCwzl.jpg

A colleague is still trying to get me to go and have a look at one.. I just don't want to risk turning up and liking it.. hell, just sitting in one might homeopathically transfer some essence of hairdresser to me..

So no, no and hell no..

(It's like the Top Gear / Grand Tour backup car... just waiting in the background haunting you..)
 
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Demon said:
Or, LOL, do I face a ban and go and actually look at:
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oh my dear lord wtf is that

Demon said:
Pretty much already feeling this way about the late F-Series for £30k aspect, so thanks for confirming!
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bought my '18 f36 440i LCI in jan 2021 for £23k, hence £30k is madness no matter how you want to spin it
better off spending a few more grand (lol man maths) to get a m340i unless you're definitely set on a convertible
 
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Is this not an option?

BMW 8 Series 840i Convertible 3.0 2dr

***VAT QUALIFYING***, ***PREMIUM PACK*** ***TECHNOLOGY PACK***, Lovely specification car in Dravit Grey with Fiona Red and Black Extended Merino Leather. This car benefits from 20" Individual V-spoke Alloys, Individual Piano Black Interior Trim, Premium Pack which includes Heat Comfort System...
usedcars.bmw.co.uk

Has driving assistant pro (and it works very well, mine has it). You only need the lightest amount of pressure on the wheel and it will just drive for you on the motorway.
 
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