Seeking a sanity check from the wisdom of crowds.

 

As you aware I'm having a pretty awful year. However financially I'm put in a position where genuinely mice motors are an option.

 

I'd settled pretty much on a nearly new 330d. However on entering the showroom it became apparent that a brand new 335d xdrive was doable (actually £400 cheaper than the 330d)

 

The initial offer that I've got on the table (can probably get a bit better) -

 

11k deposit from my two cars (this means I don't need to settle any finance saving me 6k at the start)

£350 a month for 48 months (5.9% apr)

~£14k left at the end (but potentially with the 6k from before)

 

(Parkers suggesting trade in value at 4yr would be a little under 20k)

 

I did PCP on the VRS and kept the car after it.

 

I'll be mortgage free so no other outgoings bar food heating and Council tax.

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by Aspman

I like the idea of the 335XD, however if you read a few BMW forums the majority would take the 330D over the 335XD.

Apparently the handing id pretty woeful on the Xdrive. Ride height is also not so good. Once moving the 330D will also keep up.

However if AWD, all year driving is your priority, the 335XD wins

Good choice and you know this week and next and for almost anytime the X-drive is necessary, that is why so many we see now are X-drive.

They handle just fine, and as we know, no traction no action.

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

They handle just fine

There's a lot of owners that would disagree with you. Many have switched the stock shockers to alleviate the understeer / handling issues.

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by 999pooch

Each to their own, but in my opinion and experience they go around corners at around 60 mph just fine and quicker if you want, 

and they are quite handy at moving when those with just RWD are not handling so well.

 

I am no driving god though.

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

There's a lot of owners that would disagree with you. Many have switched the stock shockers to alleviate the understeer / handling issues.

Only one thing to do......... Test drive! I'm taking one out tomorrow for an extended test.

Only one thing to do......... Test drive! I'm taking one out tomorrow for an extended test.

Be interesting to hear your thoughts. Even better if you could persuade them to let you take out a RWD variant out straight after.

Each to their own, but in my opinion and experience they go around corners at around 60 mph just fine and quicker if you want,

and they are quite handy at moving when those with just RWD are not handling so well.

I am no driving god though.

I was seriously looking at the 335Xd, but got put off by the amount of negative feedback the handling was getting on many people of the BMW forums.

I'm no driving god either

?

So did you take a 335 x-drive for an extended drive and find issues yourself?

Personally in your position I wouldn't - it's probably not a good time for you to be making a rational decision and there are probably better things to be putting £350 a month to?

 

You'll mostly be over-paying for the 'privilege' of owning a badge.

 

So sorry if that means I'm the rational party pooper folks but it's just the way I think...   and you did ask for a sanity check.

Only one thing to do......... Test drive! I'm taking one out tomorrow for an extended test.

 I think I mentioned before to check if the car has adaptive suspension or not.

 

Some people say it's essential, some say it's just for track day wannabes.

 

I'd be looking for straight line power and don't really want crashing rock hard suspension.

No...all things considering, you are in a position where you can get something that you want, driving is an enjoyable pastime and the BMW six diesel is a good comprimise between economy and fun. Forum wise you will always hear the worst about things. I say enjoy yourself get something that you really want car wise...

If you are up Turriff direction and looking at used maybe call in here.

http://morrisonmotors.co.uk

 

But just going as far up to Aberdeen and you find it is near sinking under the weight of Used Prestige cars.

To answer your initial question... No! hth

Only one thing to do......... Test drive! I'm taking one out tomorrow for an extended test.

 

ooops misquote. Lost control of me pooter

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

11k down and £350/month sounds quite expensive for a 335d. How much discount are they providing?

An approach I've adopted recently, after my past 12 months, is if I can afford it, without harming anyone else, I'll have it.

I mean this in the kindest possible way, do whatever you want as long as you can afford it. Don't worry about pleasing anyone else. If you want the 335 X and you like how it drives, have it.

Carpe diem.

Different people have different circumstances, different outlooks on life and different attitudes to finance.

 

I'd love a BMW 335 X-Drive.

 

Have I got this right?

 

£11,000 deposit,

48 x £350 = £16,800 of monthly payments,

£14,000 balloon / final payment,

Total = £41,800?

 

It doesn't matter what the car is I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a car.

 

But then my financial situation is different to yours.

 

I can't help but think this is a decision only you can make yourself.

 

Good luck!

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by silver1011

I ran the numbers through a Brokers site that offers PCPs and such like. I put your £11k deposit in and got £260 a month. now that is with maximum discount, but the finance rate is very slightly lower and the GFV is roughly £12.5k (assuming base spec and 10,000 miles a year) and over 4 years. You may well have to put the numbers in again, but it's a simple procedure

 

Try it LINKY

 

The Broker would only need £7K as a deposit for your figures it looks like.

Edited 23 February, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

If it's what you want to drive, to hell with the cost if you can afford it.

11k down and 350/month for a 335d makes the 1k down 299/month current M135i deals look very good value ;-)

11k down and £350/month sounds quite expensive for a 335d. How much discount are they providing?

 

About £7400

I ran the numbers through a Brokers site that offers PCPs and such like. I put your £11k deposit in and got £260 a month. now that is with maximum discount, but the finance rate is very slightly lower and the GFV is roughly £12.5k (assuming base spec and 10,000 miles a year) and over 4 years. You may well have to put the numbers in again, but it's a simple procedure

 

Try it LINKY

 

The Broker would only need £7K as a deposit for your figures it looks like.

 

320 a month matching spec, and mileage (15k).

Hi! Great choice in the 335d xdrive!

A friend of mine bought 1 new with the full m performance kit, with the 20" wheels, and all the carbon bits and it drove lovely! A real motorway cruiser with effortless power!

Being the xdrive it will sit higher, be warned the 335d xdrive without the m performance suspension is mediocre at best handling and suspension doesnt really inspire confidence, so if you can get a testdrive in both and feel how much difference the m performance suspension makes.

Apart from that the ideal all round car with blend of power and economy.

P.S DTUK do a tuning box which makes it stupidly fast and you plug in and out and was not detected by the dealer wheb the car had warranty work done to it

About £7400

I think you should be able to get much more than that if you push mate. 10-12k off is doable on these from what I hear :-)