Life after a 335d xDrive / 435d xDrive - What would you go for?

[Soul_Glo]

It's not an M3 / M4 by any means. However, it does have waves of torque.. which can be addictive! I've never known such a powerful engine to achieve great economy. For example in Germany on an unrestricted highway I was averaging 42 mpg at 110 mph.

Any suggestions welcome.

[Humdizzle]

what are you looking for? If fuel economy and low end torque is a top priority the teslas are good at that.

[JustChris]

M550i

Finally available on the U.K. be patient though, back onto 4.9APR was on a 2.9 for the launch month, agh!

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Soul_Glo

It's not an M3 / M4 by any means. However, it does have waves of torque.. which can be addictive! I've never known such a powerful engine to achieve great economy. For example in Germany on an unrestricted highway I was averaging 42 mpg at 110 mph.

Any suggestions welcome.

That's probably a sweet spot of aerodynamics and size that you aren't going to easily match elsewhere. 42mpg would be unheard of unless maybe it's imperial mpg, but even then that seems highly unlikely given that drag goes up as the square of velocity.

Corvette gets relatively good mpg in the non Z06/ZR-1 trims due to very low profile, but is radically different as far as intent. If you want a torque monster, the suggestion above for the 550 isn't a bad one. Maybe wait for the new 440. Personally, I think one of my next may be the Audi RS5 sportback or S5 of the same. I like that they take that up to the full "ridiculous" level. I think there was a rumor that BMW would do a 4 GC "M" spec this time too? That would be cool IMO

[Finn Germai-Yaz]

I had a 2016 Acura ILX for about 3 years. Bought a manual 2015 335i and couldn't stand driving stick after a year and a half, bout a 2017 VW GLI and owned it for less than a year before getting a 17 M240i.

I thought I would be fine driving a practical sports car but the GLI was nothing compared to the 335i. I don't think I would get anything else than a BMW. They are great cars.

[Flamingi]

I'll vote for a used M550d. Unfortunately they discontinued the 50d engines because of the strict emissions regulations, but you can get a CPO M550d G30/G31 pre-LCI for a relatively reasonable price. Comes with the benefit, that they usually are loaded to the brim.

You could also venture into Audi-Land, but S6 TDIs go for the same as M550d with 50hp less... Also now they have Quattro Ultra without a Torsen diff, they always made fun of others using an electronically controlled multidisk clutch and now they use it themselves. Oh, the irony. Basically you now have an improved Haldex system, so yikes, that's a no from me.

Depending on your usage a hybrid could make sense. If you are after power you could go with the 545e coming later this year. Mercedes offers a Diesel hybrid in the C and E class as well, which will result in even better fuel economy. It's just a 4-banger though.

Other than that, electric could be an option as well. Personally, if you also want good performance, I think there is only either Tesla or the Taycan Turbo (don't get the 4S), but thats like 150k or so. (Turbo S only has more power when launching, in normal driving Turbo and Turbo S are the same).

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by Flamingi

I'll vote for a used M550d. Unfortunately they discontinued the 50d engines because of the strict emissions regulations, but you can get a CPO M550d G30/G31 pre-LCI for a relatively reasonable price. Comes with the benefit, that they usually are loaded to the brim.

You could also venture into Audi-Land, but S6 TDIs go for the same as M550d with 50hp less... Also now they have Quattro Ultra without a Torsen diff, they always made fun of others using an electronically controlled multidisk clutch and now they use it themselves. Oh, the irony. Basically you now have an improved Haldex system, so yikes, that's a no from me.

Depending on your usage a hybrid could make sense. If you are after power you could go with the 545e coming later this year. Mercedes offers a Diesel hybrid in the C and E class as well, which will result in even better fuel economy. It's just a 4-banger though.

Other than that, electric could be an option as well. Personally, if you also want good performance, I think there is only either Tesla or the Taycan Turbo (don't get the 4S), but thats like 150k or so. (Turbo S only has more power when launching, in normal driving Turbo and Turbo S are the same).

I thought the 530e was both G30 and G31 while the 545e was G30 only?

[Flamingi]

Originally Posted by brad850csi

I thought the 530e was both G30 and G31 while the 545e was G30 only?

Yes that's correct. OP didn't mention he wants a Touring exclusively, that's why I recommended it.

[Flamingi]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

That's probably a sweet spot of aerodynamics and size that you aren't going to easily match elsewhere. 42mpg would be unheard of unless maybe it's imperial mpg, but even then that seems highly unlikely given that drag goes up as the square of velocity.

We're talking about Diesel, they have a lot more mpg (and Diesel itself is cheaper as well, at least in most of Europe). I had an 840d xDrive Coupé and averaged 5.8l/100km (40mpg) when driving at 120km/h (75mph). At 110mph it probably would be around 7.5l/100km (31mpg). And the 8 is quite a lot heavier than a 3/4 series. Overall I was at 6.4l/100km (37mpg).
My M550d F11 will consume about 8.5l/100km at 110mph and that one has 200k km on the clock.

I think the G20 is one of the best cars regarding cw value. Even better than the Model 3. I would go with the before mentioned M550d or a M340d.