[blueislander]

Hi all, I stumbled across the below in my search for a straight six. It's a bmw AUC, one owner from new. Was a bit surprised as it seems a long way off the other 435i prices on there.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201810311989687

Speaking to the dealer, it doesn't have the m sport plus pack, in fact its a very base spec but does have pro nav which is nice. Much as I'd like the m sport plus, I see this as possibly a car for only 18-24 months as it'll get me to my 40th and an M4 which is my big present!

The major downer on this car appears to be no flappy paddles which is a big surprise!

But, still... End of year targets to be met, pay with my own cash, a car they are probably going to struggle to shift and it comes with AUC warranty? Maybe get 'em down to 17k and have some stress free motoring for a bit? I can't work out if it's too many compromises or not. It's essentially a daily commuter for maybe 40 miles all round and then a bit of weekend fun but I would like the paddles for that element.

Thoughts as a nice stop gap for two years? I should note I love estoril blue and AUC does appeal.

[330XDave]

It does look a good price to be fair, probably £2k cheaper than what they could have priced it at being an AUC. I wouldn't worry about the paddles, you'll soon forget they should be there.

[doncarlyon]

It is weird to see an auto without paddles but to be honest, you will barely use them.

Needs that M badge taken off the boot as well.

[Mrklaw]

paddles are all wrong since the E46 M3 anyway - should be push/pull to match the stick (personal peeve)

Not sure why you're playing it down as a base spec - has pro nav and electric seats as standard doesn't it? So you're only missing a few toys which don't matter, and the plus pack which you can easily live without. At that price you can buy some nice wheels of your choice and keep the current wheels as winter ones or as spares, and paint the calipers blue if you want :P

[aquazi]

Looks pretty good value to me....

Blue hammerite to sort the brakes (if you want them blue)

Paddles i hardly use mine... but if you are handy with a spanner £30 get you them.

The one bit i’d miss on that spec would be no HK audio!

[pdk42]

My 335i came without paddles, but I retrofitted them.
It's an easy job. Total cost about £250 .

[Russbmw]

A bit unclear as to why you spend money on a car that's not really what you want, to only hang onto it for a year or 2, when it would seem to make sense to save some money until m4 time?

Why not jump into a m235 or m135/140 for a bit, at least the m4 would feel like a decent change when the time comes?

[doncarlyon]

Originally Posted by Russbmw

A bit unclear as to why you spend money on a car that's not really what you want, to only hang onto it for a year or 2, when it would seem to make sense to save some money until m4 time?

Why not jump into a m235 or m135/140 for a bit, at least the m4 would feel like a decent change when the time comes?

Like he says, a stop-gap. Still needs a car for his commute.

[Ss66]

Save your money and stick with what you've got. Only 24 months then put the money towards your m4.

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by Russbmw

A bit unclear as to why you spend money on a car that's not really what you want, to only hang onto it for a year or 2, when it would seem to make sense to save some money until m4 time?

Why not jump into a m235 or m135/140 for a bit, at least the m4 would feel like a decent change when the time comes?

Good points - to clarify, at 6ft4 and with a currently knackered knee, I feel very squeezed in the smaller models. I had to fold myself into my 120 coupe back in the day and I am older now. Plus, baby seat in the back is wiped out by me and the missus (she's tall too) in the smaller cars.

Currently drive a manual mazda diesel and my commute has just shortened considerably, so I am going to be sitting in sto-start traffice for 45 mins twice a day, with a bit of 70mph motorway at the end. I want something, big, a bit lazy, but with enough power and soundtrack to remind me I am no longer in a rattly decade old diesel.

Plus, the cost of this car seems to be very low, so it is minimal outlay for a couple of years vs trade in/private sale time.

You're absolutely right, it isn't "all the right car", but feels like an 8/10 and a considerable step up from where I am, but with enough of a gap to make jumping into an M4 (it might also be a lightly used 911 when the time comes) to be a significant upgrade.

Cheers!

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

It is weird to see an auto without paddles but to be honest, you will barely use them.

Needs that M badge taken off the boot as well.

it does - I hate that!

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by pdk42

My 335i came without paddles, but I retrofitted them.
It's an easy job. Total cost about £250 .

Interesting - do you have a thread regarding this? I'm not mechanically minded but would happily get the bits and pay an expert to fit & wire it.

[Richard52]

Originally Posted by blueislander

Interesting - do you have a thread regarding this? I'm not mechanically minded but would happily get the bits and pay an expert to fit & wire it.

If it's important to you make sure you can get it done before you buy the car - I'm sure that not all cars can be.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by blueislander

Good points - to clarify, at 6ft4 and with a currently knackered knee, I feel very squeezed in the smaller models. I had to fold myself into my 120 coupe back in the day and I am older now. Plus, baby seat in the back is wiped out by me and the missus (she's tall too) in the smaller cars.

Currently drive a manual mazda diesel and my commute has just shortened considerably, so I am going to be sitting in sto-start traffice for 45 mins twice a day, with a bit of 70mph motorway at the end. I want something, big, a bit lazy, but with enough power and soundtrack to remind me I am no longer in a rattly decade old diesel.

Plus, the cost of this car seems to be very low, so it is minimal outlay for a couple of years vs trade in/private sale time.

You're absolutely right, it isn't "all the right car", but feels like an 8/10 and a considerable step up from where I am, but with enough of a gap to make jumping into an M4 (it might also be a lightly used 911 when the time comes) to be a significant upgrade.

Cheers!

Quick double -check - does the 435i come with stop-start?

I also do stop start commuting and switching that function off is the best way to drop mpg into the mid-teens. The petrol sixes sip a bit at tickover.

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Quick double -check - does the 435i come with stop-start?

I also do stop start commuting and switching that function off is the best way to drop mpg into the mid-teens. The petrol sixes sip a bit at tickover.

I have absolutely no idea, anyone know? Cheers!

[RobUK]

Yep, no paddles means it's the standard 'Steptronic' auto box. Both have Adaptive Transmission Control and how much difference you'd feel in every day driving is up for debate. Think it's been suggested that the 'Sport' auto has a more aggressive programming? As to paddle use, well I rarely used them in my 328i but in my current car they can be used as volume control buttons

Personally for just two years I'd probably stick with my current car and put the money saved in to the M4, but I know the temptation of a car change + man maths can make that quite difficult

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Yep, no paddles means it's the standard 'Steptronic' auto box. Both have Adaptive Transmission Control and how much difference you'd feel in every day driving is up for debate. Think it's been suggested that the 'Sport' auto has a more aggressive programming? As to paddle use, well I rarely used them in my 328i but in my current car they can be used as volume control buttons

Personally for just two years I'd probably stick with my current car and put the money saved in to the M4, but I know the temptation of a car change + man maths can make that quite difficult

Is it still the ZF 8 spd auto or a different box? Thanks

[AlanYoro35i]

Don’t do it. i went from 435i to M4, having had a 4 series before the
M4 really makes it less special.

[kzg1969]

Life is 2short to spend 2years driving something else - move on now I would say.

I use my paddles a lot - every day, mostly whilst still in auto mode to short shift.

5th picture shows the stop/start button

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by blueislander

Is it still the ZF 8 spd auto or a different box? Thanks

Yep, still the ZF.

[RickLS7]

I use the paddles a lot too in auto when I want a bit of engine braking or changing up, well worth retro fitting in my opinion.

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by blueislander

Interesting - do you have a thread regarding this? I'm not mechanically minded but would happily get the bits and pay an expert to fit & wire it.

Here you go:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1150965