Monday 8th February
BMW 435d xDrive: PH Carpool
All the car you ever need?
All the car you ever need? This PHer would say so
Car : BMW 435d xDrive
Owned since : Jan 2014 (ordered as the first in the country)
Previously owned : Ford Escort Mk2 RS 2000, Triumph Stag, Fiat 130 Coupe, Datsun 260Z, Lamborghini Jarama S, Lamborghini Espada 111 x 3, De Tomaso Mangusta / Pantera L, Fiat Dino 2.0, Alfa Montreal x 2, Coombes Jaguar MkII, Ferrari 365GT4 / 365GTC4, Ferrari 550 Maranello, Ford Escort Mk3 van X 3 (RS Turbo conversions), Audi A6 2.5 TDI x 2, Audi RS2, BMW E46 3 Series 3.0Cd, BMW E92 335d Coupe, BMW E92 330d Coupe, (present: Maserati GranTurismo 4.2, BMW X5 40d, KTM 450 EXC, Suzuki Hayabusa)
Why I bought it :
"There are faster cars, there are more economical cars, but nothing this fast is this economical!"
What I wish I'd known :
"That other interior colour options were coming soon."
Limited choice of colours when Kevin specced this
Things I love :"The comfort (on 18-inch wheels at least), the economy (an average of 49.3mpg over the first 16,000 miles), the room for a coupe - it's larger in the back than a 6 Series - and the rear seats go down so I can fit a bicycle in. Best of all is its outright pace; even taking economy out of the equation I would take the 435d over an M3/M4 as I adore the phenomenal torque from 1,000rpm, overtaking in eighth is so easy, smooth and quiet. As standard it's a very quick car - 4.7 seconds to 62! - and much quicker than my GranTurismo on the road. This one has a medium upgrade to 540lb ft, giving it 5lb ft more than a third-gen Viper.
"I much prefer it over my last 335d (remapped and delimited it peaked at 176.6 mph on an Autobahn) as it rides so much better, has more performance, returns 10 more miles to the gallon and has two more gears. I would recommend the adaptive dampers but not the adaptive headlights as they are a tad slow to react to other traffic. I tried an Alpina D3 but on balance the 435d has it. The Harman Kardon stereo is fabulous and well worth the extra. Its party trick is popping out of roundabouts in the wet."
Things I hate:
See here for more detail on all that power
"The choice of exterior and interior colours is VERY limited. There should be a choice of two- or four-wheel drive as well as a manual option. The tank is too small as well; even though it offers a 600-mile range that's 100 miles down on my last E92 330d. The leather quality is below standard and the paint is getting better over recent BMWs but is still not great."Costs :
"No extra costs to date; the first service is due at around 24,000 miles."
Where I've been :
"One run down to the French Alps in the snow and one run down to Budapest. 1,111 miles non-stop, fast through Germany and sticking to the limits all the way, two up plus baggage and 47.7mpg - happy days!
What's next?
"The car I crave - listen up BMW! - is a 450d, as we all know the tri-turbo diesel can deliver 500hp and 700lb ft. Please build it. Or a Maserati Alfieri."
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