Post by Tim on Jan 20, 2021 9:58:27 GMT
A couple of weeks ago I ventured to the BMW garage in Dundee to have a go in a 2017 430d they had.
Before I drove that though I had a test drive in an identical 430i - that's the 2 litre petrol turbo with 255BHP.
It was to a similar spec apart from having 18" alloys and no stereo upgrade.
Note that both cars had the 8 speed autobox, the first time I've driven that and I'll say right now that it's light years better than the 7 speeder in the Audi A6 I drove for a few months a year ago.
The drive was on the road north of Dundee up to Meigle, so a country A road with a mix of good to poor surfaces, some corners, etc. It was 0 degrees and there were several inches of snow on the verges but the roads were clear but damp.
First impression was that the steering was significantly lighter than my F31 320d estate. While the 4 series had new tyres which could partially account for it those on the 320 are less than 5k miles old. Widths are the same so perhaps it's down to the extra 100k on the 320.
I know the xDrive models have softer suspension, even in MSport form, but I didn't think the 430 was any firmer, presumably thanks to the slightly deeper sidewall.
Obviously I didn't push the car hard round corners but unsurprisingly it felt very similar to the 320, albeit slightly more solid and with the aforementioned lighter steering. There was no difference in steering feel.
On the way back to the garage I slowed right down on a straight and gave it a bootful. It coped well, I wasn't aware of any traction issues and the performance was pretty decent. I could live with that all day as it was a clear improvement over the 320. This is the first 4 pot petrol BMW I've driven for a long time and the best I can say is that it's inoffensive. Performance fine, revved smoothly to 7k, didn't feel flat anywhere but sounded bland.
One point to note is that at 30mph going through a village it appeared to be in 7th gear (autobox) but there were no issues with it picking up speed rapidly
Test drive 2 was in the 430d.
The steering was a little heavier than the petrol car. I assume that's a mix of extra weight and part-worn tyres.
I think the engine was slightly quieter when pulling out of the forecourt and negotiating my way out of the industrial estate too.
This car was on the 19" alloys and I was aware it's firmer than the 430i and my own 320. However not so much as to put us off. I checked Mrs Tim's thoughts a couple of times and she declared herself happy with ride comfort so all ok.
Once I gave it a bit of throttle it sounded so much nicer than the 430i, there's no doubt multi-cylinder engines add a bit of character and culture to the driving experience.
Driving through the same village at 30 the car appeared to be in 5th gear but was only doing 1000rpm. Again it picked up from that speed with no hesitation.
It was only when I was going back to the garage that I realised I hadn't automatically selected Sport mode but throttle response and pickup were so much better than the 320 that it didn't matter. I did try Sport mode in the 430d but TBH I'm not sure, on this short drive, if it made much difference apart from to the instruments.
I did the same slow down & give it a bootfull as with the petrol but this time it was a little more interesting. There was definitely a bit of traction loss, the car sounded much nicer and despite having outwardly similar performance stats it felt quicker too. The tyres are 4 to 5mm so on a damp road at 0 degrees that probably contributes.
As I mentioned I had forgotten about Sport mode so on the slope up into the industrial estate I selected that and floored the throttle from a standing start (up to about 35). On a smooth, damp road and with those tyres I felt the TC cut in in, presumably 1st and 2nd. Good fun though and not an impediment.
So the 430d was clearly the preferred choice based on driving and engine.
I was open-minded about the 430i and would've happily taken it in isolation but the 6 pot makes a huge difference. Plus given the current travelling situation and my absolute desire to see and drive a car before I buy it the choice was down to these particular 2 cars.
Mrs Tim is musical and so the performance of the stereo is important to her. The 430i had the standard stereo whereas the 430d had the Harman Kardon upgrade. Even to my tone-deaf ear the former is utterly atrocious, reminding me of a mono tape player/radio from the 1980s. So with both cars having similar performance the decision was clear without considering the engine.
430d it is. Hoping to get it this weekend
Just in time for some snow
Before I drove that though I had a test drive in an identical 430i - that's the 2 litre petrol turbo with 255BHP.
It was to a similar spec apart from having 18" alloys and no stereo upgrade.
Note that both cars had the 8 speed autobox, the first time I've driven that and I'll say right now that it's light years better than the 7 speeder in the Audi A6 I drove for a few months a year ago.
The drive was on the road north of Dundee up to Meigle, so a country A road with a mix of good to poor surfaces, some corners, etc. It was 0 degrees and there were several inches of snow on the verges but the roads were clear but damp.
First impression was that the steering was significantly lighter than my F31 320d estate. While the 4 series had new tyres which could partially account for it those on the 320 are less than 5k miles old. Widths are the same so perhaps it's down to the extra 100k on the 320.
I know the xDrive models have softer suspension, even in MSport form, but I didn't think the 430 was any firmer, presumably thanks to the slightly deeper sidewall.
Obviously I didn't push the car hard round corners but unsurprisingly it felt very similar to the 320, albeit slightly more solid and with the aforementioned lighter steering. There was no difference in steering feel.
On the way back to the garage I slowed right down on a straight and gave it a bootful. It coped well, I wasn't aware of any traction issues and the performance was pretty decent. I could live with that all day as it was a clear improvement over the 320. This is the first 4 pot petrol BMW I've driven for a long time and the best I can say is that it's inoffensive. Performance fine, revved smoothly to 7k, didn't feel flat anywhere but sounded bland.
One point to note is that at 30mph going through a village it appeared to be in 7th gear (autobox) but there were no issues with it picking up speed rapidly
Test drive 2 was in the 430d.
The steering was a little heavier than the petrol car. I assume that's a mix of extra weight and part-worn tyres.
I think the engine was slightly quieter when pulling out of the forecourt and negotiating my way out of the industrial estate too.
This car was on the 19" alloys and I was aware it's firmer than the 430i and my own 320. However not so much as to put us off. I checked Mrs Tim's thoughts a couple of times and she declared herself happy with ride comfort so all ok.
Once I gave it a bit of throttle it sounded so much nicer than the 430i, there's no doubt multi-cylinder engines add a bit of character and culture to the driving experience.
Driving through the same village at 30 the car appeared to be in 5th gear but was only doing 1000rpm. Again it picked up from that speed with no hesitation.
It was only when I was going back to the garage that I realised I hadn't automatically selected Sport mode but throttle response and pickup were so much better than the 320 that it didn't matter. I did try Sport mode in the 430d but TBH I'm not sure, on this short drive, if it made much difference apart from to the instruments.
I did the same slow down & give it a bootfull as with the petrol but this time it was a little more interesting. There was definitely a bit of traction loss, the car sounded much nicer and despite having outwardly similar performance stats it felt quicker too. The tyres are 4 to 5mm so on a damp road at 0 degrees that probably contributes.
As I mentioned I had forgotten about Sport mode so on the slope up into the industrial estate I selected that and floored the throttle from a standing start (up to about 35). On a smooth, damp road and with those tyres I felt the TC cut in in, presumably 1st and 2nd. Good fun though and not an impediment.
So the 430d was clearly the preferred choice based on driving and engine.
I was open-minded about the 430i and would've happily taken it in isolation but the 6 pot makes a huge difference. Plus given the current travelling situation and my absolute desire to see and drive a car before I buy it the choice was down to these particular 2 cars.
Mrs Tim is musical and so the performance of the stereo is important to her. The 430i had the standard stereo whereas the 430d had the Harman Kardon upgrade. Even to my tone-deaf ear the former is utterly atrocious, reminding me of a mono tape player/radio from the 1980s. So with both cars having similar performance the decision was clear without considering the engine.
430d it is. Hoping to get it this weekend
Just in time for some snow
) had those lights.
