[cirrus_Surfer]

Hello, I'm reaching out for some help! especially for the M440i / d owners out there. I've been checking through previous posts and threads but could really do with some decent persuasion.

I'm currently the proud owner of a 335d xdrive touring. Admired this car for its performance yet efficiency - the best of both worlds.

Im in the last stages of buying a M440i or M440d. Same prices. Same options.

I do approx 11,000 miles per year and my intention was do get the M440d. However, I then test drove the M440i and loved it. In fact I love both cars and can't decide.

What puts me off the M440i is the extra fuel costs, but reading posts on here it looks like its a very efficient engine.

People inc. the car salesman keeps saying, 'well for the miles you are doing get the diesel'... however, where is the line, what miles per year do people say 'get a petrol?'

Is anyone clever enough to work out what the extra fuel cost would be per month between the two? based on the same miles.

Thanks for taking the time to help. I know its 'my decision' end of the day, but feel there might be a few others out there that have had the same dilemma!

Cheers
A

[Charlie (Wessex)]

My tuppence worth.

I love BM diesels and had them for over 20 years. But....

1) Mileage. At 11k a year, the mileage and savings in better MPG aren't really too obvious.

2) The big reason I went for a 40i rather than 40d was because I was a cash buyer. I felt the political situation around diesel was too unsure to make such an outlay. However, if you are PCP/HP/lease then the risk of being landed with something unsellable is mitigated.

3) To me, especially the first point, is somewhat irrelevant if you like the way a diesel delivers its power. I love low down torque and am stil slightly torn between a 40i and 40d. Maybe over 20 years of red lining at 4500rpm is hard to overcome.

So in all this. only you can really make that decision. Everything is personal and we all see things differently. But for me, I think point 2 and how you pay for it is the most relevant.

[PhilS01]

I average around 18-22K miles per year but have gone with the G21 M340i as it’s probably my last opportunity to run a 6-cylinder petrol as a daily driver before EVs become the norm. By all accounts it’s actually quite economical on motorway trips.

Hoping to take delivery this week.

[Incarniac]

For cost comparison you can take the official MPG values (for UK, i.e. the imperial gallon, not the US one) and compare that easily enough. The official values will be for comparison purposes as your actual MPG will differ, depending on your driving style and many other factors. Anyone else’s MPG will also only be for comparison, as again they’ll almost certainly differ to what you’ll get.

This calculator will let you play around with the various factors/values to do some comparisons:

• https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/costs/fuel-cost-calculator/

That should give you the cost implications if money is your most important factor in deciding between the two. if it is not, and emotion or personal preferences comes into it, then obviously - as you say - only you can make that call.

[philmots]

At 11k a year I’d imagine any difference in fuel costs will be insignificant next to the cost/depreciation of the car.

Buy whichever you prefer, the petrol is the faster car, and is fun and rewarding using the paddles.. the diesel will feel more effortless in normal driving.

[tyranniux]

No experience with the 4 series but have test driven both the 340d followed by the I. What I would say is that I am biased towards petrol over diesel so as soon as I test drove the 40i I knew it was for me, similar to another user above its likely my last chance to own a 6 cylinder petrol and that lovely noise it makes.

That being said, with the mountain of torque it offered, the 340d was hugely impressive and felt faster on the bum dyno mid gear. Thus if you're used to diesel and aren't chasing the recline to get every last bit out of the engine then the diesel will feel faster even though it isn't technically.

If you're not worried about the stigma and potential for worse depreciation in a few years due to EVs etc then the diesel will be a mightily impressive package.

If you loved the 40i upon driving it then im sure it will equally be a mightily impressive package, even more so if you intend to drive it as was designed occasionally.

Im sure the 40d would actually be the more sensible option short term even for me, it will be fill of kids and dogs for at least 50% of the time ill use it I couldn't shake the feeling the 40i gave me at full chat however, the choice was made by just starting it up 😁

[ramparts]

Mentioned before but I swapped from
A 40d to 40i. It's a much funner car and there's no better engine in this segment. Yes there's a wall of torque in the deisel, but then there's no drama after that. The petrol feels scary fast at tiles when you get it into the revs, and with the windows down In Sports plus , the noise alone is worth it !

[bmnut]

Originally Posted by cirrus_Surfer

Hello, I'm reaching out for some help! especially for the M440i / d owners out there. I've been checking through previous posts and threads but could really do with some decent persuasion.

I'm currently the proud owner of a 335d xdrive touring. Admired this car for its performance yet efficiency - the best of both worlds.

Im in the last stages of buying a M440i or M440d. Same prices. Same options.

I do approx 11,000 miles per year and my intention was do get the M440d. However, I then test drove the M440i and loved it. In fact I love both cars and can't decide.

What puts me off the M440i is the extra fuel costs, but reading posts on here it looks like its a very efficient engine.

People inc. the car salesman keeps saying, 'well for the miles you are doing get the diesel'... however, where is the line, what miles per year do people say 'get a petrol?'

Is anyone clever enough to work out what the extra fuel cost would be per month between the two? based on the same miles.

Thanks for taking the time to help. I know its 'my decision' end of the day, but feel there might be a few others out there that have had the same dilemma!

Cheers
A

My M440ii does low 40s on motorway running and mid to high 30s urban running. That’s going to depend hugely on driving style but those figures are not from trying to drive as economically as possible nor are they from wringing it’s neck out on back road blasts! It has rarely had the chance to be in sport mode as most of the 3k+ miles I’ve covered so far have been motorway or urban/city, it’s never been in eco-pro!
On that basis this is by far and away the most fuel efficient 6 cylinder BMW petrol engine I’ve ever owned and I can go back to E36 coupes for comparisons!
I’ve driven many diesel engines of similar capacity over the years but have never had any desire to own a diesel engined car I just don’t like how they sound at startup, idle or when pressing on, they’re a pain to refuel when the pump handle is all oily after the builders van has just filled up! and the endless wave of bottom end torque doesn’t even appeal to me personally.
The brilliant, fast, smooth changing auto box renders the benefit of the low down torque diesel unnecessary for me and any eagerness the petrol engine displays when it comes to changing down a gear doesn’t bother me.
I suspect the MHT witchcraft has a significant impact on the fuel consumption since it beats that of my previous B58 engined F32 by a considerable amount.
I’ve never had or even wanted to have a diesel engined car and owning this M440i convinces me every time I drive it why I never will.
As others have said this could be my last petrol six as well depending upon how the global market sways in favour of electric or hybrid cars (although mine is DVLA classified as alternative fuel/hybrid vehicle!) in the future.
It is always smile inducing when behind the wheel and I find any excuse to take it out and drive it that I can think up!
To me that means everything and if we love our cars shouldn’t that always be the case?
Apologies in advance to all those 40d owners out there I am sure you all love your cars for your own reasons and I would always respect other’s viewpoints but the OP asked a quite specific question to elicit personal opinions and this is mine for what it’s worth and Hope it helps!

[bmnut]

Apologies for duplicate post, bloody flaky internet connection!

[330Stevie]

I’ve had diesels for years, just swapped out my F30 330d. So had exactly the same dilemma except M340i or d. Went out in both and chose the petrol. Mainly because it’s not long before a six pot petrol will be outlawed and it was just a better drive in my opinion. Yes I think the d would have been a great car and I do miss the relaxed torque element. However the petrol for me was just faster and more enjoyable to drive. Yes it’s also pretty good on fuel, I also get low 40’s on a brisk motorway run, and about 28-30 round town, but it’s nowhere near what the d will do so don’t kid yourself that these are massively economical. There not by comparison to the d, but they are considering the performance.

Whichever way you go you’ll be getting an amazing machine with great tech!

[330Stevie]

Originally Posted by bmnut

Apologies for duplicate post, bloody flaky internet connection!

I think it’s the forum, mine just did a duplicate post without asking!?!

[RAFats]

I can only echo the well versed post from BMNUT, together with no disrespect to any 440d owners. I have enjoyed diesel cars when necessary for work, but this current B58 is just incredible. I too have enjoyed similar mpg figures which I never achieved with my X3 M40i.

[Dave_3]

I've got an M440D. Presently averaging over 48mpg. Not reset since new. Covered just over 3k kms. Mostly suburban driving, with about 10% B roads. Will hopefully be crossing Europe soon and fully expect that to increase.

If it is purely on economy then it is clear.

But the M440D drives very differently from my previous 435D. (the car as a whole is not all positive, I'll post a review sometime). The MH system has its pros and cons, but makes direct comparisons with previous generations a bit moot. It noticeably effects power delivery and economy on both these models.

I would get an extended drive in both an M440i and M440D. Forget the economy, it's not a deal breaker on either of these cars.

Drive them yourself. Buy the car YOU enjoy the most. Not the one we suggest.

D.

[marksandygill]

Previous gen I found it a lot closer, the xdrive, off the line speed and slightly better economy probably swayed it in favour of the 435d over the 440i!

This gen it's a no brainer, the M440i/M340i with MHT don't really have any weaknesses!

Oddly as bmnut has said, the M440i shows as Hybrid Electric in the DVLA records, the M340i/d and M440d all show as Electric Petrol/Diesel...weird...

[RAFats]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

I've got an M440D. Presently averaging over 48mpg. Not reset since new. Covered just over 3k kms. Mostly suburban driving, with about 10% B roads. Will hopefully be crossing Europe soon and fully expect that to increase.

If it is purely on economy then it is clear.

But the M440D drives very differently from my previous 435D. (the car as a whole is not all positive, I'll post a review sometime). The MH system has its pros and cons, but makes direct comparisons with previous generations a bit moot. It noticeably effects power delivery and economy on both these models.

I would get an extended drive in both an M440i and M440D. Forget the economy, it's not a deal breaker on either of these cars.

Drive them yourself. Buy the car YOU enjoy the most. Not the one we suggest.

D.

Very sensible way forward; cannot lose by this advice.

[225]

Not much to add as the sensible suggestion of test driving both has been said. My m340 gets early to mid 40 mpg on the motorway and 30s on a normal road, the mht is clever and start stop is smooth now compared to the f series.

Mine is listed as a Hybrid Electric on the DVLA site and as such am not impacted by any ULEZ areas and can drive into central London, Birmingham etc with no charge. Might be a consideration if the 340d is not.

No doubt the 340d is a beast of an engine but the cold start gets me every time and I crack the window coming into our estate to listen to the bubbles and noise bouncing off the houses.

[goodbyalfa]

Warm start after a drive is awesome, forget cold start. (M340i)
I love a spirited sport mode drive home, followed by calling in at the local shops. Jumping back into the car, the blip start up is just hilarious.

[225]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

Warm start after a drive is awesome, forget cold start. (M340i)
I love a spirited sport mode drive home, followed by calling in at the local shops. Jumping back into the car, the blip start up is just hilarious.

This is true and does turn heads!

[AndyTo]

I still have one of each, derv & petrol. Mainly because I'm lazy and haven't got round to selling the F31.



Both deliver thrills in a different way. On a long motorway cruise I much prefer the diesel lump, just much more effortless and the 40i dropping gears when gently accelerating annoys me.
For everything else the petrol beats it my miles (pun intended) the noise is quite a addictive and on a B road blast with the gearbox in sport plus is great fun, the rev matching down shifts get you a very displeasing look from cyclists as you slow down to pass them, which is amusing.

I had the same thought process as others, went for big petrol as It'll probably be an EV for next car.

Fuel economy is worse, I don't believe the trip but I can tell you I usually put 50 litres in the 40i after 350ish miles, but was getting 420ish miles in the 35d for similar fuel volume on the same commute, 70 miles is a fair distance.
It's not like petrol is much cheaper right now, made worse as I feed to M340i on v-power.

Hard to know if the 40d would be better with stop/start and when the engine turns itself off as you roll unto a junction, but the 40i can jerk as the engine kicks back in if you don't completely stop which is starting to piss me off, never had that with the F31, though I did just code it out. finding myself knocking the gear stick left now, which just isn't good enough.

[UnidoTom]

335d to M340i here too.

M340i is just so much fun, puts a bigger smile on your face, my average economy is about 10mpg down from my 335d doing the same routes. The fun factor makes me fly through the gears more. Whereas in my diesel I found myself being very sensible.

Only thing I really miss is the effortless torque, M340i still surprises me at times when the gears drop down and I still think I am in the 335d.

Same thought process for me too with potentially the last petrol car before EV.

[isleaiw1]

Not sure anybody has posted who has had a 40i for many miles yet. I found the free revving, lovely noise and stuff was great for a while (mine isnt a BMW but same principle) but now I think I have tired of annoying the neighbours with cold starts, and the change down to increase speed on the motorway is a bit annoying....

I think on a test drive you will prefer the 40i but over 3 years of predominantly grind motoring you might just prefer the 40d...

One point, not sure how you are buying but regardless ask for the GFV for the two on a PCP, as you may find the 40d has worse residuals - which may put you off if paying cash, and will increase the monthlies if PCPing. That may mean the extra fuel of the 40i is less important....

[bmnut]

A lot of good information and valid comments from many forum members on this thread for the OP to consider and I know asking about mpg figures is not a benchmark by any standards as we all have differing driving styles and habits.
The only additional input I can offer is the result of my drive home from the North Norfolk coast yesterday to the North East of England. The journey was all within the posted speed limits (not trying to be holier than thou, it was the bloody traffic!) with quite a number of varying length queues at roundabouts and junctions coming cross country out of Norfolk before hitting the A1 North. I can count on one hand the number of 'spirited' overtakes on that section of the journey. So all 'A' class roads, primary route and motorway, drive control in 'comfort' setting throughout and three rest stops. Almost 250 miles in total and the best (by far) mpg figure I have ever witnessed on a 6 cylinder BMW in over 45 years of owning/drivng them.
I am seriously impressed with this ICE/MHT combination!
Incidentally I had no way of knowing what the resulting figure was going to be as I had the displays set for other readouts and specifically avoided any of them showing the 'on-board' computer type readouts as I didn't want to influence my driving style. Just wanted to drive it as normally as possible and up to the posted limits whenever the conditions allowed and then check it at the end to see what it had actually done...it was quite a surprise!