Impressed by test drive

[Nanu]

Just happened to be passing one of my local dealerships today and spotted a San Francisco Red 30i M Sport on the forecourt with Trade Plates. Intrigued, I went in and had a look.

Now I must admit that on this forum, I have been a staunch critic of soft tops but after a very close inspection and a lengthy test drive, I must eat humble pie and say I was impressed. I had seen Argyle Andy's 40i and liked that but not having driven a G29 remained sceptical. Even the 2ltr engine with the twin turbos, whilst not having the same sound as my 35is and a little down on umph!, it wasn't as much as I thought. It was quiet and the roof was better inside than I thought.

Anyway, the reason for the post is I value opinions on here and I have been reliably informed that this car will be offered for sale very shortly although not yet. It has been used as a managers car / demo and when it is it will be 1 year old, have circa 6K miles, with comfort and Pro packs.
The price will be £36K and they have said they will give me £20K for mine. Whilst there are still some bargaining to be done such as ceramic coating or servicing, any comments would be welcome.

Must admit, if this turns out to be a non starter, spending the summer in a VO 35is is not going to upset me. 8)

 

[Scubaregs]

My 30i had 7,500 and I paid circa 40K. It does have every pack bar the lighting pack on it though. 36K does not sound bad at all as the mileage is decent.

I actually test drove a 20i and tbh could have lived with it but went for the 30i anyway.

 

[ori]

I think the g29 is a step up and I think your test drive confirmed that to you.

Be careful with a used car as a brand new car could be the same money and if you finance then the rates are better so could work out cheaper!

 

[Scubaregs]

[ref]ori[/ref], M sport 30i in SFR starts at just over £43k.

[ref]Nanu[/ref], is it an M sport?

 

[Smartbear]

The 2litre turbo cars use a single turbo with a clever twin scroll manifold to deliver exhaust pulses more efficiently
Rob

 

[tomscott]

I think if I was trading a 35 it would only be for an M40

 

[Nanu]

[ref]ori[/ref], M sport 30i in SFR starts at just over £43k.

[ref]Nanu[/ref], is it an M sport?

Yes the M Sport with a Comfort and a Pro pack. Just built one on the BMW site and £46,400 on the road. So £10k depreciation and a decent price for mine before any negotiation starts.

Hopefully somone on here will have driven one for a while and give me some feedback.

I do like the M40i but to be honest not sure for the extra money it's worth it for me. I have had 7 years of a beautiful sounding 6 pot.

Decisions decisions

 

[Nanu]

I think if I was trading a 35 it would only be for an M40

Yep my initial thoughts also but the difference in costs makes me think twice.

Plus I have the wifes approval for this one which goes a long way.

 

[sars]

With used car prices at a high and interest rates on used cars also high, I’m not sure I would, I’m with ori, order to your own specification and enjoy your lovely 35iS whilst you wait.

Oh and yes and the g29 is rather good.

 

[Nanu]

I think the g29 is a step up and I think your test drive confirmed that to you.

Be careful with a used car as a brand new car could be the same money and if you finance then the rates are better so could work out cheaper!

Thenew version is circa £10k more and interest charges on top. Cash for me

 

[tomscott]

The uncertainty of the economy would put me off. Could be a big slump coming.

If the 35 is doing what you want I would stick and take advantage if the market does slip.

 

[Nanu]

With used car prices at a high and interest rates on used cars also high, I’m not sure I would, I’m with ori, order to your own specification and enjoy your lovely 35iS whilst you wait.

Oh and yes and the g29 is rather good.

I have always gone the ex demo route letting someone else pay the VAT and take the depreciation as they drive off the forecourt. New has its benefits but it has to be balanced with costs. Another consideration is would I get the same trade in deal in 6 months while I wait for the new one being built?

Can’t be bothered with private sale and WBAC valuation is way off.

Have a few days to think it over and hopefully continue to get good feedback as expected

 

[Nanu]

The uncertainty of the economy would put me off. Could be a big slump coming.

If the 35 is doing what you want I would stick and take advantage if the market does slip.

It is a consideration but at the moment I have the cash and more importantly the wife’s approval which could be withdrawn without reason

 

[ori]

Do yourself a favour and get a carwow quote on a new car. You might be surprised and get a discount. It’s worth a few minutes of your time no?

 

[craig3.2]

My 30i had 7,500 and I paid circa 40K. It does have every pack bar the lighting pack on it though. 36K does not sound bad at all as the mileage is decent.

I actually test drove a 20i and tbh could have lived with it but went for the 30i anyway.

Sounds like a fair deal in current market,but highlights just how nuts prices have went in last 2-3 years.

In 2019, you could get a Low miles 3-6 month old
/pre Registered, M40i, with all the kit you'd want,Inc HUD etc...for 36-38k.

As Tom Scott says, with everything that's going on,prices could well be set to crash Inthe year ahead.

Hence why I put my money into my z4m instead of buying an M40i.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Mel, I think the price’s your quoting seem ok, particularly the trade in on your own. I personally don’t see the prices being anywhere near what you’re being offered just now in 6 months.

IMO, even as a BIG M40i advocate, if the 30i ticks the boxes, and only you can decide that, go for it :tumbleweed:

Just for reference, by total coincidence, someone messaged me last night re a M40i and the fully loaded build price was £59,914, discount only £1.7k

Still laughing to myself right enough that your poacher turned gamekeeper re the hardtop/softtop :rofl: :rofl:

 

[Scubaregs]

Several reasons I went for the 30i over an M40.
Cost.
Cost to run, service, insurance etc.
Have the S1000r for performance, very few cars on the road get near it.
Main one though was fiancée simply does not like going fast in the twisties. As I use the bike for fun and she won’t go on it, car is only used for fun when Lynn and I are out for a day and she simply wants to cruise as it were.
I’ve done over 12,000 miles in the car so far and love it. Only better car I’ve owned was the 718 and it’s not fair to compare it with the 30i.
[ref]Nanu[/ref], unless you really want and will use the extra power and better handling of an M40i the 30i is more than adequate.

 

[Ian J]

I have always gone the ex demo route letting someone else pay the VAT and take the depreciation as they drive off the forecourt. New has its benefits but it has to be balanced with costs. Another consideration is would I get the same trade in deal in 6 months while I wait for the new one being built?

Mine was new in June 2021 but times were different then. My previous car was a BMW 6 GT and was also an ex BMW manager's car and that was 9 months old with just 1,500 miles on the clock and was offered at a huge discount. It would have been rude not to buy it

 

[Ole gits rule]

Having had many rag tops, they are fine in all honesty it would not bother me going g29 one bit - if only.

£36k seems reasonable and the trade in price good so go for it, the extra power is nice but in reality how often is it used - if SWMBO is on board then go put a deposit on it now for when it comes up for sale.

The g29 is a big improvement over the e89 despite the older car being great to drive - now off to clean mine

 

[MikeyH]

Just a couple of days ago I saw a report from uk car dealers that used car prices for the last month have gone down slightly and the month before were stable. Apparently proving that price are moving downwards. But who knows.