[Roberto71]

I'm currently looking at two main options. Both are Dravit grey with M Sport packs and shadow line exteriors; they look exactly the same.

1. 2020 840i with only 15K miles but very basic spec. No 360 cameras, or heated steering wheel, no M Technic pack, no laser lights etc

2. 2019 840d with 42K miles with huge spec. M technic pack, carbon fibre roof, 360 cameras, heated and cooled seats, heated armrests etc, obviously X Drive, active steering, Alcantara headlining, laser lights etc and it's €5K cheaper.

I was intent on getting back to a straight six petrol, as the last petrol I had was an E46 M3, which I bought back in 2006. Since then, it's been all diesels, both 2 litres and 3 litres.

But I saw that 840d spec and was very impressed; you won't find fully specced cars like that in Ireland as cars here are so expensive.

My driving now is only about 8-9K per year, a lot of short journeys with some longer motorway stuff a few times per month.

[claykin]

If you're like me, and you go for the petrol engine, you will miss and regret the missing options. The 8 series needs the surround cameras, especially in tight turns and parking situations. I've had surround cameras in my last 5 BMWs and won't buy another car without this feature.

While the diesel has more miles, 42K on a well maintained diesel is nothing. And you won't miss the creature comforts in this one....

Or wait and find another second hand 8 series....

[overklok]

If you are familiar with diesel, I would go with it. So many more options.

[Seaford]

Neither

I would only buy any bmw if pretty much all the option boxes are ticked and it’s not a diesel.

I had an 840d convertible as a loaner - the low down grunt was great but as with all diesels it ran out of revs very quickly and was noisy compared to petrol, especially on start up. The serenity of getting back into my 840i was bliss.

only you will know if you like diesels or not!

Dravit Grey is a great colour by the way - still looks good even when it is dirty, stunning when clean!

[Roberto71]

Thanks all, very helpful. Because cars are very expensive here due to Tax hitting higher output cars, a new BMW 840i costs €151,000 ($160,000), and that's a bare-bones spec with zero options. So few buyers load up on specs which is why this Diesel is tempting. The price is €65K.

I agree on the 360 cameras, I have them in my current car, a Merc E Class diesel and they are fantastic. You wouldn't think you;d need them but once you have them its hard to go without I imagine.

I don't mind diesels, am well used to them at this stage and the Beemer straight 6 B57 engine is a peach. So maybe the diesel really is the way to go.

[Seaford]

Originally Posted by Roberto71

Thanks all, very helpful. Because cars are very expensive here due to Tax hitting higher output cars, a new BMW 840i costs €151,000 ($160,000), and that's a bare-bones spec with zero options. So few buyers load up on specs which is why this Diesel is tempting. The price is €65K.

I agree on the 360 cameras, I have them in my current car, a Merc E Class diesel and they are fantastic. You wouldn't think you;d need them but once you have them its hard to go without I imagine.

I don't mind diesels, am well used to them at this stage and the Beemer straight 6 B57 engine is a peach. So maybe the diesel really is the way to go.

I’m asking as I don’t know….is buying in the UK and ferrying it back a viable option??

[Roberto71]

Originally Posted by Seaford

I’m asking as I don’t know….is buying in the UK and ferrying it back a viable option??

Sadly, not anymore post-Brexit. There would be VAT to pay, and the Govt here will apply the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), which can be 30% depending on emissions to the car as well and the 30% is based on the value of the car in Ireland, not the lower price in the UK so we're screwed there, and it's just not viable.

[drpeters]

Personally I would enjoy the 2019 840d with 42K miles with huge spec. M technic pack, carbon fibre roof, 360 cameras, heated and cooled seats, heated armrests etc, obviously X Drive, active steering, Alcantara headlining, laser lights etc and €5K cheaper

How long you keep cars?

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by claykin

If you're like me, and you go for the petrol engine, you will miss and regret the missing options. The 8 series needs the surround cameras, especially in tight turns and parking situations. I've had surround cameras in my last 5 BMWs and won't buy another car without this feature.

Agreed and since it's a 2020 it was apparently ordered with the watered down ZDX vs ZDA package. I can't remember all the differences as that was over 4 years back. For sure though the ZDX is sans the 3D view camera and pretty sure parking assistance plus. Just a rearview camera and PDC sensors plus blindspot detection.

Edit... Meant ZDX is sans 3D view, parking assistance plus, etc. My first M850i build got stuck with it as the Individual lock date had passed. So threw it back into the pond and got an expedited build for another one with ZDA.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

Agreed and since it's a 2020 it was apparently ordered with the watered down ZDX vs ZDA package. I can't remember all the differences as that was over 4 years back. For sure though the ZDA is sans the 3D view camera and pretty sure parking assistance plus. Just a rearview camera and PDC sensors plus blindspot detection.

OP is in Ireland. Option packages are likely different than NA market.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by claykin

OP is in Ireland. Option packages are likely different than NA market.

Spot on and didn't notice that. Just built a 840i on the Ireland configurator and it's even more complicated than the UK one but similar packages. The only thing standard is the reverse camera plus PDC. Heck you need at least the comfort plus pack to get soft close doors, ventilated seats, etc. all standard in NA. The Technology pack includes DAP and parking assistance plus (includes 3D camera).
Ultimate gives you the Smörgåsbord but parking assistance plus can be added standalone.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

Spot on and didn't notice that. Just built a 840i on the Ireland configurator and it's even more complicated than the UK one but similar packages. The only thing standard is the reverse camera plus PDC. Heck you need at least the comfort plus pack to get soft close doors, ventilated seats, etc. all standard in NA. The Technology pack includes DAP and parking assistance plus (includes 3D camera).
Ultimate gives you the Smörgåsbord but parking assistance plus can be added standalone.

This sounds like configuring a Porsche in NA. That would make me crazy. Lol

[Neusser]

B58. Paired with the ZF tranny, it is one of the best drivetrains BMW has ever made on a non-M car.

And diesel is the Devil's drink. Forget the spec, you will regret it!