BMW 4 Series (Coupe of saloon) - Gran Coupe (Saloon)

J

jimmybell

Veteran
 SW London
So i saw one of in MK showroom yesterday - i'm surprised at how many models they have now invented?!

Each range has an odd (saloon/normal), even number (coupe) and Gran Coupe, or GT model. 3 series saloon, estate, GT, 4 series coupe, gran coupe. There's even a 2 series ... not even sure what i was called, but it's an MPV like a golf+.

I have to say though - pretty much nothing (including the new M3) took my fancy in the shop, except the concept of a 4series Gran Coupe - it was nice! much better driving position, you're IN the car, rather than ON it (sorry M3 owners.. but its true). Felt much more sporty, and it's a hatchback - so it's err... "practical".

Anyway, i'd get a debadged 430i gran coupe (white, m sport) as a family wagon if i could afford the crazy prices.

I asked the salesman - what's the point in all of these models - he laughed, and agreed. I said sell me a 4 gran coupe over a 3 - he said i don't know how to..

bmw-4-series-gran-coupe-alpine-white-m-sport-4.jpg
 
I fancied a 3GT before the 4 GC arrived. Very nice car, lots of toys and more room, fits 4 adults with room to spare and has a huge boot! The platform for the GT is a X5 so you've got more length and a bit more height. It's a great place to be especially if you've got a family and need the extra room.

I think with these cars they sell themselves really.

Oh and the 2 MPV is the Active Tourer and the first FWD BMW. I saw my first one on the road yesterday. Still hideous!

As for me I'd go for a 335i or a 435i anyday
 
We're going to go 4 series gran coupe when the 3 series comes due this year.
Looks a bit different and I prefer the lines of it. 3 series saloon is looking a bit old hat already.

We're going to go for 430d X drive M Sport. Just a shame the colours are so dreary. White, Silver, x2 black, quality street brown, grey or everyone's favourite estoril blue. No reds or anything remotely unusual.
 
I really wanted to get a BMW (perferably a 4 series) when the daily was due for renewal. Compared to Audi and Merc they are very expensive, and not places to sit (comparably).

I ended up going with a Merc C220 AMG. BMW seem to be losing any kind of purpose, the ///M ranges have been constantly devalued by additions of new "M" cars in the M135 and M235 and stciking M badges on the exterior of cars that are decidedly un-M and the standard ranges are so confusing it's difficult to know where you stand with it all.

I desperately wanted to remain a BMW man, but the new ranges and BMW's latest direction has really turned me off.
 
I came to the conclusion from my last visit that basically the entire range sucked (felt like i was in a ford dealership), and the irony was the one single car i liked was the most hashed up mess of their new model system. Sitting in the 4GC its much lower, sportier feeling than the 3series, and looks nicer.

There's some irony in what you just said though Steven, yes they're messing with the M badge everywhere but ... you've got a C220 AMG... ;) They're all doing it.
 
jimmybell said:
I came to the conclusion from my last visit that basically the entire range sucked (felt like i was in a ford dealership), and the irony was the one single car i liked was the most hashed up mess of their new model system. Sitting in the 4GC its much lower, sportier feeling than the 3series, and looks nicer.

There's some irony in what you just said though Steven, yes they're messing with the M badge everywhere but ... you've got a C220 AMG... ;) They're all doing it.
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No badges on the C220 AMG though, just a trim level. From the outside, it looks a bit sportier but doesn't masquerade itself :wink:

Audi has a nice serparation (like BMW used to). S-Line, purely trim, 'S' sporty, 'RS' very sporty. There'as a clear segregation and no grey areas.

Merc has started to bring in these 450 4Matic AMG's which is effectively Audi's 'S' line equivalent, but there are no external AMG badges.
 
I've just ordered a 420d gran coupe msport in mineral grey with black leather and 19" wheels, should be delivered in May (for a guy a work)
Got a better lease deal on it than the Merc C class.
 
lux said:
I've just ordered a 420d gran coupe msport in mineral grey with black leather and 19" wheels, should be delivered in May (for a guy a work)
Got a better lease deal on it than the Merc C class.
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Really, what were the relative lease deals? Also, what sort of spec does the M-Sport come with?

It was the extras that killed the finance for me with BMW.
 
I got 3 years - 20,000 miles a year - full maintenance cover with metalic paint, sun protection glass, 19" rims, auto, split folding rear seats for £380.00 pm with 3 months deposit...C class was another £50odd a month more I think.
 
Wow, quite a difference. When I specc'd up the 420d MSport I was looking at, to match the C220 in terms of spec, Sat Nav, PDC, reverse camera, uprated speakers etc etc the beemer came out at £210 pm more expensive than the Merc :o

As the 4 series is a new range they wouldn't move on price at all. Basic they are very similarly priced, but the Merc was much better specc'd as standard.
 
Yeh normally BMW are quite a bit more than the Merc but this was a 'special offer' that we were able to jump on at a time that suited us (the guys current C class goes back in May)
One of my neighbours has just got a VW Tiguan for £60.00 a month on a special offer deal :o .....at the end of last year I was offered a Golf R for £180.00 a month.
 
lux said:
I got 3 years - 20,000 miles a year - full maintenance cover with metalic paint, sun protection glass, 19" rims, auto, split folding rear seats for £380.00 pm with 3 months deposit...C class was another £50odd a month more I think.
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missed off professional nav too! :D
 
I'm sure it isn't the case, but it reads like you didn't buy a BMW because of a few M badges...as these can easily be removed I would certainly be surprised if that was anyone's rationale.

The thing about BMW, more so than Audi and Merc, is that you can easily walk in to a dealer and get 10% off the list price without trying, and they tend to have better personal finance deals. There are some good deals on the 4 Series now (both coupe and GC) so in many ways the BMW is a cheaper alternative than the other two.

My personal opinion is that the 3,4 and 6 series are cracking looking cars if spec'd right.
 
Stratts said:
I'm sure it isn't the case, but it reads like you didn't buy a BMW because of a few M badges...as these can easily be removed I would certainly be surprised if that was anyone's rationale.

The thing about BMW, more so than Audi and Merc, is that you can easily walk in to a dealer and get 10% off the list price without trying, and they tend to have better personal finance deals. There are some good deals on the 4 Series now (both coupe and GC) so in many ways the BMW is a cheaper alternative than the other two.

My personal opinion is that the 3,4 and 6 series are cracking looking cars if spec'd right.
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I wish you'd told the guys at Vines Guildford. I negotiated ~20% off the list price for the Merc, but Vines wouldn't give anything on the 4 series. Maybe the salesman didn't think I was a serious buyer, who knows??
 
I hate it when they treat you like you're not serious. REALLY grinds my ..goat? whatever the saying is.

Car salesmen outside of luxury brands always seem reluctant to sell cars that are nicer than their company car. Or maybe it's just to me.
 
Also, a quick search for personal leases and looks like you can get 420/428/435 for 350/450/550 or thereabouts. Can't say i need such a nice second car - especially as it'd spend all its time sat outside at £500+pm, but would be lovely to have it.
 
I have never really understood the Gran Coupe idea to be fair and was only saying this to my mrs the other day and surely if you want four doors you go with the saloon and if you want the Coupe you go with the Coupe?

For me the whole appeal of a Coupe is its two door shape so why then ruin its looks but sticking rear doors on it! when you can already buy a four door saloon.
 
jimmybell said:
I thought that, then sat in the new M3, and realised the GC was better for sporty feel.

Go try it :D
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You have the M4 though which supersedes both of them for me, I appreciate what you are saying regards comparing the M3 to the 4GC though but you would expect the 4GC to feel more sporty because its based on the Coupe whereas the M3 is based on the boring saloon shape.
 
lux said:
Yeh normally BMW are quite a bit more than the Merc but this was a 'special offer' that we were able to jump on at a time that suited us (the guys current C class goes back in May)
One of my neighbours has just got a VW Tiguan for £60.00 a month on a special offer deal :o .....at the end of last year I was offered a Golf R for £180.00 a month.
Click to expand...

Who's offering these sort of deals? Can't be making any money :o
 
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