BMW 435i M Sport: PH Fleet
Ultimate driving machine or disappointingly aloof? To Yorkshire to find out
4 Series is a handsome beast, no doubts there
First the boring practical bit of trying to fit in a one-year-old, associated clobber and a bicycle. There was no way the bike was going in the car and I was rather hoping for some roof bars onto which I could fit the Thule carriers sourced for the Focus ST previously on the PH fleet. Only BMW UK doesn't actually have them for the 4 Series yet, meaning a distinctly sub-optimal boot carrier instead. Not exactly the 'lifestyle' look I was hoping for but needs must.
Even with the bike on the back and fully laden the 4 Series mooched up the A1 recording an Eco Pro enhanced 30ish mpg; can't complain at that. Bike removed and family installed it was time for the 435i to finally step up to the mark and shine on some of North Yorkshire's more challenging cross-country roads. Hopefully.
I was really keen for the 4 Series to prove me wrong on fears that it was just a bit too sensible and aloof to really engage. Rooting for it to demonstrate previously hidden talents. After all a powerful straight-six BMW coupe, rear-driven and with a manual gearbox, should be in its element on roads like this, right?
More revealing than the M25, if not in a good way
First, the chassis. As previously reported it feels a little underdamped in the standard mode, Sport setting improving the body control but the 4 Series still feeling a little on its tip toes and lacking the confidence inspiring checks on pitch and roll you'd want on a challenging road. Paired with numb steering there's little joy to be had pushing the car hard, the lack of feedback meaning you can arrive at situations carrying huge speed but with no sense of the car's limits. Which rather goes against the boast in the press pack that "The BMW engineers have succeeded in making key improvements in areas such as steering accuracy, precision and agility, as well as honing, further still, the instincts of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe as an unadulterated driving machine."
Should be in its element; not feeling it yet
It's not slow either, even if the six gets gruff towards the top end where the M135i - with the same engine - seemed happier to sing its heart out. I wonder if the tall gearing and balky shift of the manual is a significant factor and suspect the eight-speed auto would make for a more cohesive package. I'd be keen to try one to put the theory to the test because, as it stands, fears the 4 Series is too aloof to engage seem sadly to be well founded. Fears brought into even sharper focus by the arrival of the 2 Series, AKA the answer to those who liked the idea of the M135i but couldn't stomach the looks.
The 4 remains a beautiful looking machine and much classier than the 2. But when it comes to dreams of being the ultimate driving machine it needs to work harder translating that on-paper promise into seat-of-the-pants fun.
FACT SHEET
Car: 2013 BMW 435i M Sport
Run by: Dan
On fleet since: October
Mileage: 4,182
List price new: £48,160 (Basic list of £41,435 OTR plus £670 for 19-inch M double-spoke 442M wheels, £360 for Adaptive Headlights, £515 for Adaptive M Suspension, £350 for enhanced Bluetooth, £300 for folding mirrors, £825 for head-up display, £460 for Interior Comfort Package comprising memory electric seats, 'extended storage' and sun protection glass, £95 for internet, £675 for Harmon/Kardon speakers, £570 for M Sport brakes, £1,000 for BMW Professional Media Package, £325 for online entertainment, £330 for reversing camera and £250 for Variable Sport Steering.)
Last month at a glance: Enough motorway miles already, time to hit the twisties
Previous reports:
The 435i joins the PH Fleet
4 Series whets our appetite for the M version
I've owned various E30,36,46 and 90 Series cars over the past 15 years. The F30 and the 4 Series are a lost cause as far as I'm concerned, too big, too heavy and too laden down with all the cr*p that has showroom appeal, but adds little or nothing to the driving experience.
I borrowed an F30 330D auto Sport for the day a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to like it, but it left me feeling very cold (on so many fronts)when compared to my six year old 130k mile 335d auto Sport.
Steering : Weightless, lacking in feel and tactility. As Dan says, not what you want/need in a "sports" car. It's weight can be "improved" by pressing a button. But as Evo's Richard Meaden has highlighted on the F30 and on other cars previously "BMW have fallen into the trap of confusing steering weight for steering feel".
Spot on, the steering of a 1962 Albion 8 wheeler truck is heavy, but rest assured, it's not in the least bit feelsome or tactile.
Sh*tty button on centre console that allows you to chose different driving modes (Sport +, Sport, Comfort & Eco Pro)
Using Sport or Sport + allegedly improves the steering feel and stiffens the dampers (yet the chassis still felt as Dan put it "Up on it's tiptoes". It also makes the gearchanges quicker. Unfortunately not only are they quicker, they're harsher too . . . .
Why oh why to BMW think that someone who buys a "Sport" wants to drive a car in Comfort or Eco Pro mode ? If I want an economical "comfortable" car, I'd have bought an SE and specced it with a 2.0 diesel engine !
FFS BMW, we all know you can make superb cars with great steering feel/weight and fun, communicative chassis. Stop trying to make your cars all things to all men, you're alienating so many dyed in the wool owners by producing cars that are neither fish nor fowl. And breath.
Rant over . . . .
P.S Let's hope the 235i is a worthy replacement for the old E82/88 135i/1M.
I'm guessing most customers buying a new 3/4 series (M3/M4 included) are company cars and/or 30+ and there are significantly more 20-30 year old buyers of the 1 series (including M1).
Spot on, the steering of a 1962 Albion 8 wheeler truck is heavy, but rest assured, it's not in the least bit feelsome or tactile.
I've owned various E30,36,46 and 90 Series cars over the past 15 years. The F30 and the 4 Series are a lost cause as far as I'm concerned, too big, too heavy and too laden down with all the cr*p that has showroom appeal, but adds little or nothing to the driving experience.
I borrowed an F30 330D auto Sport for the day a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to like it, but it left me feeling very cold (on so many fronts)when compared to my six year old 130k mile 335d auto Sport.
Steering : Weightless, lacking in feel and tactility. As Dan says, not what you want/need in a "sports" car. It's weight can be "improved" by pressing a button. But as Evo's Richard Meaden has highlighted on the F30 and on other cars previously "BMW have fallen into the trap of confusing steering weight for steering feel".
Spot on, the steering of a 1962 Albion 8 wheeler truck is heavy, but rest assured, it's not in the least bit feelsome or tactile.
Sh*tty button on centre console that allows you to chose different driving modes (Sport +, Sport, Comfort & Eco Pro)
Using Sport or Sport + allegedly improves the steering feel and stiffens the dampers (yet the chassis still felt as Dan put it "Up on it's tiptoes". It also makes the gearchanges quicker. Unfortunately not only are they quicker, they're harsher too . . . .
Why oh why to BMW think that someone who buys a "Sport" wants to drive a car in Comfort or Eco Pro mode ? If I want an economical "comfortable" car, I'd have bought an SE and specced it with a 2.0 diesel engine !
FFS BMW, we all know you can make superb cars with great steering feel/weight and fun, communicative chassis. Stop trying to make your cars all things to all men, you're alienating so many dyed in the wool owners by producing cars that are neither fish nor fowl. And breath.
Rant over . . . .
P.S Let's hope the 235i is a worthy replacement for the old E82/88 135i/1M.
I have a 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0 Si. It is an outstandingly capable drivers car, though with lowered suspension and the stage one sound generator mod, it can be a touch raw for long journeys.
I have been toying with replacing it with a current gen Z4 35is, but it is reviews like this that discourage me. I could go for a touch more comfort and low down torque, but seems like the latest range of BM's have really lost their edge as drivers cars which puts me off.
However - I must disagree with your point about the variable driving modes SD. I think this is a brilliant inclusion on modern BMs. I do business miles and commuting in my GF's 1 series sometimes. It is only a diesel 4 banger but I find it great to be able to slip it into eco plus when in traffic to conserve fuel, with the option to turn the wick up when on a good clear road. I would welcome something like this on my Z4, but she is too old school and simply has a 'sport' button...
The 435i they had should have been very appealing but it just didn't excite me; very big, interior too close to the E92 and I'm finding the new random bonnet line (above the grille) irksome.
The 3 series looked quite classy but again, it didn't push any desire buttons.
The ones that caught my eye were the new X5 which looks loads better, the vast but sexy 6GC and the funky i3.
Hoping to place an order for an M135i tomorrow after a day of torturous but successful negotiations.
So with basically £50k and a concentrated effort to like it, it's still giving you the cold shoulder?
Wow.
I think I'd buy another Monaro, maybe £7,500 worth, spend £12,500 giving it brakes, suspension and about 600bhp, then spend the remaining £30k on fuel and servicing.
Also, you can finance an M3 for that sort of wedge if you insist on having a badge your neighbour's wife recognises, what is the point of this car? How long are you stuck with it?
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