440i vs 340i vs S4 vs S5 HELP
Discussion
So I'm finally able to get a new car after years of keeping my civic on the road and a new job with a hefty payrise I'm in the hunt for my first new car and I want something fun but practical.
My initial thought was a 340i touring but since I've been looking at a 440i grande coupe as you get a bit more standard. I just don't know which one.
Back ground is its going to be the only car my fiance and I have and will do 8,000 miles a year. We're looking to have a child hopefully in the next year all being well so needs to be child friendly and able to fit all the stuff in.
At the moment on the bmws I can get a 9-10k discount on a new BMW but not been to look at audi and there S range nor have I the amg but am I missing anything before I start to go and look at them all?
My initial thought was a 340i touring but since I've been looking at a 440i grande coupe as you get a bit more standard. I just don't know which one.
Back ground is its going to be the only car my fiance and I have and will do 8,000 miles a year. We're looking to have a child hopefully in the next year all being well so needs to be child friendly and able to fit all the stuff in.
At the moment on the bmws I can get a 9-10k discount on a new BMW but not been to look at audi and there S range nor have I the amg but am I missing anything before I start to go and look at them all?
I'm biased, but I'd suggest the 440 GC
Similar amount of boot floor space, without the height.
More toys standard but more expensive!
Looks are in the eye of the beholder. I like the GC - but I've had 4 Tourings previously!
You won't get much serious discount on an S5 or Merc.
S5 is a much nicer place to sit - the red leather is sublime. Quicker. AWD but much thirstier.
No comment on the Merc as I've no experience of the quicker C class.
I find Merc interiors to be a bit naff tbh, but maybe that's just me.
Similar amount of boot floor space, without the height.
More toys standard but more expensive!
Looks are in the eye of the beholder. I like the GC - but I've had 4 Tourings previously!
You won't get much serious discount on an S5 or Merc.
S5 is a much nicer place to sit - the red leather is sublime. Quicker. AWD but much thirstier.
No comment on the Merc as I've no experience of the quicker C class.
I find Merc interiors to be a bit naff tbh, but maybe that's just me.
I bought the 440i recently and went for the GC as I have a 2 year old, so wanted the practicality of rear doors but didn’t feel I needed a full estate. As you say, you get a bit more kit on the 4, and I prefer the coupe-ish looks. Obviously on a ‘4 door coupe’ the rear doors aren’t as accessible as the 3 series or a standard hatch, so bear this in mind for baby seats etc. However the boot is big and opens very wide, great for pushchairs, although it’s not overly deep. And the drivetrain on the 440i is brilliant.
Ruled out the S5 as not fussed on the looks of the latest model, and whilst the interior is nice, by picking the right options you can get close to the interior feel of the S5. I also tested the C43 which I liked, however I’m not a fan of the c class saloon shape. Was going to go for the coupe but figured it would be a pain for getting the little one in and out, and the deals are much stronger on the BM, so it won out in the end. All subjective and IMHO of course!
Happy to help with tips on options etc., particularly on the kid practicality front!
Ruled out the S5 as not fussed on the looks of the latest model, and whilst the interior is nice, by picking the right options you can get close to the interior feel of the S5. I also tested the C43 which I liked, however I’m not a fan of the c class saloon shape. Was going to go for the coupe but figured it would be a pain for getting the little one in and out, and the deals are much stronger on the BM, so it won out in the end. All subjective and IMHO of course!
Happy to help with tips on options etc., particularly on the kid practicality front!
Edited by juggsy on Monday 15th January 23:07
juggsy said:
I bought the 440i recently and went for the GC as I have a 2 year old, so wanted the practicality of rear doors but didn’t feel I needed a full estate. As you say, you get a bit more kit on the 4, and I prefer the coupe-ish looks. Obviously on a ‘4 door coupe’ the rear doors aren’t as accessible as the 3 series or a standard hatch, so bear this in mind for baby seats etc. However the boot is big and opens very wide, great for pushchairs, although it’s not overly deep. And the drivetrain on the 440i is brilliant.
Ruled out the S5 as not fussed on the looks of the latest model, and whilst the interior is nice, by picking the right options you can get close to the interior feel of the S5. I also tested the C43 which I liked, however I’m not a fan of the c class saloon shape. Was going to go for the coupe but figured it would be a pain for getting the little one in and out, and the deals are much stronger on the BM, so it won out in the end. All subjective and IMHO of course!
Happy to help with tips on options etc., particularly on the kid practicality front!
Thanks for this juggsy, can I ask what options you went for as that's where I'm struggling to decide at the moment. Ruled out the S5 as not fussed on the looks of the latest model, and whilst the interior is nice, by picking the right options you can get close to the interior feel of the S5. I also tested the C43 which I liked, however I’m not a fan of the c class saloon shape. Was going to go for the coupe but figured it would be a pain for getting the little one in and out, and the deals are much stronger on the BM, so it won out in the end. All subjective and IMHO of course!
Happy to help with tips on options etc., particularly on the kid practicality front!
Edited by juggsy on Monday 15th January 23:07
richatnort said:
Thanks for this juggsy, can I ask what options you went for as that's where I'm struggling to decide at the moment.
There's a bit of a thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...However, I went for functional (read: gadgets) over style. I was told the standard Dakota leather, whilst not as luxurious, is hardier for stains etc., although I did go for the ivory dakota to lighten the interior, which I had protected by a detailer. You can spec the individual leather seats and dash which lifts the interior and makes it feel more premium, but I didn't go for these.
Also went for the M Sport Plus pack, which includes the HK audio (pretty good) and sun protection glass which is better for kids in the rear, as well as uprated brakes and the alloys I wanted to spec anyway. Also specced adaptive headlights (very good), adaptive cruise (ok, but used better systems), digital dash (again makes the interior feel more modern, although not as functional as Audi's offering), reverse cam, HUD, comfort pack. Originally specced Apple Car Play but ditched it in the end as the reviews aren't great and there's very little the pro iDrive doesn't do (e.g. Spotify integration).
HTH!
richatnort said:
Thanks for this juggsy, can I ask what options you went for as that's where I'm struggling to decide at the moment.
I spec'd mine to be pretty vanilla (I'm tight!)Only (mostly) got the "must haves"
Towbar
High Beam Assist
Digital Dash (that was the nice to have!)
Stuck with the standard 18" wheels - more comfortable and a lot quieter than the 19's. And I detect the short life of any diamond cut alloys.
I know if I get the urge for a better look (and the 19's do look better) I can get an set of wheels when I want - and have a set of Winter tyres (which I don't really need).
Didn't need the drug dealer glass and HK of the MPerformance pack. I prefer the understated no-black-window look.
Some complaints heard about the non-MPerformance brakes, particularly on 330's but IME, the stock ones are more than up to anything I will put them through, including having a 1600kg caravan on the back - and I don't mess about whilst towing. I am usually at the front of the queue, but that's because everyone is trying to keep up, not unable to overtake :-)
Most other kit is just toys, so its up to you. I don't have any vanity, hence I don't really mind what my car looks like - but it must perform well. And it does. I do wonder about the MPSSK though - but thats dealer fit anyway.
The 4GC doors are frameless, unlike the 3 Touring.
Although it bears no relation to the buying process - my wife really likes the car. Which is a bonus, not that she's driven it. The first time she saw one was when I drove it onto the drive!
AlwynMike said:
I do wonder about the MPSSK though - but thats dealer fit anyway.
Agree on this - I wanted to have the car for a bit without the MPPSK as I could always upgrade later due to being dealer fit, although I quite like the stock noise as is, and there's plenty of power for the time being after having a Golf GTD for 2 years.AlwynMike said:
The 4GC doors are frameless, unlike the 3 Touring.
Good point, the rear windows only go down a bit over half way as a result, may or may not be important to you.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff