RE: BMW 430d xDrive M Sport Gran Coupe: Review

[Msportman]

Sticks. said:

I'm not sure why people think of this as another niche car - it's a hatchback version, that's all. If BMW had done this with the 3 Series years back, I'd still have one.

When we had an E46 Coupe alongside the TT, the TT was the more practical, despite being smaller.

I won't be looking at one of these though, too big for me. If the 2 Series Coupe had a hatch rather than a boot, I'd have a look.

They do do a hatchback version of the 2 series it's called the 1 series.

[aston addict]

The interior "maintains a quality, clarity and ease of use that comfortably sits at the top of the class" - Dan, maybe you need spectacles?!

The interior might be a model of clarity but it looks cheap - certainly not what one would expect paying nearly 50k for this 'thing'.

You'd have to be bonkers to say that any BMW interior (except maybe the new 7) are better than the equivalent Audi (or Mercedes - save the stuck-on screen)...

The last decent BMW interiors were in the E30 3 series and E32 7 series - way better than their contemporaries in the day.

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

[Epiphany]

aston addict said:

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

BMW sales figures say otherwise.

[aston addict]

Epiphany said:

aston addict said:

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

BMW sales figures say otherwise.

Since when do sales figures equate to the look of the interior or exterior of the car?

[Chris Stott]

9k rpm said:

4K extra for a hatchback is a lot.

4GC has better standard equipment than the 3 saloon/estate... pro nav/electric seats/metallic paint/xenons are all standard on the 4, but extras on the 3.

[9k rpm]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Erm...... I was referring to Audi doing it in this segment given the thread. CLS was in a different segment which I referred to.

[moffat]

tedman said:

These niches are getting ridiculous now... god knows how much these German manufacturers must spend on design and tooling costs!

I don't really get this?

Why do people care or find it ridiculous, it's not exactly offensive is it?

Why not offer something for everyone?

BMW offer "these niches" and thousands of people buy them so clearly it is a good idea and a sound strategy.

An M4 Grand Coupe would be an interesting proposition.

[HJMS123]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've only just realised that these are actually a hatchback from reading the review and I always wondered why anyone would go for this over a 4 series Coupe or a 3 series saloon, the hatch does really add to its practicality and I see these in a different light now.

Me too! I couldn't grasp the concept previously but now I understand. Just had a look at them online and they look stupidly practical.

[cerb4.5lee]

QuattroDave said:

cerb4.5lee said:

QuattroDave said:

For me the sheer volume of them on the roads has put me off somewhat. Over three Southampton-Reading trips in the last week I did not spot a single 320d or lower spec engine, they were all the top two!

I think it depends what neck of the woods you are, where I am almost all 3 series are 320d or lower and it's very rare that I see a 330d/335d.

I can't believe how quick this 430d is at 5.2 secs and I was pretty happy back in 2006 with a E90 330d that did it in 6.7 secs, performance moves on very quickly for sure.

Ahh fair enough. It was the one car that stood out for me on those three days. Must have seen 20 plus per commute! Must be the near london/reading thing!

I worked in Reading and lived around 11 miles outside of it towards Newbury back in 2009/10 and I certainly notice the difference in the taste in cars in Berkshire and surrounding areas when compared to the East Midlands for sure.

Spent a bit of time living in Hertfordshire last year too and where I am now you mainly see lower spec cars and I did enjoy seeing the higher end models/luxury cars down that end of the country in comparison for sure.

[Agent XXX]

aston addict said:

The interior "maintains a quality, clarity and ease of use that comfortably sits at the top of the class" - Dan, maybe you need spectacles?!

The interior might be a model of clarity but it looks cheap - certainly not what one would expect paying nearly 50k for this 'thing'.

You'd have to be bonkers to say that any BMW interior (except maybe the new 7) are better than the equivalent Audi (or Mercedes - save the stuck-on screen)...

The last decent BMW interiors were in the E30 3 series and E32 7 series - way better than their contemporaries in the day.

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

Let's also not forget how some fools see them as a 'quality' car. With 'excellent' BMW reliability

[cerb4.5lee]

HJMS123 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've only just realised that these are actually a hatchback from reading the review and I always wondered why anyone would go for this over a 4 series Coupe or a 3 series saloon, the hatch does really add to its practicality and I see these in a different light now.

Me too! I couldn't grasp the concept previously but now I understand. Just had a look at them online and they look stupidly practical.

I was always really critical of them and just didn't understand the appeal really over the Saloon/Coupe, I feel a bit daft that I didn't realise that they were a hatchback...I am now very interested in them as I have a growing family so it would hit the spot for sure.

[moffat]

aston addict said:

The interior "maintains a quality, clarity and ease of use that comfortably sits at the top of the class" - Dan, maybe you need spectacles?!

The interior might be a model of clarity but it looks cheap - certainly not what one would expect paying nearly 50k for this 'thing'.

You'd have to be bonkers to say that any BMW interior (except maybe the new 7) are better than the equivalent Audi (or Mercedes - save the stuck-on screen)...

The last decent BMW interiors were in the E30 3 series and E32 7 series - way better than their contemporaries in the day.

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

I have to disagree, the interior in my 640d as standard without hitting the options list is amazing. I think the M4 is a little below par, but added extended leather soon fixes that. Not a single rattle (except the engine) either.

I think the interiors are on par with new model Audis and a much nicer place to be than a Mercedes.

[sidesauce]

aston addict said:

Epiphany said:

aston addict said:

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

BMW sales figures say otherwise.

Since when do sales figures equate to the look of the interior or exterior of the car?

Since you offered your opinion. Which is subjective, not objective. You are no arbiter of taste, you are simply some random person on a car forum on the internet.

Personally I like this car aesthetically and your opinion, while valid, is irrelevant to me. Evidently enough people feel the same way I do, hence them buying it.

I say this as a first time BMW owner who like the poster above, currently runs a 640d.

Edited by sidesauce on Thursday 19th May 15:32

[aston addict]

sidesauce said:

aston addict said:

Epiphany said:

aston addict said:

It just seems that BMW nowadays is incapable of making anything look nice - from the gopping 2 series active tourer to the 5 series GT. You can just imagine the conversations in the design HQ in Munich - let's build a new model and make it look st!

BMW sales figures say otherwise.

Since when do sales figures equate to the look of the interior or exterior of the car?

Since you offered your opinion. Which is subjective, not objective. Personally I like this car aesthetically and your opinion, while valid, is irrelevant to me. Evidently enough people feel the same way I do, hence them buying it.

I say this as a first time BMW owner who like the poster above, currently runs a 640d.

Edited by sidesauce on Thursday 19th May 15:31

I agree that liking or disliking a car's interior is very much a subjective view, and the same goes for the exterior. I've owned / family has owned many BMWs over the years, and - to my eyes at least - quality has got worse, as have the designs.

BMW may well sell a lot of cars - probably more than ever - but does that mean they are any better? If Ford outsell BMW, do they make 'better' cars? Simply using sales as a yardstick for a car being good or bad, pretty or ugly, a nice place to sit in or not, is not right.

As it happens, probably one of the few BMWs I like is the 6 series, and also the 2 series. I'll be looking to buy a new car soon - and unfortunately I'm looking less at BMW and more at Porsche / Mercedes - and this from a life-long BMW fan, and they would have been the de-facto option for me. And it's mainly because I prefer the interiors of the other marques.

[Vee12V]

Why would the a 4 series Gran Coupe be any more difficult to explain than an A5 Sportback?

[ZesPak]

HJMS123 said:

Me too! I couldn't grasp the concept previously but now I understand. Just had a look at them online and they look stupidly practical.

Friend of mine has one. Deffo more cramped in the back than the equivalent 3 series though. Not for tall kids/adults!

[Vrsadz]

Id love a 435d bet the power is unreal for a diesel

[Vrsadz]

Id love a 435d bet the power is unreal for a diesel

[Wills2]

Nice looking car, with an impressive turn of speed and pretty frugal, I really cannot see what anyone would want to complain about.

[Sticks.]

Msportman said:

They do do a hatchback version of the 2 series it's called the 1 series.

I know, I had one.