RE: BMW 430d xDrive M Sport Gran Coupe: Review
Discussion
My sister has a 430d xDrive. (I work with her)
Her words "I want a coupe but I want 4 doors"
Me: So you want a saloon?
Her: Noooo I want a coupe but I need back doors
Me: But then you've got a saloon
Her: But BMW do a 4 series in 4 door
Me: Yeah, that's a 4 door version of the 2 door version of the 4 door 3-series
Her: OMG THAZZ WHAT I WAAANNT
It certainly has a market.
As luck would have it, I got a 330d xDrive service loaner car and parked it right next to her - Its literally like how you have e.g. a Vauxhall Vectra hatchback and a Vectra saloon; just a slight difference with the C pilar.
(Edit: Both were 'Luxury' spec, so I was comparing apples with apples)
Her words "I want a coupe but I want 4 doors"
Me: So you want a saloon?
Her: Noooo I want a coupe but I need back doors
Me: But then you've got a saloon
Her: But BMW do a 4 series in 4 door
Me: Yeah, that's a 4 door version of the 2 door version of the 4 door 3-series
Her: OMG THAZZ WHAT I WAAANNT
It certainly has a market.
As luck would have it, I got a 330d xDrive service loaner car and parked it right next to her - Its literally like how you have e.g. a Vauxhall Vectra hatchback and a Vectra saloon; just a slight difference with the C pilar.
(Edit: Both were 'Luxury' spec, so I was comparing apples with apples)
Aeroresh said:
Whats going on with the aweful stance? Looks almost like an SUV with those arch gaps.
I saw a 435d the other day and that was the same. BMWs always used to 'sit right' but the latest gen cars seem to have lost it in that respect.
My neighbour has one of this and although it's the base model, it looks quite nice. I saw the picture on this article and I thought it was a 3 GT or something. Doesn't look like it has the same proportions as my neighbours' car?I saw a 435d the other day and that was the same. BMWs always used to 'sit right' but the latest gen cars seem to have lost it in that respect.
GTEYE said:
Sticks. said:
When we had an E46 Coupe alongside the TT, the TT was the more practical, despite being smaller.
An interesting comment. I wonder if 2 passengers squashed into the rear "seats" of your TT would agree? Perhaps they would find the E46 just a little more practical...ZesPak said:
joscal said:
It 4wd so sits higher.
Is this a joke? Might be the bigger wheels though. I'm not sure what all the fuss about the saloon version of a coupe of a saloon is. Its better looking, less common, more practical , slightly better driving than the equivalent 3-series saloon. Its also higher spec as standard, so comparing like for like their only tends to be a few hundred quid in it.
For me its turned out to be the perfect car, a blend of style and enough practicality for the odd times I have someone in the back, or need to cart bulky stuff around.
joscal said:
ZesPak said:
Is this a joke? Might be the bigger wheels though.
Nope, xdrive is BMW speak for 4wd..
R39S1 said:
Look at any x drive 3/4 series next to the rear wheel drive equivalent, they all sit higher at the back. It was commented on in the early reviews that is does spoil the look a bit.
Did not know that! Thanks. ZesPak said:
joscal said:
ZesPak said:
Is this a joke? Might be the bigger wheels though.
Nope, xdrive is BMW speak for 4wd..R39S1 said:
Look at any x drive 3/4 series next to the rear wheel drive equivalent, they all sit higher at the back. It was commented on in the early reviews that is does spoil the look a bit.
Did not know that! Thanks. 
I must admit even as a 640D GC owner (at 27! everyone assumes I am a grandad hobbling around ) I feel confused by the 4GC...I like it, I just do not quite get it's full purpose...
There is already a hatch 3 series the 3GT, although in fairness the 4GC is the same price as the 4 coupe so you would be silly in my view not to get the GC version.
Furthermore as highlighted above the standard level of kit is higher on the 4GC than the 3 which reduces the cost difference nicely. A similar thing happens on the 5 & 6 series (although on the 6 series the robbing gits give us no option for the under dashboard 12 volt port, and the bloody retainer is there! (optional on the 5 series for about £30 from memory)).
What I will say the step up between the 3/4 to the 5/6 is noticeable in interior design effort and quality. The new 7 is nice, I just could not live with the outside sadly.
) I feel confused by the 4GC...I like it, I just do not quite get it's full purpose...There is already a hatch 3 series the 3GT, although in fairness the 4GC is the same price as the 4 coupe so you would be silly in my view not to get the GC version.
Furthermore as highlighted above the standard level of kit is higher on the 4GC than the 3 which reduces the cost difference nicely. A similar thing happens on the 5 & 6 series (although on the 6 series the robbing gits give us no option for the under dashboard 12 volt port, and the bloody retainer is there! (optional on the 5 series for about £30 from memory)).
What I will say the step up between the 3/4 to the 5/6 is noticeable in interior design effort and quality. The new 7 is nice, I just could not live with the outside sadly.
QuattroDave said:
I now see that pretty much every bugger has had the same idea, cruising up and down the M3 lately also all bmw's that passed me were either 330d or 335d's.
Isn't that a good thing though? It shows that if people go for a diesel at least they go for the one that can shift and keep up some appearances of a sports car.aston addict said:
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.
Why is it not right? If a car can be shown to empirically handle better, use less fuel, be quieter, be faster etc then yes, one CAN use sales figures as a yardstick. As far as subjective opinion goes, why would people spend hard-earned money on something they didn't aspire to want? And if people actually like and enjoy what they've purchased then the resulting sales mean the product being sold is generally favourable. You not liking it is fine but that equally doesn't make you right either!
People on here seem to forget that car manufacturers are businesses that exist to make a profit. Therefore if they make a product that sells that is the ONLY justification to determine whether or not the product is good as far as they're concerned. This car (or many other BMWs for that matter) may not be to your taste but if the many millions of Euros spent in creating it mean that it turns a profit then BMW, its customers and its shareholders are happy - and that's all that matters ultimately.
BMW should have found a 435d to try ! For those wishing to know more about said 435d have a look at that model on PH carpool a while back.
I agree with some comments re the interior, it is bland and unimaginative, for me current BMW's have the worst dash layout of all the competition, even the horrid chintzy Mercedes ! I know of three people who didn't buy a BMW because of the dash.
The 435d is peerless ( for me, with the exception of the Alpina 4D ) I run a 435d alongside a Granturismo 4.2.......and it wouldn't see which way the 435d went.
I agree with some comments re the interior, it is bland and unimaginative, for me current BMW's have the worst dash layout of all the competition, even the horrid chintzy Mercedes ! I know of three people who didn't buy a BMW because of the dash.
The 435d is peerless ( for me, with the exception of the Alpina 4D ) I run a 435d alongside a Granturismo 4.2.......and it wouldn't see which way the 435d went.
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