RE: BMW 430d xDrive M Sport Gran Coupe: Review
Discussion
Agent XXX said:
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 s
t!
Let's also not forget how some fools see them as a 'quality' car. With 'excellent' BMW reliabilityThe 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 s
t!Perhaps you can enlighten me as to which brand will give me better reliability than that?
Back to the 430d, has anyone compared the Xdrive directly to the rwd version in a back to back drive? The internet seems to suggest that the rwd is sharper, with the Xdrive versions having a higher ride height and softer springs plus the added weight and friction associated with 4wd which would make sense. I have never really thought I needed 4wd on my 330d so wondering if there's really a benefit?
Motormatt said:
Back to the 430d, has anyone compared the Xdrive directly to the rwd version in a back to back drive? The internet seems to suggest that the rwd is sharper, with the Xdrive versions having a higher ride height and softer springs plus the added weight and friction associated with 4wd which would make sense. I have never really thought I needed 4wd on my 330d so wondering if there's really a benefit?
If I went for a 430d I would stick with the RWD model, xdrive just adds weight and I don't really see the benefit of 4WD and it removes most of what I enjoy about the way BMW's drive. I didn't like the Haldex 4wd system on the TTS I had but I did think the xdrive was far better on the X5 I had and you could feel it shift the power to the rear wheels under hard acceleration, ultimately I enjoy a RWD set up much more though.
I respect the performance of the 435d but I would prefer it RWD though and the 640d doesn't have any traction issues and gets its power down really well and I didn't think it would before I got it.
Ninja59 said:
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....
You are a granddad, I got my 640d GC at 24 ) I feel confused by the 4GC...I like it, I just do not quite get it's full purpose....
On a serious note, I really like the look of this. I know it sounds silly when you describe it as the four door version of the two door based four door car, but I think that's just over thinking it. It's a cool looking coupe that is offering a bit more practicality. I've driven the current 330d and it was a perfectly fine car (actually felt slightly quicker than my 640d), but ultimately it's a just a wee boxy saloon. 4 series is that wee bit more stylish for those who want it. All the modern cars are mostly just modular bits of engines and turbos and sat navs anyway so why not mix match as many options as possible for those who want( and will pay!)
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.t!If they were truly making s**t looking cars on the inside and outside as you claim, they wouldn't be hitting the number 1 spot for premium segment sales figures (see here). People would generally buy a car that fitted their needs that they also liked the look of. To have top performing premium segment sales figures they must be making cars that appeal to people practically, aesthetically and performance wise.
Edited by Epiphany on Friday 20th May 12:59
Interested to hear opinions from owners of the 35D X Drive cars.
Are these really the all weather drivers machines, combined with cost effective economy that we'd hope they'd be?
90% of being a Mitsubishi Evo to drive, with 90% of the benefits of a Prius, with none of the drawbacks of back breaking ride and ste Japanese interior plastics and switchgear?
Are these really the all weather drivers machines, combined with cost effective economy that we'd hope they'd be?
90% of being a Mitsubishi Evo to drive, with 90% of the benefits of a Prius, with none of the drawbacks of back breaking ride and s
te Japanese interior plastics and switchgear?I can't see the reason for the price difference over the 3 saloon, And i cant see £48k in the car tested.
Makes me think back to when the 'ultimate driving machine' was petrol engined, rear drive and a saloon with fixed rear seat backs as hatchbacks where not stiff enough and spoilt the driving experience.
What a load of horse Sh*te..............
Now you can have a hatchback 4x4 diesel...... but they have found a way to charge more for every bit of it.
As for the comparison to the CLS, its not fair is it, yes same underpinnings as the E class but its a much better looking car and much better place to sit in, this is just a hatchback end of.
Makes me think back to when the 'ultimate driving machine' was petrol engined, rear drive and a saloon with fixed rear seat backs as hatchbacks where not stiff enough and spoilt the driving experience.
What a load of horse Sh*te..............
Now you can have a hatchback 4x4 diesel...... but they have found a way to charge more for every bit of it.
As for the comparison to the CLS, its not fair is it, yes same underpinnings as the E class but its a much better looking car and much better place to sit in, this is just a hatchback end of.
I'm on my 2nd 330d, can't understand why anyone would want the x drive, surely the whole point of having the car is that it is rwd, isn't a "playful rear" the selling point for people interested in cars and if you aren't interested in cars wouldn't you just save the money and get a smaller engined version?
Can't understand it in our neck of the woods, can understand it in the north.
That said, often we read "why isn't the 4wd available here like it is in Austria and Sweden?".
Now they've made it available and it's "why would anyone buy that".
Anyway, it's more choice. I for one think BMW makes a lot of ugly cars these days, the 4 GC is one of the better looking ones. If they can make the economies of scale work for so many variants, good on them I'd say.
That said, often we read "why isn't the 4wd available here like it is in Austria and Sweden?".
Now they've made it available and it's "why would anyone buy that".
Anyway, it's more choice. I for one think BMW makes a lot of ugly cars these days, the 4 GC is one of the better looking ones. If they can make the economies of scale work for so many variants, good on them I'd say.
Oddball RS said:
I can't see the reason for the price difference over the 3 saloon, And i cant see £48k in the car tested.
The 4GC has quite a lot of extra equipment over the 3 Series. Include Professional Nav and electric memory seats. And the residuals are better.I have a 330d X Drive Touring and can see why someone would go for the 4GC shape over the Touring.
And you can save nearly £8k on the 4GC new without trying, so the real base cost is £38k for the 435d GC X Drive. Not cheap, but pretty good value if you want new.
stuartrav said:
I'm on my 2nd 330d, can't understand why anyone would want the x drive, surely the whole point of having the car is that it is rwd, isn't a "playful rear" the selling point for people interested in cars and if you aren't interested in cars wouldn't you just save the money and get a smaller engined version?
I get really bored with this argument. There are lots of reasons why someone would want X Drive over S Drive. For me, my X Drive is my daily driver, but I also have a fun (RWD) car. However, when I just want to 'make progress' getting from A to B the 330d X Drive is superb.
mat205125 said:
Interested to hear opinions from owners of the 35D X Drive cars.
Are these really the all weather drivers machines, combined with cost effective economy that we'd hope they'd be?
90% of being a Mitsubishi Evo to drive, with 90% of the benefits of a Prius, with none of the drawbacks of back breaking ride and ste Japanese interior plastics and switchgear?
In a nutshell YES. Are these really the all weather drivers machines, combined with cost effective economy that we'd hope they'd be?
90% of being a Mitsubishi Evo to drive, with 90% of the benefits of a Prius, with none of the drawbacks of back breaking ride and s
te Japanese interior plastics and switchgear?I own a 2016 335d Touring and a 2012 M3 Coupe DCT.
335d = 80% of the performance 100% of the time with 200% of the fuel economy.
I can also carry lots of stuff!
M3 is fun and a world apart as it feels raw in comparison - never thought I'd say that about it and I'm sure the Lotus/TVR fanboys will balk.
If I were to have one of them I'd have the 335d as it does more, more of the time. Unfortunately this will happen soon when I sell the M3 until my next 'fun' purchase which will also hopefully be an investment; 996 C4S.
Edited by 9k rpm on Friday 20th May 22:58
Edited by 9k rpm on Friday 20th May 23:00
9k rpm said:
M3 is fun and a world apart as it feels raw in comparison - never thought I'd say that about it and I'm sure the Lotus/TVR fanboys will balk.
M3 and raw aren't really two words that go together very well for me...comfortable and refined and occasionally it raises a smile is closer to the mark.Try a Lotus/TVR and believe me you will find the M3 boring in comparison.
cerb4.5lee said:
9k rpm said:
M3 is fun and a world apart as it feels raw in comparison - never thought I'd say that about it and I'm sure the Lotus/TVR fanboys will balk.
M3 and raw aren't really two words that go together very well for me...comfortable and refined and occasionally it raises a smile is closer to the mark.Try a Lotus/TVR and believe me you will find the M3 boring in comparison.
The key word is "comparison".
Edited by 9k rpm on Saturday 21st May 00:13
9k rpm said:
cerb4.5lee said:
9k rpm said:
M3 is fun and a world apart as it feels raw in comparison - never thought I'd say that about it and I'm sure the Lotus/TVR fanboys will balk.
M3 and raw aren't really two words that go together very well for me...comfortable and refined and occasionally it raises a smile is closer to the mark.Try a Lotus/TVR and believe me you will find the M3 boring in comparison.
The key word is "comparison".
Cabsi said:
The 4GC has quite a lot of extra equipment over the 3 Series. Include Professional Nav and electric memory seats. And the residuals are better.
I have a 330d X Drive Touring and can see why someone would go for the 4GC shape over the Touring.
And you can save nearly £8k on the 4GC new without trying, so the real base cost is £38k for the 435d GC X Drive. Not cheap, but pretty good value if you want new.
Exactly. Spec a 340i touring with prof navi, electric and heated seats that come standard on a 440i GC and the list price is more expensive...I have a 330d X Drive Touring and can see why someone would go for the 4GC shape over the Touring.
And you can save nearly £8k on the 4GC new without trying, so the real base cost is £38k for the 435d GC X Drive. Not cheap, but pretty good value if you want new.
Discount figures from coast2coast, more is achieveable but not publicly.
340i Touring, prof navi, electric seats, heated seats.
£43805 list, £8986 discount, 48m residual £15449, 4.9% APR £492pm with £1k down 8k PA.
440i GC
£43755 list, £8025 discount, 48m residual £15794, 3.9% APR £485pm with £1k down 8k PA.
I'd prefer the GC I think. 3er saloon is an anachronism imo, in fact all small saloons are.
Motormatt said:
Back to the 430d, has anyone compared the Xdrive directly to the rwd version in a back to back drive? The internet seems to suggest that the rwd is sharper, with the Xdrive versions having a higher ride height and softer springs plus the added weight and friction associated with 4wd which would make sense. I have never really thought I needed 4wd on my 330d so wondering if there's really a benefit?
Only 420d vs 435d X-drive, 420d seemed 'sharper' but certainly for my journey profile I preferred the softer x-drive. The M Sport suspension is far too hard over our roads.I don't think I need X-Drive but didn't have a choice. I'd have RWD with non-M Sport suspension.
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