RE: Kia Stinger GT-S vs. BMW 440i Coupe
Discussion
Really great effort from Kia....look how far they've come in the last decade. Hyundai too, with their N30 hot hatch.
As for BMW, the thing I take from this article is that they are no longer the complete package out of the box, unless you get the right model with the right options. This wasn't always the case. With the E39 5 series, the stand out model was arguably a 528iSE on normal wheels, at least until the M5 arrived.
Long time reader, first time poster.
I have put my 2p in the circle.
I'm a owner of a 435xd. My third 3/4 series and agree somewhat with the lack of feel in the steering.
But i would say it was a vast improvement to my e92 in regards to UK roads. The constant fear of potholes became somewhat of a chore.
I think some of the review has flown past people. They are comparing high end 4 door saloons. Not the performance model.
I really like the Kia and the lsd is impressive. But knowing the discounts on bmws you would be nuts buying one brand new.
The Kia has to blow the competition away,not be a little bit better here and there to overcome the badge snobbery. Or be a lot cheaper.
Just waiting on the long term reviews.
I have put my 2p in the circle.
I'm a owner of a 435xd. My third 3/4 series and agree somewhat with the lack of feel in the steering.
But i would say it was a vast improvement to my e92 in regards to UK roads. The constant fear of potholes became somewhat of a chore.
I think some of the review has flown past people. They are comparing high end 4 door saloons. Not the performance model.
I really like the Kia and the lsd is impressive. But knowing the discounts on bmws you would be nuts buying one brand new.
The Kia has to blow the competition away,not be a little bit better here and there to overcome the badge snobbery. Or be a lot cheaper.
Just waiting on the long term reviews.
I've had a 440i Gran Coupe for about 4 months and 8000 miles and its a gem. It's fast, 34mpg in mixed driving, looks good, sounds good, fits lots in and is ahem, fast.
The review is right though that the steering is a bit numb, it crashes over potholes a lot and its a BMW so doesn't have that unusual cachet of say a 40 grand KIA. I've only seen one other 440 GC though in 4 months. Seen lots of M3s / M4s. I'm sure they're in another league dynamically but is it heresy to say the design is trying a bit too hard?.
The review is right though that the steering is a bit numb, it crashes over potholes a lot and its a BMW so doesn't have that unusual cachet of say a 40 grand KIA. I've only seen one other 440 GC though in 4 months. Seen lots of M3s / M4s. I'm sure they're in another league dynamically but is it heresy to say the design is trying a bit too hard?.
ambuletz said:
Ali G said:
Kia is less likely to be driven by complete nobs.
yup. someone with a brain and ability to look at it on paper will probably go for the kia.i'm glad they are trying. s
t like this is too dominated by the likes of BMW, VW, Audi, merc etc..i want more of the jap/korean brands to bring out more of their better value counterparts. much like how clarkson made the comparison with a mazda 6 MPS against a BMW 3 series.
Ares said:
Formidable effort from Kia. I won't hurt BMW sales, but an interesting effort to start dragging the brand upwards.
They have shot themselves in the foot thought with a list price of £40,450.... Knock £500 off and it's within the lower RFL bracket - big difference over the life of a vehicle.
Yes, they could have put it on 16" steel wheels and offered alloys as a £500 dealer fit option, or something.They have shot themselves in the foot thought with a list price of £40,450.... Knock £500 off and it's within the lower RFL bracket - big difference over the life of a vehicle.
Like this a lot, always keen for the far east being an alternative to the German and VW countries such as Spain and Cz.
Japan sadly missing apart from the odd spark nowadays, perhaps the Koreans can take it over, the Hyundai i30N hot hatch seems to be getting good reviews.
Just need to sell them cheaper!
Stinger sounds like something the day after a nasty curry in Halesowen though.....
Japan sadly missing apart from the odd spark nowadays, perhaps the Koreans can take it over, the Hyundai i30N hot hatch seems to be getting good reviews.
Just need to sell them cheaper!
Stinger sounds like something the day after a nasty curry in Halesowen though.....
Stormfly1985 said:
And yet no-one will buy a £40k Kia in the UK so other than a rare dealer car no-one will actually see one on the roads. Shame.
I’ve seen 2 now in the last week and a half, neither of which were anywhere near a Kia dealership and didn’t have a man in a suit driving them so it’s safe to assume there’s at least 2 people just around the East Midlands that have handed over cash. moffat said:
440i inconsistent suspension = Adaptive Suspension. Don't specify it and go with the newly revised stock M Sport springs and there is no confusion between driving modes i.e. too soft and floaty in Comfort and too hard in Sport / Sport+
£1800 will also get you a BMW M Performance Power and Sound Kit increasing the 440i to 360bhp through a BMW remap and an excellent full sports valved exhaust that is switchable in modes to avoid drone on motorways when in Comfort.
20% discount and 0%-2.9% APR deals makes the 440i a compelling proposition currently.
BMW salesman? ;-)£1800 will also get you a BMW M Performance Power and Sound Kit increasing the 440i to 360bhp through a BMW remap and an excellent full sports valved exhaust that is switchable in modes to avoid drone on motorways when in Comfort.
20% discount and 0%-2.9% APR deals makes the 440i a compelling proposition currently.
chelme said:
If I were in the market for these cars, and I never will be, I would choose the car which is most fun to drive.
It appears that BMW have lost the way, and it took a BMW veteran of the old school, to show them how it is done with a Kia.
Having driven/owned BMWs from the mid-90s to the current day, I can assure you BMW have not 'lost their way' - times change and halcyon memories deceive. Cars are heavier than they were, although currently getting lighter again.It appears that BMW have lost the way, and it took a BMW veteran of the old school, to show them how it is done with a Kia.
I had the fortunate to drive a current 3-series alongside an E36 and E46 over summer. The newer car is way way better. It feels heavier (good and bad), but is the better car. The E35 does feel lighter, and is lighter, but isn't a better drive. Knock the current model off it's run flats and the ride is better still.
This Kia is a great first stab, but a lot of its praise is due to it's market position. I've read a couple of reviews and spoken to two freelance journos that have driven the Stinger. All heap praise on it, say it's a great first stab at the market. Not as strong as Alfa's entrance with the Giulia, but a bloody good effort, impressively close to the Germans. But have not only failed to rate it as better than the Germans, all have admitted it's not quite there yet. The future bodes well for the brand, but it's a long-term move.
The market is also more forgiving. Reviews slam any manufacturer that has the audacity to pipe natural exhaust note through the speakers, let alone synthesise the engine note. The Stinger synthesises the engine note on it's spicier settings, but doesn't get the admonishment.
moffat said:
Cheapskate said:
It will sell reasonably well here - being less than 2/3rds the 440i price won’t hurt.
I would bet that you can get a stock 440i cheaper than the Kia. I don't care about list price as you can get 15% off a 440i without even haggling. I got 20% off mine pretty easy with Sytner. I wonder which car will have the better residuals too...
I just got around this by buying an old N54 335i. Ironically had to go with a UK import because the sedan never came with a manual here and that was not negotiable for me.
Dafuq said:
Interesting looking prospect this, and cheaper over here so it seems (over here being Aus) Our $53 grand is about £32k of your earth pounds.
I could be persuaded to have a punt and test one out, you know, taking one for the team in order to report back sort of thing.
Fuel is also not a thing to worry about over here, it isn't free but we don't get hammered for CO2 BS.
If you all send a pound..............
Edited by Dafuq on Monday 13th November 11:19
I've driven the Stinger in anger at a launch event for dealers and I found it a pretty enjoyable punt. I can only speak for my dealership but after the initial flurry of dreamers, enquiries have dried up. God help us if we ever get a 2.0L turbo as they will be absolutely nowhere.
Jimmy Recard said:
kambites said:
You think they wouldn't make their halo model for their own domestic market? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff