440i vs 140i vs 240i

[Riknos]

I'm currently considering one of the above but I'm still what I like, I will be having test drives in each this weekend but wondering whether other on here had made a decision between them and what influenced you either way?

I'm only looking at autos, the 140 I will be looking for a 5 door, and the 440 I like the idea of the Gran Coupe being a good half way house, but is it too much of a jack of all trades between the 3 series saloon and 4 series coupe?

Appreciate any advise, thanks!

[stuart_83]

I've just bought a 440i Gran Coupe, picking it up on Saturday.

Some sensational deals on them until the end of May - I'm getting about £11k deposit contribution / discount combination and 0% Apr.

Test drove one a few weeks ago and thought it was a great all-rounder. Won't be as fun as the 240i / 140i but I liked the practicality and preferred the spec and interior to the smaller cars.

Plus I can always buy the MPPSK if I want more drama :-)

[Smuler]

Riknos said:

I'm currently considering one of the above but I'm still what I like, I will be having test drives in each this weekend but wondering whether other on here had made a decision between them and what influenced you either way?

I'm only looking at autos, the 140 I will be looking for a 5 door, and the 440 I like the idea of the Gran Coupe being a good half way house, but is it too much of a jack of all trades between the 3 series saloon and 4 series coupe?

Appreciate any advise, thanks!

It's a nice evening and if someone offered me their keys to a M1/240 I'd accept, have a blast but I'd still be left feeling it's not as much fun as my M3, it's largely the lack of steering feel feedback that put me off them. And as you have a S200 I'm thinking your definition of fun may not be fully realized in them either if that's their USP to you?

A 4GC is a different prospect, I've looked at them out of curiosity should I ever need to consolidate to a single car.

I think they are a good looking car, and the hatch is something neither 3 or 4 have so it's more than a half-way house; it's progress.

I just wasn't sure that they'd thrill me enough, after owning an M, and if I was leaning to the practical side would a 340i touring not be better? Or this new X340i M ?

If you could live with 2 doors aka M240i then can budget stretch to a M2 even if going used , or a M4 if the 4GC is appealing and practicality can be ignored.

[Pizzaeatingking]

I really dont think there's much between them tbh, undoubtedly the 1 & 240 will feel slightly more nimble and quick on it's feet than the 4 series but I think it depends what you want from the car. I took out a 140i and loved it but I prefer a saloon so went with a 340i. The 440i are a funny one for me, form some angles they look stunning, others a little awkward to me.

If you want a 'hot hatch' then a 140i will be the one, if you want something a little more grown up a 4er might be better. As others have said, there are some crazy good deals out there at the moment with the 3/4 soon being replaced.

[Riknos]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, always best to get more opinions

stuart_83 said:

I've just bought a 440i Gran Coupe, picking it up on Saturday.

Some sensational deals on them until the end of May - I'm getting about £11k deposit contribution / discount combination and 0% Apr.

Yes, the salesman told me about the deals but unfortunately it ends the end of the month, so I'd have to pick a car in stock already built and sign before the end of the month, no pressure to make a decision then!

Smuler said:

It's a nice evening and if someone offered me their keys to a M1/240 I'd accept, have a blast but I'd still be left feeling it's not as much fun as my M3, it's largely the lack of steering feel feedback that put me off them. And as you have a S2000 I'm thinking your definition of fun may not be fully realized in them either if that's their USP to you?

A 4GC is a different prospect, I've looked at them out of curiosity should I ever need to consolidate to a single car.

I think they are a good looking car, and the hatch is something neither 3 or 4 have so it's more than a half-way house; it's progress.

I just wasn't sure that they'd thrill me enough, after owning an M, and if I was leaning to the practical side would a 340i touring not be better? Or this new X340i M ?

If you could live with 2 doors aka M240i then can budget stretch to a M2 even if going used , or a M4 if the 4GC is appealing and practicality can be ignored.

The M cars are just too much for me from a running cost point of view. I like the idea of the 4 GC (or the 1 series) to replace my current 2 cars into 1, as I find myself sometimes being in the wrong car for the right situation, and running costs on 2 cars is always going to be higher.

The 4 GC appeals due to the hatch, being more practical than the coupe/saloon without having to go full sensible and get a touring

[stuart_83]

Riknos said:

Thanks for all the feedback guys, always best to get more opinions

stuart_83 said:

I've just bought a 440i Gran Coupe, picking it up on Saturday.

Some sensational deals on them until the end of May - I'm getting about £11k deposit contribution / discount combination and 0% Apr.

Yes, the salesman told me about the deals but unfortunately it ends the end of the month, so I'd have to pick a car in stock already built and sign before the end of the month, no pressure to make a decision then!

Smuler said:

It's a nice evening and if someone offered me their keys to a M1/240 I'd accept, have a blast but I'd still be left feeling it's not as much fun as my M3, it's largely the lack of steering feel feedback that put me off them. And as you have a S2000 I'm thinking your definition of fun may not be fully realized in them either if that's their USP to you?

A 4GC is a different prospect, I've looked at them out of curiosity should I ever need to consolidate to a single car.

I think they are a good looking car, and the hatch is something neither 3 or 4 have so it's more than a half-way house; it's progress.

I just wasn't sure that they'd thrill me enough, after owning an M, and if I was leaning to the practical side would a 340i touring not be better? Or this new X340i M ?

If you could live with 2 doors aka M240i then can budget stretch to a M2 even if going used , or a M4 if the 4GC is appealing and practicality can be ignored.

The M cars are just too much for me from a running cost point of view. I like the idea of the 4 GC (or the 1 series) to replace my current 2 cars into 1, as I find myself sometimes being in the wrong car for the right situation, and running costs on 2 cars is always going to be higher.

The 4 GC appeals due to the hatch, being more practical than the coupe/saloon without having to go full sensible and get a touring

The deals are well worth it if it's something you're interested in.

I looked at a 440i GC back in March but I couldn't justify it; the current deals have worked out significantly cheaper on a monthly basis. Like almost £100/month difference.

[5678]

What do you want from the car really?

I've driven all 3 in 35i guises and now have an M2.

The 140/240 only really vary in terms of practicality. Sure, the driving gods among us may be able note slight differences in handling, but most won't.
The 440 GC is a very nice car but a very different prospect. It can't really hide the size and weight.

It's the 80/20 rule really. Do you want something civilised 80% of the time and OK when leaning on it that 20%? Or something a bit more fun for 80% of the time and then OK when chilling out that 20% of the time?

Thinking about it, that's probably more 60/40 than 80/20!

[Riknos]

5678 said:

I've driven all 3 in 35i guises and now have an M2.

How did you find the 3 35i cars compare to each other? which was your favourite? And what made you pick the the M2 in the end?

5678 said:

What do you want from the car really?

I'm not sure really - on the one hand I want to have a easy to drive daily driver with a bit of poke (getting tired of driving my s2k in traffic) but on the other hand, I could justify the purchase more if I could condense my 2 cars into one and have a bit of an all rounder

[5678]

Riknos said:

5678 said:

I've driven all 3 in 35i guises and now have an M2.

How did you find the 3 35i cars compare to each other? which was your favourite? And what made you pick the the M2 in the end?

The M135i and M235i there was nothing in it really. I test drove the 235 and then ordered a 3dr 135i as it was a bit more practical being a hatchback. I didn't like the 5dr 135i as the B pillar was too intrusive and I think it looks better as a 3dr. If you are choosing between these two then it's really down to do you want a hatchback or not!
The 435 GC was more as you'd expect. A big 'saloon' car that was fast. I don't think it would encourage you to really hammer it, it just felt too big for that.

I enjoyed my M135i but it was always apparent that the chassis isn't as good as the engine. It didn't inspire confidence when pressing on at 7/10ths levels. As a daily driver though it was great. Adaptive dampers meant it was comfy enough when needed and other than a bit of road noise was very civilised. The auto box is very good too, at times I prefer that to the DCT I have in the M2.

I went for the M2 for a few reasons, one being looks, I love the way it looks! The other being to get the chassis the engine needs. It's leagues ahead of the Mx35/Mx40 models. I had intended to settle for a well optioned M240i but the M2 wasn't much more money.
The M2 is everything I'd hoped for, it's so good I don't really know what I'd replace it with until I can afford some form of 911. The handling is great, turn in is ridiculous too. If anything I'd suggest not driving one as it will highlight the weakness in the Mx40 models.

Riknos said:

5678 said:

What do you want from the car really?

I'm not sure really - on the one hand I want to have a easy to drive daily driver with a bit of poke (getting tired of driving my s2k in traffic) but on the other hand, I could justify the purchase more if I could condense my 2 cars into one and have a bit of an all rounder

If you are keeping the S2k then I'd go for the 440i. If not then the 140/240 would be a better 1 car solution IMO.

[stuart_83]

How did you get on OP?

Picked my 440i GC today - it's beautiful.

The weight is obvious over my previous Giulia - but I knew that before buying. Definitely more of a GT than a sports car, but beautifully built and sounds ace.

[Helicopter123]

440i due to be replaced soon hence the deals?

[stuart_83]

Helicopter123 said:

440i due to be replaced soon hence the deals?

I think it's 2019 / 2020 for the new 4 series. It's due about 18 months - 2yrs after the new 3 series.

Either way, still worth it with the current deals. Loving mine.