BMW 4 series M Sport questions........
Discussion
I've never owned a BMW before but am thinking of outing my 957 Cayenne & replacing it with a 420 coupe / gran coupe M sport, looking at a 2013 - 2016 plate but I have a few questions....
Coupe or Gran Coupe, the Gran Coupe seems to be slightly cheaper for each model year. Is there more rear headroom in a Gran Coupe?
Petrol or diesel? Is one engine significantly better that the other?
I will be after a manual gearbox, I trust there are no issues with these boxes?
Any advice would be welcome.
Coupe or Gran Coupe, the Gran Coupe seems to be slightly cheaper for each model year. Is there more rear headroom in a Gran Coupe?
Petrol or diesel? Is one engine significantly better that the other?
I will be after a manual gearbox, I trust there are no issues with these boxes?
Any advice would be welcome.
97BlackC5 said:
I've never owned a BMW before but am thinking of outing my 957 Cayenne & replacing it with a 420 coupe / gran coupe M sport, looking at a 2013 - 2016 plate but I have a few questions....
Coupe or Gran Coupe, the Gran Coupe seems to be slightly cheaper for each model year. Is there more rear headroom in a Gran Coupe?
Petrol or diesel? Is one engine significantly better that the other?
I will be after a manual gearbox, I trust there are no issues with these boxes?
Any advice would be welcome.
About a cm more headroom, if I recall from reviews. Feels cramped compared to 3 series inmho. Coupe or Gran Coupe, the Gran Coupe seems to be slightly cheaper for each model year. Is there more rear headroom in a Gran Coupe?
Petrol or diesel? Is one engine significantly better that the other?
I will be after a manual gearbox, I trust there are no issues with these boxes?
Any advice would be welcome.
Based on a few as loan cars, I found the 20i woeful on the F Generation; laggy, needed to be worked had so consumption dropped, odd noise.
I had the 20d on a X1. Better performance, smoother, better, fuel consumption. But it did break down at 2 year old and 44k miles , so I'd never have a 4cylinder, even as a runabout, again. But if forced to chose, I'd go for the 20d.
But even as a manual fan. I'd go auto. manual is a rubbery shift, nothing special and autos tend to suit all turbo engines.
As a general point, get one with Adaptive M sport suspension. Means you can have a sportier (sport) throttle, better for performance, and retain comfort suspension; the latter meaning the car rides superbly even if you have Run flats. the sportier suspension is a bit "no man's land," not comfortable enough , but, on the other hand, these cars aren't sports cars.
Personally, I'd get a 3 series touring, so you have decent headroom and decent practicality.
Smuler said:
About a cm more headroom, if I recall from reviews. Feels cramped compared to 3 series inmho.
Based on a few as loan cars, I found the 20i woeful on the F Generation; laggy, needed to be worked had so consumption dropped, odd noise.
I had the 20d on a X1. Better performance, smoother, better, fuel consumption. But it did break down at 2 year old and 44k miles , so I'd never have a 4cylinder, even as a runabout, again. But if forced to chose, I'd go for the 20d.
But even as a manual fan. I'd go auto. manual is a rubbery shift, nothing special and autos tend to suit all turbo engines.
As a general point, get one with Adaptive M sport suspension. Means you can have a sportier (sport) throttle, better for performance, and retain comfort suspension; the latter meaning the car rides superbly even if you have Run flats. the sportier suspension is a bit "no man's land," not comfortable enough , but, on the other hand, these cars aren't sports cars.
Personally, I'd get a 3 series touring, so you have decent headroom and decent practicality.
Thx for the response, that is deffo food for thought. There was me thinking BMW, ultimate driving machine, go manual, coupe can't go wrong........I appreciate there are bigger engines but I am after some sort of economy, it was intended to be a fun, run about, with a bit of style. I have a Corvette that satisfies the 'POWER' urge. Maybe I need a rethink........Based on a few as loan cars, I found the 20i woeful on the F Generation; laggy, needed to be worked had so consumption dropped, odd noise.
I had the 20d on a X1. Better performance, smoother, better, fuel consumption. But it did break down at 2 year old and 44k miles , so I'd never have a 4cylinder, even as a runabout, again. But if forced to chose, I'd go for the 20d.
But even as a manual fan. I'd go auto. manual is a rubbery shift, nothing special and autos tend to suit all turbo engines.
As a general point, get one with Adaptive M sport suspension. Means you can have a sportier (sport) throttle, better for performance, and retain comfort suspension; the latter meaning the car rides superbly even if you have Run flats. the sportier suspension is a bit "no man's land," not comfortable enough , but, on the other hand, these cars aren't sports cars.
Personally, I'd get a 3 series touring, so you have decent headroom and decent practicality.
97BlackC5 said:
Smuler said:
About a cm more headroom, if I recall from reviews. Feels cramped compared to 3 series inmho.
Based on a few as loan cars, I found the 20i woeful on the F Generation; laggy, needed to be worked had so consumption dropped, odd noise.
I had the 20d on a X1. Better performance, smoother, better, fuel consumption. But it did break down at 2 year old and 44k miles , so I'd never have a 4cylinder, even as a runabout, again. But if forced to chose, I'd go for the 20d.
But even as a manual fan. I'd go auto. manual is a rubbery shift, nothing special and autos tend to suit all turbo engines.
As a general point, get one with Adaptive M sport suspension. Means you can have a sportier (sport) throttle, better for performance, and retain comfort suspension; the latter meaning the car rides superbly even if you have Run flats. the sportier suspension is a bit "no man's land," not comfortable enough , but, on the other hand, these cars aren't sports cars.
Personally, I'd get a 3 series touring, so you have decent headroom and decent practicality.
Thx for the response, that is deffo food for thought. There was me thinking BMW, ultimate driving machine, go manual, coupe can't go wrong........I appreciate there are bigger engines but I am after some sort of economy, it was intended to be a fun, run about, with a bit of style. I have a Corvette that satisfies the 'POWER' urge. Maybe I need a rethink........Based on a few as loan cars, I found the 20i woeful on the F Generation; laggy, needed to be worked had so consumption dropped, odd noise.
I had the 20d on a X1. Better performance, smoother, better, fuel consumption. But it did break down at 2 year old and 44k miles , so I'd never have a 4cylinder, even as a runabout, again. But if forced to chose, I'd go for the 20d.
But even as a manual fan. I'd go auto. manual is a rubbery shift, nothing special and autos tend to suit all turbo engines.
As a general point, get one with Adaptive M sport suspension. Means you can have a sportier (sport) throttle, better for performance, and retain comfort suspension; the latter meaning the car rides superbly even if you have Run flats. the sportier suspension is a bit "no man's land," not comfortable enough , but, on the other hand, these cars aren't sports cars.
Personally, I'd get a 3 series touring, so you have decent headroom and decent practicality.
And the ZF8 speed auto in manual mode can still be fun. I have it in a 340i and have still enjoyed a 9 mile twisty road. Not as much as my manuals , but they were naturally aspirated M cars.
I owned a 430d Gran Coupe for nearly 3 years.
Very good car, very powerful and fast and reasonably economical, I averaged 35 mpg over 30k miles but I did short trips and had a heavy foot.
As the previous poster said, you’re better off with an auto as they’re so good and so suited to the car. BMW are commended for offering manuals to their cars despite the competition however they’re not very good.
I think, in terms of options, if you’re getting a 4 series, make sure it has the M Sport + pack that gives you the wheels, brakes and pro nav.
In terms of engines, a 420d may be adequate but you’re better off with the straight 6 diesel in the 430d or 435d. They’re not just very powerful but you can feel the difference over a 4 cyl.
If you’re going petrol, I can’t comment as I’ve only driven the diesels but it’s gotta be the 435i/440i.
Good luck!
Very good car, very powerful and fast and reasonably economical, I averaged 35 mpg over 30k miles but I did short trips and had a heavy foot.
As the previous poster said, you’re better off with an auto as they’re so good and so suited to the car. BMW are commended for offering manuals to their cars despite the competition however they’re not very good.
I think, in terms of options, if you’re getting a 4 series, make sure it has the M Sport + pack that gives you the wheels, brakes and pro nav.
In terms of engines, a 420d may be adequate but you’re better off with the straight 6 diesel in the 430d or 435d. They’re not just very powerful but you can feel the difference over a 4 cyl.
If you’re going petrol, I can’t comment as I’ve only driven the diesels but it’s gotta be the 435i/440i.
Good luck!
OP. I've had a 440i M Sport Coupe from new in December 2017. The engine is superb and overall the car strikes a nice balance between sporty and comfy, and it's actually surprisingly economical on a decent run. To me, it's a tremendous all-round package and it looks smart (mine is Tanzanite Blue with the Opal merino leather). Mine was around £50,000 new (not that I paid that for it) and it's probably only worth low-20s now. That's excellent value for money in my opinion.
The 35d/35i/40i are rapid, but if you've already got the power itch from your Vette, then they might be a bit superfluous.
I've not heard fantastic things about the 20i/28i/30i - the general consensus from reviewers was that they need to be worked hard to get them going, which then kills economy, and they don't sound that great while doing it.
The 20d is brisk enough and will certainly tick the economy requirement, but it might be a bit underwhelming.
Maybe the 30d would be a happy medium?
On the gearbox, if you're hell bent on a manual then go for it. But, the ZF8HP is such a compelling gearbox, and perfectly suited to these cars, that I'd maybe keep the manual itch for something more engaging.
I've not heard fantastic things about the 20i/28i/30i - the general consensus from reviewers was that they need to be worked hard to get them going, which then kills economy, and they don't sound that great while doing it.
The 20d is brisk enough and will certainly tick the economy requirement, but it might be a bit underwhelming.
Maybe the 30d would be a happy medium?
On the gearbox, if you're hell bent on a manual then go for it. But, the ZF8HP is such a compelling gearbox, and perfectly suited to these cars, that I'd maybe keep the manual itch for something more engaging.
I found the Gran Coupe quite practical with the hatch boot.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve had my 435i since 2015, no problems with it. Rapid but not too ostentatious. My friend had the 440i with the MPPSK which made it noisier (if that’s what you want) and quicker.
The RRP of mine was £51k; these are an amazing bargain now.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve had my 435i since 2015, no problems with it. Rapid but not too ostentatious. My friend had the 440i with the MPPSK which made it noisier (if that’s what you want) and quicker.
The RRP of mine was £51k; these are an amazing bargain now.
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