Anything I should know about 4 Series Gran Coupes?
Discussion
Now that my budget has risen slightly to £12-£15k I'm considering one. I've seen a few on AT that have caught my interest, two 420i's and a 428i. Is there anything I should be aware of? Any niggles? Any owners? I've seen a few readers cars threads but they all seemed to stop posting a year or two after buying them. Anyone got ownership experiences? Cost to run?
I run a 435i so can’t comment particularly on running costs but I as a car I’m very happy with mine. I do have a few niggles that are worth noting however;
- there’s a lot a tyre noise. I suspect this is more to do with the Bridgestone S001 run flats than the car itself. I’ve never liked this particular tyre and will change them when I can.
- also semi tyre related, these cars don’t come with a jack which is really annoying. I am looking at possible solutions at the moment.
Other than that they go well, look much better than the 3 IMO, can be fun to drive (though the steering isn’t as good as the E90 series but that’s emissions for you), ride well and are very comfortable.
Good luck with your search; my advice fwiw is get for the best kit you can find. It always makes resale easier and is nice to have in the meantime.
- there’s a lot a tyre noise. I suspect this is more to do with the Bridgestone S001 run flats than the car itself. I’ve never liked this particular tyre and will change them when I can.
- also semi tyre related, these cars don’t come with a jack which is really annoying. I am looking at possible solutions at the moment.
Other than that they go well, look much better than the 3 IMO, can be fun to drive (though the steering isn’t as good as the E90 series but that’s emissions for you), ride well and are very comfortable.
Good luck with your search; my advice fwiw is get for the best kit you can find. It always makes resale easier and is nice to have in the meantime.
Sn1ckers said:
I run a 435i so can’t comment particularly on running costs but I as a car I’m very happy with mine. I do have a few niggles that are worth noting however;
- there’s a lot a tyre noise. I suspect this is more to do with the Bridgestone S001 run flats than the car itself. I’ve never liked this particular tyre and will change them when I can.
- also semi tyre related, these cars don’t come with a jack which is really annoying. I am looking at possible solutions at the moment.
Other than that they go well, look much better than the 3 IMO, can be fun to drive (though the steering isn’t as good as the E90 series but that’s emissions for you), ride well and are very comfortable.
Good luck with your search; my advice fwiw is get for the best kit you can find. It always makes resale easier and is nice to have in the meantime.
Thanks. I'm considering this one which I think looks the nuts, but am very concerned about ride quality on 20's! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...- there’s a lot a tyre noise. I suspect this is more to do with the Bridgestone S001 run flats than the car itself. I’ve never liked this particular tyre and will change them when I can.
- also semi tyre related, these cars don’t come with a jack which is really annoying. I am looking at possible solutions at the moment.
Other than that they go well, look much better than the 3 IMO, can be fun to drive (though the steering isn’t as good as the E90 series but that’s emissions for you), ride well and are very comfortable.
Good luck with your search; my advice fwiw is get for the best kit you can find. It always makes resale easier and is nice to have in the meantime.
MissChief said:
Thanks. I'm considering this one which I think looks the nuts, but am very concerned about ride quality on 20's! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...
Were it my choice I’d avoid this one. 20’s will be brutal in terms of ride quality and I’d be paranoid about potholes! Also, it doesn’t have pro nav which is on most 4 series and it doesn’t have the sports auto with paddle shifters (I don’t use them but it seems many do!).That said, it’s a nice colour combination so if that’s what you’re after go fo it.
budgie smuggler said:
Hope you don't mind me piggybacking your thread but I'm also looking at these. Are there any optional extras which are considered essentials?
From what I can tell “essentials” are really a personal thing. The 4 series is fairly well spec’d so even a basic model is ok and as long as it’s priced correctly you’ll be fine. That said, most 4 series come with pro nav so I’d look for that, msport models hold their money and are more saleable but I personally would also look at the luxury models. 420i’s are one of the basic engines so there’s plenty with a basic specification. I’d wait for a 428i which has similar running costs but is a livelier engine and is likely to be better specified.If you’re buying used there are models/options that will increase the resale price but then you’ll pay more initially. Go for what you need and a colour you like. They’re nice cars. You shouldn’t be disappointed!
Were I looking for a 2l 4 series under £15k today I’d have this one; https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...
Sn1ckers said:
From what I can tell “essentials” are really a personal thing. The 4 series is fairly well spec’d so even a basic model is ok and as long as it’s priced correctly you’ll be fine. That said, most 4 series come with pro nav so I’d look for that, msport models hold their money and are more saleable but I personally would also look at the luxury models. 420i’s are one of the basic engines so there’s plenty with a basic specification. I’d wait for a 428i which has similar running costs but is a livelier engine and is likely to be better specified.
If you’re buying used there are models/options that will increase the resale price but then you’ll pay more initially. Go for what you need and a colour you like. They’re nice cars. You shouldn’t be disappointed!
Were I looking for a 2l 4 series under £15k today I’d have this one; https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...
Any particular reason you'd choose that one?If you’re buying used there are models/options that will increase the resale price but then you’ll pay more initially. Go for what you need and a colour you like. They’re nice cars. You shouldn’t be disappointed!
Were I looking for a 2l 4 series under £15k today I’d have this one; https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...
I was looking at this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105072... as well as this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...
Having had a high spec F31 I would say try and get the best spec you can, it makes a big different to how the interior feels. Mine was a Luxury model but had around £8k of extras on it including a TV.
For me I would insist on HUD, Pro-Nav and the HK sound system. A heated steering wheel is a nice touch too along with the Adaptive Suspension.
I now run a 6 GC and really miss the Adaptive Suspension.
For me I would insist on HUD, Pro-Nav and the HK sound system. A heated steering wheel is a nice touch too along with the Adaptive Suspension.
I now run a 6 GC and really miss the Adaptive Suspension.
curvature said:
Having had a high spec F31 I would say try and get the best spec you can, it makes a big different to how the interior feels. Mine was a Luxury model but had around £8k of extras on it including a TV.
For me I would insist on HUD, Pro-Nav and the HK sound system. A heated steering wheel is a nice touch too along with the Adaptive Suspension.
I now run a 6 GC and really miss the Adaptive Suspension.
Very few seem to be specced with the HUD from what I can see on descriptions.must have been a very expensive option at the time.For me I would insist on HUD, Pro-Nav and the HK sound system. A heated steering wheel is a nice touch too along with the Adaptive Suspension.
I now run a 6 GC and really miss the Adaptive Suspension.
drdino said:
Be mindful that preLCI x20i/x28i cars have the N20 engine, which has a big bork factor... I'd try to stretch to an LCI one with the B48 engine (and the associated handling improvements that the facelift brought)...
Looks like that came in at some point in 2016, is there any way to find out which it is? Or is it just the LCI ones that have the new engine? (Seems the LCI happened a year later, in 2017 which puts them out of my budget).Going to have a look at this one tomorrow: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105072...
Just got back to the thread.
I didn’t include the manuals as your initial choice was an auto. If you’re ok with a manual then it opens up your choice.
The sport looks to be a fairly basic spec. Nice colour though and very low mileage. It just depends what you’re after and what’s important to you.
Wouldn’t go for the one with the 20” wheels personally.
One thing I’ve noticed with many ads is they have no idea of the spec of the car they’re selling. Just laziness on their part imho. You can tell a lot from the pictures if you know what to look for.
I didn’t include the manuals as your initial choice was an auto. If you’re ok with a manual then it opens up your choice.
The sport looks to be a fairly basic spec. Nice colour though and very low mileage. It just depends what you’re after and what’s important to you.
Wouldn’t go for the one with the 20” wheels personally.
One thing I’ve noticed with many ads is they have no idea of the spec of the car they’re selling. Just laziness on their part imho. You can tell a lot from the pictures if you know what to look for.
Sn1ckers said:
Just got back to the thread.
I didn’t include the manuals as your initial choice was an auto. If you’re ok with a manual then it opens up your choice.
The sport looks to be a fairly basic spec. Nice colour though and very low mileage. It just depends what you’re after and what’s important to you.
Wouldn’t go for the one with the 20” wheels personally.
One thing I’ve noticed with many ads is they have no idea of the spec of the car they’re selling. Just laziness on their part imho. You can tell a lot from the pictures if you know what to look for.
So I looked at the dark blue BMW AUC one, lovely car, smooth and about as quick as my Focus 182 I currently have although the numbers say the 420i is slightly faster. Manual but with some toys my Focus doesn't have too. It's very nice and I'd like to take it, need to sort some external finance for it first though. My Focus 182 will be up for sale privately soon.I didn’t include the manuals as your initial choice was an auto. If you’re ok with a manual then it opens up your choice.
The sport looks to be a fairly basic spec. Nice colour though and very low mileage. It just depends what you’re after and what’s important to you.
Wouldn’t go for the one with the 20” wheels personally.
One thing I’ve noticed with many ads is they have no idea of the spec of the car they’re selling. Just laziness on their part imho. You can tell a lot from the pictures if you know what to look for.
MissChief said:
Sn1ckers said:
Just got back to the thread.
I didn’t include the manuals as your initial choice was an auto. If you’re ok with a manual then it opens up your choice.
The sport looks to be a fairly basic spec. Nice colour though and very low mileage. It just depends what you’re after and what’s important to you.
Wouldn’t go for the one with the 20” wheels personally.
One thing I’ve noticed with many ads is they have no idea of the spec of the car they’re selling. Just laziness on their part imho. You can tell a lot from the pictures if you know what to look for.
So I looked at the dark blue BMW AUC one, lovely car, smooth and about as quick as my Focus 182 I currently have although the numbers say the 420i is slightly faster. Manual but with some toys my Focus doesn't have too. It's very nice and I'd like to take it, need to sort some external finance for it first though. My Focus 182 will be up for sale privately soon.I didn’t include the manuals as your initial choice was an auto. If you’re ok with a manual then it opens up your choice.
The sport looks to be a fairly basic spec. Nice colour though and very low mileage. It just depends what you’re after and what’s important to you.
Wouldn’t go for the one with the 20” wheels personally.
One thing I’ve noticed with many ads is they have no idea of the spec of the car they’re selling. Just laziness on their part imho. You can tell a lot from the pictures if you know what to look for.
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