3 Series Estate or 4 Series Gran Coupe?
Discussion
Hi all,
Currently drive a 2015 520d and am getting the urge to change again. Whilst the 5 is a great motorway cruiser, I miss having a bigger engine and I am highly likely to end up in a .35d. I'm going to the dealer on Saturday to test drive both the 3 touring and the 4 gran coupe.
I wandered whether any one has made the move from a 5 to a 3/4 and if so what are the downsides? I'm assuming road noise will be one, but is it hugely different (I will spec m sport plus which includes the 19s)? For me road noise is the one thing that can really spoil a car. Do different tyres make a significant difference?
Also, is there any difference in ride quality and refinement between the 4 and 3?
Thanks,
Dean
Currently drive a 2015 520d and am getting the urge to change again. Whilst the 5 is a great motorway cruiser, I miss having a bigger engine and I am highly likely to end up in a .35d. I'm going to the dealer on Saturday to test drive both the 3 touring and the 4 gran coupe.
I wandered whether any one has made the move from a 5 to a 3/4 and if so what are the downsides? I'm assuming road noise will be one, but is it hugely different (I will spec m sport plus which includes the 19s)? For me road noise is the one thing that can really spoil a car. Do different tyres make a significant difference?
Also, is there any difference in ride quality and refinement between the 4 and 3?
Thanks,
Dean
I want something a little more practical too hence the touring/gc, currently in the saloon 5. I ride bikes a lot and often drive places with one or two bikes (£4-5k bikes are not going on the outside!). The 5 touring I think is too big so hence looking at the smaller range cars. I also feel like I want something more engaging and fun to drive. I can put up with a bit more road noise for that, but not heaps.
@cslchappie I have actually said to the dealer that I'd also look at the .40i. I'm fairly lucky that my fuel is paid for whether private or company mileage so MPG isn't a huge concern for me, and a reason I kick myself still for opting for a 520d two years ago.
@daaaveee good advice. Out of interest, did any of the cars you had have either adaptive suspension or x drive which would have deleted the msport suspension?
@daaaveee good advice. Out of interest, did any of the cars you had have either adaptive suspension or x drive which would have deleted the msport suspension?
So bit of an update...
Based on the numbers I had been discussing with the dealer, the 3 touring was making more sense financially and so decided to start by looking at that option more closely. I had also more or less decided on the .35d over the .40i for the XDrive (I miss my Quattro and so wanted something 4 wheel drive) and torque for motorway driving... I figured the auto box is less likely to change between gears with the diesel when applying power making for a smoother more effortless feel to the drive.
Went in today to discuss in more detail, and when I got there I was advised that BMW had also dropped the Q3 finance rate on the 3 series to 0% - free money - so great way to start... Just needed the test drive to go well.
They only had a 330d xdrive on 19s, but that didn't bother me so much as I really wanted to get a feel for the handling, ride quality and refinement... certainly everything I've read says the 35d if anything is more refined. Straight away the engine noise is more intrusive than my 520d, but once it warmed up it quietened down and once at a cruising speed hushed up nicely, although still more present than the 5. The road noise was not dissimilar from my 5, certainly not enough to be an issue. The ride on the standard xdrive suspension is more floaty than my 5 m sport springs, but from a comfort perspective on our crappy roads I think work well, I didn't get a chance to fling it into corners too much but do expect it to roll a little.. for me this isn't a big issue for now. The 330d is quick for sure, but I do think a little more wouldn't hurt
I got the chance to overtake on a backroad, the extra punch makes such a difference to confidence in these situations... So much better for me. All in all I can say that for me I think it's the right car.
We looked at available cars with my required spec which to be fair is quite high, since I'm coming from a 5, there are certain things I've just got used to. I need to take delivery this month to qualify for the 0% and deposit contribution (Or so they say, I'm sure there will be deals next quarter too!) I was looking at available stock.
Looked through a few 335ds (only 5 in the UK because of how particular i am) and found one that sounded perfect... it's in an Individual Citrin Black with Oyster Leather and Panoramic Sun Roof. It also has m sport plus, pro media, reverse camera, folding mirrors with anti dazzle, electric front seats with memory, heated seats, enhanced bluetooth as well as all the other standard kit... certainly enough to make a move to a 3 feel less of a drop in luxury from the 5.
The dealer came up with a price that was overall circa 21% off list.. this, plus it being the right car and the 0% finance for me just makes it feel the right move... so I've put a deposit down!
Now I cannot wait!
Based on the numbers I had been discussing with the dealer, the 3 touring was making more sense financially and so decided to start by looking at that option more closely. I had also more or less decided on the .35d over the .40i for the XDrive (I miss my Quattro and so wanted something 4 wheel drive) and torque for motorway driving... I figured the auto box is less likely to change between gears with the diesel when applying power making for a smoother more effortless feel to the drive.
Went in today to discuss in more detail, and when I got there I was advised that BMW had also dropped the Q3 finance rate on the 3 series to 0% - free money - so great way to start... Just needed the test drive to go well.
They only had a 330d xdrive on 19s, but that didn't bother me so much as I really wanted to get a feel for the handling, ride quality and refinement... certainly everything I've read says the 35d if anything is more refined. Straight away the engine noise is more intrusive than my 520d, but once it warmed up it quietened down and once at a cruising speed hushed up nicely, although still more present than the 5. The road noise was not dissimilar from my 5, certainly not enough to be an issue. The ride on the standard xdrive suspension is more floaty than my 5 m sport springs, but from a comfort perspective on our crappy roads I think work well, I didn't get a chance to fling it into corners too much but do expect it to roll a little.. for me this isn't a big issue for now. The 330d is quick for sure, but I do think a little more wouldn't hurt
I got the chance to overtake on a backroad, the extra punch makes such a difference to confidence in these situations... So much better for me. All in all I can say that for me I think it's the right car.We looked at available cars with my required spec which to be fair is quite high, since I'm coming from a 5, there are certain things I've just got used to. I need to take delivery this month to qualify for the 0% and deposit contribution (Or so they say, I'm sure there will be deals next quarter too!) I was looking at available stock.
Looked through a few 335ds (only 5 in the UK because of how particular i am) and found one that sounded perfect... it's in an Individual Citrin Black with Oyster Leather and Panoramic Sun Roof. It also has m sport plus, pro media, reverse camera, folding mirrors with anti dazzle, electric front seats with memory, heated seats, enhanced bluetooth as well as all the other standard kit... certainly enough to make a move to a 3 feel less of a drop in luxury from the 5.
The dealer came up with a price that was overall circa 21% off list.. this, plus it being the right car and the 0% finance for me just makes it feel the right move... so I've put a deposit down!
Now I cannot wait!
Edited by Dean83 on Saturday 16th September 19:19
Edited by Dean83 on Saturday 16th September 19:21
So chopped in the 5 this weekend and took delivery of my new 335d touring 
. Only done around 100 miles since yesterday, but loving it so far. Makes me smile, whereas the 5 never did. I've yet to really test the engine as am breaking it in first, but feels lovely so far with real pace available.
Definitely more road noise than the one I test drove, but just crank up the HK and it soon is inaudible... I can live with it Is the main thing. I think it's down to the tyres being different than the test drive car... Will change to something quieter in time. Also the ride is firmer than the car I test drove which was pre LCI, so BMW must have changed this with the update, anyone know for sure? It is better, feels more planted.
Some crappy pics for now. Need to get some proper ones taken.
. Only done around 100 miles since yesterday, but loving it so far. Makes me smile, whereas the 5 never did. I've yet to really test the engine as am breaking it in first, but feels lovely so far with real pace available.Definitely more road noise than the one I test drove, but just crank up the HK and it soon is inaudible
... I can live with it Is the main thing. I think it's down to the tyres being different than the test drive car... Will change to something quieter in time. Also the ride is firmer than the car I test drove which was pre LCI, so BMW must have changed this with the update, anyone know for sure? It is better, feels more planted.Some crappy pics for now. Need to get some proper ones taken.
Edited by Dean83 on Sunday 24th September 20:49
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