[Dave85]

Bit of advice please for a newbie here.

Looking to order my next car (business contract hire) and have literally been back and forth between a 3er, 4GC and even a 5 - also didn't discount a 3GT either. I think I'm finally looking to commit on a 430d GC but would it be worth my while waiting for the next face lifted version of the 3 as after test driving the 330d I was hugely impressed (haven't driven the 4GC as yet).

For the record, my quoted spec is as follows;

430d Gran Coupe X Drive M Sport Auto
Mineral Grey
Dakota Coral Red
M Sport Plus Pack
Interior Comfort Pack
Brushed Aluminium w/ Pearl Chrome
Exterior Folding Mirrors
Adaptive M Sport Suspension
Heated Steering Wheel

10k p.a. on a 3 plus 35 lease - quoted £447.43 plus VAT (cost to me £492.17 p/month)

Cheers in advance!

[RalphyBMW]

1. Is the 3/435d any more expensive?
2. The main benefit of the facelift is the improved nav; it would be worth seeking information about when this will be fitted to the 4er
3. What is the cost implication of a 3 saloon vs the hatch?
4. The 4er already has the nicer headlights & fogs, only the tail lamps are likely to change at LCI, possibly the headlamp layout.

As an estate driver, I would miss the practicality if I moved to the saloon. The hatch could work, but personally I wouldn't pay a premium on the monthlies.

[Andy30D]

Originally Posted by Dave85

Bit of advice please for a newbie here.

Looking to order my next car (business contract hire) and have literally been back and forth between a 3er, 4GC and even a 5 - also didn't discount a 3GT either. I think I'm finally looking to commit on a 430d GC but would it be worth my while waiting for the next face lifted version of the 3 as after test driving the 330d I was hugely impressed (haven't driven the 4GC as yet).

For the record, my quoted spec is as follows;

430d Gran Coupe X Drive M Sport Auto
Mineral Grey
Dakota Coral Red
M Sport Plus Pack
Interior Comfort Pack
Brushed Aluminium w/ Pearl Chrome
Exterior Folding Mirrors
Adaptive M Sport Suspension
Heated Steering Wheel

10k p.a. on a 3 plus 35 lease - quoted £447.43 plus VAT (cost to me £492.17 p/month)

Cheers in advance!

I've not driven the GC but i have the coupe, 435d to be exact, was a lovely car to drive and lovely sound. I have the 330d and absolutely love it.

Depends what you need and what you want really, the GC looks great but i doubt it will give you more of a car over the 3 saloon, it wouldn't for me anyway, and you may get a better deal on a 330d than a 430d - worth a price up i guess!

Andy

[Dave85]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

1. Is the 3/435d any more expensive?
2. The main benefit of the facelift is the improved nav; it would be worth seeking information about when this will be fitted to the 4er
3. What is the cost implication of a 3 saloon vs the hatch?
4. The 4er already has the nicer headlights & fogs, only the tail lamps are likely to change at LCI, possibly the headlamp layout.

As an estate driver, I would miss the practicality if I moved to the saloon. The hatch could work, but personally I wouldn't pay a premium on the monthlies.

1. I would say it's circa £30 p/month more for the 435d but coming from a Kia Sportage I dare say the 30d will do me just fine.
2. Do we anticipate much of an improvement on the updated Nav?
3. The 330d was around £425 p/month although that was sDrive but the same level of spec as above. This was stipulated by Sytners Cardiff that was for the face lifted model too.
4. I'm guessing the update to the 4GC won't be for a good while though?

As I said in my first post, I did consider the 530d which for same spec came in at £451 which would give me the extra practicality - food for thought anyway but not sure on the overall size of the vehicle and the looks but by all accounts, a fine car.

[Dave85]

Originally Posted by Andy30D

I've not driven the GC but i have the coupe, 435d to be exact, was a lovely car to drive and lovely sound. I have the 330d and absolutely love it.

Depends what you need and what you want really, the GC looks great but i doubt it will give you more of a car over the 3 saloon, it wouldn't for me anyway, and you may get a better deal on a 330d than a 430d - worth a price up i guess!

Andy

I found the 330d great to drive - very smooth indeed and this was without the bells and whistles from the dealer!

On a separate note and one at probably has been discussed on here but MG and Coral Red - good choice in the flesh? Very tempted by Estoril Blue but I get the nagging feeling it'll wear off on me and just be too flashy.

[RalphyBMW]

Do you need xDrive?
Are you aware of the suspension compromises?

[gromit2468]

Originally Posted by Dave85

On a separate note and one at probably has been discussed on here but MG and Coral Red - good choice in the flesh? Very tempted by Estoril Blue but I get the nagging feeling it'll wear off on me and just be too flashy.

I went for MG/CR and love it. I think the combination looks much more special than a black interior (but of course I'm biased!)

[Dave85]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

Do you need xDrive?
Are you aware of the suspension compromises?

I profess to not be an expert so will lean on your good self or others for advice. My rationale was purely down to better traction in crap conditions but then I didn't consider whether speccing an X Drive model would negate the beneifts that the Adaptive Suspension would bring.

[Dave85]

Originally Posted by gromit2468

I went for MG/CR and love it. I think the combination looks much more special than a black interior (but of course I'm biased!)

I definitely want Coral Red interior - just deciding on MG or EB!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Dave85

I definitely want Coral Red interior - just deciding on MG or EB!

Go for MG mate! No doubt EB is a stunning colour, but it does draw attention from nob drivers, so i got tired of it pretty quickly.

Or Black, it's looks great on the 4 series!

[RalphyBMW]

All xDrive models have SE spec suspension, thinner anti-roll bars, and a higher ride height, regardless of passive or adaptive suspension.

[Steven1077]

They do look good black, only wish is wasn't such a pain to keep clean

[TJB90]

Get Glacier Silver - It's the 2015 colour.

435D Convertible

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

They do look good black, only wish is wasn't such a pain to keep clean

That is my only reservation about black. I bet MG is the easiest to keep looking clean.

[Dave85]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

All xDrive models have SE spec suspension, thinner anti-roll bars, and a higher ride height, regardless of passive or adaptive suspension.

Ahh right.

In which case, is the Adaptive Suspension a worthwhile upgrade on an X-drive vehicle or i'll rephrase it, is it as noticeable a difference compared to a S-Drive?

[Dave85]

The dealer seems to believe that a revised price list for the face-lifted 3 will be due imminently so I will be in a better position to compare.

Sounds like i'll be paying more on a M-Sport Pack however you get LED's and (I think) Adaptive Headlights but slightly less on the Pro-Nav pack despite it being upgraded along with map updates.

[roshambo]

I'd be going for this personally (335d saloon) and any money spare on some options like M Sport +, HUD, folding mirrors and pro nav
Need to remember that the rear seats don't fold down in the saloon though, if that's ever an issue.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by roshambo

I'd be going for this personally (335d saloon) and any money spare on some options like M Sport +, HUD, folding mirrors and pro nav
Need to remember that the rear seats don't fold down in the saloon though, if that's ever an issue.

They will if you spec the interior comfort pack IIRC. Think it's about £180 (is on the F31 anyway)

[simnew]

Originally Posted by Dave85

Bit of advice please for a newbie here.

Looking to order my next car (business contract hire) and have literally been back and forth between a 3er, 4GC and even a 5 - also didn't discount a 3GT either. I think I'm finally looking to commit on a 430d GC but would it be worth my while waiting for the next face lifted version of the 3 as after test driving the 330d I was hugely impressed (haven't driven the 4GC as yet).

For the record, my quoted spec is as follows;

430d Gran Coupe X Drive M Sport Auto
Mineral Grey
Dakota Coral Red
M Sport Plus Pack
Interior Comfort Pack
Brushed Aluminium w/ Pearl Chrome
Exterior Folding Mirrors
Adaptive M Sport Suspension
Heated Steering Wheel

10k p.a. on a 3 plus 35 lease - quoted 447.43 plus VAT (cost to me 492.17 p/month)

Cheers in advance!

Seems like a good deal to me. How much are u putting into the deal?

As far as the suspension is concerned having the adaptive control will make a big difference. In my view I love the fact that the car rides so smoothly under normal comfort mode and you will find that the adaptive control contains any body roll in a very transparent way. Sometimes you will feel the car squat and the nose rise (a lateral movement) which is what some people on here don't like. If you put it in sport it doesn't do that either. After having adaptive , I wouldn't buy another BMW without it although in fairness, the MSport suspension is much improved and is much better (better balance between comfort and stiffness) than in the older models.
As far as the GC is concerned, you have more flexibility with storage because it's a hatchback, it looks more sleek than the saloon and it is more expensive but also has quite a lot more equipment. If you like the looks and can afford it, I think it's a great option.

[Dave85]

Originally Posted by simnew

Seems like a good deal to me. How much are u putting into the deal?

As far as the suspension is concerned having the adaptive control will make a big difference. In my view I love the fact that the car rides so smoothly under normal comfort mode and you will find that the adaptive control contains any body roll in a very transparent way. Sometimes you will feel the car squat and the nose rise (a lateral movement) which is what some people on here don't like. If you put it in sport it doesn't do that either. After having adaptive , I wouldn't buy another BMW without it although in fairness, the MSport suspension is much improved and is much better (better balance between comfort and stiffness) than in the older models.
As far as the GC is concerned, you have more flexibility with storage because it's a hatchback, it looks more sleek than the saloon and it is more expensive but also has quite a lot more equipment. If you like the looks and can afford it, I think it's a great option.

Thanks for the insight and for helping me justify it's inclusion!

Anyone have the heated steering wheel? Seems a bit poncey granted but for what it costs on the rentals I'm sure it'll be a welcome addition in the winter.

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by Dave85

Thanks for the insight and for helping me justify it's inclusion!

Anyone have the heated steering wheel? Seems a bit poncey granted but for what it costs on the rentals I'm sure it'll be a welcome addition in the winter.

Leather driving gloves maybe?

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by roshambo

I'd be going for this personally (335d saloon) and any money spare on some options like M Sport +, HUD, folding mirrors and pro nav
Need to remember that the rear seats don't fold down in the saloon though, if that's ever an issue.

The saloon is a better choice IMHO.

I drove the GT for 1500 miles. handled well but weighs so fuel consumption was down by 2-3mpg. However when I got my saloon the handling was much better.

M sport +, visibility package if you do lots of night driving, folding/dimming/dipping folders are essential, comfort package if you want to take long loads and want extra storage/light package