[movietub]

A 4 series is just a 3 series with a different rear end... Nope.

I had a 330D touring back in 2012, it was at that time a brand new model and it was, of course, pretty excellent. In fact it was quite hilarious to give a friend a lift in my 'oil burner' see their jaw drop a little under hard acceleration. It was also incredibly practical being an estate car.

Then I had a Golf GTD.. It was fine but certainly not even close to comparing haha. Although the e-diff was very impressive on the golf.

I recently decided I had to get back into a BMW, so I was split between a 330D touring or 430D Gran Coupe. The 330D saloon was a no go as it was simply not as practical as either of the other two.

In the end I was won over by the coupe styling, and went for the 430D GC. I had assumed the drive would feel exactly the same as the 3 series, but driven back to back it's remarkable how different it is. I think a big part is the lower seating perhaps, which changes the perception of the cars handling from the drivers perspective. But it also feels way more go-kart like than the 3 saloon (or of course the tourer). I swear the steering is different, it feels so eager to dart into corners. Hard to compare the ride quality as the 330 had adaptive suspension, the 430 just standard M sport. But it's fine, it's certainly well judged as a setup.

It's also noticeably lower, not just the seating position, but the roof line. I suspect also the steering is faster but not certain. It just seems to feel so much sharper than the 3.

The practicality is superb. Granted, more than 2 adults in the back is too tight to bother but how often am I going to do that!? The hatchback on the 4 however is of benefit all the time, I genuinely believe for most people it is more practical than the 3 saloon. Which leaves me wondering who the 3 saloon is really for now...?

Anyway, here she is... The styling kit was put on by the dealer. The spec is pretty generous and it was mine for £21,500 with 20k on the clock. In the spring, I will fit a tuning box or possibly a remap. Doesn't seem worth it over the winter though.

[Tengocity]

Could also be that you're driving a facelifted car with about 5 years extra development. Quite a lot of tweaks have happened to the suspension through that time.

Good to hear you're enjoying it though

[330XDave]

Those 20's may have something to do with it feeling sharper on turn in too.

Lovely looking car though.

[Watsey]

Great looking car. Good choice.

[movietub]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Could also be that you're driving a facelifted car with about 5 years extra development. Quite a lot of tweaks have happened to the suspension through that time.

Good to hear you're enjoying it though

It's a 2015 car, I also drove a 2015 3, they do feel different! I think a lot of it is my feeling different from being sat lower down more than the car behaving differently overall.

the steering, feels different for sure though. Both cars on 20's, this dealer puts them all on 20's after picking them up ex lease etc.

[movietub]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Those 20's may have something to do with it feeling sharper on turn in too.

Lovely looking car though.

The 3 was also on 20's so I think something else is going on. But I have to be honest and say that there is some tram lining with the bigger wheels, a little disconcerting at times. Hard to argue with the visual appeal though

[movietub]

One surprise that came with the car, I didn't realise straight away but it has the self parking option!! It's quicker to park it yourself of course, it's basically a toy. But I guess the whole car is a toy really, so that's fine

[dopper99]

Were the tyres different on the 3 and 4 series? Different tyre brands can make a big difference to handling and comfort.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Were the tyres different on the 3 and 4 series? Different tyre brands can make a big difference to handling and comfort.

Agree, You could drive 2 different F30 330d's and they might also feel very different.
Also it's common for the racks to go bad on these,.. the steering can feel totally different on the same car after a clunking racks been replaced!

[movietub]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Were the tyres different on the 3 and 4 series? Different tyre brands can make a big difference to handling and comfort.

No, the dealer buys ex lease cars at auction (all sporty bmw's) and puts the new kit, wheels and tyres on. So both exactly the same.

Come to think of it, it's quite a rare opportunity to test the two cars with same size wheels and identical tyres.

It didn't surprise me that the two were slightly different, I know that when they have the pre-production car they will tweak suspension etc even if it's basically an adaption of another already well sorted car (in this case the 3 series). But I was surprised at how different the two felt on this occasion.

[teaston]

What tyres does it have?

[goodbyalfa]

Looks pretty mean. I went from a 2015 f30 to a 2018 f36. Night and day handling and turn in.

[thescouselander]

lol - going by the state of that road those rims are going to last about 10 mins. Very nice though - silver is definitely the best colour on the GC IMO.

[Ajs_435d]

They are lighter than a 3 series too

[DaveH28]

Lovely looking car... wheels look great...
I do wonder if it's because the 4 is a later car.. I have had both too.. 63 plate 330d tourer and 440i gc...
Definately better suspension and steering feel but I believe some of it is because the 4 is the same setup as the 3 series lci

[Len_Beach]

Bought from Your Next Car?

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by Ajs_435d

They are lighter than a 3 series too

No they're not.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by Len_Beach

Bought from Your Next Car?

More than likely, I did wonder why all their BMW's have full M Sport aftermarket kit on them. Put me off ever looking at their cars to be honest, gave me the impression they'd all probably been abused. Never occurred to me that they fitted them.

[Len_Beach]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

More than likely, I did wonder why all their BMW's have full M Sport aftermarket kit on them. Put me off ever looking at their cars to be honest, gave me the impression they'd all probably been abused. Never occurred to me that they fitted them.

I looked at one bought from there 4 weeks earlier that the owner didn't like as she was used to having a Range Rover and the high driving position.

The kit was held on with randomly spaced self tappers, the splitter and wheels which are termed "Black Pack" were riddled in orange peel, there was a key missing, the brake fluid service was overdue by 1,000 miles and the front brake pads were due in 500 miles.

The seller wanted what she paid for it which was 2k more than what is was worth. She ended up selling back to Your Next Car who put it up for £500 more than they last sold it for claiming full service history despite the pads and fluids not having been done.

Take from that what you will.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

No they're not.

I concur

http://www.zeperfs.com/en/duel5613-6851.htm

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Ajs_435d

They are lighter than a 3 series too

Gran Coupes are actually heavier than a 3 series.

[movietub]

Originally Posted by Len_Beach

Bought from Your Next Car?

Nope, from this place: https://www.sjamesprestige.com/

I have had two friends buy BMW's from them, the after sales service/care is good and they're very open about their business model = they buy and sell for minimal markup, and rely upon volume. I asked and they did 80 cars last month!! I did compare to Autotrader and I could only find cheaper 4 series for the same sort of money by buying private, and even then, only slightly cheaper.

When I started looking for a 3 / 4 series I didn't set out to buy one with a kit, but I actually quite like it. It also has the M+ pack, so it has the brakes to match the extra bhp that kit gives me

It feels like a new car, I'm very happy with it. It has 20ish on the clock, my old 3 was handed back with 45k and also felt as good as day one (I leased that one so it was brand new).