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Originally Posted by sr5959

Totally agree, embrace the hatchback!

Ditto, read pretty much any review, it's refered to as a hatchback.

It is a nice 40/50k hatch, however no matter about the GC moniker, it's a hatch.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Great minds think alike.

I seriously think half the people here have never seen a Gran Coupe in real life or confuse the GT with the GC. Either that, or like the petty "the F30 has cheaper interior materials!" argument that went on for years the GC haters are looking for some nitpick. All it takes is one look at the Gran Coupe to know what's what, anyone who hates on the GC has taken an indefensible position. We know people who spend $10,000 to try to make their E90's or F30's look like an F36 comes stock from the factory, time for everyone to get real.

Why would someone spend $10k to make their e90 or f30 to look like a F36? Have you seen any that done that? I think it's only in your "great" mind.

I am not saying the GC is ugly designed at all, seasons why I won't get a hatchback is I am just not feeling it, if I want a sportier entry level bmw I would pick the 4 coupe, not a stretched out 4GC. And to me the 5th door really doesn't do anything for me.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by laz4

I have seen many posters in multiple threads make the "not for me" comment in regards to the GC hatch. It just doesn't make sense to me.

The hidden hatch is a major selling point for me. It doesn't look like a hatch but makes loading equipment or the occasional unfortunate trip to ikea much easier.

Not all needs that space. For you yes, but not for all. Get it now?

[DocB]

I owned a 3 series (330i) for 9 years and I can't recall anyone complimenting me on my car. I have owned my 4GC (Carbon Black/M-sport) for 1 month and at least a half dozen people have gone out of their way to tell me how much they like the car. The visual difference between the 3 and 4GC is big and in a good way.

[bee-em-win]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Being completely honest, I tell you what I told BMW when they sent a research firm to my home to interview me:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is the car that a 47 year old father dreams of. In our 20's and early 30's, we drove Coupe's. Two doors, low rooflines, low ground clearance, we're men, we're single, very upwardly mobile very quickly, we're driving the Ultimate Attraction Machine, we're going to find the trophy wife, the hunt is stellar, it's awesome. You remember.

But in our late 30's and 40's, the job gets big, babies come popping out, and practicality is now our reality and gone are the sexy rides and on comes the four-door Family Sedan and the Minivan. Wife is great, kids are great, but the cars take the hit. Need four doors, need space, all those car carriers, all those car seats, all those boosters, all those strollers. The Ultimate Daddy Machine.

And after doing this for 15 years, we lust for Coupe after Coupe, the E46 into the E92 into the F32, we can look, but we cannot touch. Ah, but BMW has the solution. Take the F32, cut two more doors, poof, just like that, dad has his Coupe back.

So that's why it's humorous to see the Gran Coupe lumped in with the puffy, bulbous, pedestrian, and practical likes of the GT and X4 which are more vehicles for the frustrated father. The Gran Coupe is their antidote.

All of this and more. Anyone who says there are huge differences between the 3 sedan, 3 GT and 4 GC are mad, clearly components and drive are just about the same (perhaps the GT has more wallow). But that's not the point - there's a tiny design margin between sleek style and lumpen stodge and the GC is firmly in the former. Mine'll be here in a week

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by DocB

I owned a 3 series (330i) for 9 years and I can't recall anyone complimenting me on my car. I have owned my 4GC (Carbon Black/M-sport) for 1 month and at least a half dozen people have gone out of their way to tell me how much they like the car. The visual difference between the 3 and 4GC is big and in a good way.

People compliment my F34 also, so what? When they see something for the first time, it polarizes them and they make a comment. Used to get the same thing with the CTS-V, which also wasn't a beautiful car.

[bee-em-win]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Ditto, read pretty much any review, it's refered to as a hatchback.

It is a nice 40/50k hatch, however no matter about the GC moniker, it's a hatch.

Sure. Hatches are the future

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by bee-em-win

All of this and more. Anyone who says there are huge differences between the 3 sedan, 3 GT and 4 GC are mad, clearly components and drive are just about the same (perhaps the GT has more wallow). But that's not the point - there's a tiny design margin between sleek style and lumpen stodge and the GC is firmly in the former. Mine'll be here in a week

The GT is a bigger car. Its based on the long wheelbase platform with the F35. All the others are on the short platform. The F30, 31, 32, and 36 are all the same. I believe the F33 may have more chassis reinforcement, or maybe not.

[bee-em-win]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

The GT is a bigger car. Its based on the long wheelbase platform with the F35. All the others are on the short platform. The F30, 31, 32, and 36 are all the same. I believe the F33 may have more chassis reinforcement, or maybe not.

GT's great if you need the extra space/practicality. So's the F31 for even more. The only choice I don't get is the F30 which seems really staid and fleet-y to me - if that was my budget I'd really try and fit myself into a nicer spec 2-series or 1-series.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by bee-em-win

GT's great if you need the extra space/practicality. So's the F31 for even more. The only choice I don't get is the F30 which seems really staid and fleet-y to me - if that was my budget I'd really try and fit myself into a nicer spec 2-series or 1-series.

Actually the GT has a bigger cargo area than the wagon, and a bigger backseat than any BMW besides the 5GT or LWB 7. Its the ultimate F3X for space and practicality.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Actually the GT has a bigger cargo area than the wagon, and a bigger backseat than any BMW besides the 5GT or LWB 7. Its the ultimate F3X for space and practicality.

It's definitely bigger out back than the F31. The F31 has the same dimensions as the F30 sedan, it just has a wagon boot, for anyone reading this and not in the know. The F34 boot, while large, was not as usable for us because of the sloping angle. Same reason we didn't get the A7. I lusted after one and then realized the boot was made far less useful by that sloping roof. The backseat in the F34 is absolutely gigantic though. It almost sold me!

[laz4]

Originally Posted by Prissy

Not all needs that space. For you yes, but not for all. Get it now?

I was clear to say that it was a selling point FOR ME. Though the larger point I was making was that the existence of a hatch that doesn't look or register as a hatchback when shut cannot really be a disruptive or offensive feature for somebody.

Anyone who takes that position is basically saying that a bigger rear loading experience is something that bothers them. That same person would benefit from psychological analysis.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by bee-em-win

Sure. Hatches are the future

Agreed.


The standard version has the same wheelbase as the GT. The GT has more rear legroom and a larger trunk. The Porsche costs a bit more.

Anyone who takes that position is basically saying that a bigger rear loading experience is something that bothers them.

Doesn't bother Kanye West.

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Here's what you don't get: The entire reason we love the Gran Coupe so much is because of its impracticality.

Compared to the Sedan it's lower, wider yet more cramped, has challenging rear passenger ingress/egress, tight headroom, reduced rear visibility, it's more expensive, it's a car that shouldn't exist.

But it does. And it sells. Simply because it's so beautiful. It's truly the ultimate, Ultimate Driving Machine.

Couldn't this same argument be made for a 4 series coupe?

IMO I would rather drive the coupe over the gran coup

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by laz4

I was clear to say that it was a selling point FOR ME. Though the larger point I was making was that the existence of a hatch that doesn't look or register as a hatchback when shut cannot really be a disruptive or offensive feature for somebody.

Anyone who takes that position is basically saying that a bigger rear loading experience is something that bothers them. That same person would benefit from psychological analysis.

you said it didn't make sense to you, my quote was basically saying something that doesn't suit you might suit the others. Pretty sure if most didn't need that rear space would get a coupe instead.

[Mike_L]

Some people here act like driving a 4 door is bad. Nothing wrong with it. I've been driving 4 and 5 doors since I was in my early 20's. I have no desire to have a 2 door. Why give up practicality for no reason? Are you really that vain? Only 2 door I'd buy would be a 2 seater.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by WWM3

Couldn't this same argument be made for a 4 series coupe?

IMO I would rather drive the coupe over the gran coup

Yes. The two-door Coupe is beautiful too of course, I'm a huge fan of anyone driving my car with two less doors just to make it harder on his friends to get in/out of there (although once you get used to the Gran Coupe those rear quarter panels look awfully large without doors in them).

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Some people here act like driving a 4 door is bad. Nothing wrong with it. I've been driving 4 and 5 doors since I was in my early 20's. I have no desire to have a 2 door. Why give up practicality for no reason? Are you really that vain? Only 2 door I'd buy would be a 2 seater.

It's not about the doors. It's about the other attributes that distinguish a Coupe from a Sedan. Lower. Wider. Sportier. Fewer of them on the roads. That's what we had in our 20s and early 30s, that's what we lost in our late 30s and 40s.

Without a Gran Coupe and it's four doors, I'd have been unable to get the look and feel of a Coupe for another 10 years due to my kids ages, just couldn't ask them to climb back there. The F36 puts me back in a Coupe and still allows kids reasonable access.

If the definition of "vain" is the willingness to spend more and compromise egress for the sake of a more attractive profile then, yes, Gran Coupe owners are quite vain. Looks matter.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Joe, I don't think clubs fit unless you put seat down. Definitely not sideways. Takes it out of my driveway.

That is correct, sideways. But my point is that without the liftgate the Gran Coupe would be roundly criticized for having such a tiny trunk opening that one couldn't even squeeze a set of clubs through it, would have made the car completely frustrating.

The way BMW solved the problem is to make the trunk opening through the rear glass which was brilliant- it preserves the sleek look of the Coupe while actually enhancing the very trunk access it was once crippled by.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by jonkarn

If the 4GC was out at this time last year I wouldve gone that way because of the "HATCH". Yes I said it. Hatch

NOOOOOOOO!

Originally Posted by Brigand

Ditto, read pretty much any review, it's refered to as a hatchback. It is a nice 40/50k hatch, however no matter about the GC moniker, it's a hatch.

MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!

Originally Posted by sr5959

Totally agree, embrace the hatchback!

AHHHHHHHH!



As you're likely aware, a "Hatchback" was a moniker describing a disgusting econobox from the 1980s that set automotive design back a decade. I wouldn't be caught dead in a "Hatchback".

It's a "liftgate". BMW themselves refer to it as a WALC (Wide Access Luggage Compartment). It has a trunk; it just opens in a really special way.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by Prissy

Why would someone spend $10k to make their e90 or f30 to look like a F36? Have you seen any that done that? I think it's only in your "great" mind.

We've spent three years watching people drop and flare their F30's to make them look 2" lower at the roof and .5" lower at the ground and wider and meaner which is what you get out of the box with an F36. That's what I'm referring to.

Originally Posted by Prissy

I am not saying the GC is ugly designed at all, seasons why I won't get a hatchback is I am just not feeling it, if I want a sportier entry level bmw I would pick the 4 coupe, not a stretched out 4GC. And to me the 5th door really doesn't do anything for me.

Saying the GC is "ugly" is ludicrous since it looks better than the rest of the F3X line right out of the box with the exception of the F32 which only looks slightly better due to the shorter roofline. It's not a hatchback. 'Hatchback' is a derogatory word for trunkless econocars. There is nothing entry-level about a 4 Series. We've got a 3 Series and a 2 Series for entry-level now, I count about a dozen BMW's that are cheaper, more commonplace, and less desirable than the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by joewalton

It's not about the doors. It's about the other attributes that distinguish a Coupe from a Sedan. Lower. Wider. Sportier. Fewer of them on the roads. That's what we had in our 20s and early 30s, that's what we lost in our late 30s and 40s.

Without a Gran Coupe and it's four doors, I'd have been unable to get the look and feel of a Coupe for another 10 years due to my kids ages, just couldn't ask them to climb back there. The F36 puts me back in a Coupe and still allows kids reasonable access.

If the definition of "vain" is the willingness to spend more and compromise egress for the sake of a more attractive profile then, yes, Gran Coupe owners are quite vain. Looks matter.

There appears to be some confusion about whether the 4GC is a coupe or a sedan.