I took one last look at a 440i xDrive Gran Coupe...

BimmerBoomer · 11-20-2017, 10:43 AM

I am deserting the fold for a 2018 Audi S5 Sportback, but the Audi dealer accidentally ordered it with the flat bottomed steering wheel rather than the heated round wheel. So I gave BMW one more chance as my dealer located an appropriately speced car in B.C. (xDrive, Premium Enhanced, M Performance II, Mineral Grey/Black).

I started out with a simple test on the dealer's demo: would my wife's rollator fit across the back of the trunk on edge? The S5 Sportback swallows it up, the Gran Coupe's trunk is a good 4" too shallow. Truth be told, my 435i coupe's trunk handles it better lengthwise as placed width-wise in the Gran Coupe it pretty much covered the entire floor of the trunk.

I then took it for a drive and was disconcerted with the lack of elbow room. My 435i's cabin is probably only about 1" wider at the elbow/armrest, but I just couldn't get comfortable.

All of this is quite idiosyncratic - applying only to those with very long arms and a disabled spouse - and otherwise the car was very familiar and perhaps the steering in Sport was somewhat improved. So, I'll be wearing gloves on cold mornings and hoping that an iteration of the g20 platform will fit me better in 3-4 years.

BEM-S4 · 11-20-2017, 11:33 AM

Can't the dealer swap the wheel for you? Unless the electronics aren't there for heat - people swap wheels all the time.

On the upside of things the flat bottom wheel is sexy.

BimmerBoomer · 11-20-2017, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Can't the dealer swap the wheel for you? Unless the electronics aren't there for heat - people swap wheels all the time.

On the upside of things the flat bottom wheel is sexy.

But truth be told I like the look of the flat bottomed wheel, and I got free paint sealing to make up for their mistake.

BEM-S4 · 11-20-2017, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerBoomer

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Can't the dealer swap the wheel for you? Unless the electronics aren't there for heat - people swap wheels all the time.

On the upside of things the flat bottom wheel is sexy.

But truth be told I like the look of the flat bottomed wheel, and I got free paint sealing to make up for their mistake.

That's a win then. The heated wheel is nice for 10 mins a day when the car is cold, flat bottom nice all day every day.

spuntyb · 11-20-2017, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerBoomer

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Can't the dealer swap the wheel for you? Unless the electronics aren't there for heat - people swap wheels all the time.

On the upside of things the flat bottom wheel is sexy.

But truth be told I like the look of the flat bottomed wheel, and I got free paint sealing to make up for their mistake.

Win win. Enjoy in good health!

Climb Mode · 11-20-2017, 01:28 PM

These audi's look pretty cool lately. But no 6MT makes them a non-starter for me. Enjoy!

technologic · 11-20-2017, 04:20 PM

S5 Sportback is a very sweet car! Feels a lot bigger to me than the 440i. Enjoy!

BimmerBoomer · 11-22-2017, 06:12 PM

After 21 years of BMWs - including three M3s - and about 1 million kilometers I switched brands with some trepidation. So far I'm pleased.

11-20-2017, 10:43 AM	#1
BimmerBoomer demoted 453 Rep 1,172 Posts Drives: 2022 Audi S5 Sportback Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Grimsby, Ontario iTrader: (0)	I took one last look at a 440i xDrive Gran Coupe... I am deserting the fold for a 2018 Audi S5 Sportback, but the Audi dealer accidentally ordered it with the flat bottomed steering wheel rather than the heated round wheel. So I gave BMW one more chance as my dealer located an appropriately speced car in B.C. (xDrive, Premium Enhanced, M Performance II, Mineral Grey/Black). I started out with a simple test on the dealer's demo: would my wife's rollator fit across the back of the trunk on edge? The S5 Sportback swallows it up, the Gran Coupe's trunk is a good 4" too shallow. Truth be told, my 435i coupe's trunk handles it better lengthwise as placed width-wise in the Gran Coupe it pretty much covered the entire floor of the trunk. I then took it for a drive and was disconcerted with the lack of elbow room. My 435i's cabin is probably only about 1" wider at the elbow/armrest, but I just couldn't get comfortable. All of this is quite idiosyncratic - applying only to those with very long arms and a disabled spouse - and otherwise the car was very familiar and perhaps the steering in Sport was somewhat improved. So, I'll be wearing gloves on cold mornings and hoping that an iteration of the g20 platform will fit me better in 3-4 years.
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11-20-2017, 11:33 AM	#2
BEM-S4 Major General 4516 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	Can't the dealer swap the wheel for you? Unless the electronics aren't there for heat - people swap wheels all the time. On the upside of things the flat bottom wheel is sexy. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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11-20-2017, 01:28 PM	#6
Climb Mode First Lieutenant 119 Rep 322 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	These audi's look pretty cool lately. But no 6MT makes them a non-starter for me. Enjoy!
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11-20-2017, 04:20 PM	#7
technologic Enlisted Member 52 Rep 47 Posts Drives: F36 LCI 440i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	S5 Sportback is a very sweet car! Feels a lot bigger to me than the 440i. Enjoy!
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11-22-2017, 06:12 PM	#8
BimmerBoomer demoted 453 Rep 1,172 Posts Drives: 2022 Audi S5 Sportback Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Grimsby, Ontario iTrader: (0)	thanks for the words of encouragement... After 21 years of BMWs - including three M3s - and about 1 million kilometers I switched brands with some trepidation. So far I'm pleased.
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