My impressions of 4 Series Gran Coupe from closed room preview at Belgium Auto Show

r3dbimmer89 · 01-28-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramos

Agreed. This should have been the 3er GT

Gran Coupe's should not have hatches

Probably copying the Audi A5 Gran Coupe (not avail in the US). It is also a 5 door and is very similar to the A7. I think it's a cool idea that it's a 5 door...think 3 series meet baby Panamera/A7.

hellrotm · 01-28-2014, 05:39 PM

So is it a 4 or 5 passenger car?

aajami · 01-28-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

Probably copying the Audi A5 Gran Coupe (not avail in the US). It is also a 5 door and is very similar to the A7. I think it's a cool idea that it's a 5 door...think 3 series meet baby Panamera/A7.

A5 Sportback, you mean. It's also interesting that Audi didn't use the "Sportback" nomenclature on the A7.

These German companies can't get their naming conventions in order

wisesoul · 01-28-2014, 06:48 PM

That's how the F30 should've looked like lol! Looks great

RichReg · 01-28-2014, 06:55 PM

Great review...thanks.

This might sound like a stupid question but, the 4GC will be available in the U.S., correct? Only reason I ask is because the Audi A5 Sportback is not....they even have a petition on Facebook to bring it here!

ORIGIN M. · 01-28-2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichReg

Great review...thanks.

This might sound like a stupid question but, the 4GC will be available in the U.S., correct? Only reason I ask is because the Audi A5 Sportback is not....they even have a petition on Facebook to bring it here!

Well anything can change... Audi listens to US & Canadian buyers in this format otherwise NA would've never seen the TTRS.

RichReg · 01-28-2014, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Well anything can change... Audi listens to US & Canadian buyers in this format otherwise NA would've never seen the TTRS.

Yes, but I mean ...what is the plan?
Does BMW intend to introduce this car to the U.S. at launch?

ORIGIN M. · 01-28-2014, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichReg

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Well anything can change... Audi listens to US & Canadian buyers in this format otherwise NA would've never seen the TTRS.

Yes, but I mean ...what is the plan?
Does BMW intend to introduce this car to the U.S. at launch?

Why wouldn't they -

BMW is not screwing around !

RichReg · 01-28-2014, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Why wouldn't they -

Well, it seems like many here (including myself) are hungry for info...mostly because we aren't getting as much as European countries (like Belgium) who are already seeing the car FULLY uncovered.

Where are the prototypes driving around the U.S.? Surely we'd seen the F30 & F32 prototypes driving around already in California at least this close to launchtime. So where's the F36 been?

Couple that with the fact that Audi doesn't bring the A5 Sportback here, it would be nice to get something more official this late in the game.

ORIGIN M. · 01-28-2014, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichReg

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Why wouldn't they -

Well, it seems like many here (including myself) are hungry for info...mostly because we aren't getting as much as European countries (like Belgium) who are already seeing the car FULLY uncovered.

Where are the prototypes driving around the U.S.? Surely we'd seen the F30 & F32 prototypes driving around already in California at least this close to launchtime. So where's the F36 been?

Couple that with the fact that Audi doesn't bring the A5 Sportback here, it would be nice to get something more official this late in the game.

It's a supply issue to start so no not every market can have it at launch.

insanediego · 01-28-2014, 09:11 PM

Not sure if BMW is better in this regard, but other frameless windows I've had have been plagued with additional wind noise - the cars are nowhere near as quiet as standard door frames.

My main concern would be rear headroom (it's ridiculous to have a four-door car that can't seat 6 footers), rear visibility, and noise.

Oliver1 · 01-28-2014, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichReg

Well, it seems like many here (including myself) are hungry for info...mostly because we aren't getting as much as European countries (like Belgium) who are already seeing the car FULLY uncovered.

Where are the prototypes driving around the U.S.? Surely we'd seen the F30 & F32 prototypes driving around already in California at least this close to launchtime. So where's the F36 been?

Couple that with the fact that Audi doesn't bring the A5 Sportback here, it would be nice to get something more official this late in the game.

Not much to test, same engines, transmissions as the F30/F31/F32/F34 which is what the F36 is derived from.

Ash83 · 01-28-2014, 09:20 PM

Does this mean we will get a M4 GC in the future like the M6 GC?

Gjm127 · 01-28-2014, 09:32 PM

this will cannibalize 3er sales ... up to DISCONTINUATION!!! I mean, it just looks way better and has approximately the same features!

I'm kidding about the discontinuation but still...

Gjm127 · 01-28-2014, 09:34 PM

what's the badge gonna be on this car? The same as for the 4er? Logically speaking it should because the 6er GC's badge is identical to the 6er.

All of this is gonna look pretty confusing to the non-enthusiast, isn't it?

aajami · 01-28-2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjm127

what's the badge gonna be on this car? The same as for the 4er? Logically speaking it should because the 6er GC's badge is identical to the 6er.

All of this is gonna look pretty confusing to the non-enthusiast, isn't it?

6GC has a "Gran Coupe" badge along the C-pillar. I assume this will as well.

aajami · 01-28-2014, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash83

Does this mean we will get a M4 GC in the future like the M6 GC?

Too early to tell, according to @Scott26 and @Jason.

Z8chP · 01-28-2014, 09:59 PM

This actually looks alot better than I thought.

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 01-28-2014, 10:11 PM

The 4GC sounds ideal for me since work demands a sedan, yet I don't really use my rear seats for humans very often. Also, I need as much cargo utility as possible, so a hatch sounds great for how I use my vehicle.

Minor drawbacks would be the additional noise, and more importantly, weight (bracing) needed to compensate for the inherent lack of stiffness of a hatch body using frameless doors.

Personal deal breaker was the expected price difference of a 435GC compared to the screaming deal I got on the 335i in my sig.

SoCali E36 · 01-28-2014, 11:41 PM

So it's a 4GT and not a 4GC…

hwelvaar · 01-29-2014, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insanediego

Not sure if BMW is better in this regard, but other frameless windows I've had have been plagued with additional wind noise - the cars are nowhere near as quiet as standard door frames.

My main concern would be rear headroom (it's ridiculous to have a four-door car that can't seat 6 footers), rear visibility, and noise.

It's ridiculous to ignore that people might need 4 doors just to seat their kids, and don't give a rats ass about your 6 foot.

insanediego · 01-29-2014, 12:36 AM

Hey - no worries - some of my best friends are short people!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

It's ridiculous to ignore that people might need 4 doors just to seat their kids, and don't give a rats ass about your 6 foot.

01-28-2014, 05:39 PM	#24
hellrotm Banned 4143 Rep 6,926 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ...Location...Location iTrader: (0)	So is it a 4 or 5 passenger car?
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01-28-2014, 06:48 PM	#26
wisesoul Savoir Faire 74 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Ca iTrader: (0)	That's how the F30 should've looked like lol! Looks great __________________ Current: Alpine White F10 M5\|H&R springs\|12mm/10mm spacers\|Eisenmann Race Sold:Imola Yellow RS4-KW V3\|MTM 10mm spacers\|Hotchkis rear sway bar\|APR Stage 1\|Milltek Catless\|RNS-E\|Euro RS4 Flat bottom Steering Wheel Sold:E46 323i
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01-28-2014, 06:55 PM	#27
RichReg Colonel 121 Rep 2,099 Posts Drives: 2015 435Xi GC & 2000 323Ci. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Great review...thanks. This might sound like a stupid question but, the 4GC will be available in the U.S., correct? Only reason I ask is because the Audi A5 Sportback is not....they even have a petition on Facebook to bring it here!
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01-28-2014, 09:11 PM	#33
insanediego Enlisted Member 3 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 335i (on order) Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Not sure if BMW is better in this regard, but other frameless windows I've had have been plagued with additional wind noise - the cars are nowhere near as quiet as standard door frames. My main concern would be rear headroom (it's ridiculous to have a four-door car that can't seat 6 footers), rear visibility, and noise.
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01-28-2014, 09:20 PM	#35
Ash83 Major 41 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 135i & RS5 (SOLD)/ 18 CTS-V Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	Does this mean we will get a M4 GC in the future like the M6 GC? __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth Performance: JB4\|BMW PE\|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals\|Black Kidney Grill
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01-28-2014, 09:32 PM	#36
Gjm127 Lieutenant 40 Rep 544 Posts Drives: BMW 435i xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Montreal, QC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F32 435i x ... [9.50] 2009 BMW E92 328i x ... [9.66]	this will cannibalize 3er sales ... up to DISCONTINUATION!!! I mean, it just looks way better and has approximately the same features! I'm kidding about the discontinuation but still...
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01-28-2014, 09:34 PM	#37
Gjm127 Lieutenant 40 Rep 544 Posts Drives: BMW 435i xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Montreal, QC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F32 435i x ... [9.50] 2009 BMW E92 328i x ... [9.66]	what's the badge gonna be on this car? The same as for the 4er? Logically speaking it should because the 6er GC's badge is identical to the 6er. All of this is gonna look pretty confusing to the non-enthusiast, isn't it?
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01-28-2014, 09:59 PM	#40
Z8chP Private 0 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 06 330cic zhp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North jersey iTrader: (0)	This actually looks alot better than I thought.
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01-28-2014, 10:11 PM	#41
Dog Face Pony Soldier 2006 TIME Person Of The Year 9720 Rep 6,445 Posts Drives: M Sport 335i Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 335i [9.74]	The 4GC sounds ideal for me since work demands a sedan, yet I don't really use my rear seats for humans very often. Also, I need as much cargo utility as possible, so a hatch sounds great for how I use my vehicle. Minor drawbacks would be the additional noise, and more importantly, weight (bracing) needed to compensate for the inherent lack of stiffness of a hatch body using frameless doors. Personal deal breaker was the expected price difference of a 435GC compared to the screaming deal I got on the 335i in my sig. __________________
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01-28-2014, 11:41 PM	#42
SoCali E36 BMW Client Advisor 999 Rep 3,526 Posts Drives: X5 40e/e36 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Where the road takes me... iTrader: (10)	So it's a 4GT and not a 4GC… __________________
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