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So now that details of the 4 Series Gran Coupe (4 door) are getting announced. How many 3 series saloon drivers would have or will get one of these instead?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/4-s...specs-revealed

[Alkidrew]

Very nice, looks better than the 2 door and that hatch boot is nifty

[nordberg]

Hmmm.... Don't know really. It looks great and I suppose if you don't like the looks of the 3GT you might consider this instead.

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Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Very nice, looks better than the 2 door and that hatch boot is nifty

Yeah, I wonder how it will impact 3 saloons?

Mainly none family owners, business users etc.

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Originally Posted by nordberg

Hmmm.... Don't know really. It looks great and I suppose if you don't like the looks of the 3GT you might consider this instead.

I think the 3 gt sits well with dog owners or similar who do not ( for some bizarre reason) like the tourer.

[macca1410]

First thought was yes. But the boot is the same size as the 3 and I still like the 3 shape. No regrets.....that is without seeing one in person though.

[Dave_3]

I like it. I don't need the extra doors, but it does look good.

Notice they are only showing the Sdrive versions, exactly as they did with the 4 series on launch..... If it sits anything like the f32 Xdrives I can undestand why. Yet to see any f32 Xdrive used in advertising or reviews.

D.

[Tengocity]

I really like it! I liked the concept of the A5 Sportback and at last BMW have a competitor!

I have a tourer because I'm fed up of the awkwardness of using the saloon boot. It's not the outright space I need, more the usability and so the stupid little opening makes it so hard to use the whole of the boot. If you carry golf clubs especially, but I imagine it's the same with a pushchair and then some bags of shopping. I didn't like the high position on the 3GT, and didn't need to the extra rear leg room, or the handling compromise. So we got a tourer. However, had this been available, or had I known in October that it would have a liftback then I may have waited.

Having said that, the xdrive tourer and a 435i sdrive version of this, might be a good family combo!

[Apl440i or 335d?]

I think the 4 door is the better looking model than the 3 door. It's almost like that is what to was meant to be from the start..

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Yeah, I wonder how it will impact 3 saloons?

Mainly none family owners, business users etc.

I'd say people would consider the saloon to still be the 'drivers' choice as one of the key benefits is the rigidity of a saloon versus hatch or tourers. F30 looks sportier on first impression too. However, this gran coupe would look nice in luxury spec with wood interior.

[alex_chung]

Just seen a few pictures and the Promo video. Looks nice and Audi definitely has a competitor to their A5 Sportback.
Alex

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

I'd say people would consider the saloon to still be the 'drivers' choice as one of the key benefits is the rigidity of a saloon versus hatch or tourers. F30 looks sportier on first impression too. However, this gran coupe would look nice in luxury spec with wood interior.

You are right, as I can tell that the tourer is slightly affected on really bad surfaces compared to a saloon - you see the vibration much more in the rear view mirror.Perhaps this is the reason they are not going to make an M version?

Though if they can make convertible one they can manage this too!

But in reality, most people don't drive their family type car in such a way for this to be relevant in affecting their decision, over other factors. That the tourer is heavier probably makes more of a difference. And for most people, just liking how something looks is going to sway them more than handling at 9/10ths.

[NISFAN]

The 4GC looks like the love child of a 4coupe and 3GT.

Will they sell? They are quite a bit more money than a 3, with (other than a tailgate, which is a personal preference) no obvious advantages. They are roughly £3k more than the equivalent 3 series, well not exactly as I'm sure they will come with things like electric seats and nav as standard, like the 4coupe does, but still, you could spec a 3 better for a similar size car.

The fail for me is that it is too close to a 3. At least Audi have slotted the A5 size wise between A4 and A6.

[Walesy]

somehow I think my 3er will be going at some point LOL

This is beautiful, I love the shape and the 4 doors.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

The 4GC looks like the love child of a 4coupe and 3GT.

Will they sell? They are quite a bit more money than a 3, with (other than a tailgate, which is a personal preference) no obvious advantages. They are roughly £3k more than the equivalent 3 series, well not exactly as I'm sure they will come with things like electric seats and nav as standard, like the 4coupe does, but still, you could spec a 3 better for a similar size car.

The fail for me is that it is too close to a 3. At least Audi have slotted the A5 size wise between A4 and A6.

But the A5 isn't really any bigger, it's all about the style. And the A5 is more differentiated than a 4 is. So I'd agree that maybe all the 4 series cars need to be more differnet to the 3 than than they are.
The pricing makes sense to me, and the 3k difference will not make that much difference over the course of a 3 year PCP as the residuals will likely be comparable.
It will be a success for BMW if this model captures additional people who otherwise wouldn't have chosen a BMW. If all it does it converts existing BMW owners then won't help that much to their sales, except maybe improve the margin a little if they can lessen the discount on a 4.

[NISFAN]

The line up:

[moonshine]

i’m a fan of the touring, i don’t like saloons as a general thing as they are not practical enough got my needs - i don’t like the 3GT / 5GT profiles. I like the profile of the 4 and think the but the 4GC is very nice - (for me it is what the 3GT should have been like.)

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

But the A5 isn't really any bigger, it's all about the style. And the A5 is more differentiated than a 4 is. So I'd agree that maybe all the 4 series cars need to be more differnet to the 3 than than they are.
The pricing makes sense to me, and the 3k difference will not make that much difference over the course of a 3 year PCP as the residuals will likely be comparable.
It will be a success for BMW if this model captures additional people who otherwise wouldn't have chosen a BMW. If all it does it converts existing BMW owners then won't help that much to their sales, except maybe improve the margin a little if they can lessen the discount on a 4.

I'll take your word for it, I am not familiar with Audi and assumed (as it looks bigger) that the A5 Sportback was a bigger car than the A4 saloon.

Possibly right on the PCP costs.

What effect will this model have on 3 series residuals? Make sure you sell the 3 before these start coming out of leases in 3 years time

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

I'll take your word for it, I am not familiar with Audi and assumed (as it looks bigger) that the A5 Sportback was a bigger car than the A4 saloon.

Possibly right on the PCP costs.

What effect will this model have on 3 series residuals? Make sure you sell the 3 before these start coming out of leases in 3 years time

I had one for a week when my 320d broke down in the alps, rear leg room was much of a muchness I thought. Boot was long, but not very high, this 4GC one looks a better shape. The handling was very disappointing.

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Originally Posted by NISFAN

I'll take your word for it, I am not familiar with Audi and assumed (as it looks bigger) that the A5 Sportback was a bigger car than the A4 saloon.

Possibly right on the PCP costs.

What effect will this model have on 3 series residuals? Make sure you sell the 3 before these start coming out of leases in 3 years time

Very good point about 3 series lease etc, unlike the 6 gran couple, this one falls in a lot of peoples PCP or lease range.

I am a big fan of manufacturers having niche vehicles as I like the choices and a simple range does not meet everyone's needs.

This might be a bit of a tight overlap though, I can imagine it being a hard choice.

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From the photo gallery thread.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=941772

[christiaan328]

I think it looks great, and assuming I stay with BMW it will probably replace my F31 in a few years when I don't need to have the ease and ability of chucking a double buggy in the back.... That is unless the BMW fairies grant me my wish of an M3 touring!