by "BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
Published 01/12/2017 at 00:12
by "BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
Published 01/12/2017 at 00:12
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STARS: 6
So it’s been 3 weeks since I acquired my 430xiGC. The car has been the perfect daily so far, and I’m going to discuss some of the attributes below:
Engine - 9/10 - The B48 was introduced to BMW last year in the 2016 X1 and spread to the rest of the lineup for 2017. It represents a major upgrade over the old N20/N26 pair that it replaces. It sounds more like an engine and less like a speed metal concert, and is setup to rely less on the turbo at low RPMs. I would give the engine a 10/10 except that BMW has very obviously tuned the engine to limit it’s output at high RPMs. Once you reach a certain threshold the car does not continue to build power. The turbo does not run out of the breath as a smaller turbo does, it just obviously hits a certain point that it is not allowed to go past. The feeling is not unlike when you hit BMWs speed limiter.
Chassis - 8/10 - The chassis is solid and never exhibits any shakiness. It’s confidence-inspiring while still being lively and fun to drive. Many recent reviews have claimed that the F-series chassis has taken some road feel out of the equation. I agree to an extant, however the car still willingly communicates your path to you continuously. Do you feel every pebble under the front tires? No. However in a daily driver that’s not always a bad thing. The chassis clearly broadcasts its limits without becoming a chore on public roads.
Interior - 10/10 - I have a sport-line, which gives you the sport seats and some upgraded stitching in the cabin. Beyond that, it’s standard BMW fare. You get iDrive, which has made leaps and bounds in recent years and has become truly intuitive, and hard keys for HVAC and radio. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Technology - 9/10 - What can I say, it’s a BMW. The 4-Series GC comes from the factory equipped with Adaptive (swiveling) Xenon headlights, Bluetooth for calls and music, and Sport Seats with adjustable bolstering and thigh support. Mine also has the Premium Package (comfort access, satellite radio, and 4-way lumbar support (which I don’t use)), the Cold Weather Package (heated seats front and rear and heated steering wheel), Driver’s Assist Package (park sensors and backup camera), and Navigation with a touch-capacitive iDrive knob for putting in destinations. Long story short, this thing has a lot of stuff that I DID NOT have in the Beetle. The only demerit is that it does not always play nice with my Android phone. It has CarPlay, and I’ll probably be switching over soon to get everything working together properly.
Utility - 10/10 - I was able to fit all of my stock parts from the Beetle in the car at once. That includes a full intake airbox assembly, wheels and tires, and some other odds and ends. I have been really impressed with the utility every time I use the car to carry something. Liftbacks4Lyfe yo. Also, it’s got sweet storage under the floor in the back. Like enough to take an emergency shovel head and full size ice scraper/brush combo, and various odds and ends packed in and around those.
So yeah. The car is awesome. And I’m mad Dinah hasn’t released their tune. Because I’m positive this turbo is good for over 325 ponies...
"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv)
01/12/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 0
Only one pic? More plz.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
01/12/2017 at 00:38, STARS: 1
Edited with more.
"itschrome" (itschrome)
01/12/2017 at 00:39, STARS: 5
They should make a 2 door 4 series and call it the 420. Release in limited edition green of some sort and sell with only low rolling resistance tires on the wheels so they are super easy to light up. Id buy it.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/12/2017 at 00:53, STARS: 0
DCT or traditional auto? Either way, what are your thoughts on it?
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
01/12/2017 at 01:07, STARS: 1
I was gonna tell you how the 230i can be had for cheaper and would be more fun. But then I saw what you were going for.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
01/12/2017 at 01:11, STARS: 0
It’s an 8-speed torque converter auto. It’s a pretty great piece of kit. It’s a ZF box, but unlike other versions where there’s 5 standard gears and 3 O/Ds, it has a more even spacing. The only thing that I don’t like is it shifts pretty hard in manual mode at WOT at high RPMs. Other than that it’s really nice. Gotta drive the car in sport mode though.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
01/12/2017 at 01:40, STARS: 2
You are really mainframe me like this Integra
"McBain" (live4ever)
01/12/2017 at 02:51, STARS: 0
This may be an uninformed question but why 4GC instead of 3?
"AndyG_UK" (ajg1974)
01/12/2017 at 02:56, STARS: 1
That is a lovely car, I was all over the m435i GC in the BMW showroom the other day, while we were ordering our i3, wishing we could take the 4 home as well!
"adamftw" (adamftw)
01/12/2017 at 07:24, STARS: 2
Man, that is a THICK steering wheel. Nice.
I wish you luck with it, it’s a beautiful car. But a good friend of mine is a service writer for a BMW dealer and I wouldn’t touch a new one with a ten foot pole. Lease? Absolutely but man I have seen some receipts from him. Whew.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
01/12/2017 at 09:16, STARS: 1
It is a three year lease. I work at a dealer anyway, so if it has any problems I just have them look at it during. That being said, there seems to be more problems with the late E generations than there is with the F chassis. But maybe that’s just due to age.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
01/12/2017 at 09:19, STARS: 0
From an aesthetics standpoint, I’ve always been a coupe guy. And this has the aesthetics of the 4 Coupe still. Also, liftback. I will always take a hatch over a trunk. And the rear haunches on the 4 are more pronounced. From the back the 4GC looks much more aggressive yet also svelte at the same time.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
01/12/2017 at 09:34, STARS: 1
Nice. They are definitely great cars to lease. Unbelievable what’s inside of them, they are truly amazing cars the new BMWs.
"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
01/12/2017 at 10:30, STARS: 1
Red seats are best seats.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
01/12/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
100% agree
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
01/12/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 0
Idk how I turned making into mainframe
"McBain" (live4ever)
01/12/2017 at 18:20, STARS: 1
All good reasons! Aesthetics are super important. You have to feel good in the car, after all. I went from a Hyundai Elantra GT to an EcoBoost Mustang, which means I get more horsepower + more aesthetics - no liftgate. The first time I had to jam an oversized box into the passenger seat (Tuesday) I was very sad.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
02/26/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 0
Thinking of getting a black on red 3. Is that Jet Black on Coral Red?
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/26/2017 at 21:07, STARS: 1
That it is! Mineral gray on red is pretty tight too.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
02/26/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 1
I’m also thinking Estoril on Coral, but that might be a bit cancerous. Estoril on Oyster might fit better.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/27/2017 at 06:43, STARS: 0
They also make a black with blue stitching. That pairs off with the Estoril really well.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
02/27/2017 at 06:48, STARS: 0
But black is too... boring.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/27/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 0
Not with the blue accents.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
02/27/2017 at 18:18, STARS: 1
But they aren’t that noticeable, are they?
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/27/2017 at 20:49, STARS: 1
They are. And if you get a car with the aluminum and blue trim it really pulls them out even more.