Why I'm actually excited for the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
03/16/2014 at 20:34 • Filed to: bmw

Look, we all know that it's coming, because that's what BMW does. Yes, it's nonsensical to have a 4 door coupe, but here is why I am excited for it. The dimensions for the 228i coupe are:

Wheel base: 105.9"

Length: 174.5"

Height: 55.8"

Weight: 3300lbs

The dimensions for my 1996 328i sedan are:

Wheel base: 106.3"

Length: 174.5"

Height: 54.8"

Weight: 3113lbs

So, the 2-GC should be a modern E36, only heavier, slightly larger, and with less steering feel.

DISCUSSION (22)

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/16/2014 at 20:39

A LOT less steering feel. After driving the 4 and 2 series M and non M sport models it's about as lack luster as a new X3 or F30.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > E30Joe drives a Subaru
03/16/2014 at 20:40

dogisbadob > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/16/2014 at 20:40

Why I'm Actually Excited for the BMW 2-series sedan

/fixed

Really though, it's stupid. Why not just give us the 1-series 4-door hatch? :s

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > dogisbadob
03/16/2014 at 20:42

Because they wont sell.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/16/2014 at 20:42

The M235i is a start. But wow... For something with M badges all over it... It could use a real steering rack.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > E30Joe drives a Subaru
03/16/2014 at 20:43

Dear Flaming River....

Manuél Ferrari > E30Joe drives a Subaru
03/16/2014 at 20:46

That's what I keep hearing :(

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/16/2014 at 20:46

Someone should get on that ASAP. No assisted steering allowed in race car.

Manuél Ferrari > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/16/2014 at 20:49

Except you should be happy. You should be hoping that it takes BMW a decade to fix this and have better steering feel. That might cause the value of your car to appreciate :)

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Manuél Ferrari
03/16/2014 at 20:49

Drive them all day at my work and slowly generation by generation the steering feel has gotten worse and worse after the E46.

Manuél Ferrari > E30Joe drives a Subaru
03/16/2014 at 20:56

I agree. My first car was an E30 beater. Second car was an E21 beater. Third car was a used but nice E36.

What did all three have in common? Awesome steering feel and very fun to operate manual transmissions.

I later had a first gen X5 automatic. Also nice steering feel, especially for an SUV.

Currently I have an E46 M3 and E90 M3. The E46 steering is just sublime. It's the best steering I've ever experienced from a modern(ish) front-engine car. The E90's steering isn't as good. It's not bad. It's just not as good as the E46. I don't mind that the E90 has a heavy weight to it - I'd much rather have that than the over boosted electric power steering systems. But you just don't get as much feedback as you do in the E46. The E46 has that perfect balance of the power assist not being too light or too heavy. It's the closest thing to a Porsche 997's steering that I've experienced from a front-engine car.

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/16/2014 at 21:04

I have a question that I could research myself but I'll just ask you instead as that's easier and more fun.

Does every BMW Gran Coupe have just two bucket seats in the back with no middle seat? Or do some of them actually have a middle seat?

If some of them do have a middle seat back there then it should be illegal not to call them sedans. Calling something a 4 door coupe is silly enough. But the only thing that *kinda* explained it (other than the more aggressive exterior looks and sloped rear window) is that sedans have 5 seats and 4 door coupes have 2 buckets in the back. I'm not saying I agree with the logic, it's just something the automakers have been doing. Cars like the Panamera are marketed as giant coupes because they don't care if you have a wife and 3 kids.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Manuél Ferrari
03/16/2014 at 21:11

Exactly, even in the E90 M3 it's just too soft for an M3.

N51fanatic > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/16/2014 at 21:18

Wheelbase: 104.7"

Length: 172.2"

Height: 56"

Weight: 3252

That my friend is the 128. 230hp NA Inline V6 with HYDRAULIC steering. You want a modern E36? The 128 is your choice my friend.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > N51fanatic
03/16/2014 at 21:21

Yes, I know. I may very well buy one for a graduation/Christmas present.

dogisbadob > Manuél Ferrari
03/16/2014 at 21:33

I believe some of them do indeed have a middle seat. In fact, the regular bench is standard, and the four bucket layout with the rear console is optional.

Manuél Ferrari > E30Joe drives a Subaru
03/16/2014 at 22:32

I actually wouldn't call the E90 M3's steering too soft. It's actually a pretty "hard" setup. It takes more effort to turn the wheel than it does the E46's steering. Which causes the problem - it's almost artificially too hard. You don't feel as much feedback from the road as you do with the E46 steering. It's not perfect, but I would take it over these new electric power steering systems. In those systems you can adjust the steering to be stiffer but it doesn't help as the feedback is 100% simulated by a computer.

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/16/2014 at 22:35

Oh lordy!

So they really are just sedans with sloped rear roofs! You actually have to more to make it seem coupe-ish in the back.

The auto world is getting silly...

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Manuél Ferrari
03/17/2014 at 01:15

That's what I mean, you don't feel anything on the road, the wheel just turns and there is no response. It actually takes quite a bit of effort to turn the wheel however.

Manuél Ferrari > E30Joe drives a Subaru
03/17/2014 at 02:07

Ah, got it. I thought you meant it was over boosted.

I drove the current Audi S4 once. Man was that over boosted! It took no effort at all to turn the wheel.

The only electric power steering cars I've driven that didn't feel like crap were the current gen Porsche 911 and Boxster. But they didn't feel as good as the last gen cars...

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > N51fanatic
03/19/2014 at 00:00

inline v6?

N51fanatic > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
03/19/2014 at 18:36

sorry, inline 6