I sat in a 4 Gran Coupe today...

"Jimmy Tango" (jimcalliu)
08/03/2014 at 02:48 • Filed to: None

TD,LR: This is kind of a downer post. Not really enough backseat in 4 gran coupe for myself. Likely will be a 3 yr lease even if I decide to get it.

If you read my last post ( thank you) and spend just as much time following BMW F3x model series, you would notice I left something off on purpose. It was suppose to be my sleeper pick...

Enter 4(28i) Gran Coupe. Here is my would-be configuration.

Honestly other than 4 bangers left some to be desire, this is the dream car for me. Yet, dream is not real and I confirm that today.

I tested drove a 435 gran coupe like a month ago, but it was congestive hour and I was never able to let it fly. I then test drove it again with my family in back seat a couple weeks ago, and yet another heavy traffic "Un4gettable" test drive route that 's too tame for an Oppo review.

Be in local dealership again today, I didn't even get the car running. Instead I sit in passenger seat while lower the seat to the lowest point. I barely fit in the passenger side with my daughter's rear facing car seat in the back. I am regular six feet tall dude and this is not a good news.

No, I can't fit in the back at all since my head would be up against the wonderful Anthracite headliner before I can sit up straight.

Damn, sexy roofline come with heavy penalty.

I have a long debate internally while asking to test drive a 2011 535xi. Coming from e46 330ci, I really miss that straight six growling sound (although you could argue that turbo charged N20 engine is powerful than natural aspirated M56) and the turbo charged one on this 535 was definitely peaking my interest. I pounded the gas pedal within legal limit while trying to forget I might be too tall for 4 gran coupe.

Too bad, BMW. I guess it would be a joke to say that sky is the limit for the 4 gran coupe.

DISCUSSION (10)

GhostZ > Jimmy Tango
08/03/2014 at 03:01

I see no reason to ever buy one of these over a 3-series sedan.

I also see no reason to buy a 3-series sedan over the numerous better-looking, faster, cheaper, more comfortable and more reliable used cars on the market, but that's how it is.

 V8 Rustler > Jimmy Tango
08/03/2014 at 06:33

I sat in the rear of a 6 Series GranCoupe. It sucked. Same goes for the X6.

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
08/03/2014 at 10:24

Couple things about your build.

1. Black Dakota leather is barely better than black sensatec. which is why i spec'd sensatec.

2. Dynamic Handling package allows you to change the firmness of the suspension. Useful basically only if you are going with the XDrive cars, since they come standard with the softest suspension regardless of trim.

3. Anti-theft is a waste of 400 bucks.

4. Harmon Kardon is 875. The standard stereo is their Professional stereo, which has been beefed up from previous years spec and now is fairly robust. I could not tell a substantial difference when I tried both out. Saved myself some $$$ in the process.

Brian Silvestro > Jimmy Tango
08/03/2014 at 12:40

Dude, you're the man for putting the TL;DR at the top.

Jimmy Tango > Brian Silvestro
08/03/2014 at 15:41

Thanks! I know my rambling nature and try not to piss opponaunts off as much as I can.

Brian Silvestro > Jimmy Tango
08/03/2014 at 15:45

I still read the whole thing! But a TL;DR doesn't really make sense for posts if it's at the bottom.

Jimmy Tango > heliochrome85
08/03/2014 at 15:50

Thanks buddy. I do wish to sit at sensatec to see for myself. I am sickly addicted to leather smell of luxury car that I opt for windows down most of time when I riding in cloth only car. That's just me though.

Regards DHP, I have researched for many weeks, and seems like a lot of noise regards the effectiveness. I do wish the soft-stiff nature can co-exist as my car would be both on the track and hauling my family.

Anti-theft — good catch, I didn't know why I check that, you just save me $400, bud. Come over to Seattle to redeem your coupon.

HK — you know what, this is another thing I need to try. I had HK in my previous e46 and it was heavenly. But I should bring my mix tape(CD) to dealership and show them what's up.

Another trip to dealership seems imminent.

Jimmy Tango > V8 Rustler
08/03/2014 at 15:52

It's a shame though, as I still hope to slowly progress up the BMW number system, and stop at 6 if you don't count i8.

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
08/03/2014 at 16:11

the standard audio in previous BMWs was horrific. This has been corrected for the F30. As a result the HK is of negligible difference.

The reality is that neither stock-stiff M suspension, or DHP will be adequate for serious track use. I find the standard M suspension to be more than sufficient for around town cruising without any significant shudders or discomfort. It is wonderful at highway speeds as well, without the wallowing effect you get with some stock set ups.

Jimmy Tango > heliochrome85
08/04/2014 at 00:46

Yeah serious track action is probably far from me, as a track-day special car is still low on my priority. I will find a chance to test drive car with & without DHP in combination of 704 M suspension.