I Finally Did It!

"AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s)
08/09/2018 at 22:40 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping without E90M3, 428i GC

I realize I should have put the 428i GC in the foreground but I was too excited.

This past weekend I finally did what I was thinking about for the past few months. I traded the BRZ for a car that was more comfortable. It’s an F36 428i Gran Coupe. It’s Black Sapphire Metallic with Saddle Brown Interior.

This is the only picture I have now. The other picture I have is a dorky one with me in a PistonHeads shirt in front of it.

It’s a luxury line car. I think that just means it has a different front bumper and rear bumper with a white ambient light in addition to the standard red ambient light. Car came with PDC and EDC. It has the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox and I actually quite like it (haters gonna hate). It is very responsive as everyone says and downshifts rather quickly with the paddles. The car does produce a pretty good sound when I give it the beans too.

Despite the crap the gran coupe got when it was first introduced I think they look fabulous. The proportions just work and it’s got a long sweeping rear window and that pronounced hofmeister kink just does it for me in all the right ways.

It’s funny how I ended up with the 428i GC actually. I used to find it lame to get an x28i BMW. I thought they were meh and boring. I only wanted the M cars. I was naive. What started off as me looking at mk7 Golf Rs on Carmax turned into me looking at F10 535i base models . That turned into 535i M-sports. So I found a low mileage 2013 F10 535i M-sport. So I made an appointment at the dealer to look at it. We got there and after some waiting I test drove it. The F10 is sublime and comfortable, however it was huge and felt like a boat. Very disconnected. So then I decided to look at the 428i GC (I wanted something with 4 doors this time around to drive people. I’ve only ever had coupes). I test drove the 428i GC I ended up buying. I immediately started giggling like a child when I floored it onto an onramp in Sport+ mode. My girlfriend told me afterwards she had never seen me have such a big grin on my face until I drove this car. I was sold after that. No, it’s not the fastest car ever. No, it’s not an M-car. No, it’s not even the fastest F3x, but it’s perfect for what I want right now.

Full review and proper pictures soon. I may also need to change my name on here now...

DISCUSSION (35)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 22:49

That’s hot. Not you need an older even more uncomfortable car for when you crave punishment

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/09/2018 at 22:52

You make a very convincing point haha! What’s funny is while I was waiting to sign the papers I was on Instagram looking at 911s and M3s. My girlfriend just laughed and rolled her eyes so hard at that.

Poor_Sh > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:07

Instagram is a dangerous game for car enthusiasts. I just got mine and I'm like, "ooh f-type, ooh M2, ooh C7!!"

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:14

Congrats! I love the 4 series GC. Seems like a great compromise between speed, practicality, comfort , and they look good.

B_dol > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:22

Good on you for switching up cars and getting into something that truly speaks to you! I too gave up my FRS/BRZ for a bimmer, although a much older model.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:26

Fancy boi

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Poor_Sh
08/09/2018 at 23:32

So true. I follow more car accounts than I do people I know.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > B_dol
08/09/2018 at 23:33

Thanks! It was a tough decision. I learned to drive a stick in the BRZ but it got old real quick when I was in stop and go traffic. Also road trips sucked in it. I’m over the whole, “everything needs a manual” trope that so many people try to push. I appreciate cars for cars.

What Bimmer did you get?

wafflesnfalafel > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:34

Those new 4 series GCs really are beautiful - better looking than the coupe, wagon and maybe even the sedan, (in my humble opinion..)

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
08/09/2018 at 23:36

Thanks! I love the proportions more than the 3-series. I just have a thing for the long roofline. Also, I’ve never had a car with an interior that isn’t black. I’m in love with the brown leather. It is a very peppy engine. I found out it produces max torque at 1500 rpm. The thing cruises at 1750 rpm. Just put your foot down and t he gearbox just drops a handful of gears and i t pulls like a train.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/09/2018 at 23:36

I learned from you :P

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > wafflesnfalafel
08/09/2018 at 23:38

I agree 100%. This thing looks so beautiful in real life. Although the weird thing is you sit so high in the car it’s like you’re driving an SUV. Then you get out and realize it’s the same height as a regular sedan.

WRXforScience > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:39

That’s because you’re doing the wrong type of driving. I keep my BRZ love affair going by doing an autox and/or trackday every weekend.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:43

Congrats! Outside of the wagon, the grand coupe is my favorite body style on the 3/ 4 series. The N 20/ b58 is a very good motor but coarse I prefer the silky smooth torquey beast that is the N55.

Also the ZF 8 speed is sublime. one of the best I have driven.

Good choice!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > WRXforScience
08/09/2018 at 23:45

It was my only car and I average 10 mph on my commute to work for a solid 20 minutes every day. Road trips to Napa sucked in it since the highway was concrete for a solid 20 miles. The bluetooth connectivity took forever after starting the car and stopped showing what was playing on my phone after I got a new one. The lack of torque and short gear ratio also kills any chance you have of not being tailgated off a redlight around here too.

I recognize the only way to really drive a BRZ is to wring it out, but I’m not into doing that every single time I drive it. Also not being able to have more than 1 passenger kind of sucked too.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/09/2018 at 23:51

Thanks! I agree. Although the F 80 M3 may edge out the wagons for me since its hips are just gorgeous. The N55 really was butter smooth when I drove the 535i. I’m sure if I drove a 435i it would’ve been even more magical. It was just out of my budget.

I gave it the beans on an onramp today again after cruising to see how good the transmission is and I’m converted. ZF 8-speed is a game changer . It just dropped 3 gears like it was nothing and pulled to 70mph in no time. Spectacular.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/09/2018 at 23:58

What packages does it have? Premium and Cold Weather are absolutely necessary IMO. Navigation/ Tech is good to have and so is Harmon Kardon whatever package that comes with

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/10/2018 at 00:03

It’s got the driver assistance package , adjustable dampers, premium audio (I think this is the middle ground one versus the top level Harmon Kardon), technology package, luxury line add-ons with the luxury line badge delete, and black kidney grilles.

This is a CPO, otherwise I definitely would have gone for an M-sport package with Harmon Kardon audio.

WRXforScience > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 00:09

Yup, your driving and lifestyle are ill suited for a BRZ. Your BMW should be a much better fit.

Cars are tools and even a great tool doesn’t fit every application.

If I had a shitty commute and/or couldn’t track my BRZ, I would get rid of it too. I like modern BMW’s (at least while under warranty); I had a 740iL as a hand-me-down though and it kinda ruined BMW’s for me. It was just old enough that it was starting to die a death of a thousand cuts with all sorts of issues and gremlins popping up (and nothing was easy to fix).

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 00:37

I’m very jealous. I’m a big non-hater of the 4GC, because liftback.

But heed my warning: once you go fancy car, you can't go UN-fancy.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > WRXforScience
08/10/2018 at 01:01

Precisely. Different strokes for different folks. It makes the car world so much more fun. We’re honestly spoiled now-a-days with how many options we have. Don’t want a sedan? Get a wagon or a coupe. Don’t like a wagon? Get a coupe. Need 4 doors? Get a gran coupe/sportback/SLS.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/10/2018 at 01:02

Oh yes, the liftback is my favorite feature. Especially since I have comfort access so I just need to lift my foot under the bumper directly under the license plate and it’ll open automatically. Same thing to close it.

That’s for sure. I had a second generation Acura CL before the BRZ. While it wasn’t that fun to drive, the creature comforts were really nice.

Rico > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 01:18

Congrats I love the GranCoupe! You’re right the proportions are fanstastic.

Now see what a proper 4 cylinder can really do. I’ve driven the vert 430i and was blown away with how fast that 4 pot is. Also if you hold the DSC Off button for 10 seconds you can get the tail end out without TOO much effort.

Rico > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 01:20

Sad what the rest of the manufacturers do with that ZF 8. The way BMW tunes it you’d think it was a PDK.

Saracen > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 03:15

I have the ZF 8HP in my allroad. It’s really, really good...

.. Until I drove a Macan with the same engine as my car. Holy shit, PDK is god..

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 09:39

Having a dangerous side chick is to go with your safe, comfortable main girl is fun. #askmehowiknow

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Rico
08/10/2018 at 10:56

That’s for sure. Although now I’m curious what the PDK is capable of since that’s the gold standard of consumer dual clutches. I need to know what launch control mixed with the PDK is like.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Saracen
08/10/2018 at 10:57

Well my next fun car whenever I get the funds for it will probably be a 911. I guess I’ll have to try the PDK then. I’m afraid to try now since I know it’ll just ruin me for any other car. Part of the same reason I’m afraid to drive a Porsche. I know once I do nothing will compare.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/10/2018 at 11:00

That’s definitely part of the reason I wanted a 4-Doored car this time around. It lets me get a crazy fun car after.

Saracen > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 11:27

Can confirm, Porsches spoil other cars.

Jack Does Cars > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 12:09

The 28i cars have always been overlooked in my eyes. A 428i is just as good, if not better than a 435i, even if it’s not as fast. Also the average MPG on the new ~ 2012 + TwinPower engines is quite impres sive.

B_dol > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2018 at 12:15

Agreed on the road trips, I drove the FR-S from SF to Palm Springs and back and boy was that uncomfortable. I’m fine with a manual but my commute has very little stop n go congestion.

I went in an entirely insane direction and got into an 07' Z4M coupe, amps up the luxury but also really doubles down on the MT sports car bit . Reckon I am a bit younger which raises my tolerance for suffering...

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/19/2018 at 04:02

How did I miss this?

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > E90M3
08/20/2018 at 21:51

Not quite sure. I just figured you saw it since any post with a BMW in it sets off an alarm for you haha

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/20/2018 at 21:58

I think it's because my internet was broken that day, so I wasn't on Oppo much that weekend.