[r3amir]

Hi buddies

I am thinking of changing 535i for a new 435i Grancoupe

What are the pros and cons of it?

What it will be compared to the 535i?

Thanks

[kave]

I would say the interior is the biggest difference. Have a look at any 3-series and see if you like it. To me theere is a huge quality difference in the feel of all the controls, where the F10 feels more refined.

[noixd]

Why would you downgrade a bmw?

[r3amir]

It seems a downgrade to me too, but I wanted to get some sportiness back. I had a 3 series loaner, and was totally disappointed after owning a 5 series. I am just hoping, 4 series is better than a 3 series

[Chili Palmer]

If you want sportiness, do some engine and suspension tweaking - that'll give you some sportiness and it'll probably be less than the hit you'll take on the depreciation of your car and you won't have to downgrade to a smaller car.

Just my $0.02.

[Piers]

Interior is very low rent in comparison to 5 series, much more exposed plastic, smaller seats etc.

Does look nice though on the outside

[noixd]

4 series is the exact same model as the 3 series. BMW's business model has shifted to a horizontal integration. They asked themselves how can we sell more cars??? Their response is to push out slightly modified models that attract diverse audiences. 4 series coupe is for the soccer moms.

[noixd]

If you want more sportiness then go put some money on black and get yourself a 6 series.

[r3amir]

6 series Grancoupe is a very beautiful car, much more than a 4 series Grancoupe, but it is way too expensive

How about the beautiful new C Class coming out, May be a C400 will be a great car to buy

[ezmaass]

I would stick to the 5-series. The 4 is simply a 3 re-packaged. You'll lose quite a bit in terms of luxury as others have pointed out. The 6 GC is nice, but yes - much higher price. You may pick one up CPO, though, if price is the only concern there?

[SteveL1]

No comparison on the interiors. We have a 435ix M-Sport and a 535ix on order. After driving both, the 5 series is in a different league all together. Don't get me wrong, the 4 series is a very nice car but it's not even close to a 5 series. If you are looking for a smaller car, you may love it. If it were me and wanted something sportier than a 5 series with four doors, I would look for a pre owned 640i gran coupe before a new 435.

[r3amir]

Thanks for the replies and honest answers.

Rumors are that next generation 5 series ( In 3 yrs ) will lose some of its weight. I have to be patient, rather than downgrading.

Infact I was so disappointed after the loaner 4 cylinder 3 series, I bought Acura TSX as my second car.

[R N M]

Not sure why ppl are hating on the interior of the 4GC.

When my lease is up on my 535i - the new 5 will not be out yet.

The 4GC is definitely one of the cars i will consider.

Great handling, 0-60 in under 5sec, looks great, interior is decent.
I miss the sport seats from my E92 which the 4GC has.

[r3amir]

4 GC also has individual colors and leathers available , which looks good in pictures

[King Bimmer]

I am going from a 2011 535i M-Sport to a 2015 435i GC, and couldn't be more excited. The 5 is a great car and when my lease was up in April, I could have gotten a loaded one for less than the GC that I ordered, however the F10 is much bigger than I need. The interior of the 5 is world class, but the 3/4 series interior is pretty good.

Now a 2 series GC would be perfect for me. My favorite BMW is the e46 and I long for that driving experience again.

-King

[JesseIan]

Let me know how much you're looking to get for you M Sport if it comes time to switch :P

[zer0cool]

I would choose 435 GC over any 5 series, including 550i. To be honest, if I want luxury I would choose Lexus or Mercedes (or go up to 6 or 7 in BMW which are much more expensive). The 5 is neither that luxurious nor sporty...

The 3 and 4 drive significantly better in terms of handling and nimbleness compared to 5 series. Drive your 5, make a 90 degree turn at even low speed say 20, then step on the gas as you exit the turn, vs doing the same on a 3 or 4, you can tell a huge diference immediately.

If that's what you value, get a 435gc. If you value less noise, smoother ride, better seats, nicer interior, I would say get a Lexus instead since it does all of those better than BMW.

[noixd]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

I would choose 435 GC over any 5 series, including 550i. To be honest, if I want luxury I would choose Lexus or Mercedes (or go up to 6 or 7 in BMW which are much more expensive). The 5 is neither that luxurious nor sporty...

The 3 and 4 drive significantly better in terms of handling and nimbleness compared to 5 series. Drive your 5, make a 90 degree turn at even low speed say 20, then step on the gas as you exit the turn, vs doing the same on a 3 or 4, you can tell a huge diference immediately.

If that's what you value, get a 435gc. If you value less noise, smoother ride, better seats, nicer interior, I would say get a Lexus instead since it does all of those better than BMW.

LOL 3 series is the crappiest car I have ever driven. Esp your 328i!Can't believe this guy said a Lexus does better than a BMW! Stay out of the 5 series forum!!

[Keyser Soze]

I think some current F10 owners who found themselves ultimately unsatisfied with the current F10's size and handling would consider the 4GC regardless of its less luxurious and refined interior/leathers/options. Sure it's a downgrade but it might be a better fit for some folks. The 4GC's very usable trunk helps also make up for its lack of size.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

I would choose 435 GC over any 5 series, including 550i. To be honest, if I want luxury I would choose Lexus or Mercedes (or go up to 6 or 7 in BMW which are much more expensive). The 5 is neither that luxurious nor sporty...

The 3 and 4 drive significantly better in terms of handling and nimbleness compared to 5 series. Drive your 5, make a 90 degree turn at even low speed say 20, then step on the gas as you exit the turn, vs doing the same on a 3 or 4, you can tell a huge diference immediately.

If that's what you value, get a 435gc. If you value less noise, smoother ride, better seats, nicer interior, I would say get a Lexus instead since it does all of those better than BMW.

1. Lexus interiors are very cheap compared to BMW. MB's have gotten very stale and stodgy. BMW's tech is honestly some of the best in the entire industry.

2. The 5 series will handle better than its counterparts from both Lexus and MB. The A6 may be a run for the money in handling.

3. A 20mph turn in the 5 series isn't going to upset anything. Equip the car with the sport suspension or DHP and it'll handle fantastically for its class. Will it handle like a 3 series? No. It's bigger and heavier - duh. But with size and luxury comes weight compromise... and some amount of performance. But I can say with confidence after driving 3 series cars for 13+ years, I push the 5 as hard or harder than I ever pushed my 3's. It takes every ounce of it in stride. I've never once been at a loss for performance or found myself saying, "better slow down for this turn I used to take at this speed in the 335!" Just doesn't happen.

Now, there's certainly a target audience for the 3/4. And if you want that extra ounce of confidence and nimble feeling, and you're willing to sacrifice the space and luxury for it, that's great - I did it for years, and it was the right move for me during that time. But there's certainly a personal decision that needs to be made and real trade-offs to consider.

[K-A]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

I would choose 435 GC over any 5 series, including 550i. To be honest, if I want luxury I would choose Lexus or Mercedes (or go up to 6 or 7 in BMW which are much more expensive). The 5 is neither that luxurious nor sporty...

The 3 and 4 drive significantly better in terms of handling and nimbleness compared to 5 series. Drive your 5, make a 90 degree turn at even low speed say 20, then step on the gas as you exit the turn, vs doing the same on a 3 or 4, you can tell a huge diference immediately.

If that's what you value, get a 435gc. If you value less noise, smoother ride, better seats, nicer interior, I would say get a Lexus instead since it does all of those better than BMW.

Lol, you obviously haven't spend much (if any) time in an F10 nor an E Class, or at least the right F10.

I had 3 straight E Classes, and the F10 is on another level in luxury. It is by far the most luxurious and smoothest/comfortable in class, has higher safety ratings and is about 30% more torsionally rigid than the E Class. As Motor Trend said "it feels like how Mercedes used to". The E Class interior doesn't really compare, nor does the interior quietness or isolation, especially considering the M Sport F10 is still far more sporty.

The Lexus GS is just a dud. Drives well, but doesn't look nor feel as expensive as a 5 Series all in all, nor does an A6, IMO.

To me, the F10 with M suspension is the most dynamic car in class, "dynamic" because nobody does luxury + sport better than it. Others will do sportiness better, such as the A6, but they fall behind in the various other areas the F10 is so effortlessly good at. Being a basically sized down copy of the 7 Series, using the same chassis that's so over-engineered for this price range that it houses said 7 and the Rolls Royce Ghost, the F10 gets a bit leg up to its competition.

IMO the 3 Series interior is a joke, utterly cheap and the whole experience isn't at the refinement or luxury level of the 5, not even close. I also don't find the 4GC that attractive as it's less "Coupe" looking and more "Hot Hatch/Mini Sport Wagon". I personally prefer the F10 looks.

To O/P, the problem is that you have a 2011 F10 with no suspension mods, basically the worst combo unfortunately. A 2013+ model with the 704 M suspension will probably give you the sportiness and luxury you seek. Most guys who go from 2011 to 2013+ 704 F10's note a night and day "this is how a BMW should drive" difference.

[r3amir]

The problem with 5 series is extra weight/ big dimensions

The problem with 3/4 series is less luxury

My car is almost 4 years old and I have really enjoyed it, I am not going to do suspension mods now. I have already swapped the RFTs for regular tires, which has improved the road feel a lot.