[awaitingbimmer]

I am looking to get a new vehicle before 2016 ends. I like crossovers but also like hatch sedans.

Does anyone have the 430i in the us?

What do you think of the car?

Is it a good value?

[anotheran]

Go 430i GC (45.9 ft); it's awesome looking. But if cargo space is more important, the X3 (63.3 ft) has more space. A middle ground is the 330i sports wagon (52.97 ft). When is buying a mass produced BMW good value?

[bad karma]

I know people love their Gran Coupes (and they are admittedly nice looking, especially relative to that abortion of a 3-series known as the GT), but they are a lot closer to Sedan than Crossover/Wagon in terms of usable space, depending on your load.

For example, I've got two 60lb dogs. You aren't putting two dogs in the cargo area of a GT, but they will be quite happy in the back of a wagon or X3.

The wagon is such a perfect balance of sportiness and functionality.

[spuntyb]

Get the F31. Crossovers (and the 4er) offer essentially no utility over the sedan unless you have a very specific need for the 4er's sloping hatch. I couldn't tell how it was useful when I was looking at cars a few years back. Checked out the wagon and never looked back. Drives just like the sedan and it's a bit of a unicorn.

[awaitingbimmer]

I will have to do a lot of rest drives and probably visit the local auto show to make a decision.

[CalCarNut]

As BadKarma stated, depends on your intended usage. I have a 4 series Gran Coupe as well as an X3. I can put my 80lb dog in either (although he only goes in the X3 , he will fit easily in the back seat of the 4er.) The rides are completely different (SUV vs car). The wagons are very nice and no doubt the ride is much more car-like vs the X3,etc...so goes back to intended usage/budget. I really like my GC and the versatility the hatch offers. I don't use the utility all that often but it's nice to know I can.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Maybebuybimmer

I will have to do a lot of rest drives and probably visit the local auto show to make a decision.

Well, as you notice, at least one poster doesn't like the 330i GT (Grand Touring). The GT is a long wheelbase 3-series with a hatch.

The other choices are the 4-series coupe (although none of them have a hatch), and an X4 (lifted kind of cross-over thingy). (Perhaps it was an X4 that the poster "bad karma" didn't like.)

BMWs and "value" (you mentioned it in your original post) should perhaps not be mentioned together: BMWs are expensive to buy, own, and maintain (especially out of warranty nowadays). Are they a good value? Certainly in some cases. I can tell you that any of these BMWs will blow away any cross-over around, in terms of driving experience.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Get the F31. Crossovers (and the 4er) offer essentially no utility over the sedan unless you have a very specific need for the 4er's sloping hatch. I couldn't tell how it was useful when I was looking at cars a few years back. Checked out the wagon and never looked back. Drives just like the sedan and it's a bit of a unicorn.

+1 - you'll be WAY, WAY COOLER in a 3er wagon than any crossover. And you'll have the benefit of sport sedan handling along with great utility. Be sure to order and get the Adaptive M suspension on your M Sport xDrive wagon!!

Consideration finished. //close thread//

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Well, as you notice, at least one poster doesn't like the 330i GT (Grand Touring). The GT is a long wheelbase 3-series with a hatch.

The other choices are the 4-series coupe (although none of them have a hatch), and an X4 (lifted kind of cross-over thingy). (Perhaps it was an X4 that the poster "bad karma" didn't like.)

BMWs and "value" (you mentioned it in your original post) should perhaps not be mentioned together: BMWs are expensive to buy, own, and maintain (especially out of warranty nowadays). Are they a good value? Certainly in some cases. I can tell you that any of these BMWs will blow away any cross-over around, in terms of driving experience.

"The GT is a long wheelbase 3-series with a hatch."

In theory. It actually doesn't share a single body panel with its F30 relative in the US, and it drives like a pig.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

"The GT is a long wheelbase 3-series with a hatch."

In theory. It actually doesn't share a single body panel with its F30 relative in the US, and it drives like a pig.

It's built on the lwb F30 platform of the lwb F30 sold in China. I haven't found it to drive like a pig. It certainly benefits from the Adaptive M suspension.

[JAhmed]

I've found that the utility of the GranCoupe was far greater than I originally anticipated. With the seats down, it'll easily swallow up my mountain bike and all kinds of other stuff. Compared to a conventional F30, I've found it much more useful for my needs, and have even stopped using my Grand Cherokee for hauling stuff as much as I used to.

Will agree with some of the other posts, however...F31 is super cool and most definitely the winner in terms of utility and fun.

[Full Speed]

Crossover = haul more stuff
Hatch sedan = better handling performance and MPG.

Wifey has a new X1. For a 'SUV' it handles really well, more sporting than a X3, but hauls less stuff.

My new car will be a 440xi Gran Coupe. Need to haul a hockey bag or two several times per week, or some clients in the back seat, and it's perfect for that.

[BEM-S4]

If you're conflicted buy a Macan. It's does everything exceptionally well.

[ipilcher]

As you've already seen, there are plenty of folks (mostly on Internet forums) that don't like the appearance of the 3 GT. That said, your description of what you're looking for fits the 3 GT perfectly, so you should definitely look at it and make your own decision.

Adaptive suspension (with Dinan Shockware if available in your geography) and aftermarket springs are highly recommended.

[chenry]

So we have a 435 GC a 340i and an SUV - the GC offers a lot of utility as long as you are not planning on using the backseat much. Point being if it's just me and the wife traveling putting stuff in the back (with or without the seats down) it's awesome - but put people in the back seat (even my teenage kids) and it's game over for us - that sloping roof line and narrower rear seat is not a friend to the backseat passengers

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

As you've already seen, there are plenty of folks (mostly on Internet forums) that don't like the appearance of the 3 GT. That said, your description of what you're looking for fits the 3 GT perfectly, so you should definitely look at it and make your own decision.

Adaptive suspension (with Dinan Shockware if available in your geography) and aftermarket springs are highly recommended.

Here's the bottom line with the GT - if you don't need it's unique attributes it will never hold a candle to the sedan for performance. But you shouldn't really compare it to the sedan. If you NEED it, compare it to other stuff that would fit that need i.e. crossover, and suddenly it looks a lot better.

I'd consider one for GF for example as she's a realtor, has back seat passengers, and a lot of shit to haul around. Yes a 340 sedan or 440 GC would handle better, but compared to an X3 or XC60 or whatever else would actually work for her the GT starts making sense.

That said get a Macan. I am convinced that 90% of car decisions / debates / whatever can be settled with get a Macan - if you've got the budget.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Here's the bottom line with the GT - if you don't need it's unique attributes it will never hold a candle to the sedan for performance. But you shouldn't really compare it to the sedan. If you NEED it, compare it to other stuff that would fit that need i.e. crossover, and suddenly it looks a lot better.

I'd consider one for GF for example as she's a realtor, has back seat passengers, and a lot of shit to haul around. Yes a 340 sedan or 440 GC would handle better, but compared to an X3 or XC60 or whatever else would actually work for her the GT starts making sense.

That said get a Macan. I am convinced that 90% of car decisions / debates / whatever can be settled with get a Macan - if you've got the budget.

I almost got a Macan Turbo over the F31. They weren't even on our shores at the time I ordered, so a test drive was out of the question. Plus, the styling is awful imho. Unlike the F31, it doesn't look good from any angle.

In the end, I couldn't get my Turbo build under about $85k. Fully loaded (without DA+, that is), the F31 was more than $20k cheaper. And as far as utility, it's the same as the Macan.

If the GTS had been available then, it may have been a harder choice, but probably still the F31. It's goddamned gorgeous.

[EBS0712]

I have both a 430 GC (F36) and a 328 Sports Wagon (F31). The floor space in the cargo areas is nearly identical but the additional height in the cargo area in the wagon allows hauling of larger volume items. Both handle and provide better MPG than an equivalent SUV.
I am not a SUV fan so I love my two options!!!

[canukgtp]

Gotta go with my F31 brothers here...Wagon gives you better ride and handling with great cargo and looks fantastic...easy choice.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

I almost got a Macan Turbo over the F31. They weren't even on our shores at the time I ordered, so a test drive was out of the question. Plus, the styling is awful imho. Unlike the F31, it doesn't look good from any angle.

In the end, I couldn't get my Turbo build under about $85k. Fully loaded (without DA+, that is), the F31 was more than $20k cheaper. And as far as utility, it's the same as the Macan.

If the GTS had been available then, it may have been a harder choice, but probably still the F31. It's goddamned gorgeous.

Well dad had the first Macan S sold in the Northeast, kept it 6 months. Knee / hip bothered him. Allroad for 9 months, then F31 328 Sport Wagon Dinan Stage 1 now. Loves that thing, more than the other two. Although the Porsche is unfairly bad in his mind through no fault of its own. You're right though $25K extra for the P-Car compared to the wagon is tough. The wagon is really, really nice.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Well dad had the first Macan S sold in the Northeast, kept it 6 months. Knee / hip bothered him. Allroad for 9 months, then F31 328 Sport Wagon Dinan Stage 1 now. Loves that thing, more than the other two. Although the Porsche is unfairly bad in his mind through no fault of its own. You're right though $25K extra for the P-Car compared to the wagon is tough. The wagon is really, really nice.

I mean, the resale value, the sound, the driveability, and the available options all make for a great package. I was *this* close, but the lack of any more utility than the wagon (plus the wagon gets the extra large sunroof and the rear glass that opens separately), it was tough to swallow the extra $25k. And there was no way I could pull the trigger on the S and drive around with Turbo Envy for 3 years, nice as the S is of itself.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

I mean, the resale value, the sound, the driveability, and the available options all make for a great package. I was *this* close, but the lack of any more utility than the wagon (plus the wagon gets the extra large sunroof and the rear glass that opens separately), it was tough to swallow the extra $25k. And there was no way I could pull the trigger on the S and drive around with Turbo Envy for 3 years, nice as the S is of itself.

Yeah to be perfectly analytical about it they both probably cost about the same by the time you drive them for 3 years and the Macan holds value better. That said the wagon was leasing at 66% residual at the time, so it was a no brainer. Beyond the fact that the Macan no longer worked for dad. Amazing car though.

For those looking, no offense Spunty, if you need more than an S on public roads in North America you should check your ego, not your car budget. In my humble opinion it's MORE than enough and the Turbo is a bit of overkill / wasted money 99% of the time. I drove from Philadelphia to Buffalo in 5 hours in the S and back in 5 the next day. Was not wanting for more engine.