1st Drive BMW M440i Gran Coupe xDrive - Not my cup of tea | 4K
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- This latest M440i xDrive Gran Coupe doesn't do it for me, I prefer the previous versions styling, and for almost £60k I would take the brilliant M340i Touring everyday.
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DISCLAIMER:
*Some footage from this video may be edited and or sped up for cinematic affects.
*Some footage was also filmed on private land.
Hope you enjoy this one guys!
I was very limited with time and unfortunately never received BMW's b-roll.
M240i xDrive Video coming next week :-)
Cheers
You basically hated this car! But I have driven it and loved it. Unfortunately I couldn’t afford it. So I now drive a 3 series 70 plate, MHT 318.
The looks tend to grow on ya.
The driving ability is basically a bmw.
But your right for value for money it just has to be a 3 series!
Was going for the Gran coupe 430i , but I agree it's no looker. Opted for X4 instead
We don't get the touring here in the US but I would pick a M340i 4 door over this car.
What is the sensible upgrade from an m340i saloon? M3 is pointless for me as I won’t be doing track days like you do.
Great review as always Joe. As someone who recently moved from an M340i RWD to an M440i xDrive (mainly because options I wanted were not available on the 3 series), my opinions are a bit different from yours.
I think the M440i GC is the better car compared to the M340i. The M440i GC is heavier, which sucks, but I find it to be more comfortable. This is due to the extra width at the front (more elbow room on the door) and the extra sound deadening which makes the car even more quiet than the M340i. I was never super impressed with the M340i on long trips, but the M440i GC is absolutely wonderful. This could be down to many factors, but it just feels like the M440i GC is better built and better insulated. It also feels like BMW retuned the B58/ZF 8-speed ever so slightly on the M440i GC, and it just feels even more willing to jump than in the M340i.
Just my 2 cents.
Honesty is the best policy. I wish all influencers were as honest as you joe. Fair play Man 👌👏
Thank you buddy, BMW might be pissed, but it further seals my approval when I massively rate one of their cars... Like the M240i (but I can't say if that's the case or not yet because that car is still embargoed) 😉
@@JoeAchilles1 can’t wait 😜
I would say influencers are more for uncritically thinking gullible sheeple. I would never put Joe in that category. Even with his biases he is very straightforward with his criticisms and explanations of how a vehicle performs. I would categorize Joe more as a credible informer.
Honest ? He said the m3 front looks good LOL it's ugly af
Influencers!? HAHA
The hatch opening is the reason I want one over the 340X Drive plus I like the grille!
I actually like this car. Come on, I cant be the only one
As a mountain biker and owner of a previous gen 440 gc, I would like to point out its bike carrying practicality: 1-you can open the trunk while carrying two bikes on a hitch mounted rack (enabled by the hatchback angle). 2-in winter, you can fit a fatbike in the boot! And the drive to the mountains is a blast! Cheers.
I really can not see why so many people don't like the front grille. I think it looks very sporty. Liked it since it first appeared on BMW products. 🙂
6:30 you're basically testing the car with two 6'4" male in tandem. Normally, you'd put the tallest passenger in the front passenger seat and the next tallest (given the driver is tall) passenger in the right hand rear seat as the front passenger can make do with less leg room than the driver. But, yes, that seat WILL be crammed ONLY if you need to fit four 6'4" males in the car AND the drive insists on keeping his normal seat adjustment.
Thanks for pointing that out, I'm sure nobody would have noticed (even though I mentioned it). It's almost 5 meters long and has bugger all rear cabin space, even average height adults would struggle, that's a fact and relevant in a review.
Also don't like your own comment 😂
In my opinion the “old” 4 Series Gran Coupe was one of, if not the best looking BMW sold in that time. Partner that with the B58 & great practicality with the hatchback and it really made it such a great choice for so many! Unfortunately I’m not sold on the looks of this generation but happy to see one in person/drive it before passing judgment. Great video Joe
second gen 6 series is the best looking.
Shame - the previous gen 4GC was one of the best cars in BMWs lineup. Had a 440i with the mppsk and it was fantastic.
So? This one is even faster than 440i mppsk and it has xdrive. Much better than the previous version
The previous 440i looked gorgeous whereas this one looks like shit you silly man.
@@titusrome2863 I owned 2019 440i GC and I sold it with no hesitation and bought the new M440i GC. Everyone has its own taste. The car’s color is terrible in this video. But I found my grey M440i GC is much better than my last car in every angles.
A full M4 version with flared arches would look 👌
Yeah possibly, let's hope they do one 🏁
These have been about 300 lbs. heavier than the coupés in previous generations.
No they didn’t
I just got this car, so naturally I was hoping for affirmation from one of my favorite reviewers. I greatly respect and almost always agree with your opinions, Joe. So I am sorry this wasn't your cup of tea.
But as always, your review was honest and fair. The criticisms about the cramped rear seat, the higher cost vs. the M340i, and the design and larger dimensions are valid. Yet the only of those that bothers me now is the growth in height (1-1/2") and length (5-1/2") vs. the old 4-series GC.
Everything else has been improved: the driving (with an extra 52hp in the U.S. model, limited-slip differential, and a wider track); the range of sportiness vs. smoothness and of the ride (with an even better adaptive suspension); the engine sound (with new options to to balance or suppress it); the 8th-gen iDrive system; the incredible parking system; and the larger cargo space (up 30L to 470L). Its high tech also enables us to use an iPhone as a key, monitor the area remotely via the parking cameras, and start engine and the heater, AC or fan remotely.
We got this to replace the previous 440i Gran Coupe (F36). I came to love it for its hatchback design, gorgeous looks, smooth ride, and wireless CarPlay (starting in 2019). But the lease was ending. So we initially got the 2021 M340i that everyone raved about. It has more power, more rear seat room, and some of the new features of the M440 like the automatic parking and iDrive 8. But on the M-sport model I ordered we found the ride was too busy, almost harsh, even in Comfort mode with "Adaptive M" suspension. The design was a bit high and boxy. The trunk was spacious but still couldn't accommodate 2 large 29" suitcases, which the 440 GC swallowed thanks to its extra height. That settled it. I returned the M340 after only a year and ordered the new M440i Gran Coupe.
After just 2 weeks, I can confirm the new 4-series GC is much smoother and has all the capability of the M340i except for rear seat space. But it's very rare we have back seat passengers. I disliked the front grille at first but now I like it, maybe since it's more dramatic. We'll spend much more time inside the car enjoying the fantastic drive than looking at the exterior.
How’s the power difference in the m440i gc vs m340i? I’m waiting for my 2022 m440i gc to get built but I’ve always wondered about the power difference between the two cars. Does the 0-60 feel the same? Does it pick up power fast on a roll?
No difference is perceptible since the engines and transmissions (both also xDrive) are exactly the same. Although the M340 might be a tenth of a second faster with its 150-lb lighter weight, the M440 GC feels just as quick, and the sound and smoothness is glorious!
@@alanh2946 Have you done any aftermarket changes to the exhaust? I’ve heard it and like the sound but was hoping for more pops and crackles.
No changes were made to the exhaust. It pops and crackles when you let up on the accelerator to coast, especially in Sport mode. There’s also a nice rumble on startup, and a subtle but pleasant growl or “burp” during some gear changes.
@@alanh2946 gotcha, I haven’t seen many references online I just remember seeing the m440i gc got 4.2 in 1 0-60 test, whereas the m340i got 3.89 and that’s why it had me a bit concerned about the 0-60 times. The m340i xDrive is listed to get 4.1, and the 440i GC is listed to get 4.4, but was curious on if it actually felt the same or not. Also, how is the handling around corners with the two cars? Heard the m340i handles better but not sure by how much. Also, sorry for so many questions, just really curious about these things lol.
I have a previous Gen 4 GC and I have to say, I massively underestimated the practicality of the hatchback. Whether you’re carrying dogs or furniture, these things are great. It dresses up nicely but has that huge additional practicality over a saloon. The pricing is a shame, but I can definitely understand why you’d choose a GC.
Absolutely, it's just a shame the rear cabin is even more compromised in this latest generation.
@@JoeAchilles1 crazy I have an F36 440i it’s RWD, big hatch boot and enough room in the back for two kids, not to mention a Far, far better looking car and I still have the b58 think I’ll be keeping hold of mine.
@@rhyshansford2288 Good decision. That grille is terrible and I don't think resale value will be kind to it. I have a 2011 BMW 323i and if I am to upgrade it would be the 2016 440i Coupé which is my wife's favourite car. Sadly, they are about 10-15k out of my range here in Australia. That's due to the chip shortage, inflation and higher new car prices which is meaning there is less new cars, which is leading to people buying used cars, which means no used cars, which leads to the price of used cars going up.
I enjoyed watching the Viddo Review. My personal view Is that It Is one of the best 4-door coupes on sale
Cheers and glad you liked the video! Glad you like it, it just doesn't do it for me for some reason... 👊
Why would anyone but this one, with the outdated iDrive and all, when the i4M is already shipping?
M340i every day. More of a sleeper, but I suppose many will buy the M440i because they think it looks a little sleeker perhaps.
I liked the old 4 series gran coupe, I thought it looked so much more striking than a 3 series but now I think I prefer the 3. This looks more like a 2 series gran coupe but with worse proportions.
I agree with you. I loved the look of my last 2018 440i Coupe but couldn’t face the thought of getting a new 4-Series (Coupe or Gran Coupe) mainly because of the front grille but also because the overall shape is simply not as pretty as the previous generation 4-Series. I am happy I switched to a M340i!
Coming from 440i coupe (yes with THAT grille) and looking to make a step up for more practical family car in year or so, think I’ll skip this and wait on the new M3 Touring. Fair, honesty review 👌
Great video Joe, as always! I love the old F36 4GC, but agree with you, I don’t think BMW have executed the design as well as they did with the previous generation. The G20 and G21 are much better looking to me. Will be interesting to see how buyers might react in the next year or two and if statistics change!
You getting in the back is my favourite bit of your videos. I'm 6'5" - essential consumer information 😁
How tall is your chauffeur though ? 😜
You will shrink soon
Good review as always 👍. I’ve got the m340i saloon and I love it. Best car I’ve had, hands-down.
I think it is perfectly fine for a reviewer to dislike a car for whatever reason he chooses even if it is purely subjective. But when it is purely subjective and not based on tangible stuff the value of the review is diminished. All we learn is that someone doesn't like a car.
I have had this car (xDrive) for about 4 months. We've made a 10 hour (one way) trip in it. Several 3-4 hour trips. We drive it around town. It is my wife's daily driver. So I have some experience with it. I also drove the M340i before buying the GC.
The real problem with a review like this is that it gives love for the M340i and M340i touring but hates the car which is different from the others by very little other than shape. Not to mention that the M340i Touring isn't available in the US.....which makes that comparo fairly pointless to the larger part of the BMW market.
My thoughts? In terms of performance I see little or no difference between it and the M340i xDrive. The only real difference: Decent trunk and a bit more headroom in the 340 back seat vs huge hatch and less head room in 440i back seat. The main subjective difference is the styling. I like the lines of the 440 much better. Sleeker. Sportier. Definitely more distinctive.The 340 just looks like a car. Not much to set it apart from a Camry or an Accord looks wise. The big grill? I don't like it but as one reviewer pointed out it IS the new look and even if it is worse it makes the others look dated.
I am close to 6'5". Driver and front passenger area is great comfort wise. I don't even need to push the driver seat all the way back. Back seat? I can get in and out with no problem if the seat in front is at my 5'4" wife's setting. My head barely touches the roof. I could easily make around town trips back there. Not long trips. But I wouldn't want to make a long trip in the back of the 340i or any other mid sized sedan either.
For us, the utility of the rear hatch was much more important than the rear seating which gets used only very rarely. I cannot overemphasize how handy it is.
I find the GC to be an excellent grand tourer. I mean fantastic. Ten hour drive with a ton of luggage? No problem. Superb comfort. Excellent performance. Astonishing economy. It is also a great grocery getter.
What don't I like? The tech. All of it. iDrive 7 may be one of the better, maybe even the best, tech packages out there. But it still sucks. It makes almost EVERYTHING harder to do. It is not intuitive. It is not user friendly and in many cases it seems user hostile. The nav is abysmal. The Harmon Kardon stereo package is okay; not great though. The bright side is that I hear iDrive 7 is a lot better than 8!
Wow 😲😂
@@JoeAchilles1man this comment was better then the review. You literally answered all my questions. Rather then a guy complaining the entire time! Thank you!
Bought the m340i in September. With you on your conclusions Joe. Actually it’s the first 4 door daily driver I have bought in 25 years. Got everything I need in a car without peeling out another £5k for the coupe. Which I admit looks great, but so does £5k spent elsewhere.
Great to hear and couldn't agree more 👌👌👌
Same I bought the m340i with all the goodies I wanted, and it is so well designed and I love it....but this 440i has hints of compromise all over it. I came down from a 535d touring and the 340i boot has been fine, and I easily stick bikes on the back with the fold away towbar. Don't really feel need for the hatchback of the 4 at all
totally agree..I loved my F36 440i...this one is a "no go" due to the quirky optics. And yes, it is not only the grille...So i went for the M340i.
Agreed. M340i touring for the daily driver win! I don’t have one - but went from an older 6 cylinder Beemer to a 2.0 TFSI and I yearn for that in-line six in my life again!!! I have no doubt it will be my next car.
The 340i touring makes most cars in the BMW range redundant imo.
Agree, incredible package!
I agree. I wish we got the M340i touring here in America!! I much rather have the touring than this.
@@nate7906 i got one after moving away from the US, i can vouch for that. I can honestly say there's nothing in the BMW lineup i'd rather have as a daily driver.
@@RC-bx5jo Lucky! A M340i touring M340d touring or M550d touring are all cars I wish we had here
I think this car looks a lot better than the 340i. 340i looks like a typical bmw from the passed 10 years unless you get the m3 of course
Hey again Joe. It really is different strokes on this one. I love how it looks. I had the old 4GC after running a 3touring. Currently have the M340 touring and going into one of these again. Strangely, I found my old 4GC even more practical than my touring (for what i do). I ride bikes and the width of the 4GC boot was better for storage and the hatch meant you could pretty much throw things in. I love my current M340 touring from a driving and practicality point of view, but find it pretty boring to look at. All that said, I absolutely love your reviews mate, they're as honest as they get. Another factor is at 5ft 9 i'm the tallest person in my household, so rear space and head room never seems to be an issue for us ;-)))
I like the fact that he emphasises for him "Looks don't do it".
I think the point of these 4dr “coupes” are the practicality of the rear hatch, sure there are some rear seat compromises vs the 3 series (or Audi 4 series), but if you’re a cyclist, being able to carry an expensive road bike inside your car is a pretty big deal. I’m currently in an Audi A5 Sportback for that reason. Fwiw I traded in my S4 with the idea of getting an S5, but through a Costco discount, the faster shifting DSG and the A5 being > ½ second slower it just made more sense for me. That said, I’d be very tempted to look hard at the m440i if also offered as a full-on M4 with a manual transmission - still offered here in the USA.. A solid/useful review btw.
To these eyes, the old 4GC looked way better. Except the interior. The new one is better in that department.
4 Series GC is way better looking than the 3 series IMO, defo the one I’d go for. Nice job again Joe 👍
Better looking? Yeah... until you get to the snout :)
@@ByronWalter Snout looks alright to me.
I don't see all the hate on this. M cars are too much for the street. This allows you to enjoy the speed, sound with comfort. To me it's the perfect fit.
Agree on the subject of the looks, Joe. We have a 1st Gen 4 GC and absolutely love it. As a family with two kids, the car is perfectly practical and surprisingly spacious (i'm 6ft and fit fine behind myself in the back). Yes, it's not a 5 Touring but for the profile shape, it's very good. The new one doesn't look as low and raked as the outgoing one, instead looking more like a 3 Series that's been butchered into a GC. And, there's a whiff of 2 Series GC, which is not a good thing. The OG one looked like a stand-alone car. Like you, purely on looks, i'm not sold, so would keep mine and maybe in time replace it with a 3 Touring...
I’m 6ft 1 I fit perfectly in my 540i but the back seat is boaderline usable.. my 2 year old literally kicks the back of the passenger seat being in a car seat. She doesn’t even fit in the seat behind me unless I get real close to the steering wheel… I’m curious how you made it work..
@@k.w5804 i just think they packaged the 1st Gen 4GC deceptively well. Don't get me wrong, I don't have the belief that it's a limo but, once you've squeezed through the laughably small rear door, the space gets better. Our kids are past having car seats, so they sit in the seat properly, which will doubtless help them fit more comfortably, with their feet in the floorwell. I'm reasonably tall with a lot of leg, so I do have the driver's seat some way back (akin to an F1 driver in my pea sized brain) so i've never come across a car where a child-seat sitting child doesn't kick my seat.
@@DarrenCadbyLynch that’s good to know. I really want the m4, but it’s not something immediate after just getting the wife a GLB (small on the outside but huge space inside). I have not owned a 2 door coupe in my life but with the kids growing out of car seat in a couple of years I guess it’s possible that everybody could be happy in the car. Just need to get past the look of the front now…
i work with CAD data on this car and you wont belive but the grill on this car the G26 is even bigger then on the normal 4 G22. crazy
As always a great honest review, agree with you the 340d would be my preferred choice.
Excellent video review and I agree entirely with your position on this car. Anyone buying the 4 over the 3 has almost always done it for the design and looks and with this generation, that grille is a no deal for me notwithstanding the rear which I think is actually the weakest part of the design language. Not sure what the board at Munich were thinking when they signed the design off on this one ! Lol
For me the Touring looks like a funeral car. That's why I love the 4 GC. It's practical and looks great. I have no kids, so the limited back space is no problem for me.
The GC is a good compromise for a lot of people...
I am having the m340i, June 2021....sounds god to me....engine is perfect....greetings from Passau and thanks for the video....
Finally someone said it! Tire sidewall aesthetics DO matter. I’ve always been a huge fan of Michelin’s PSS/PS4S and Cup 2 sidewalls, and even tried doing an internet search to see if there were any articles going into detail about them.
This is my bmw guy whenever I want to learn about a certain bmw I know who to go to
Wow, you're a great voice. Thoughtful, balanced, intelligent. You've got the chops to be a top youtube reviewer across all genres, if not a bona-fide star. Really enjoyed watching your videos while shopping for a 4 series, and glad I stumbled across you! Hope you review more electric cars, because that's what I'm looking for! Stay safe on the roads!
Good honest review ~ keep up the good work!
Never heard anyone lowkey hate a car so much
honest review. I did like the last gen model. I think this new one might grow on me - like the new coupe has. Shame they messed up the back seats - a better spec'd 3 series would be a better way to spend the cash
Great colour. Looks even better on the M8 Gran Coupe. Don't get why they've made the back row so impractical.
I feel the M440i GC looks best in Brooklyn grey. That block contrast with the grey really makes the car flow better in my opinion.
Hi Joe. Interesting and honest review and 100% agree. I honestly can’t see the point in this car, given the rear access issues - I did chuckle at you trying to get in though! I feel your pain as I too am 6’4” tall! If I was looking for four doors, I’d buy the saloon. I have a G22 M440i coupe and I’m very impressed with it - less so with the GC - although they seem to be popular in the US. Interestingly, my 440 was dyno’d recently on what I know is an accurate dyno - it showed 404 BHP - I’m not complaining though! Great video!
Car looks great.
Joe, good to hear a decent and honest first drive review …. M340i _ Drink 🍺😀
😂🍻
I specifically like it because it looks so different. I coincidentally will be trading in my M340i for it, but mainly due to the distinct look. The M340i looks rather bland. Good review either way.
Also, there seems to be mixed info on the 1/4 mile. There are sites stating it runs 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. Hopefully someone actually runs it to find it what's accurate.
For those interested, another streamer did one 0-60 run and it ran 4.2 0-60. So quite a bit faster than the stated 4.7.
Haha fair enough, thankfully and respectfully we all have different tastes, I'm sure this will grow on me a bit, hopefully some better looking alloys will become available soon... 👌
@@JoeAchilles1 Oh, no worries. I'm not insulted at all. I expect to hear a bit of jimmy rustling once it arrives to be quite honest due to the frontend. I really enjoy the M340i as well. Look forward to a more in-depth look at some point. I also completely agree as far as the rims go. I'm having the dealership powder coat them black before I pick it up. Not a fan of the bi-color rims.
Heavily considering this as a 140 replacement at some point, not a massive fan of the looks tbh but the LCI improves on that a bit. For me, it’s the fact it has hatch opening. The coupe to me has a massive flat looking rear quarter and the GC kind of breaks this up a bit with the doors. As for the 340 touring that would be overkill for me, I don’t need thaaaaat much space. Would be looking elsewhere but hard to move away from the B58 ZF8 combo. Thanks for the honest review as always!
this looks much better than the 2 door for me
Great video Joe and agree with your verdict. Think the 340 Touring is a better looking, and more practical option.... An Alpina B3 Touring would be my ultimate.... Uber 😎
I believe the wheels look off because the car has taller side panels and extra trim pieces. The i4 needs those to hide the batteries and this just uses the same parts to save costs. That's why you can get this with a 20" option for a more balanced look while the 2 door coupe only offers 19s.
Why did BMW make ventilated seats an option for the 4 series but not the m340i?!
Really good review as always (even if it was a brief one this time), but I like the look of the GC! What I don't like is how heavy it's got! Over 1800kg! That's more than the base 7 series for crying out loud! Come on BMW, sort out the weights of your new models. Obese cars don't make for 'the ultimate driving machines'".
Great content as always Joe, I can’t understand the market for this car, why would you not got for the 3 series saloon or touring? I actually think the m340i is a better looking car than this. Just can’t see the benefit of this one, especially when it’s a fair bit more expensive.
Cheers man! Yeah I totally agree, the previous 4 gran coupe had looks to die for, that made up for the lack of space, this one (in my eyes) really doesn't.... 🤷🏻♂️ Thankfully everyone has different taste 😉
Yeah the last gen b58 rear wheeler wasn’t no joke one local with bmw individual paint
The touring m340i is not sold in the USA. So this would be the better space option in the US. And there’s a stigma that that 3 series are Baseline bmw. This kind of stuff ultimately impact sales figures significantly I believe.
I love the looks. Love the front AND back, but prefer the i4... but agree about practicality
Yeah it's very similar to the i4, yet to get my hands on one but guessing it has no rear cabin space either...
@@JoeAchilles1 yes. Ok for kids back there..
Not every M performance car has to be as good as amazing M550i. Let’s hope they give u another car to test after this 👹 but great stuff as always Joe.
Overall M340i and M550i are the best BMWs at the moment
This vs the i4 M50 would be very interesting - on UK roads...
Its too short in the back wich makes it look wierd
I like this shape other than the premium above a 340. Most importantly though, this is the i4 shape and I can lease that basically half price through work! The M50 comes out a bit pricey and your suddenly looking at a base LR taycan. But a e40 msport with some goodies? Time you checked that out Joe, please
As always, a thoughtful and engaging review from Joe. Sadly, we no longer get the BMW touring models here in the US. Lacking that option I’d either buy the 3 sedan or 4 coupe over this.
Agree with you.. no real point really when the another models are so better looking and more practical
I'm probably in the minority that likes it. I had the previous 440iGC, and the main draw for that was a £13k discount and 0% APR. I went in to buy a 340i and found the GC far cheaper. Bloody loved it as well ... It was different and had the hatch boot.
No one pays the list price, so if these are discounted heavier than the 3er then they make sense. I've had an m340i saloon, and going to one of these in April, bought both from TRL 👍
I think the car looks beautiful, even more in person. It's more practical than seadan.Depends what do you need.
At least we have such option.
New grill in black looks insane, in silver rather not.
As I am contemplating replacing my M340i with an i4, this is interesting input, but what I REALLY would like to see is you driving the i4, which is very similar to the M440 GC in many aspects. Is that happening, any time soon ?
Noone cares about evs
@@dwade3202 Aha.
I’ve ordered the i4 M50. Reviews are very good so far.
I love my Bmw’s but this was a great and honest review. I would love to be able to afford M340i as he mentions
Isn't the floor of the rear passengers slightly raised as well? As it will accommodate the battery pack of the i4 as they're sharing the same platform. The 4 Gran Coupé G26 isn't quite the looker unlike it's bigger brother 8 Series Gran Coupé. Dare I say it; it looks almost like a 4 Series _GT_
Color is gorgeous! But in my home town Los Angeles, this will be the poseur mobile of choice. Wife chose the X3 M40 and I’ll stick with my M2 Comp: both Joe Approved!!
Great engine in a so so looking car. Totally agree with you, I kinda expected more from it. Imo the A5/S5 looks much better. I’d just get a M340i Touring
Think I have to agree with you on this one Joe, back end looks like it has been stuck on and doesn't match rest of car.
I'm a bit surprised by the lack of mention of Audi S5 :P
Currently deciding between the B58 BMW's, so far I've narrowed it down the the M340i Sedan, M440i Coupe, X3 M40i, and this... the M440i GC. Weirdly enough, the M340i always seems to come out on top in every category, best performance, best handling, practicality, best suspension/ride, cheapest, best looking (in most peoples eyes) etc. Seems like a bit of a no brainer to me
Looks are a matter of taste which is what it came down to in this review. That and cost. For me, I hate the look of station wagons. Love the look of the 4 series gran coupe…which looks like a coupe which is sportier IMO. It combines almost all the sportiness of the two door with almost all the functionality of the station wagon. There is a reason that these account for 50% of 4 series sales and the likes of Audi, Mercedes, Kia, the electric variants and others are jumping on this body style. It offers a lot and looks pretty good…again, in my opinion.
The 4 series was created to fill the gap when the 3 series was fairly a much smaller & limited optioned car than the 5 series. It then added a clear-cut sporty look probably a great target for the successful-ambitious single male in its early or mid 30's. It doesn't make much sense today with so many options in the 3 line and agree not appealing on the design side for whatever target. Ought to be very brand loyal to get into one IMHO.
I wish we got the wagon here in the states. It would be an immediate purchase for me.
Hi Joe, another great open and honest review. Your review was the main reason I’ve just taken delivery of my M340i touring. Can’t see past that car to be honest and think it’s possibly the best all round car at the moment .
I guess it is not a big surprise that a major manufacturer is selling a swoopy 4 door coupe with less practicality for a premium over saloon and touring versions. The original 4 series Gran Coupe seemed to be squarely aimed at the company car lists where 4 doors are often compulsory and you wanted something a little different from the plebs. Also, if you don't have a mountain bike, kids or a ton of stuff to carry the 4 door coupe can appeal. I have none of the afore mentioned pre-requisites but do have 3 medium dogs, so a Gran Coupe would appeal. As for rear space, on the infrequent occasions were I am giving mates a lift to the pub and they complain.........they could always walk ! I guess it comes down to 'horses for courses' and personal taste :-)
I know, as a B5 Touring owner that I'm hugely biased, but park one of these next to a B3 Touring and I doubt many people would have eyes for the 4GC - and that's before you get the chance to drive them. Do that & I suspect you'll be doing everything in your power to find the extra pennies.
The rear passenger space & access of this reminded me of a Rapide, but at least with that you would never need to apologise for the way it looked.
I collected the 5 series after 10 months of waiting. I am glad that i did not change my mind. After months of waiting I was really conaidering this 4 GC without seeing it in person. It would be too small for our 2+2 family
Thank you for the great video Joe!
This is really disappointing from BMW, they have dropped the ball with the 4 series. I waited anxiously for the 4 GC for over 2 years and this is what they came up with?! This type of a car should be beautiful to warrant the higher price and it's anything but beautiful. When you first reviewed the 4 Coupe you said the looks were "starting to grow on you" and I was trying to convince myself that the look is ok and I will still buy it. But to be honest, if you want to buy this car you should like it from the start and not try to squint to make it work.
Now I'm gravitating towards the Audi 5 series SB as BMW 4 GC is just off the list now. Looks awesome and it even has a little more room in the back seats. The only problem is that the S5 is diesel in the EU now...so my only choice now appears to be to upgrade and go for the RS5?
So glad the pan roof got a mention, was going to be so disappointed if not 😂
Had a feeling you wouldn't like this and I think you implied it when they were in the background on one of your recent IG stories. For better or worse, I do like the looks enough, as I've put in a pre-order for the i4 M50i...an electrified version of the this car pretty much. I drive my dream car right now, a 2016 328ix LCI, so I am excited for the increased size and space.
Good honest review.
I had no clue it accounted for 50% of the 4 series line up. Interesting
Nice vid, agree completely. Thanks for the honest review
BMW really messed up with this one, and they needed to get it right. The rear space looks to be smaller than my F36, which I've never had a problem with. Had people over 6ft in there a few times. For this generation I'd definitely have the M340i Touring over this gen 4GC, but I still think the F36 is one of the nicest looking BMW's they've ever made. I just wish my 440i GC had xDrive, it'd be perfect, and is the only reason I consider an upgrade/sidegrade in the future.
They will sell every one they make. No need for them to 'get it right'.
Thanks for your honesty. In my opinion, the GC has a much better sporty profile from the rear doors back. I am looking at the GC because I am looking for something to replace my 2015 X6. I don't really need that much storage anymore, but still want some seat down capability, and the X6 is actually a big vehicle. But I agree with you, when you start adding the optional naughty bits that take the car from good to great, it gets expensive very quickly.
It’s still cheaper than that 911 we’d all really like to have ! 🥹
Hey Joe, nice see you driving through my home town. Ring the door bell next time :)
What was BMW thinking with the extended ugly black bits on the rear bumper?
This car, like many cars today, is form over function - but the form is bad. Not sure why people pick coupes over sedans.
Great video Joe! I agree fully about the looks. Interesting about the nice sounding up shifts. I’ve got a 69 plate m340i that’s got quieter since I’ve had it, I swear. No pops anymore. Anyone else had their car get quieter during ownership?
BMW adjusts it through their updates. So you aren't going crazy.
Any plans to do an i4 M50 review? Space wise etc. I know it’s that same care but will be interesting to see what a true BMW fan makes of the electrified version (even though I know you don’t like EVs :) )
I agree Michelin sidewalls are next level and really make the car look better. I also agree it should not have m mirrors.
I agree, new 2's all have power done bonnets as well. Not on imo from BMW
@@Daniel189HLL yeah LCI x3 m40i have m mirrors, double slat m kidney grills with an m badge on them. And cars like the m440i now have the 3 m colors on the seat belts thar use to only be an M comp car thing.
Lets all just agree that the new face is starting to look great
I currently have a 430d m sport plus GC and was looking at replacing it with this. Good to hear an honest review. Going to have to have a serious think about it now.
I bought a previous generation 440i GC with mppsk based on your review of that car Joe. This generation doesn’t do it for me.
Makes me happy I ordered an M440i coupe just last week instead of this!
I'm intrigued about the sound it was putting out though, the burbles on the upshift? It would be a shame to miss this, I hope they decide to add it to the coupes before mine gets made!
Another good video.
100% agree that I would rather have an M340i Touring. However I live in Canada - so for fastish BMWs with decent cargo space the only option is a Gran Coupe (I would never buy a BMW SUV, that's what Toyota or Subarus are for).
Great review! It did not feel rushed at all. Your content is always informative and easy to follow .
i prefer the M340i
Joe. You should take that car on the road from Stow on the Wold to Tewkesbury which has one of the worst surfaced roads I have driven on recently, not just potholes but really uneven tarmac. Why cannot British B roads have good surfaces?