BMW 3 series touring or 4 series Gran Coupe

Hi all,

Potentially looking for a new car and am considering either a 3 series touring or 4 series GC.

Have any of you driven both and if so give me a comparison.

Which one would be better for putting a mountain bike into?

Im looking at the 2017-2018 age wise and either the 320/420 or 330/430. Which would be the better engine to go for?

Should I be put off by an older car with lower mileage?

Any decent options to look for?

Thanks all.

Which one would be better for putting a mountain bike into?

The touring is more practical, but only slightly, I think the GT version of that age is a bit bulbous looking and the Touring better but YMMV.

Im looking at the 2017-2018 age wise and either the 320/420 or 330/430. Which would be the better engine to go for?

Assuming you mean diesel, all of those engines are the same unit with different tunes. For bang to buck / speed vs MPG / flexibility the 3.0D is the one to get. For max efficiency / lower insurance / decent performance the 2.0D is a very good unit in that car, see Chris Harris YouTube review of “the only car you’ll ever need”.

Should I be put off by an older car with lower mileage?

Depends on the history. All of them are very good if they’ve been run on long journeys regularly and all capable of 100’s of thousands of miles and some of this will be skewed by the Pandemic e.g. my 2017 320d has approx half the average miles at 33k but its been regularly serviced and its average journey is in excess of 1hr on motorways, with regular 3hr / 110m runs.

There was a very similar thread here a few months ago.

I can get my 1208mm wheelbase bike with 760mm handlebar into my 4 Gran Coupe, front wheel off, corner to corner, dropper down. Room of 2-3 kit bags around it. No room for a passenger taller than maybe 5ft10, might get a longer bike in with no or shorter passenger. I use a tarp, and the neoprene pedal covers from the STW shop, take care to position the cranks so the downwards facing one doesn’t wedge itself between where the rear seat folds. Pull the tarp forward before putting the rear of the bike in, then slide the rest of it in – tarp slides on carpet better than bike slides on tarp.

Touring always. But that’s just my biased opinion based on the look of them.

Don’t expect the Touring to be cavernous, my E91 isn’t a big car and the wheel arches take up a lot of boot.

330d Touring would be my choice. Looks loads better than the 4 Series GC, plenty space for bikes (for a smallish car) and rapid enough.

A 335D would be even better.

My 64 plate 320d xdrive touring was the best car I’ve ever owned.
I looked at the 4 series GC as a replacement, it was a lovely car, but slightly lower to get in and out of which ultimately put me off.

Are people confusing the Gran Coupe and the GT? The GC is a lovely looking 4 door coupe and the GT looks like a dog with constipation.

Interesting thread, a while back I had a 318d touring, think it was a 10 plate, company car. It was replaced with a 13 plate 520d tourer which was a great car. I then came out the company scheme and have had a few Audi Quattro models since.

I have just ordered a BMW i4, so very interested to see the comparisons. I was quite impressed with the space in the boot, especially with the seats down.

Are people confusing the Gran Coupe and the GT?

I’m not, I just really like tourings.

You’re right though, the GT is an awful looking thing.

Looked at this exact choice a few years ago and ended up with the touring. It was just more practical shaped boot for me. Bikes went on the roof though because of dog cage in the boot and think looked better with roof rack on the touring over the lower Gran Coupe.

If looking at petrol I would definitely avoid the 420. Had one as a courtesy car once in a Coupe and it was dog slow and unresponsive.

I’ve had a 435d Coupe and currently have a 320d Saloon.

A pal has had the 435d Grand Coupe.

Both of the 435d’s while having a stunning engine and looking good had something not right about the chassis/weight-distribution/wheel-tyre-size – both of us thought this, independently (I’ve had lots of nice, fast cars and he’s an ex-rally driver). Both would fit a long 29er in with just the front wheel off (drop down seats).

My Saloon will also fit a long 29er in with just the front wheel off – also handles better and TBH while ‘only’ 190bhp is quick enough for most overtakes on country roads and tops out at over 140mph. Also has averaged 46.1mpg over the last 50k.

For you I’d go Touring.

Cheers all.

Currently in a model 3 which is an absolute pain to get my Levo into.

If I change my job (and it’s looking likely) I will get a car allowance and want something really reliable as it will be used for commuting around sites too.

For my budget (16-20k) I can’t get a newish 68 plate 320d or 420d or an older 16 plate 335d. The 330d and 430d fall somewhere between the two.

Or would you forget both and consider something else ?

Running costs for the 335D will be significantly higher than the 330D which has more than adequate performance for the roads in the UK.
I’ve had a 320D and a 330D Touring. Both excellent cars.

Don’t discount the 3 series GT as it’s massively practical. It sits a couple of inches higher than the touring and has a huge load carrying space with the seats down. I’ve just loaded 2 builders bags of garden waste into mine for a tip run and it will also swallow a road bike without having to take a wheel off. For options I’ve found the adaptive suspension to be a big improvement on our roads compared to the standard suspension.

Matt Watson did a long term review of one of the earlier models https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cefGMlrBTc

Touring would be far more practical, but how practical do you really need? I had a 2004 320d touring and absolutely loved it. It was the second best car I’ve ever owned, behind my current A6 Allroad. That said, I put bikes on the roof as the back of a 3-series touring isn’t huge.

If you opt to put bikes on the roof and don’t need an estate otherwise (I do as I have dogs) then the GC looks very nice.

As said above a 3 series isnt that big in the boot. A Superb estate would be. I used to have a 320d estate on the boot space was ok. Now own an E-Class estate and much more practical space.  Our BMW X1 has a much more practical boot space than any 3 series estate. Having said that X1’s are stupid money 2nd hand (must be a reason for that!)

A 320d is plenty powerful enough 330 and above have proper performance which is nice to have but not essential. They also tend to be quite a bit more expensive than 320

I looked at the 3 series touring before eventially settling on my octavia estate. I was quite suprised at just how little room those 3 series have – certainly no chance of getting even a folded large greyhound in the boot for any amount of time.

And after doing a bit more research it seems this is the issue.

The 3 series and 4 series arent that big inside compared to say the octavia (had both an estate and hatch in these) or a superb.

Another contender would be a volvo v60

Hi,

I have a 2014 3 series touring. It fits my XL geometron with the front wheel off.

Bikes on the roof mostly as removing my son’s child seat gets tedious quickly

It’s not a massive car internally.

Mine is a 335d in hindsight I’d have been better off with a 320d for the lower tax and insurance. The 335d is significantly faster than I ever need it to be.

My mates more recent 330d is very similar.

I tried a couple of 2wd before going for the 4wd 335. In the dry warm summer on non slipery roads with very slight provocation both the 2wd cars I drove put their back end out. I’ve never driven a rwd car.so.couldnt tell if it was me or there was something wrong with the examples I drove.

I’d try 2wd and 4wd before buying

Another vote for the touring with whichever 6 cylinder lump fits your needs best.

Late spec lci 335d touring (rwd) here and ticks most the boxes, have a towbar rack for the bikes to keep the filth out and save faff. It manages family camping trips away with 2 kids fine with a roof box.

*Just to add, had an Octavia VRS estate a few years ago – 335d is better in every way apart from a bit less space which hasn’t been an issue.

In the dry warm summer on non slipery roads with very slight provocation both the 2wd cars I drove put their back end out

In balance I never had that (Mich Pilot Support Sports) and now that I changed to Conti all Seasons even in the December snow it was all good – London to Gloucester average -9 overnight in a snowy car park and didnt spot a traction control light once.

In balance I never had that

The two that did that were both well past 70,000 miles.
It could have been the tyres.
It could have been the car.
It could have been my driving….

The two that did that were both well past 70,000 miles.
It could have been the tyres.
It could have been the car.
It could have been my driving….

It could have been the wheels – I had a buckled wheel on my 320d touring and the back kicked out frequently as the buckle meant a smaller contact surface. Once that was fixed the back was harder to get out, but it would still go with a little perseverance 🙂 That’s the fun of rear wheel drive!

I have an E91 touring and can get 2 bikes in with the front wheels off easily. Can get the wife’s small road bike ke in with both wheels on. Also loaded up with a week’s worth of kit plus the 2 bikes for the two of us on an MTB trip to Scotland worked fine. It was full, but it all fits. They are certainly big enough and also given their size they fit into car park spaces and down country lanes easily which is less easy in bigger cars obv.

Mine is a 330i and my back end doesn’t have any issues in the dry, something was up with the ones you drove. Even in the wet it is fine, but I drive to the conditions, and I’m not a slow driver

The 3 series is pretty much all the car you could ever want. Pick the right spec and you will combine practicality, handling and comfort.

Consider an X Drive. I have driven rear wheel cars for years and never felt the need, but my wife recently got an X Drive 3 Series and the way it lays down its power is appreciably more reassuring on damp roads and pulling away at junctions.

…and 3:50 in the accompanying video.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/05/26/chris-harris-3-series-touring/

Jeepers that 3 series GT is ugly. Reminds me of my dad turning up with his Chrysler Alpine in 1978.

Bear in mind that for the 3 series you are looking at, the x drive models (all engine sizes AFAIK) have the standard SE suspension even if you get an M Sport model and it’s a bit soft & floaty if you are used to a more controlled BMW ride. Obviously no issue with traction though.
I’ve got a 2017 335d and it’s a great engine but a 330d is all you really need. The 6 cyl engines are so smooth & a perfect match for the ZF gearbox.
As regards must have options, the M Sport Plus package gets you the better brakes (needed), upgraded audio, headlights and quite a few other bits. The panoramic sunroof really lightens up the car & is a must have with the standard black leather.

better brakes (needed)

I’d argue they arnt needed at all, many hundreds of thousands of drivers don’t have them, plus the larger callipers limit wheel / rim choice should you want to change them for example winter wheels.

must have

Maybe I woke up grumpy this morning for which I apologise , but I wish people would add “in my opinion” when advising others. A panoramic sunroof is simply not a must have in a 3 series BMW in terms of purchasing advice.

I’d argue they arnt needed at all, many hundreds of thousands of drivers don’t have them, plus the larger callipers limit wheel / rim choice should you want to change them for example winter wheels.

FWIW BMW 18″ wheels fit with the larger discs, that’s what I’ve my winters running on.

The panoramic sunroof really lightens up the car & is a must have with the standard black leather.

And a sunroof? It’s not the 80’s.

fit with the larger discs,

It’s the blue M Sport calipers that are the issue for some wheels. For example, see the very last disclaimer box above the Buy button here.

Whatever you go for, ditch the run flats if it still has them,

A panoramic sunroof is simply not a must have in a 3 series BMW in terms of purchasing advice.

Couldn’t agree more, I actively looked for a car without the pan roof as I just don’t like them.

Being an M Sport with black leather were my only 2 criteria after the age/history/condition/mileage boxes were ticked – everything else was just nice to have.

And yes, ditch the run-flats if the car still has them fitted.

No idea where the hate for run flats comes from. I’ve got no issues with mine. The car is still way more comfortable than my old Focus or the wife’s RS3 neither of which had run flats. My 330 touring is a 66 plate and is still a great car.

And a sunroof? It’s not the 80’s.

A predominantly black cabin with black leather can be a pretty dull place to sit for an extended time. I rarely open the sunroof, but exposing the glass lightens up the cabin significantly. Especially so for those in the back.

It’s the blue M Sport calipers that are the issue for some wheels. For example, see the very last disclaimer box above the Buy button

Well sure if you put 16″ or 17″ wheels on but not many people are realistically gonna do that, even for winter wheels.

Maybe I woke up grumpy this morning for which I apologise , but I wish people would add “in my opinion” when advising others.

Fair point.

All in my humble opinion 😉

No idea where the hate for run flats comes from. I’ve got no issues with mine. The car is still way more comfortable than my old Focus or the wife’s RS3 neither of which had run flats. My 330 touring is a 66 plate and is still a great car.

The OE Bridgestone run flats on my 140i weren’t very nice at all. Replaced with Pirelli P-Zero run-flats when I managed to slash a front and rear sidewall in one go, and the Pirelli’s were superb.

Whatever you go for, ditch the run flats if it still has them,

I really don’t get this. Nothing wrong with run flats. They may have been harsh when they were a new technology but certainly not in more modern cars.

What I like about BMWs is that they are still set up in a way that you can feel the difference between tyre specs. ie Kwik Fit put some efficient grip tyre things on my 330 and I could tell from driving it that they were a softer more compliant tyre (comfort orientated tyre). The turn in and feel was much better when switched to Eagle F1’s at a little compromise to ride quality. Its the type of tyre that makes a difference, not run flats ! Now I am in a Merc its just no where near the same level of precision…. although I prefer the Merc for day to day driving.

I would question needing uprated brakes. Yes a 330 + car is very fast. But if its driven like a family car you will not need uprated brakes. If you routinely take it out for a ‘spirited drive’ then yes you may well suffer brake fade. Then I would question that you are in the wrong car ! BMW’s are good if you like a car that handles well, but these days they are too compromised ie not a sports car or a luxury car, some where in between  which means they dont fulfill either brief that well.

Its made me realise that a family car can be boring and sensible, and just get a sports car for the sports car bit, a BMW cant do both.

Edit: Oh and I would get rwd. The x drive cars are a bit dull in comparison, more understeer than oversteer..might as well get a Merc

In my opinion original runflats on E90 (17 inch) were pretty bad.

They have been fine on an F31 (18 inch) and also on G21 (19 inch) – either due to RFT improvements or M Adaptive Suspension which, from my limited experience in other cars without it, does make a significant difference when in comfort mode.

Mine is a lease and so I haven’t had to pay when all four tyres needed changing due one puncture – xDrive bonus cost…

If I had planned better with foresight of supply issues/inflation etc. I would have leased a 330d F31 in 2017 and bought it – fantastic car. 335d and M340d don’t justify the increased variable costs vs utility as a private UK owner in my opinion.

or M Adaptive Suspension which, from my limited experience in other cars without it, does make a significant difference when in comfort mode.

Very much this. I’m on my 4th consecutive BMW and the first time with M-adaptive suspension. Big improvement in ride quality in Comfort and also sharper handling in Sport compared to normal suspension.