420i/d Grand Coupe - Manual - Good choice of car?

[Boxrick]

Hello folks! I'm currently driving a Vauxhall Insignia and fancy getting one of the last available Grand Coupe 4 series in manual transmission ( probably 2018-2021 year) before the inevitable switch to electric in the coming years.

New obviously isn't an option since they stopped making manuals in about 2020/21 so I'm currently looking at the second hand market.

Also looking for one with Harman Audio which limits the search down a bit.

Budget is around 12-15k but there seems to be some nice ones around 20k.

Simply put is there anything I should or shouldn't be looking for in this car?
I ideally want the diesel, but if I'm motorway munching I would hope to be able to get 40mpg out of it, how likely is this?
Is this a good choice of car?

[d_a_n1979]

Boxrick said:

Hello folks! I'm currently driving a Vauxhall Insignia and fancy getting one of the last available Grand Coupe 4 series in manual transmission ( probably 2018-2021 year) before the inevitable switch to electric in the coming years.

New obviously isn't an option since they stopped making manuals in about 2020/21 so I'm currently looking at the second hand market.

Also looking for one with Harman Audio which limits the search down a bit.

Budget is around 12-15k but there seems to be some nice ones around 20k.

Simply put is there anything I should or shouldn't be looking for in this car?
I ideally want the diesel, but if I'm motorway munching I would hope to be able to get 40mpg out of it, how likely is this?
Is this a good choice of car?

I test drove a 428i and a 430D 4 series GC and found both cars to be superb; the 428i sold and the 430D was a bit steep TBH; but settled on our F31 as we preferred the load space capabilities over the 4'er

The 430D was a fantastic car; decent spec too (HK, pro nav, heated seats & wheel, ZF8 etc) - it was around £17k and my budget was £15k max at that time

Things to look for would be the usual servicing, paperwork/invoices that show it's full history, I'd want to understand the oil change intervals as well and what recent work its had done. Is the iDrive/maps up to date also etc

[bigdom]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The 420d will easily top 50mpg on the motorway, lighter right foot will see you in the 60's. Get the autobox though.

[Boxrick]

I sadly just like autos at all. I don't drive much, when I do I want to be using a manual. Ill never be in traffic

[SteBrown91]

BMW manuals are pretty meh at best, theres not a great deal of enjoyment from them.

Ive driven a couple of BMW manual diesels (an old X1 and a F21 1 series), both were vague, rubbery changes and it didnt seem to feel like it enjoyed going down the gears (aklways felt like there was resistance/reluctance to do it).

I would try an auto before you rule it out.

[Jamescrs]

I don't agree with the criticism BMW manuals get, I owned a manual M240i for 3 years and I felt it was a great car, I bought it specifically because I wanted a manual and whilst it's not as sharp as say a Civic Type-R I found it more than acceptable, All that being said I traded it in for a BMW with a DCT box and I do much prefer an auto now, but I can spend a lot of time sat in traffic.

I think you may struggle to find a manual that is not a very basic spec because most of the people buying the car would look to spec an auto before other things such as HK stereo etc.

[mooseracer]

Same here - I've a manual 140 and once warmed up the box is fine (like you say not great, but perfectly acceptable).

I think we are in the minority though!

[d_a_n1979]

Boxrick said:

I sadly just like autos at all. I don't drive much, when I do I want to be using a manual. Ill never be in traffic

Have you driven a BMW with the ZF8? If so what didn't you like about it?

If not then try it before you rule it out; they're a superb box

I've driven a manual 130i and it was great fun; but the ZF8s now are brilliant and suit the cars well and for every day driving, they so a superb job

I could understand manual if you were getting an M car for a weekend hoonigan, but not in a 4 series etc

[Pica-Pica]

For that budget you can get a 6 cylinder diesel with ZF8 sport autobox. You need an auto BMW over a manual.

[Boxrick]

I sadly just like autos at all. I don't drive much, when I do I want to be using a manual. Ill never be in traffic

[Uncle boshy]

If you don’t drive much, don’t get the diesel.

Petrol is less risk, will do 42mpg no problem, 50 on a motorway run if your sensible with the auto.

Manual more thirsty and not as good. Once you’ve tried the auto you won’t go back. Get one with paddles if you want to play gears

[miniman]

I had a 420i

Get the 420d

[d_a_n1979]

Boxrick said:

I sadly just like autos at all. I don't drive much, when I do I want to be using a manual. Ill never be in traffic

I'd say the 4 series isn't the right car personally then

[Boxrick]

Thanks for the reply everyone, its probably worth providing more context....

I don't drive every day, most my day to day is cycling. I commute to work on a bike, I go shopping on a bike... hence me saying I don't drive in traffic.

My driving is typically, country roads around Wales for a bit of fun, or motorway munching when I will be going somewhere. Usually with a loaded boot hence the grand coupe looking attractive. I was tempted by a Mazda MX5, but it has no utility at all for me and would literally sit around and never get used since it has no boot space.

I have wanted a nice car for a few years, refuse to buy an 'SUV' style car since I think they look like trash but want something that will give me a little bit of enjoyment. I have rented many nice cars of all types all of which had auto boxes and I always feel like something is missing. I want to drop gears into corners, I want to push the car for longer in lower gears even the paddle shifters don't feel right. I just really like manuals...

Most of my cars have been 'meh' fairly average Mondeo / Insignia / Fiesta style cars. So when we say BMW Manuals are not too great, we have to bear in mind we are comparing it to pretty poor gearboxes full stop.

So I was thinking, get a fairly nice car without spending stupid money. Get something which is reasonably fun to drive when I want to, with a good stock sound system since I always seem to end up messing with head units / speakers in most cars I buy more or less instantly and have plenty of boot space. The 4 Series Grand Coupe seems to fit the bill, run it in to the ground then inevitably get an electric car in a number of years when this car comes to the end of its natural life.

[Magnum 475]

I have an f30 330i - petrol. Mileage split is about 60/40 motorway / town. I’m averaging 45mpg. So I’d expect much better than 40ish out of a 420d.

[d_a_n1979]

Boxrick said:

Thanks for the reply everyone, its probably worth providing more context....

I don't drive every day, most my day to day is cycling. I commute to work on a bike, I go shopping on a bike... hence me saying I don't drive in traffic.

My driving is typically, country roads around Wales for a bit of fun, or motorway munching when I will be going somewhere. Usually with a loaded boot hence the grand coupe looking attractive. I was tempted by a Mazda MX5, but it has no utility at all for me and would literally sit around and never get used since it has no boot space.

I have wanted a nice car for a few years, refuse to buy an 'SUV' style car since I think they look like trash but want something that will give me a little bit of enjoyment. I have rented many nice cars of all types all of which had auto boxes and I always feel like something is missing. I want to drop gears into corners, I want to push the car for longer in lower gears even the paddle shifters don't feel right. I just really like manuals...

Most of my cars have been 'meh' fairly average Mondeo / Insignia / Fiesta style cars. So when we say BMW Manuals are not too great, we have to bear in mind we are comparing it to pretty poor gearboxes full stop.

So I was thinking, get a fairly nice car without spending stupid money. Get something which is reasonably fun to drive when I want to, with a good stock sound system since I always seem to end up messing with head units / speakers in most cars I buy more or less instantly and have plenty of boot space. The 4 Series Grand Coupe seems to fit the bill, run it in to the ground then inevitably get an electric car in a number of years when this car comes to the end of its natural life.

Have you considered anything like the Honda CTR or similar?

With the seats folded they have fairly good load spaces etc; that's if you haven't rear passengers obviously...

Re 4GC cars; there's this 428i manual on eBay; looks a good spec too and not a bad price

We really liked the 428i we test drove; it had more than enough grunt; just a shame it was poverty spec and as said, it'd sold before we could go back to test drive it again properly

Personally I'd want a 428i or 430i minimum for a petrol or a 420D for the diesel

[GTEYE]

miniman said:

I had a 420i

Get the 420d

This ^^

But make sure it’s a ZF auto, the manual is not as good.

If you really can’t take an auto, the 4 is the wrong car.

BMW manuals are nowhere near as good as what you might find in say a Ford, don’t think it’ll be better because of the badge.

[Fox-]

Boxrick said:

My driving is typically, country roads around Wales for a bit of fun

You don't want a 4 cylinder diesel with a manual gearbox then.