Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Hey everyone
Last month when I took my car in for oil and filter service. It was a golden opportunity to use the loaner car as a way of experiencing a different BMW. By different, I don’t mean a brown 116i Modern but a equal or more prestigious to mine.
I was hoping to get a 5-series but instead got a 420d GranCoupe M Sport. Although it’s technically a 3-Series, it couldn’t be much more different to my 320d. Instead of black and luxurious it’s silver and sporty. It’s a tale a coin with two different sides and a testament that the 3-Series isn’t a one-size fits all, but can be specced and customized to your personality.
What I was most excited about, was to give the M-Suspension a 3 day test and enjoyed covering 120 miles in the car.
Loaner Car: 420d GranCoupe M-Sport
My car: 320d Luxury
Exterior: The 4-Series is an absolute looker. Cynics will tell you it’s just a coupe shaped 3-series, but your heart will tell you otherwise. In arctic silver the car is sexy with all the curves and creases brightly exposed for your eyes to follow.
Driving the car my testosterone levels were higher and I felt more athletic. Interestingly the car draws considerably more eye than my 320d. However most of the attention were from dude-bros either behind the wheel of a 4-Series or a 1-Series.
The cherries on top were the Angel Eyes and M-steering wheel. They make a big visual impact on interior and exterior. I wish I had them on my car and could buy the sports steering wheel for £300.
If you want a commuter that stands out then this is it. The headroom may be a notch low at the back but the shape of roof a brings the practicality of a hatch which is great for hauling big boxes when required. It came in hand when a friend need to abandoned all but the wheels of his bicycle and needed a lift home along with three others.
M-Suspension: A common choir being sung is that the F30 is not as sporty as the E90. It’s a controversial statement that both true and false. Although I enjoy driving my car, it has slightly too much body roll and more tuned to comfort than sportiness. The M-Suspension changes that and more.
It reduces on-throttle oversteer and makes the car more composed in hasty change in direction. The difference is like playing football with studded shoes versus trainers. The car epitomizes the tag line “Ultimate Driving Machine” and is the most fun I’ve ever had in a four door car.
When you just wanted to cruise the ride was not compliant. Prior to driving the car I didn’t know that British roads were bad, but now I do. Even at 5-10mph I could feel the slighest unevenness of the road and had my head frequently bouncing off the headrest. It wasn't harsh but bumpy.
This is not solely the fault of the M-Suspension but of it in combination with the low-profile tyres on 19 inch rims. Driving over speed bumps jerked the affected corner of the car and sometimes produced a loud knock. It’s a sign that there’s not enough suspension and cushioning in tyre.
Drive-train: Chris Harris touted that the 320d more than enough power. The correction I propose to that statement is that the 320d offer ample power for 80% of driving needs. For commuting it packs good power for effortless take-offs from a green light and gives confidence in overtaking.
What makes the 2.0 diesel a working class hero is its ability in combing punchy power with unbelievable fuel efficiency. On my 40 mile commute to work I average 44.4mpg. For contrast, a friend of mine has a Tourer BMW motor cycle and averages 55mpg. The difference is that a 3 or 4-series can accommodate 4 adults and luggage.
Few engines are perfect and the catch here is noise. It’s a diesel and despite good insulation the engine is noisy at idle and at high revs. The automatic gearbox does a good job at shifting early but a gasoline engine of equivalent power is much quieter.
As a bonus the car has paddle shifter. However the engine and gearbox don’t have the right characters to bring joy out of them.
Conclusion: BMW may have the fastest growing SUV range of the Germany trio but haven’t lost their way in making cars that make you smile. The 420d GC M-Sport epitomizes why German cars are so beloved. It’s fast, sophisticated, commanding in it’s driving characteristics and beautiful eye candy at a price that’s within reach to millions.
If you want the Ultimate Driving Machine then don’t hesitate on M-suspension but unless your local roads are smooth as an airport run way I recommend 18 inch rims.
Last month when I took my car in for oil and filter service. It was a golden opportunity to use the loaner car as a way of experiencing a different BMW. By different, I don’t mean a brown 116i Modern but a equal or more prestigious to mine.
I was hoping to get a 5-series but instead got a 420d GranCoupe M Sport. Although it’s technically a 3-Series, it couldn’t be much more different to my 320d. Instead of black and luxurious it’s silver and sporty. It’s a tale a coin with two different sides and a testament that the 3-Series isn’t a one-size fits all, but can be specced and customized to your personality.
What I was most excited about, was to give the M-Suspension a 3 day test and enjoyed covering 120 miles in the car.
Loaner Car: 420d GranCoupe M-Sport
My car: 320d Luxury
Exterior: The 4-Series is an absolute looker. Cynics will tell you it’s just a coupe shaped 3-series, but your heart will tell you otherwise. In arctic silver the car is sexy with all the curves and creases brightly exposed for your eyes to follow.
Driving the car my testosterone levels were higher and I felt more athletic. Interestingly the car draws considerably more eye than my 320d. However most of the attention were from dude-bros either behind the wheel of a 4-Series or a 1-Series.
The cherries on top were the Angel Eyes and M-steering wheel. They make a big visual impact on interior and exterior. I wish I had them on my car and could buy the sports steering wheel for £300.
If you want a commuter that stands out then this is it. The headroom may be a notch low at the back but the shape of roof a brings the practicality of a hatch which is great for hauling big boxes when required. It came in hand when a friend need to abandoned all but the wheels of his bicycle and needed a lift home along with three others.
M-Suspension: A common choir being sung is that the F30 is not as sporty as the E90. It’s a controversial statement that both true and false. Although I enjoy driving my car, it has slightly too much body roll and more tuned to comfort than sportiness. The M-Suspension changes that and more.
It reduces on-throttle oversteer and makes the car more composed in hasty change in direction. The difference is like playing football with studded shoes versus trainers. The car epitomizes the tag line “Ultimate Driving Machine” and is the most fun I’ve ever had in a four door car.
When you just wanted to cruise the ride was not compliant. Prior to driving the car I didn’t know that British roads were bad, but now I do. Even at 5-10mph I could feel the slighest unevenness of the road and had my head frequently bouncing off the headrest. It wasn't harsh but bumpy.
This is not solely the fault of the M-Suspension but of it in combination with the low-profile tyres on 19 inch rims. Driving over speed bumps jerked the affected corner of the car and sometimes produced a loud knock. It’s a sign that there’s not enough suspension and cushioning in tyre.
Drive-train: Chris Harris touted that the 320d more than enough power. The correction I propose to that statement is that the 320d offer ample power for 80% of driving needs. For commuting it packs good power for effortless take-offs from a green light and gives confidence in overtaking.
What makes the 2.0 diesel a working class hero is its ability in combing punchy power with unbelievable fuel efficiency. On my 40 mile commute to work I average 44.4mpg. For contrast, a friend of mine has a Tourer BMW motor cycle and averages 55mpg. The difference is that a 3 or 4-series can accommodate 4 adults and luggage.
Few engines are perfect and the catch here is noise. It’s a diesel and despite good insulation the engine is noisy at idle and at high revs. The automatic gearbox does a good job at shifting early but a gasoline engine of equivalent power is much quieter.
As a bonus the car has paddle shifter. However the engine and gearbox don’t have the right characters to bring joy out of them.
Conclusion: BMW may have the fastest growing SUV range of the Germany trio but haven’t lost their way in making cars that make you smile. The 420d GC M-Sport epitomizes why German cars are so beloved. It’s fast, sophisticated, commanding in it’s driving characteristics and beautiful eye candy at a price that’s within reach to millions.
If you want the Ultimate Driving Machine then don’t hesitate on M-suspension but unless your local roads are smooth as an airport run way I recommend 18 inch rims.
