4 Series vs. C-Class

[TW]Fox said:
But at the end of the loan you own an asset worth 5 figures.



Ok so it's 2 but...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201710190458956?advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.6&advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-mileage=60000&postcode=s11aa&model=4 SERIES GRAN COUPE&page=1&make=BMW&year-to=2015&fuel-type=Petrol&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New
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I just can't get over how cheap the interior looks (and if it's anything like the 2-series I had a ride in feels) for a £40k (new/list) car. I know you said the 5-series is too big but it's the same width as a 4GC and what's another 12" in length (fnar) if it gets you a much nicer place to sit?
 
Murf said:
Yeah, despite having a short driving history I'm already clearly a bit of a snob. Plus, if I'm going to make a potentially poor financial decision, it should be for a premium car right?! :p
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May as well join most of the rest of the country. :D

There's a premium bubble that's due to go pop sooner or later.
 
Del Lardo said:
I just can't get over how cheap the interior looks (and if it's anything like the 2-series I had a ride in feels) for a £40k (new/list) car. I know you said the 5-series is too big but it's the same width as a 4GC and what's another 12" in length (fnar) if it gets you a much nicer place to sit?
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The 1/2/3/4 interiors are pretty similar I think.

The 540i I drove was the cheapest second hand model in the UK (just by chance) and after haggling I got them down to 5k down and £500p/m on a PCP deal for a 37k 2nd hand model. The lack of dealer\manufacturer contributions and the poor APR on the second hand PCP deal pushed the costs up way too much. It was an outlier for me anyway but thought I'd try it regardless since it was on the forecourt and had the engine I was interested in. I just feel like I'd be stretching further for a car I'm not that interested in. I'd much prefer a 4 series, the interior is from 2012\2013 I think but I don't particularly mind it. It is certainly more cluttered than the A3 I'm in at the moment but once it's all set the way I want I doubt that would matter.
 
I think the comments in this forum about the cheap looking 3/4 Series interior are unwarranted. Sure there are some cheap plastics scattered around but generally it's a nice place to be with metal, soft touch plastics, solid feeling controls and the class leading infotainment system.
The Merc C-Class and Audi A4 are more recent models so naturally they will have better interiors [with cheap plastics too], just as the replacement 3 Series will trump them in approx 12-18 months.
 
£500 a month for a car just to get one that is new.

why not spend half that and get yourself a decent 3 year old lexus with a 3 or 3.5 litre 6 cylinder engine in it? lexus comes fully kitted out with all the options and is premium inside and out. just won't have the absolute latest styling or slimmer gadgets.

or if you do want to spend £500 a month get this

https://www.lexus.co.uk/car-models/rc-f/#hero

"NEW LEXUS RCF BEATS BMW M4 & FORD MUSTANG"

"With its 5.0-litre V8 engine the RC F is capable of generating 477 DIN hp of power. This is delivered to its rear wheels via a rapid 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission."

Acceleration 0-62 mph (s) 4.5

or these

https://www.lexus.co.uk/car-models/gs/#hero

https://www.lexus.co.uk/car-models/rc/#hero
 
I had a similar choice (although looking at 3 series v C-Class Saloons) and plumped for a C250d Merc. I discounted any of the BMW GC models as frankly I find them ugly as sin. If you need the space, buy an estate.

In terms of comparisons, the BMW was certainly a more involving drive, there's no argument there. However to my eyes the Merc is a slightly better looking car externally (at least in AMG Prem Plus spec as mine is) and the interior is leagues ahead of the BMW - even withstanding the 'stuck on tablet' on the dash. If you're looking at buying new, I'd wait until March as the uprated CClass will be available then. It has slightly larger screen and a few other changes to the COMAND interface to do with touch sensitivity IIRC.

The problem with Mercedes is that there's such a price gulf between their 4-pot engines and anything more powerful. Like you, I looked at a C43 but decided the performance gain wasn't worth the extra cost. Although I am now planning a C63 at some point in the future :D
 
Dis86 said:
Oh my word, the interior on that Lexus is like something out of the 90s!
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Yep - I think they spent too much time working out where the speakers should go :p

Over 2,000 hours were spent optimising the design and positioning of the Mark Levinson® surround sound speakers, to give you an immersive audio experience.
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Spunkey said:
I had a similar choice (although looking at 3 series v C-Class Saloons) and plumped for a C250d Merc. I discounted any of the BMW GC models as frankly I find them ugly as sin. If you need the space, buy an estate.

In terms of comparisons, the BMW was certainly a more involving drive, there's no argument there. However to my eyes the Merc is a slightly better looking car externally (at least in AMG Prem Plus spec as mine is) and the interior is leagues ahead of the BMW - even withstanding the 'stuck on tablet' on the dash. If you're looking at buying new, I'd wait until March as the uprated CClass will be available then. It has slightly larger screen and a few other changes to the COMAND interface to do with touch sensitivity IIRC.

The problem with Mercedes is that there's such a price gulf between their 4-pot engines and anything more powerful. Like you, I looked at a C43 but decided the performance gain wasn't worth the extra cost. Although I am now planning a C63 at some point in the future :D
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Really helpful, thank you. :). The Merc definitely looks better inside and out, just a shame the C43 is so much more than the 440i. I actually think the 4 Series GC is a good looking car, just not quite the same as the Merc.

No to the Lexus. :p
 
SDK^ said:
I think the comments in this forum about the cheap looking 3/4 Series interior are unwarranted. Sure there are some cheap plastics scattered around but generally it's a nice place to be with metal, soft touch plastics, solid feeling controls and the class leading infotainment system.
The Merc C-Class and Audi A4 are more recent models so naturally they will have better interiors [with cheap plastics too], just as the replacement 3 Series will trump them in approx 12-18 months.
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The problem is the interior is not much/any better than a decent specced ford/hyundai or VW. You’re losing one of the main draws of buying a premium vehicle.

Is it worth the extra for the badge?
 
Not suggesting it's the right car for the OP, but Lexus interiors always seem vastly more impressive in the flesh - they're miles better than anything ford, vw etc can come up with and are put together impeccably.

Styling is never quite right though, totally agree with that

Op I can't understand why (apologies if it's just the impression I'm getting) you are so focused on monthly payments and not what you are actually likely to have at the end of this / the real world cost of "owning" whatever it is during the time you'll have it.
 
Amp34 said:
The problem is the interior is not much/any better than a decent specced ford/hyundai or VW. You’re losing one of the main draws of buying a premium vehicle.

Is it worth the extra for the badge?
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I'm no fan of the 4 Series interior but to suggest that the only extra you are getting over a Ford or a VW is 'a badge' is grossly unfair. The car is more than just its interior.
 
Murf said:
Hi guys,

I'm currently driving around in the wife's Audi A3 (the 1.4 150bhp petrol) but the time has come to buy my own car. I am torn between the 4 Series GC or a Mercedes C-Class (prefer the coupe but should really get 4 doors so potentially saloon.)

I've test driven the 4 series (was a 435d xDrive) and I've got a test drive of the C-Class lined up for Friday. I wanted to take a straw poll on what you guys recommend, and what I'm potentially missing. But unless the Merc test drive on Friday completely changes my opinion I'm assuming, rightly or wrongly:

4 Series is the better car to drive.
Merc looks nicer, inside and out. Feels more... 'premium'
4 series is more practical (for taking my parents on day trips) in GC form over the coupe.
C-Class can be bought on very competitive PCP deals for 4 pot engines.
4 series 440i is the only realistic way I can get into a 6 cylinder engine for a reasonable price (TRL @ Berry Heathrow deal).

Now, I also drove a 540i (car was too big frankly and used PCP deal not competitive) but absolutely loved the engine. This will mainly be a toy for me (I will be doing less than 10k miles p/a) so my heart says buy the 440i with plenty of options. A C43 after discounts would still be 10k more which would push the PCP payments into wife considering divorce territory I think. :p

So with 3k down, and roughly ~£450p/m to play with with what would you guys do? C200\C300 premium plus with a couple of choice options or heavily specced 440i GC? Or this being motors, something entirely different? :D

PS - I've discounted the Audi A5 as I'm 6'3" and when I sat in it, I was sat on it. Even with the seat at it's lowest. Excluding driving experience days I've only ever driven a Fiesta then the subsequent Audi (which the wife bought) so had no idea how awful the driving position in the Audi was compared to the other German marquees. C-Class coupe and 4 Series were a much better fit for me.

So motors, thoughts?
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I have been there over the last 3 weeks. Staring point was the 335d xdrive and I went through all the variants in the ranges. Tony (TRL) is great to deal with.

The current deals on the new 2/3/4 series are pretty much unbeatable at the moment, especially when considering the x40i or x35d variants.

Used Apr rates are so poor compared (best I got to was 5.8% on a pre reg 335d xdrive) to new offers and incentives, there is no way to get an approved used close to new prices on the PCP deals. The difference in interest alone is often thousands. If you are paying cash or bank loan then it's different on used but on new the finance incentives are just too strong. Best offer I had was 335d xdrive, c£31k, 0 deposit, in stock car (metallic grey), 1.9%apr, £399 pm 48month. Total saving on list was just about 28%.

I looked at BMW 3/4/5 series then Mercedes C/E again.

You cannot get a Mercedes that performs close to the equivalent x40i variant for the same money at the moment. I was looking at diesels not petrols mainly and for the normal options, performance is comparable. Once you go to the 35d XD there isn't an equivalent Mercedes.

I ended up with an E Class but compromised on engine performance going with the 220d simply because it is such a nice place to be plus for the type of car and my primary usage the 350d was unnecessary.

I prefer the C interior and seating to the current 3/4 by a big margin as I do the E to the 5. But the C43 is way more expensive than a 340/440 etc.

However, if you can stretch to the C43 then in my personal opinion it is well worth it. My local Mercedes was one of the carwow offerers and on an in-stock car, once I popped in to speak with them, they knocked more off and were the cheapest by a reasonable margin on all the cars I was looking at.
 
It's no different to buying a less expensive used car though, the most cost efficient way to do it (out with cash) is going to be a bank loan. Used PCP has never been good value and car linked finance tends to be at a higher Apr too. A 5 year £25k loan at 3% is perfectly achievable. Halifax and some other banks will also do PCP at the same rates on anything so long as you bank with them if the desire is to reduce monthly even more

Totally understand the desire for new if it's affordable but are a few options really worth the difference (thousands ultimately) that the OP will have in their pocket after a few years? They might well be to him but it's well worth thinking about the real cost difference over the term not just monthly payments.
 
[TW]Fox said:
I'm no fan of the 4 Series interior but to suggest that the only extra you are getting over a Ford or a VW is 'a badge' is grossly unfair. The car is more than just its interior.
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Ford and VW have more than one car as well. ;)

I don’t believe I’ve actually seen the 4 series anyway, I was thinking more of the three series (and below) and their other derivatives.

It all depends what you want from a vehicle. As I’ve said before though I’m not a huge fan of the styling of BMWs. Too “old man” for my tastes and the interior is a major part of a vehicle, considering that’s the part you see and interact with most.

That, and the awful poorly integrated screens in most of the MB, Audi and BMWs that just look like afterthoughts. Other manufacturers can integrate them nicely into consoles, but they unable to do so.
 
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