2016 BMW 4-series. Some questions

adocholiday

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a 2016 BMW 4-series.

Just wondering though if there's anything specific to the 4-series that I should be looking out for once he sends me some options? I remember BMW went through a spell of dodgy timing chains and stuff so anything like that to be aware of?

Ideally looking at the 2-door coupe 420D model with automatic gear box and m-sport trim if any of that matters.

Heres Johnny

adocholiday wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a 2016 BMW 4-series.

Just wondering though if there's anything specific to the 4-series that I should be looking out for once he sends me some options? I remember BMW went through a spell of dodgy timing chains and stuff so anything like that to be aware of?

Ideally looking at the 2-door coupe 420D model with automatic gear box and m-sport trim if any of that matters.

The dodgy timing chains went up to around 2013 as far as I remember.... As far as I know you will be ok with a 2016.

As for the one you are looking at, it is the most common and popular which is a good thing, you will have your pick of them. Nice looking car, interior a bit dated compared to nowadays.

mickdw

Heres Johnny wrote: »

The dodgy timing chains went up to around 2013 as far as I remember.... As far as I know you will be ok with a 2016.

As for the one you are looking at, it is the most common and popular which is a good thing, you will have your pick of them. Nice looking car, interior a bit dated compared to nowadays.

Woeful interior imo.

adocholiday

Agree on the interior myself it's dreadful. I've actually always been underwhelmed by BMW's interior styling. But my wife is mad about the car and having drove an e46 3 series for a few years I always loved driving a BMW and happy to make that sacrifice provided the car is good! Now I'd prefer to be getting the 430i or an M4 for driving experience, but that's another argument I won't win!

Heres Johnny

adocholiday wrote: »

Agree on the interior myself it's dreadful. I've actually always been underwhelmed by BMW's interior styling. But my wife is mad about the car and having drove an e46 3 series for a few years I always loved driving a BMW and happy to make that sacrifice provided the car is good! Now I'd prefer to be getting the 430i or an M4 for driving experience, but that's another argument I won't win!

This generation 3 and 5 series are nice interiors, but before that they were way behind their rivals. That said, the 5 series is way behind A6 still but I'd put the 3/4 series on a par with a4/5

bazz26

If you could stretch to 2017 then you could get the facelifted model. It will have a improved quality interior, the newer B47 engine and led headlights. Worth finding one with the oyster cream interior too as this makes a huge difference to the quality.





And regarding the 5 Series v A6 interior debate, I've yet to find a similar vintage A6 interior that matches mine:

marty whelan

bazz26 wrote: »

If you could stretch to 2017 then you could get the facelifted model. It will have a improved quality interior, the newer B47 engine and led headlights. Worth finding one with the oyster cream interior too as this makes a huge difference to the quality.





And regarding the 5 Series v A6 interior debate, I've yet to find a similar vintage A6 interior that matches mine:

I'm always amazed at those that prefer the A6 interior, but each to their own I suppose

bazz26

One more thing, no matter what you buy make sure it's had the EGR valve cooler replaced under a BMW recall. This is a well known problem with the diesel engines which can result in the engine bay catching fire. BMW have been recalling these cars for the last 2 years and replacing them.

maddness

I drove 60,000 kilometres in a 4 series GC last year and really don’t get the comments about rubbish interiors. I can’t stand the newer Audi interiors with screens everywhere and no buttons but how boring would it be if we all liked the same!
Agree about getting the LCI model though, nicer led rear lights and a few nice touches to lift the cabin too. Don’t get the black leather either, it’s an awful dark cabin with it.

adocholiday

Thanks all, the importer I'm working with said that it's quite difficult to find one with a cream interior but I had asked him to keep an eye out for that in particular. I love the face lift 2017 model but not sure my budget can stretch to that. Again have told him to try to get one within my budget but I won't compromise quality for it. I'd rather a low mileage well serviced 2016 if that's the choice.

moby2101

My 2c
I have a 17 420d LCI facelift model.
DO go for the M sport or M sport plus, Harmon Kardon sound system is a must the standard system is muck.
I'm driving mine 2 years now and still love the look and feel of it.
Love the interior,plan to upgrade to the newer model next year if I can still import from the UK.
Any questions fire away.

ciarsd

Another owner here of a 161 F32 M-Sport+ while the LCI gives you the usual BMW exterior lighting update, the main differences to the interior are negligible (although iDrive gets a bump in versions). Don't let a pre-LCI budget constraint put you off is all I'm saying. Happy to answer any questions too, although from a petrol 8 speed zf transmission point of view.

JoeA3

I've a 2017 420d GC here, might be selling it soon if it was something that interests you

I don't agree with the woeful interior comment, it holds its own very well to an Audi of a similar vintage. The current 4 series dates back to 2012 now (the F-series 3 series came out around that time). An A4/A5 of similar vintage is nothing special at all - I know, there's one of those in this household too and I know which car I prefer to sit into! I don't like the manual handbrake, that would be my one gripe but otherwise its a nice place to be, particularly as mentioned if you have the cream/ivory leather. You sit "into" the car, you feel cosseted in it, it has a great driving position, the pedals are where you expect them to be. Unlike in an Audi A4 where the pedals are horribly offset and you are perched up on the seat. Ugh.

I had the EGR replaced in mine twice. Once when it failed and again under a recall.... to be double-y sure I guess!

Definitely go with M-Sport+, as it adds a few features that really lift it, inside and out. For instance, the standard non-HK audio is dreadful, M-Sport+ gives you HK. The car doesn't look right imo without privacy glass and the 19's with blue brembos... and again MSport+ gives you those.

bs2014

JoeA3 wrote: »

I've a 2017 420d GC here, might be selling it soon if it was something that interests you

I don't agree with the woeful interior comment, it holds its own very well to an Audi of a similar vintage. The current 4 series dates back to 2012 now (the F-series 3 series came out around that time). An A4/A5 of similar vintage is nothing special at all - I know, there's one of those in this household too and I know which car I prefer to sit into! I don't like the manual handbrake, that would be my one gripe but otherwise its a nice place to be, particularly as mentioned if you have the cream/ivory leather. You sit "into" the car, you feel cosseted in it, it has a great driving position, the pedals are where you expect them to be. Unlike in an Audi A4 where the pedals are horribly offset and you are perched up on the seat. Ugh.

I had the EGR replaced in mine twice. Once when it failed and again under a recall.... to be double-y sure I guess!

Definitely go with M-Sport+, as it adds a few features that really lift it, inside and out. For instance, the standard non-HK audio is dreadful, M-Sport+ gives you HK. The car doesn't look right imo without privacy glass and the 19's with blue brembos... and again MSport+ gives you those.

Interesting comments. I'd be a manual oriented person and when I was looking at an F30 3 series, I really felt the pedals very offset and uncomfortable. That said the seats are really comfy....the only headrest ive seen to properly support your head. It's a shame they only have normal cruise control and not adaptive. The G20 has adaptive. Personally I'd opt for a 3 series over a 4 series as I can never justify or understand the huge price jump from a 3 to 4 series or a4 to a5. But each to their own and all that. Best of luck, is your importer flipping cars out of curiosity?

adocholiday

bs2014 wrote: »

Personally I'd opt for a 3 series over a 4 series as I can never justify or understand the huge price jump from a 3 to 4 series or a4 to a5. But each to their own and all that. Best of luck, is your importer flipping cars out of curiosity?

Honestly this car is more my wife's choosing than my own! She wants a 2 door and at least as far as I can tell the 3 series doesn't come in a coupe model. Also even the 4 door has the Grand Coupe model which is 'sportier' looking than the 3 series saloon.

What do you mean by flipping cars? He's a registered SIMI dealer and sells Irish cars too, it's just that he has imported cars for some family and friends and they've all been great so rather than buying private I said I'd see what he could find me first.

bazz26

3 and 4 Series are essentially the same car.

Rushden

adocholiday wrote: »

Thanks all, the importer I'm working with said that it's quite difficult to find one with a cream interior but I had asked him to keep an eye out for that in particular. I love the face lift 2017 model but not sure my budget can stretch to that. Again have told him to try to get one within my budget but I won't compromise quality for it. I'd rather a low mileage well serviced 2016 if that's the choice.

What sort of nox charge are you looking at importing the 4 series , thinking of doing the same myself and going the import route , selection over here is terrible

Clareman

2018 420d m GC driver here, fantastic car in my opinion, I moved from the 3 series and find it a great car, real head turner in my opinion and a very pleasant drive. 1 thing to note is a lot of people think that it's a very low car and will struggle to get in or out of it, its mainly in their heads, my father in law nearly took the door off mine lowering himself into it while holding onto the window.

spyderski

adocholiday wrote: »

She wants a 2 door and at least as far as I can tell the 3 series doesn't come in a coupe model.

The 3 Series DOES come in a coupe model. It’s called the 4 Series. 😉