There are those who claim that the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé has reached the range to the dismay of those who were determined to get a unit of the BMW 3 Series Sedan, but is this really so? We analyze which are the clearest differences on a day-to-day basis and for practical purposes between the two sister models.
Since the new generation of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé was publicly presented a few months ago, many have been those who have pointed out its proximity and the competition it can exert over its own range brother, the BMW 3 Series. But, Is one model really so close to another as to cannibalize your sales? Here we are going to reel off each of the details that make each of the two models different and to see if they are indeed so close or if, on the other hand, each one has its own well-established market niche.
First of all, roughly and without going into detail, are both concepts similar? Yes, and a lot to tell the truth. Both models feature a three-volume saloon body and four interior access doors. We insist on “broadly”. In its cabin, practically every one of its aesthetic details has been traced, in this there is no doubt, both models come from the same initial pattern, so let’s check how they really differ.
A picture is worth a thousand words
First and foremost: its exterior. Its design line is completely different from one model to another. In the BMW 3 Series, a much more classic and timeless design has been chosen, its kidneys are still moderate in size and its headlights are still glued to the center grille. For its part, The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé imprints upon itself the new type of design that will mark the brand for years to come.. His kidneys already vertically and occupying practically the entire height of the front denote aggressiveness and sportsmanship. The headlights for their part are completely new, identical to those released by his brother with only two doors.
It is clear that in the Series 3 the more softened and traditional lines take a special role. On the aesthetic section, it is much more focused on a more adult and mature audience. As for the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the riskiness of its design and the size it shows, seals its commitment to the younger public. and looking for that touch of radicalism that Series 3 lacks.
The same happens in its rear, which, on the Series 3, prints a greater prominence with straight lines and a third more prominent volume. In the 4 Series Gran Coupé, this turns around and its headlights become more dynamic, just as the aforementioned third volume here loses size through a steeper drop from the roof, much more in the tone of the coupe model, causing a greater sense of sportiness -again-. Another appendix that demonstrates the more risky approach of the Gran Coupé is found on the door opening handles themselves. While in the Series 3 this is topped off by conventional handles, in the Series 4 Gran Coupé these are replaced in favor of flush and much more stylized handles.
As a last detail about its aesthetics that may go a bit more unnoticed, is the very conception of the different bodies offered by both model ranges. In Series 3, much more traditional lines are chosen, more “from parents”, as some would say.. In it we have a three-volume saloon-type bodywork while the only alternative to this is another with a family finish. As we said before, a car much more focused on a more mature and traditional customer. For his part, Series 4 opts for more casual and disruptive aesthetics, including a two-door coupe body, a convertible and the Gran Coupé that we are talking about today, which we could classify as the most traditional of them all.
Interior differences?
Once we have verified which are its main aesthetic differences, it is time to go inside. In the interior of both models it will be notably difficult to find any aesthetic differences, but there are. In this section both play practically in the same league until you get behind the controls of both models. For the more traditional saloon, your driving position is noticeably more upright, while in the Gran Coupé the position is significantly lowered, presenting a somewhat lower headroom, providing a much sportier feeling. The rest of the elements, both technological and comfort, are exactly traced between one model and another, both being able to incorporate the same level of accessories.
Where we will begin to find succulent changes will be in the second row of seats. The drop of the roof in the form of a coupe is noticeable, at the same time as its physical space for the body of the passengers. The Series 3 detonates in a more generous space in each and every one of its dimensions, although we must specify that this greater space is not excessive at all, but that we only speak of a few centimeters both for the head and for the legs, but also in its width, although on this last section it will be the least accused of them.
We finish the analysis section of the interior on the trunk. Here the initial equation fails and it is the Gran Coupé that presents greater practicality and ease of entry to this space. Unlike the more classic saloon, here the access to the trunk is carried out through a generous gate that even raises the rear window, thus leaving us with a huge access gap with which to easily load large packages. In the Series 3, however, this hatchback is summed up in a noticeably narrower loading port., where only the upper area of the third volume is practicable. In case of wanting a 3 Series with a more generous access hatch, we will have to opt for its variant of the familiar bodywork.
Despite accommodating well-differentiated access gates in which the 4 Series Gran Coupé has all the wins, the BMW 3 Series accommodates slightly more space, reaching 480 liters in volume, while the 4 Series Gran Coupé stays at 470 liters. In both models, the rear row seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio, thus reaching 1,400 liters in the saloon (although this is somewhat diffuse) and 1,290 liters in the Coupé.
Let’s talk about its mechanics and finishes
And now that we know everything about the aesthetics and the interior of both models, it is time to find out if there is a clear difference between the two in terms of their mechanical offer. In this section, a first look at the official configurator of the brand is enough to realize that the mechanical offer of the 3 Series is notably greater than that of the 4 Series Gran Coupé. While the traditional saloon offers diesel variants (4 power levels), gasoline (3 mechanical blocks) and even electrified variants (2 plug-in hybrids). The 4 Series Gran Coupé, fulfills its function by proposing only gasoline (3 levels) and diesel (1 single engine) mechanics.
Again, in this section we see how BMW has chosen to induce the 3 Series in a greater mechanical offer, which can satisfy a greater number of potential customers, while in the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the mechanical offer is notably reduced, proposing a more exclusive and distinctive aura. As a tiny detail, in each and every one of the mechanical variants of the 4 Series, the sports automatic transmission is a must, while the Sedan is given to choose between this or a more appeased alternative that does not insert the name “sports” .
We return again to find a much greater offer on the BMW 3 Series if we access the finishes portal. In the Sedan a total of 5 finishes are offered (Standard, Sport, M Sport, BMW M and Technical Package M) while in the 4 Series Gran Coupé the Sport finish is subtracted from this list, finally leaving 4 alternatives and going from “De Serie” to “M Sport”, without an intermediate step. Although this has a logical justification that we will see below.
Starting with both models With the “Standard” finish, the 3 Series features some much more basic attachments than its rival sibling, including 16-inch wheels. or interior upholstered in fabric, this is a finish more focused on providing companies with a more economical access vehicle. The base finish of the Series 4 Gran Coupé is notably more equipped than that of access to the Series 3, since by accessories it would be more logical to attribute that it is at the level of the Sport trim of the Sedan, with LED headlights and lights, sports seats , leather steering wheel, climate control or reversing camera.
If we put both models face to face in their access finishes, or the so-called “Standard”, we see how the 4 Series Gran Coupé is notably more expensive, with an extra cost of 5,700 euros. But as we have mentioned in the previous paragraph, the Gran Coupé in its initial finish welcomes a greater endowment of equipment, at the level of the Sport finish of the 3 Series, which starts from 50,300 euros, so the real difference between the two it is noticeably shortened to 1,400 euros. In both finishes so similar, both propose 17-inch wheels and other accessories mentioned above.
conclusion
As we have seen, the BMW 3 Series and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, despite their great similarities, a priori great, have many more differences and it is clear that both models are aimed at a type of customer, although not radically different. , yes well differentiated. The Sedan is more focused on a more traditional, familiar audience and those who feel more comfortable in a more purely practical car. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé plays its role on a more transgressive customer, who is struck by both practicality and sportiness and who, additionally, also has a higher economic amount, although this detail as we have seen is not so relevant, a priori as it might seem.