Looking for some advice, BMW 440i GC vs S3 Saloon

[Olly P]

My current cars is BMW 330D LCI but looking at new cars in the next few weeks as my E90's getting fairly high mileage. Budgets around £23k, starting to think about kids so needs to be practical, but also fast as really enjoyed the oomph of the 330D.

I've always had my heart set on a 2016 ish Audi S3 saloon in Sepang blue as my next car. Practical, looks good, rapid with the AWD and not tooo horrific on fuel unlike the S4 of the same age/price.

However the 440i GC has taken my eye. Practical, huge boot and a bit bigger than the S3. Not as fast as the S3 as RWD, remaps well though but worst on fuel due to the bigger engine. Looks good from the front and side but pretty dull at the rear. Did think about the 3 series, but not a fan of the F30's shape.

So, just looking for people opinions really, especially if you've owned one or the other, or both!

... also well aware i'm posting on a Audi forum! I've posted the same on the BMW forum i'm currently on

 

[Jassyo06]

Boot in the saloon is ok for bags shopping etc....nowt else,interior space 2 adults in front and 2 young kids in the back...max....The S3 Saloon drives very well indeed with a remap 360 bhp...??....4 series has more interior space especially in the front,Sepang blue is a lovely colour especially if looked after....£23k-£25k you should be able to get a nicely optioned car with a respectable mileage around 38k miles on it

Options to look out for on a S3 saloon
S-Tronic Gearbox.
Bang & Olufsen.
Supersport seats.
Privacy Glass.
Technology Pack.
power folding mirrors
Pan roof

 

[BarryG79]

How about adding an S5 Sportback into the mix? That’s more along the lines of the 4GC in terms of size (boot space for prams etc lol) and bhp rather than the S3?


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[Jassyo06]

How about adding an S5 Sportback into the mix? That’s more along the lines of the 4GC in terms of size (boot space for prams etc lol) and bhp rather than the S3?


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l like the seat belt butlers in the 4 series didny get that in the A5 ....lol

 

[BarryG79]

l like the seat belt butlers in the 4 series didny get that in the A5 ....lol

Lol sure they only come in the coupe/convertible not the gran coupe though??


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[Jassyo06]

Looking on Autotrader there's 2016 Face lift Saloons around the £23k mark....better choice than the PFL MY2016 cars

 

[Jassyo06]

Looking on Autotrader there's 2016 Face lift Saloons around the £23k mark....better choice than the PFL MY2016 cars

l like this one bit expensive though think its Riviera Blue
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...advertising-location=at_cars&make=AUDI&page=1

 

[Jassyo06]

Lol sure they only come in the coupe/convertible not the gran coupe though??


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Jordan had a nice demo in the summer of 2017 and it had them....but that had a lot of options on it mate even a Sunroof...so maybe it was optional....it was in metallic silver rare in a 4 series but l liked it a lot

 

[Jassyo06]

Lol sure they only come in the coupe/convertible not the gran coupe though??


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Got ma Bartholomew Simpson heed on ....GC =Grande Coupe....lol

 

[Olly P]

Thanks for all the replys, some really useful advice that very much appreciated.

Off to take a look at a 440 GC in Estoril blue this afternoon and a S3 salloon in Sepang blue tomorrow.

 

[TYb]

S3 saloon is a great looking car, especially the facelift. S3 performance is great value for money, fast, relatively economical and a very assuring drive but can feel a bit safe with the Haldex, S Tronic etc.

I test drove a 440i, I didn’t think that there was much in it interior wise but most prefer the Audi set up. The BMW isn’t as fast on paper but that engine makes it feel quicker and it sounds amazing.

The 440i needs the m plus pack to look as good as the S3.

Apart from the pub stripe I really like the look of this one.


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002187440966

Not a GC though.

 

[BarryG79]

S3 saloon is a great looking car, especially the facelift. S3 performance is great value for money, fast, relatively economical and a very assuring drive but can feel a bit safe with the Haldex, S Tronic etc.

I test drove a 440i, I didn’t think that there was much in it interior wise but most prefer the Audi set up. The BMW isn’t as fast on paper but that engine makes it feel quicker and it sounds amazing.

The 440i needs the m plus pack to look as good as the S3.

Apart from the pub stripe I really like the look of this one.


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002187440966

Not a GC though.

Don’t mind the seats, but the lower dash!


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[TYb]

Don’t mind the seats, but the lower dash!


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Seats don’t look that smart but are more secure. Agree lower dash doesn’t look good at all, window switches look particularly poor quality.

 

[S32B]

l like the seat belt butlers in the 4 series didny get that in the A5 ....lol

I've got that and it is good, love it when people see it for the first time and they are like "Noooo"

 

[Peter Peter]

bnw look qite nice

 

[SaraS3]

Hi Olly, I've owned the 330d touring 15 reg, a few cars ago now and a 19 reg s3 saloon.
I suggest you test drive both models that you are thinking about.
I preferred the 330d to the s3. The engine/gearbox just seemed better. The acceleration in the bmw was more instant than the s3. I could drive around in comfort mode in the bmw but the s3 was sluggish in town around roundabouts etc and needed to be in dynamic mode so that it didn't have the lag
I'd just test drive them

 

[Olly P]

Thanks again for all the replies, genuinely some really helpful advice.

Both cars look really good and have their pro's and cons. Ended up going with the BMW as it has a much larger and easier to access boot, plus is a bit more of a 'family car'. Not that I have kids yet but on the cards very soon. Put a deposit down on the BMW this morning and all being well collecting this weekend. Very excited!

Still a massive audi fan at heart, hopefully in a few years some of the RS6 or RS5's are a bit more affordable! Any way, pic of the new car

 

[S32B]

Thanks again for all the replies, genuinely some really helpful advice.

Both cars look really good and have their pro's and cons. Ended up going with the BMW as it has a much larger and easier to access boot, plus is a bit more of a 'family car'. Not that I have kids yet but on the cards very soon. Put a deposit down on the BMW this morning and all being well collecting this weekend. Very excited!

Still a massive audi fan at heart, hopefully in a few years some of the RS6 or RS5's are a bit more affordable! Any way, pic of the new car

That looks very nice mate, enjoy

 

[NevMan]

Thanks again for all the replies, genuinely some really helpful advice.

Both cars look really good and have their pro's and cons. Ended up going with the BMW as it has a much larger and easier to access boot, plus is a bit more of a 'family car'. Not that I have kids yet but on the cards very soon. Put a deposit down on the BMW this morning and all being well collecting this weekend. Very excited!

Still a massive audi fan at heart, hopefully in a few years some of the RS6 or RS5's are a bit more affordable! Any way, pic of the new car

Very nice mate, congrats. Love Estoril Blue

 

[S32B]

Very nice mate, congrats. Love Estoril Blue

I love those parking spaces as well...proper social distancing

 

[TYb]

Thanks again for all the replies, genuinely some really helpful advice.

Both cars look really good and have their pro's and cons. Ended up going with the BMW as it has a much larger and easier to access boot, plus is a bit more of a 'family car'. Not that I have kids yet but on the cards very soon. Put a deposit down on the BMW this morning and all being well collecting this weekend. Very excited!

Still a massive audi fan at heart, hopefully in a few years some of the RS6 or RS5's are a bit more affordable! Any way, pic of the new car

Very nice, had chance to open the taps up?
Loved the sound of the 440i.

 

[BarryG79]

Looking good, glad to see it’s Msport plus as well.


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[Olly P]

Cheers, catch you guys in a few years