5BW for 4BW

[themodern6spdsedan]

MookdocOE: You’re correct! The nimbleness factor of the 4BW is great. I take it to the canyons and is a blast to drive around the switchbacks. I also have the same reaction with my 4BW whenever trying to make a u-turn…same reaction being “like wtf” hahaha. Sometimes I see full size SUVs complete a u-turn, while here I am with a midsize sedan not being able to complete a u-turn lol. Annoying, but like you and Champale said…you just get over it and it quickly passes by.

Champale: I also tend to have adult passengers and it sucks cause they seemed cramped in the back. I don’t always transport them and for the most part, it’s only me. But, I just didn’t anticipate transporting adult passengers more than I had imagined lol. The way you describe lighting the tires up at 80mph in 3rd seems so joyful lol. I can’t afford the 5BW, so I just might get a tune and call it a day lol.

 

[Champale]

The 5BW is truly joyful once you figure out the modes (and especially the way you turn all of the TC/ESC stuff off). That V8 makes every day better, I promise. It does need a little more exhaust volume, though.

However, the 4BW is hardly 2nd rate in any way, shape, or form. I drove one a week after taking delivery of my 5BW and got barely half a mile down the road and thought to myself "I bought the wrong car!" The 4BW is such an exceptional driver's car and feels a lot more precise than my 5BW. I keep contemplating selling my Evora 400 for a 4BW and, let me tell you, that says a lot about how exceptional the 4BW truly is because the Evoras are unbelievably good, exciting in ways that most modern cars can't even begin to touch.

 

[seattlecubes]

I had a 4BW and I’m here to tell you that the PERFECT sports sedan is a mix somewhere of the two…

Now…first things first. It’s not like the 4BW had a stellar turning radius and I don’t live somewhere where I have to make a bunch of u-turns so I don’t think that’s a deciding factor, but the turning radius of the 5BW is A LOT worse. It’s like that of a long bed mid-sized truck and the first time I had to make a u-turn I laughed out loud.

I do think the difference between the two cars in the real world over the road isn’t as great as people/press figures would have you believe. That said, I’m just out of break-in, and I can tell the 5BW wants to murder it’s tires, and the power that it does have isn’t usable on the street-I’m not an aggressive driver at all fwiw (I’m averaging 21mpg).

So…basically the 4BW kind of answers the old beer commercial slogan “Tastes great - less filling.” . But you’re probably saying, “If the 4BW is so great, why did you trade out of it?” The interior space, specifically shoulder and leg room, front and back, is a BIG difference. The 4BW is basically 2+2 with 4 doors and no adult could sit comfortably behind me (and I’m not super tall). I’m assuming that a side effect of the larger size of the 5BW is that it rides much smoother than the 4BW too.

To me though, the 4BW still has way sharper turn-in and crisper handling, and frankly (controversially), I think it’s better looking too But…you only live once, so I figured I’d give it a shot. My only regret is that I don’t have room for a 4BW and a 5BW in my garage.

 

[themodern6spdsedan]

Champale: I liked how you mentioned that the 4BW is “such an exceptional driver’s car.” My uncle tells me why I didn’t get an M3, I told him cause I felt that the 4BW was more of a “driver’s car” than the M3…to each their own. Sure the M3 is the faster car, but to me it feels less engaging than the 4BW. What also got me from your comment was how you mentioned that you felt that you “bought the wrong car.” Hahaha! I get it though, it’s such a hard choice between the 4BW and the 5BW. I wish Cadillac can just create a BW wagon and call it a day lol. I think it would be a fusion of the 4BW and 5BW...but all in one car.

Seattlecubes: When you said the 5BW is “a lot worse” in regards to turning radius...you pretty much answered my question/concern. For it to be that bad, I'm staying away from the 5BW lol. I'm already annoyed at the 4BW's turning radius, I can't imagine my reaction would be with the 5BW. Wow! You’re averaging 21 mpg on a V8, while here I am averaging 13 mpg on a V6…I drive my car hard, but didn’t know I was driving it that hard lol. As you, Champale, and the others here have pointed out – the 4BW has sharper and more precise handling than the 5BW. As a driver that loves to drive around the canyons hitting the switchbacks, I think the 4BW is king here. As you all also mentioned, the 4BW is more of a balanced car than the 5BW. I'm glad I have my 4BW for the canyons.

Based on everyone’s inputs and insights, I’ve decided to keep my 4BW and just accept the lack of legroom situation. I’m hoping to just get a 2nd car in the future that has decent legroom. However, does anyone here know if replacing the OEM seats with aftermarket would create a little more legroom in the back? I’m thinking if there are any aftermarket ones that aren’t as thick or cushiony as the OEM ones…I think that could possibly create a little legroom. Thoughts?