Catan is better with 5 players and I'll die on this hill
Last month my group finally squeezed in a fifth for a Sunday game and the extra player actually fixed the board imbalance problem, trading got busier and the robber stopped being a personal vendetta. Three years ago I swore 4 was the only way, but after that session I've run 5-player every week and nobody wants to go back. Has anyone else found the expansion number actually changes the feel for the better?
Five players is the sweet spot for our Friday crew too, mainly because the board gets so tight that nobody can run away with it. Just make sure you use the right side of the board or the game drags with all that extra build time.