BMW 4 Series: Popular with fans, the two-door 3 Series coupe and convertible were replaced by the four-door Gran Coupe sedan from Munich only a year after the 3 Series split off to become the BMW 4 Series. All three body designs were brought back last year to complete the second-generation 4 Series lineup after a short break. The Gran Coupe and the completely electric i4 have the same body, although the two-door variants are only available with gas. All 4 Series models are excellent grand tourers; they are wealthy, swift, and comfortable, but people speak about The Grille.
The Grille is the size of a steam engine’s cowcatcher and is unabashedly in your face—enthusiasts and critics allude to it online as if it were King Tut’s cursed tomb. That’s why BMW loves it, even if some people hate it. You become used to The Grille. The remaining four are elegantly sculpted. Furthermore, it is hidden from view from the spacious and comfortable inside, which is almost exactly like the 3 Series. The 4 Series Gran Coupe is a vital substitute for the 3 Series because of its additional load capacity.
But BMW produces a range of 4 Series cars, from the reasonably priced 430i Gran Coupe with 255 horsepower to the lightweight, track-focused M4 CSL, which will be the only significant addition for 2023 and has 543 horsepower, priced at $140,895. The 4 Series faces competition from a wide range of vehicles, including the Audi A5 (the only car that matches all of its body styles), BMW’s 2 and 3 Series, Lexus’ IS and RC, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Ford Mustang, Porsche 911, and Toyota GR-Supra. This is due to the abundance of styles and trims available, including Coupe, Convertible, Gran Coupe, and M versions.
The four excels at speed and pleasure because of its three exquisitely designed drivetrains, rear or all-wheel drive, and many performance modification options. Although the considerably quicker 382-horsepower M440i ($58,455) and the entry-level 255-horsepower 430i Gran Coupe ($46,895, including destination costs) aren’t nearly as lively as BMW coupes of a previous generation, even the lesser engine gives an enjoyable drive. With ample inside space for a vehicle of its size, the 4 is a practical and attractive option for lengthy purposes up the Pacific Coast Highway or the Los Angeles Crest.
For optimum power, the M4 ($75,695) comes with a regular manual gearbox with 473 horsepower and an even more powerful 503 horsepower automatic-only M4 racing variant. This year marks the debut of the ultimate 4 Series, the lightweight M4 CSL, which may not have a rear seat but will undoubtedly make you grin at the track. The Gran Coupe M4 is not available anymore. The M4’s personality is as vibrant as The Grille, even though the various extras on BMW’s extensive options list—such as competition seats, carbon-ceramic brakes, and flashy paint colours—can be expensive.
The 2024 model year 4s from BMW will shortly be delivered, including the new curved-display dash and iDrive 8 software from the carmaker. However, the 2023 model year 4s have two older displays and iDrive 7, which may be more user-friendly for performance enthusiasts. In addition to performance components, the carmaker provides many safety and comfort amenities; however, specific choices, like adaptive cruise control, come at a high cost. But if you can get over The Grille, the 4 provides impressive performance, usefulness, and much of the glitz of BMW’s more costly 8 Series.
Performance: BMW 4 Series
The 4 Series comes in four main varieties: two standard models, two M4 variants, and a CSL that will be added in 2023 and has several exclusive mechanical enhancements.
A four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque powers the base 430i. The 3.0-liter “B58” turbocharged inline-six engine in BMW M440i models produces 382 horsepower and 364 lb-ft of torque. It is aided with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that improves responsiveness and maximizes fuel efficiency. Both use a ZF eight-speed automated gearbox with paddle shifters. The 430i and M440i models for 2023 come standard with rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system from BMW costs an additional $1,300 for the Grand Coupe or $2,000 for the two-door variant.
Only the most discriminating drivers will find rear-drive vehicles more fun to drive and have more responsive handles; such people are probably eyeing an M4. Even if BMW’s variable-assist steering might use more input, all non-M 4 Series vehicles are exciting and enjoyable. With all their handling sophistication, the 430i and M440i aren’t too harsh on the steering; they obey the driver’s instructions. View our first driving story to learn more about the differences between the two Gran Coupes.
The M4, as you would expect from an actual M vehicle, adds a ton of power and more tenacious handling. The more potent 3.0-liter inline-six engine, known as the “S58,” produces 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. It provides many accessories for track-day warriors, such as competition seats and lap recorders, and makes fantastic sounds while reaching 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
Even quicker is the 503-hp, 479 lb-ft M4 rival. It has several driving modes, including a rear-drive-focused drift mode for those who want to extract every last bit of performance and puff of smoke. Surprisingly, the M4 Competition is the only automatic model available, but unlike the other M4, it may be purchased as a convertible.
The brand-new M4 CSL from 2023 will only be produced in 1,000 pieces, but it will have significant mechanical improvements over the M4 Competition, including higher power. It has 543 horsepower and, as the “CSL” moniker suggests to enthusiasts of Bimmers, several weight-saving features, including removing the rear seat, a trunk lid made of carbon fibre, and lightweight competition front seats. Fun times abound, but it’s an unforgivingly restrictive everyday driver.
Fuel Efficiency: BMW 4 Series
As a high-performance coupe that only runs on premium unleaded gasoline, the 4 Series achieves respectable fuel economy. The 430i gets 28 mpg overall (25 in the city and 34 on the highway), with AWD variants earning 1 to 2 mpg less in each category. The M440i’s fuel efficiency is barely lower. The combined EPA rating for the rear-wheel drive M440i Coupe and Gran Coupe is 27 mpg (24 city, 32 highway); AWD and convertible variants only lose 1 to 2 mpg in most tests.
The mainstream 4 Series cars perform better in real life than on paper, but they are still much above average compared to their four- and six-cylinder counterparts. However, we discovered that the 430i convertible’s combined rating was closer to 30 mpg in 700 miles of real-world driving. On other occasions and shorter runs, we found that the M440i Gran Coupe somewhat outperformed our projections.
The M4 Competition Coupe trails behind with a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg (16 city, 22 highway), with the M4 variants being significantly thirstier—depending on the model, they may get up to 19 mpg. That’s quite excellent by the norms of such autos, so it’s hardly miserly. The M4s are not as fuel-efficient as the Audi S5, but they are still superior to Cadillac’s Blackwings and similar to the V8 Lexus RC-F. Nevertheless, they also move more quickly.
Driver assistance and safety:
The 4 Series has not yet received a rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Still, we rate it higher than we might if it had no direct analogues tested because it shares a structure with the 3 Series, which receives excellent ratings from both organizations. Additionally, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), an EU organization that conducts testing similar to those performed by IIHS, awards the three a five-star rating.
The 4 Series from BMW comes with a wide range of active safety measures. The standard features include blind spot recognition, lane departure alerts, forward collision warnings, forward automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a driver monitoring system. A $1,700 package includes signs for front cross-traffic, lane maintenance assistance, extended traffic jam assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and evasive steering. While many small luxury sedans are beginning to provide this equipment as standard, the majority of the 4’s main two-door rivals do not as well.
Coziness & Space:
It’s critical to independently assess each of the three distinct 4 Series body types. The two-door versions are large upfront and trim in the back, just as one would anticipate. However, the 4 Series two-doors are among the most spacious of these vehicles available, even by the standards of coupes and convertibles. Less than an inch separates the rear legroom of the 4 Series coupe (34.5 inches) from that of the 3 Series sedan (32.5 inches) in the convertible. These rear seats are the most useful in this class, although tall individuals won’t want to spend much time in them.
The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s rear passenger room is slightly smaller than the 3 Series, but the front passenger space is about the same. The back legroom of the 4 Series Gran Coupe is 34.9 inches, whereas that of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Genesis G70 is 36 inches, 35.7 inches, and 34.4 inches, respectively. But compared to these sedan options, the Gran Coupe has much greater baggage space since it is a hatchback.
Like other BMWs, the standard 4 Series seats are firm yet supportive and comfortable for extended periods. Despite the strong side bolstering, most drivers have no problem getting comfortable. The M4’s optional sports seats are designed to keep you firmly planted on the track rather than to make daily tasks easier. They’re not unpleasant once you’re in them, but getting in and out may be a strange dance. This particularly applies to the M4 CSL, which has two seats.
Infotainment: BMW 4 Series
The 10.3-inch infotainment screen and the 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, which were previously optional, became standard on all 4 Series vehicles last year, and that configuration will hold until 2023. Waiting until the 2024 models go on sale in large quantities this summer is your only chance to get your hands on BMW’s innovative curved display and iDrive 8 software.
The iDrive 7.0 interface from BMW is housed in the centre stack of the 4 Series, with attractive instruments and graphics. Drivers may operate it via the console’s steering wheel, touchscreen, or a rotary dial. It’s not terrible that the interior and system are almost identical to the 2022 3 Series. The system has a low learning curve and is comprehensive and easy to use. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation are standard for those that dislike iDrive. This year, the audio system’s previous gesture controls are gone.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Cargo capacity on the two-door 4 Series variants is restricted, as most purchasers of coupes and convertibles would anticipate, especially with the convertible. Although the trunk is still tiny, BMW made a good move by switching from a retractable hardtop on the previous generation 4 Series to a traditional soft top on the current one. While this is less than comparable two-door variants, the coupe has 12 cubic feet of storage, while the convertible only has 9.
The four-door Gran Coupe offers much greater cargo room than the three-door sedan by adding what the two-doors eliminate. When the back seats are folded, the Gran Coupe’s load capacity increases to a crossover-like 45.6 cubic feet from 16.6 cubic feet behind the seats. That is three times more cubic feet than typical sedans, such as the 3 Series, and ten cubic feet more than the Audi A5 Sportback and Kia Stinger. The seats fold in a flexible 40/20/40 configuration, much like the A5.
Design: BMW 4 Series
The 4 Series is a sleek, powerful, and tight vehicle from the front wheels back. Its chiselled form gives it a very Nissan GT-R vibe, and its design isn’t all that BMW-esque, but it still looks excellent. In terms of appearance, the Gran Coupe is more appealing than the 3 Series. The inside of the 4 Series, inspired by the 2022 3 Series, is similarly rational, tidy, and elegant in a classic BMW manner.
Why, then, a six out of ten? The Grille continues to create controversy over four years after its debut at the 2019 Frankfurt exhibition. Seeing so many 4 Series vehicles on the road has made it appear less startling, but opinions are still strongly divided. A few appear fervently committed to it, while others detest it. On the 430i, it’s not as obvious, but it’s still there. The M4’s Grille is much bigger than the regular 4S’s, but in some ways, it matches the aggressive nature of the vehicle better.
Is the 2023 BMW 4 Series Worth it?
The M440i Coupe with rear-wheel drive is the two-door 4 Series car we would choose. With a starting price of $59,245 plus a $995 destination charge, it offers the B58 inline-six’s addictive power. We would likely select one of the more intriguing optional $550 colours and the $1,700 driver assistance package.
The best value option within the Gran Coupe range is the rear-drive, $46,195 basic model 430i. We would forgo the dynamic handling and M Sport packages for a more authentic driving experience but repurchase the driver assistance package. Although it lacks the large inline-six, it is still fun to drive and is more valuable and fascinating than its 3 Series sedan sister. The redesigned curved display screen is one significant benefit of the 3 Series this year. You’ll have to wait for the 2024 models if you want the more contemporary infotainment system.
Due to its restricted supply, the peak of M4 performance and a surefire future collector’s item, the M4 CSL is challenging for $140,895.
Another attractive option for coupe consumers who don’t particularly care about rear-seat rooms is the 2 Series Coupe. Although it has less area, it has the same fundamental design and costs less for the same powertrains.
How Much Does BMW 4 Series Insurance Cost?
Compared to most of its rivals, the BMW 4 Series is more expensive to insure. The average yearly premium for an M440i xDrive Coupe for a typical 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is $3,870. However, this figure applies to all 50 states. Buyers of an M4 will spend substantially more ($4,927) than those of a 430i Gran Coupe ($2,980), albeit most competitors will also cost much more. In contrast, the Audi S5 coupe costs $3,416; the Lexus RC-F expenses $4,114; the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing expenses $4,124; and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce costs $3,104.
BMW 4 Series Generations
Second Generation
2021 to Present
BMW’s redesigned 4 Series debuted with a style intended to set it apart from the 3 Series and directly inspired the flagship 8 Series coupe. BMW added a larger (and very contentious) grille to its chiselled design to make it more unique. The 4 Series convertible now has a traditional soft top instead of a retractable hardtop. For 2022, a four-door Gran Coupe and a lighter, more powerful M4 CSL were introduced to the lineup.
First Generation
2014 to 2020
In late 2013, the 4 Series—once the 3 Series’ two-door and convertible variant—was split off from its sedan and wagon siblings. It debuted as the 2.0-litre, 240-horsepower four-cylinder 428i and the 3.0-litre, 300-horsepower inline six 435i. Both models were offered with rear- or all-wheel drive, as a coupe or retractable hardtop convertible. 2015 saw the addition of a four-door Gran Coupe variant with a stylish fastback top to these two body lines. 2017 saw engine modifications that changed the 428i’s horsepower to 248 (430i) and the 435i’s horsepower to 320 (440i).
Verdict
The superb technical components and handling skills of the 3 Series are recast in the more elegant forms of the BMW 4 Series, which includes a coupe, convertible, and four-door fastback Gran Coupe. All are excellent examples of classic grand tourers: they are sumptuous, cosy, and swift. The Gran Coupe’s hatchback design provides a little better experience than the 3 Series sedan. Munich’s quickest missile is the M4, particularly when wearing its new, ultra-light CSL configuration. The drawback? It is heavier than the previous 4 Series models, costs more than the 3, and its front-end style separates opinions as strongly as a Hattori Hanzō sword splits baseballs.
