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- Highs Handsome exterior style, efficient turbo six-cylinder engine is a rocket, spacious interior for a two-door.
- Lows Expensive options, sparse standard features, interior materials could be nicer.
- Verdict BMW's 4-Series coupe and convertible are two of the best at balancing frills and thrills.
Overview
Whether cruising in the swanky convertible or raising hell in the racy coupe, the two-door BMW 4-Series exemplifies the luxury sports coupe. Based on BMW's venerable 3-Series sedan, both body styles are available with an overachieving 248-hp turbocharged four-cylinder (430i) or a dynamic 320-hp turbocharged inline-six (440i). The convertible has a folding hardtop, which enhances interior quietness and makes it snug in cold-weather months. The 4-Series is expensively tailored, and its driver-centric interior also has the largest back seat in its class. A highly capable chassis seamlessly transitions between relaxed and athletic.
What's New for 2019?
The 2019 4-Series adds some new standard features and revised package content and pricing. Every model now has navigation with real-time traffic information and a one-year subscription to Apple CarPlay. The M Sport package is now more expensive because it includes the Convenience package. Likewise, the Executive package costs more with the addition of Dakota leather. We've also spied photos of what appears to be the next-generation 4-Series in convertible form, which dons a soft-top versus the current heavy folding hard top. The upcoming 4 will also be based on the all-new 3-Series' platform when it debuts later this year as a 2021 model.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Choosing the coupe or convertible can be a conundrum. We prefer the 440i coupe with the potent turbo-six. Those interested in all-wheel drive can have it for $2000. The Essentials package is standard and features keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors, and a one-year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription. We'd also add the M Sport package, which includes the M sport suspension, an aerodynamic kit, 18-inch M Star-Spoke wheels, and more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Likes: Quick and efficient six-cylinder engine, four-cylinder engine is no slouch, balanced ride and handling.
Dislikes: Manual transmission not available on all models, steering effort is rather light.
The 430i is powered by a zesty 248-hp turbo four-cylinder, while the 440i boasts a 320-hp turbocharged inline-six that lives up to BMW's reputation as a company that makes great engines. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all models can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Both engines provide more than enough forward thrust to keep things interesting. The 440i coupe we tested doesn't make a scene accelerating, even though it went from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, quicker than any rival. While an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, a six-speed manual transmission is available on certain models.
Direct your attention to the hard-core BMW M4 for no-holds-barred performance. While the regular 4-Series won't deliver a white-knuckle driving experience, its chassis is a chameleon that instantly adapts to the spirited nature of twisty backroads or the relaxed comfort of black-top boulevards. Still, the BMW is at its best blitzing down a curvy road where its body motion is minimal. In our cornering test, it had the least amount of grip of its rivals, but that's not an indictment of the coupe's performance; its best attribute is blending athletic handling and a composed ride.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy is the sacrificial lamb of performance, right? That's not true of the 4-Series, which delivers the proverbial win-win: not only is it quick, its turbo-six sipped considerably less fuel in our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route than similar rivals. While the EPA ratings indicate only a small difference between the four- and six-cylinder engines, our real-world testing revealed a surprising disparity. The rear-wheel-drive 440i coupe we tested beat its EPA highway estimate of 32 mpg by an impressive 5 mpg. The rear-drive 430i coupe was less impressive as it merely matched its highway rating at 33 mpg.
Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo
Likes: Big back seat, user-friendly infotainment system, impressive cargo space.
Dislikes: Cabin lacks flashy styling, no Android Auto, tiny center-console bin.
A sports car's interior must cater to the driver, and a luxury car's must be comfortable. The 4-Series accomplishes both, with an excellent driving position and spacious passenger accommodations. Its materials and finishes are becoming dated, however. The M Sport package adds a unique leather-wrapped steering wheel that looks and feels amazing. The standard front sport seats are supportive but too firm, especially on longer road trips.
BMW's iDrive infotainment system is aesthetically pleasing, and the absence of a touchscreen means bye-bye finger smudges. While a one-year subscription to Apple CarPlay is standard, Android Auto isn't available. A display screen sits atop the dashboard looking like a propped-up tablet. It's operated by a rotary knob surrounded by redundant buttons on the center console for intuitive control.
While two doors might denote limited cargo space, the 4-Series is less limited than most of its rivals. The 4-Series holds the second-most carry-ons with the rear seats folded, and the large trunk incorporates useful bins for extra storage. A center pass-through is accessible in the back seat, but dropping the outboard seatbacks must be done via release handles in the trunk.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 4-Series has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, every model has front and rear parking sensors and can be outfitted with an array of driver-assistance equipment. Key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Available self-parking assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The warranty of the 4-Series is competitive, its standout feature being lengthy complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
