The 4-Series contributes many of the 3-Series’ good points, such as its smart and efficient engines and classy interior, but along with a healthy injection of style. It should be ideal, then, for those people who fancy a coupé, but need a pair of reasonably practical back seats for occasional use.
Visibility is good enough by today’s (poor) standards, so one shouldn’t have too much trouble in parking – specifically if you go for a car with reversing sensors. The manual gearbox is somewhat stiff, though, so it is worth upgrading to the super-slick automatic (non-manual) if you can afford to.
For most of the people, the BMW 4-Series will be an entertaining enough car to ride. The steering is so quick to respond, and the car comfortably sits flat and feels taut as you turn into a bend or corner.
And if one has the space and the inclination, one can use more power to get the back end to step out, even in the four-wheel-drive version. One will have to turn the traction control off first, though, which one can do – or there’s the option of a best-of-both-worlds setting which permits some slip before coming to the rescue.
However, the 4-series isn’t all perfect. The first issue is the steering, which feels a bit numb, so you feel less engaged in the experience than one would like. This becomes more of a problem as one pushes the 4-Series closer to the limit, because it can be a little bit skittish. The Grand 4-Series instead feels flighty, and a slightly unpredictable on the limit.
Most BMW engines are truly very efficient these days, so across the range the 4-Series appears to be very economical. The most sparing 420d, for example, can attain 61.4mpg, according to BMW’s claimed figures. The 420i with 181bhp and 0-62mph in a little over 7 seconds is perfect for most daily use.
That said, matching each version like-for-like with its opponents reveal that the 4-Series’ consumption of fuel tends to lag fractionally behind. The difference is small, but it’s still there. What’s more, there isn’t a rival in the 4-Series complete range to Audi’s super-economical A5 Ultra, which might be a quite more cost-effective option for consumers who cover lots of miles.
The BMW 4-Series values broadly the same money model-for-model as its Audi and Mercedes participants, although it pays to compare the discounts accessible carefully. That the 4-Series trades in smaller numbers than the 3-Series should aid its resale values somewhat.
And while economy of fuel lags slightly behind its Audi and Mercedes competitors, servicing costs are competitive and not too much onerous. If you’re a company car driver, you’ll possibly find the 4-Series fractionally costlier to tax than its foes, because its emissions tend to be a little higher.
Overall, the BMW 4-Series Coupé is more of a grand tourer than a mere sports car. It’s really a good effort, with suave looks, an exceptional interior, and two usable comfy rear seats. So, one should think about it before selecting any car.”
