BMW 4 Series 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
BMW’s LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) upgrade of the medium-segment 4 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible range includes modest styling, suspension and equipment upgrades – and a $1000 price increase.

It’s all relative, of course; and largely justified. Considering the 4 Series LCI brings bi-LED headlights, fog-lights and tail-lights, revised styling front and rear, new alloy wheel designs (all with run-flat tyres) and tweaks to the suspension and tuning, the value proposition is hard to question.

There are also new interior finishes, upholstery and paint choices, an upgraded steering wheel and wiper and indicator wands, iDrive6 infotainment system (including sat nav, digital radio and surround-view camera) and an updated Multifunction Instrument Display.

Engine choices remain unchanged from the previous three petrol/three diesel model range.

How much will it cost?
Pricing for the 4 Series LCI range begins at $69,900 (plus on-road costs) for the 420i Coupe and tops out with the 440i Convertible at $117,900 (plus ORCs).

We sampled the four-door 420i Gran Coupe Luxury Line at $69,990 (plus ORCs) and 440i Coupe M Sport $99,900 (plus ORCs), both fitted with a number of options.

For the 420i Gran Coupe, these included BMW’s Comfort Access System ($846), electric glass sunroof ($2245), and metallic paint ($1490); while the 440i Coupe received Apple CarPlay ($623), electric glass sunroof ($2920), and metallic paint ($1937).

Like all BMWs, the 4 Series is subject to condition-based servicing – which can be paid for in advance, covering up to five years or 80,000km – and a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and roadside assistance program.

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
If you’re a fan of an involving drive, the 4 Series is for you. BMW’s prized dynamism and chassis communication is evident in both models tested, the 440i Coupe with an obviously sportier flavour.

Both models present less body-roll than their superseded equivalents, and the ride in both verges on firm. However, the stiffer set-up isn’t what you’d call uncompromising and even the 19-inch wheels under the 440i M Sport still deliver adequate compliance on most road surfaces, albeit with a little tyre hum.

The 420i’s 135kW/270Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine feels adequate when paired with BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission, but clearly lacks the effortless vigour of the 240kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six of the 440i. Naturally the latter’s mid-range acceleration is appreciably more enthusiastic (0-100km/h in 5.0sec v 7.7sec for the 420i) which is noticeable when overtaking.

In fact, the only real letdown from the driver’s seat was the pew itself. In both the Coupe and Gran Coupe we found the seat position higher than ideal, limiting not only ergonomics behind the wheel, but also entry and exit.

All the BMW 4 Series variants include safety items such as approach control warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane change warning, low-speed autonomous braking, pedestrian warning and parking assistant. All work very well.
The availability of adaptive cruise control, head-up display and speed sign recognition is likewise welcome, where fitted.

When is it available in Australia?
BMW’s revised 4 Series LCI commenced sales locally in July 2017, just three months after its international launch in Chiemsee, Germany. All variants are available now from BMW dealerships nationally.

Who will it appeal to?
The 4 Series range is decidedly more lifestyle-orientated than the 3 Series on which it is based. Despite the availability of a five-door variant (Gran Coupe), the remainder of the line-up is targeted at executive or leisure buyers not bound to sedan-style practicality.

Pragmatism aside, the 4 Series range still offers ample flexibility. There are 60:40 split-folding seats and a cargo area sufficient for four people’s luggage (Coupe 445 litres, Gran Coupe 480 litres) – though adults will find head and legroom are a little tight in the rear.

BMW’s 4 Series range is also likely to appeal to those with a sense of style, and for whom vehicular personalisation is important. To that end, the long list of tailorable paint and trim finishes, plus equipment and technology additions will appease – though we found the lack of some standard features (e.g. heated seats, keyless entry) somewhat surprising.

Where does it fit?
The medium-segment 4 Series range offers five-door coupe (Gran Coupe), coupe and convertible variants of what’s essentially the BMW 3 Series. In fact, compared to the 3 Series, the 4 Series is much like what the Audi A5 is to the A4 range or the Lexus RC is to the IS range.

Looking elsewhere, the BMW 4 Series can also be considered a direct competitor to variants of the Jaguar XE and Mercedes-Benz C-Class line-ups.

So, what do we think?
No doubt the LCI updates for the BMW 4 Series are worthwhile. The variants sampled drive as expected, are gorgeous to look at, and are built to a standard one would expect for the price.

But there’s just something about the 4 Series which leaves me a little cold; and no I’m not talking about the lack of seat heaters.

Despite performing free of fault and driving with all the involvement for which BMW is renowned, the 4 Series, like many of its competitors, just doesn’t feel as special as it should. It was a point colleague Bruce Newton made in his review of the 430i Coupe, and one with which I must concur. And, there’s no hiding this is now the oldest car in the segment.

Perhaps the all-new model, due in 2019, will inject the required passion.

2017 BMW 420i Gran Coupe Luxury Line LCI pricing and specifications:
Price: $69,900 (plus on-road costs) / $74,481 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined) / 7.3L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 134g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 BMW 440i Coupe M Sport LCI pricing and specifications:
Price: $99,900 (plus on-road costs) / $105,380 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 240kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined) / 10.4L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> BMW 4 Series Convertible v Mercedes-AMG C 43 Cabriolet Comparison
>> BMW 4 Series LCI International Launch Review
>> BMW 4 Series LCI Local Model Pricing and Specifications
>> BMW 430i Coupe Review