BMW 430i M Sport 2024 Review

Following the deletion of the 420i Coupe, the 2024 BMW 430i M Sport is now the base model in the coupe range. The recent updates also attract a price hike of $5000, raising the entry point to $109,700 before on-road costs (ORCs).

All Aussie-delivered 430i variants are trimmed to M Sport level as standard, but our test car is also fitted with the $5700 Enhancement Package.

If you require more powertrain prowess, then the M440i asks $134,400 before ORCs – which is the price you pay for a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive.

Rivals for the 430i are the ageing but cheaper $90,815 Audi A5 45 TFSI quattro and the more expensive $102,815 Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 (all prices exclude ORCs). Given the scarcity of premium $100k coupes, the Ford Mustang GT could also be an interesting alternative at $80,902.

The 430i M Sport is covered by BMW’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with three years of roadside assistance. Servicing is every 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first) and you can opt for a five-year pre-paid plan for $2225.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the acutely controversial ‘beaver tooth’ grille has grown on us – in a good way. And with the black accents found on the LCI update, the 2024 BMW 430i M Sport has certainly matured, aesthetically. Some still won’t like it though.

The LCI touch on the exterior extends to new head- and tail-lights with redesigned LEDs, subtle changes to the grille finishes, new alloy wheel designs and two additional metallic paint colours – Cape York Green and Fire Red – the latter of which is the hue of our test vehicle.

Inside, there are new graphics and infotainment menus that are easier to use. This is on the back of the massive interior overhaul of the 4 Series which places it in line with the rest of the BMW range.

The 430i M Sport offers heated and electrically operated M Sport front seats in Vernasca leather with bolster adjustment and memory functions, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, powered boot lid, glass sunroof, head-up display, M Sport brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The vehicle for this test is fitted with the optional Enhancement Package which includes tyre pressure monitoring, ‘Crafted Clarity’ glass application interior elements, adaptive LED headlights and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

That optional equipment does raise the cabin vibe with the added finer details, but it’s the new rear LED tail-light design that provokes real wonder; the tail-lights are jaw-droppingly intricate and a marvel to see.

Very safe. The 2024 BMW 430i M Sport was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, founded on Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2019.

The 4 Series has six airbags, dual rear ISOFIX points and three top-tethers. Other safety highlights on the active side of the ledger include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) front and rear, blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, active lane centring, rear cross-traffic assist, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control with stop/go functionality.

The standard head-up display is also appreciated, while the safety systems in general are finely calibrated. That means the driver is often aware when they operate, but they aren’t overly intrusive. You can switch most systems off if they become tiresome.

You’d expect nothing less than a forward-thinking, ultra-tech-focused cabin from the marque that brought us iDrive. And the 2024 BMW 430i M Sport doesn’t disappoint.

The moment you slide into the driver’s seat of the sleek coupe you’re greeted by a contemporary curved display – but it’s actually two screens.

Ahead of you is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – or BMW Cockpit Professional in company-speak. It presents different visual themes and is generally intuitive to use; it just isn’t as sleek as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit.

Taking care of the infotainment is a large 14.9-inch touch-screen display. It responds quickly to tactile inputs, and the graphics are thoroughly modern. It runs the latest BMW Operating System 8.5 which carries out commands after you say ‘Hey BMW’.

Additional tech includes a three-year subscription to BMW ConnectedDrive, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth and a USB-A port and another (USB-C) port.

While the 2024 BMW 430i M Sport might be the new entry-level variant of the coupe range, its powertrain is anything but low-grade.

The 430i uses the BMW’s B48 TwinPower four-cylinder engine, and it is packed with enough punch to reach 100km/h in 5.8 seconds. The hot-hatch pace is due to the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 190kW and 400Nm.

Backing up the polished four-cylinder engine is the ZF eight-speed automatic – with a conventional torque-converter transmission – driving to the rear wheels.

Okay, it isn’t the venerable B58 found in the M440i – that turbocharged inline-six is a hard act to follow. But the energetic four-pot deserves some limelight nonetheless. It even produces an enticing soundtrack – despite some of it being synthesised audio-system fakery.

Its heady torque curve plateau begins from as low as 1550rpm and runs in a straight line all the way through to 4400rpm, resulting in strong low-down pulling power. As a bonus, the engine feels strong right throughout the rev range. The 430i’s powertrain is slick and linear, with no discernible turbo lag.

The eight-speed auto is impressive, too. You won’t really be left pining for a dual-clutch transmission, as the ZF unit shifts quickly and smoothly no matter how sedately or spiritedly you’re driving.

This is where downsizing really helps, as the 2024 BMW 430i M Sport returns a claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.6L/100km. You certainly won’t achieve that with the M440i.

The 59-litre tank requires at least 95 RON, but that will give you a maximum range of 1017km before you need to stop for fuel.

Our testing resulted in an average of 7.6L/100km. However, that’s not really showing the 430i M Sport in its best light, as the driving environment predominately centred around winding country roads. We did see the average hovering in the high 6.0L/100km range when traversing city streets and highways.

Better than it really needs to be – and that’s not a backhanded compliment, because the 2024 BMW 430i M Sport delivers, living up to the brand’s storied dynamic reputation. Given the luxury focus, most buyers won’t ever access the talent at play here.

With the B48 TwinPower unit sitting so far back in the engine bay (behind the strut towers), the traditional front-engine, rear-drive handling characteristics come to the fore. It’s balanced, turns in keenly and there’s even the odd dalliance with rotation from the rear axle.

There is a plethora of tweaks to experience via BMW’s Driving Experience Control. The modes include Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport – with individualisation available for each. You can even fiddle with the Dynamic Stability Control, toggling between On, Traction and Off. It might seem like overkill, but the amount of customisation makes sense behind the wheel and you can tailor your own experience.

Of the minor grievances, the Bridgestone rubber (225/40 R19 front and 255/35 R19 rear) is one, relinquishing purchase sooner than the chassis. And despite ramping up the weight through the wheel, steering feel remains rather synthetic, whichever mode you select.

Despite the M Sport treatment, there is a pleasing breadth of ability and polish to the way the 430i goes about its business. After all, the 4 Series is still an indulgent purchase. Thankfully, BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension, when softened to Comfort mode, achieves a cosseting ride quality. It’s genuinely compliant on just about any surface.

The 2024 BMW 430i M Sport is now a thoroughly modern Bavarian. There’s no mistaking the new interior aesthetic that’s designer chic and heavy on tech.

The aesthetic has been refined further with less clutter, redesigned air vents that appear almost hidden, and extra ambient lighting. All this, combined with the low-slung seating position, makes the 430i M Sport’s cabin an inviting place to be. What’s more, the seats are supportive and the seatbelt concierge makes life easier.

There are wins in terms of storage and general build quality. However, the touch-screen ergonomics remain a bugbear. Yes, there’s less fiddling around to perform basic climate-control adjustments, but the operating system requires too much menu-sifting to get what you want done.

For a dedicated four-seat coupe, room in the back of the 430i’s cabin is better than expected. Adults can genuinely fit back there with acceptable headroom and decent legroom.

Getting in and out doesn’t quite require origami-like contortions either, thanks to the long doors – just be mindful of their length in tight car parks. Once seated you’ll find rear air vents and a drop-down central armrest with cup holders – but no charging ports.

The cargo capacity is genuinely useable too, with 440 litres of space available. That’s 10 litres less than the Audi A5, but 20 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE. The rear seats also fold in a 40/20/40 arrangement, further aiding practicality, along with the handy quick-release levers in the boot.

The 2024 BMW 430i M Sport is an accomplished sports coupe with more than enough luxury to satisfy buyers in the premium segment.

The problem is, with the deletion of the entry-level 420i, the four-cylinder powered 4 Series is becoming increasingly expensive despite the upmarket appeal.

The jump in monetary terms to the higher grade M440i is significant. However, it also endows the 4 Series with serious intent by means of its all-wheel drive and the firecracker six-cylinder engine. If performance is more your flavour, then paying the extra $24,700 will be easier to excuse.

There’s a little less drama, but class, prestige and badge cachet are instilled in the entry-level 4 Series. Despite being a decision made from the head rather than the heart, the 430i M Sport returns thrills and frills, but without the higher bills.

2024 BMW 430i LCI at a glance:
Price: $109,700 before on-road costs
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol mild-hybrid
Output: 190kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 151g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2019)

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au