The BMW 3 Series is a brilliant car—it has always been a great vehicle and as a result, the 3 Series is BMW’s best selling car accounting for about a third of the brand’s total sales.
The 3 Series is now in its sixth generation and is available in four different body styles for 2014. One previously popular body style, a coupe, is notably missing, however, in this current generation because BMW has decided to designate those models as the 4 Series.
Yes 3 Series is for sedan, the 4 Series for the coupe — in a similar manner to how Audi names its models as A4/A5 and S4/S5.
While the new 4 Series may lack the brand equity of a 3 Series badge, it does gain the exclusivity of being a new model with a fresh name and styling.
Design
The new 4 Series is not all-new as it is still based on the 3 Series platform. It has the same engine and transmission options and has a similar looking interior but with an added “passion” inside and out.
In particular, BMW has changed the exterior quite a bit to provide it that special design feel. The 4 Series is wider, lower and longer than both the old 3 Series coupe and the new 3 Series sedan. The only exterior paneling the 4 Series shares with its smaller sibling is the hood.
The nose is more aggressive and the signature BMW double-kidney grille is smaller. The lower grille has also been redesigned to improve airflow around the front wheels. Aiding that are the side vents behind the front wheels, which help to reduce drag.
Ignoring the side mirrors, the widest part of the car is the rear wheel arches. They’re more prominent than on a 3 Series to give the 4 Series a more muscular stance.
The trunk lid is also sculpted to act as a spoiler, making a larger, gaudy one unnecessary.
As mentioned, the differences are less noticeable inside as they’re limited to just unique trim choices. But that’s not a bad thing as the 3 Series cabin is already sufficiently luxurious and sporty.
Performance
On the road, the 4 Series is a great car to drive from so many different perspectives. You sit nice and low so you feel suitably sporty — the seats are supportive and surprisingly comfortable.
The electronic steering is accurate and sharp, but light enough to not be a burden when you are just cruising around town. It does lack a bit of road feel but we understand how difficult it is to provide that tactile feel in an electric steering mechanism.
Driving the two cars back-to-back, the 4 Series feels slightly more agile than a 3 Series sedan. This is because the 4 Series’ lower and wider stance and it has a sportier suspension setting. It’s not a huge leap, but that’s understandable as the 3 Series is already a great handling car to begin with.
The standard 4 Series is rear-wheel drive, but is available with BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system.
Power won’t be an issue as the 435i comes with a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six producing 300 hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque. It will propel the car to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
If that’s not fast enough for you, soon there will be an M version. This will bump the horsepower to 425 and should go from zero to 100km/h in just over four seconds.
The economical choice though is the 428i with its turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four making 241 hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque. It is still quick, 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds, but it should also return 5.4L/100km of highway driving.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard. The optional eight-speed Sports automatic allows the driver to shift gears manually using steering wheel mounted paddles.
The optional adaptive dampers make the 4 Series feel more adaptable to your taste and needs. In Sport mode, the suspension is suitably firm, and while in Comfort, the ride is supple.
Environment
In terms of build quality, the new 4 Series is on par with the 3 Series, which is to say, excellent, as the 3 Series has long been recognized as an industry leader.
Climbing into a 4 Series, the first feature you will notice that you won’t find in a 3 Series is the automatic seatbelt extender. This hands the seatbelts to the front passengers as soon as the key has been inserted and the doors are closed. I find it a bit cumbersome but it may be necessary in a car with long doors.
In the back seat, the 4 Series isn’t too bad compared to some of its rivals. Legroom is acceptable, however headroom is limited due to its sloping roofline.
In-car storage is good for a car in this class. With compartments in the doors with space for a 1-litre bottle, and another compartment with a lid in the centre consol, means you can securely carry all of your necessities.
The 4 Series also has an optional hands-free trunk opening system. With the Comfort Access system, a quick foot movement under the rear bumper triggers the sensor and opens the lid.
The trunk itself is almost the same size as a 3 Series. The rear seats also fold down if you need more space.
Features
The 4 Series Coupe has a starting price of $44,900. A 4 Series Gran Coupe will be available later in the year.
Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, heated front seats, dynamic cruise control, start/stop system, brake energy regeneration system, Bi-Xenon headlights, and a glass sunroof.
Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include blind spot detection, lane departure and collision warning, navigation, real-time traffic information, rearview camera, park assist, internet, and a heated steering wheel.
Fuel efficiency numbers (L/100km) for the base 428i with the automatic transmission are 8.7 city, 5.4 highway for 7.2 combined.
Thumbs Up
The 4 Series is silky smooth, sporty and provides a true BMW feel.
Thumbs Down
Saying 4 Series sounds odd and probably will for some time. Was it necessary for BMW to rebrand the coupe model? The steering lacks some feedback from the road.
The Bottom Line
The 4 Series manages to build upon the strengths of the 3 Series, offering speed and refinement that satisfy, while allowing BMW to make the coupe seem more special to its buyers.
