BMW 4 Series Review (2013-2019)
BMW 4 Series cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Drives with the verve you'd expect of a BMW
Sharp looks, whichever body style you choose
Excellent engines combine performance and efficiency
Cons
The xDrive four-wheel-drive models are more expensive to buy and run
Iffy reputation for reliability
Watch out for corrosion on the alloy wheels
The CarGurus verdict
The BMW 4 Series is one of the most desirable premium cars out there, and with good reason. It’s got sharp looks, strong engines and drives really well across the range. And what a range it is, with three different body styles to suit individual needs, and a variety of different trims. You will need to keep an eye out for the slightly suspect reliability record, which slightly dulls the appeal, but if you do your homework and pick a good example, you’ll be treated to an excellent executive car that feels as fresh today as it did in 2013.
What is the BMW 4 Series?
In the beginning there was the BMW 3 Series. An icon of executive motoring, it stood alongside the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 as one of the three default choices for this type of machine. As well as the saloon, BMW sold the 3 Series Coupe, which removed a couple of doors and added some swooshier design for those that prioritised looks over practicality.
In 2013 though, BMW decided to spin off the 3 Series Coupe into its own number, and so the 4 Series was born. Then, as the market diversified into ever-more niches, the German company added the Convertible model to the 4 Series line-up, which features a three-piece folding metal roof that deploys in 20 seconds at up to 8mph. In 2014, it added the 4 Series Gran Coupe, which is a hatchback that looks like a saloon but wants to be a coupe – it’s for those that still want the 4 Series style, but need more practicality. But don’t want a 3 Series. Clear?
In 2020 this first-generation car was replaced by the all-new G22 BMW 4 Series
How practical is it?
As you’d probably expect, the 4 Series has more than a hint of 3 Series to it, both inside and out. But with the coupe silhouette you lose a bit of rear headroom, so the BMW 4 Series Coupe version particularly is not for those who’ll regularly be using the back seats. Sure, a pair of adults will just about fit, but it’s a fiddle getting in and out.
That’s deficit is reduced in the Gran Coupe fastback, but it’s still a touch cramped for the loftier occupant, although you’ll get three in the rear seats rather than two. The boot’s a good size at 480 litres as well, though even the regular coupe offers a still-impressive 445 litres.
What's it like to drive?
Whichever 4 Series you’re interested in, you’ll find a properly sorted driver’s car that tread a nice line between everyday comfort and dynamism. The steering is nicely weighted, and it feels agile and alive from behind the steering wheel. While it’ll cruise motorways all day, it’ll also bring a smile to your face on a B-road.
The Convertible models aren’t quite as nippy – they’ve got the extra weight of the roof to haul around, for starters – but they’re still an enjoyable driving experience and maybe even a touch more comfortable when it comes to the ride quality. The Gran Coupe models hardly suffer for their extra size, feeling assured and confident wherever you point them.
There’s a range of engines available, both petrol and diesel, and they’re all rather good. However, the diesels are particularly accomplished and relatively easy to find on the used market, as they were the default choice for company car buyers when new. Both manual and automatic gearboxes are available.
The diesel line-up started with a 148bhp 2.0-litre 418d, although that was soon dropped from the line-up. Later cars then began with the 420d, which has 187bhp. Next up is the 214bhp 425d, then the 430d, which has 254bhp and was also available with all-wheel drive, rather than rear-wheel drive. The 435d was only available with all-wheel drive, and has 309bhp.
The petrol line up at launch started with the entry-level 420i, which had 181bhp and could be ordered with all-wheel drive. The 428i gave you 242bhp, while the 435i put out 302bhp.
The petrol range was changed in early 2016, with the 428i and 435i replaced with the 249bhp 430i and the 440i, with 322bhp.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
Early cars came with a choice of five different versions, from SE to M Sport, but the 2017 facelift saw the trims, er, trimmed to just the Sport and M Sport models.
As befits its premium, luxury positioning, even in relation to the 3 Series, every 4 Series has leather upholstery and plenty of standard equipment, including seat heaters and parking sensors.
The 4 Series range was facelifted in 2017, although you’d be hard-pressed to notice the differences without seeing before and after models side-by-side. The newer models got LED lights and revised alloy wheels.
BMW 4 Series running costs
If you want to save fuel: The 4 Series has been designed for sportier driving, but if you still need to keep an eye on fuel spending then the 420d is the one to go for. It has an official fuel economy of 47.9mpg, but it’s still a punchy engine to drive, so you shouldn’t feel like you’re lacking oomph under acceleration. True, you might get a fraction more economy from a 418d, but we think the extra grunt of the 420d is worth the upgrade, and there are far more of them around, too.
If you want a bargain: The entry-level SE might be the cheapest version of the 4 Series sold, but it’s got plenty of standard kit, including leather upholstery and satellite navigation, so it makes for a used BMW that still feels like a premium offering.
If you want maximum performance: The BMW M4 is a proper sports car, with 425bhp in standard guise and a 0-62mph sprint of just 4.1 seconds. Although the M4 badge is new, you can trace BMW’s M3 heritage back to the 1980s, and it takes great pride in offering big smiles to whoever’s behind the steering wheel. If you need the most space: The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe has an extended wheelbase and two extra doors at the back, which makes getting children in and out of the back seats much easier.
If you want the wind in your hair: Short of just opening all the windows, the Convertible models will give you that open-air vibe. The hard-top roof will also open on the move, although only up to 8mph. And being a metal roof, rather than fabric, it makes the Convertible much quieter in the cabin when it’s up. It does take up quite a lot of boot space when it’s lowered, though.
BMW 4 Series reliability
BMW’s performance in independent reliability studies doesn’t make for comfortable reading, as it’s regularly towards the bottom of them. The 4 Series as a model hasn’t particularly wowed in such studies either. New cars came with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, so if you can find a nearly new one, the extra money compared to an older model could be worth the peace of mind.
There have been several recalls on the 4 Series, so check to see if the necessary work has been carried out on any vehicle you’re thinking of buying. You can do this through a BMW dealer, or by checking the DVSA’s website. The issues raised included insecure front seat fixings, airbag problems and power steering gremlins, as well as malfunctioning seatbelts and potential fuel pump issues.
In addition, we’re heard reports of corrosion on the alloy wheels, particularly around the centre caps and especially on diamond cut designs.
- While most 4 Series models come with rear-wheel drive, BMW also made all-wheel-drive models, badged as xDrive. If you live in an area where better traction would be desirable then these are worth a look, but otherwise you might want to steer clear, as the system adds weight, reduces performance and worsens fuel economy. These models are more expensive, too.
- Big wheels make the 4 Series look extra smart, but they come with challenges. The first is that they’re more prone to being scraped down kerbs, which can be pricey to fix, so check any used model carefully before you buy. The second is that the ride quality can suffer, as larger wheels mean thinner profile tyres and less air to cushion you from the road. Many will be happy to make that sacrifice, but it’s something to consider nonetheless.
- If you’re tempted by an M4, you may also be tempted by a model with the Competition Pack. This was introduced on both Coupe and Convertible in 2016, two years after the standard M4, and upped the power to 444bhp. On top of this, the M4 Competition has more sophisticated suspension, a few styling tweaks and an upgraded exhaust. It further adds to the M4’s excitement, although it does mean the ride’s quite firm. If you want a more hardcore model still, check out the M4 GTS, launched in 2015, which had 493bhp, a lighter weight and a top speed of 190mph. But be prepared to hunt for one, as only 30 came to the UK. And be prepared to pay a very large premium.
- If you want to save fuel: The 4 Series has been designed for sportier driving, but if you still need to keep an eye on fuel spending then the 420d is the one to go for. It has an official fuel economy of 47.9mpg, but it’s still a punchy engine to drive, so you shouldn’t feel like you’re lacking oomph under acceleration. True, you might get a fraction more economy from a 418d, but we think the extra grunt of the 420d is worth the upgrade, and there are far more of them around, too.
- If you want a bargain: The entry-level SE might be the cheapest version of the 4 Series sold, but it’s got plenty of standard kit, including leather upholstery and satellite navigation, so it makes for a used BMW that still feels like a premium offering.
- If you want maximum performance: The BMW M4 is a proper sports car, with 425bhp in standard guise and a 0-62mph sprint of just 4.1 seconds. Although the M4 badge is new, you can trace BMW’s M3 heritage back to the 1980s, and it takes great pride in offering big smiles to whoever’s behind the steering wheel.
- If you need the most space: The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe has an extended wheelbase and two extra doors at the back, which makes getting children in and out of the back seats much easier.
- If you want the wind in your hair: Short of just opening all the windows, the Convertible models will give you that open-air vibe. The hard-top roof will also open on the move, although only up to 8mph. And being a metal roof, rather than fabric, it makes the Convertible much quieter in the cabin when it’s up. It does take up quite a lot of boot space when it’s lowered, though.
