BMW coupés have historically been less practical versions of their saloon counterparts. Not so anymore—as exemplified by the 4 Series, a rakish model in its own right, justifying its slightly higher price despite having fewer doors. Sure, it’s based on the same underpinnings as the more sensibly shaped 3 Series saloon, but you wouldn’t guess it from the styling. In fact, the 4 Series looks different from anything else in the entire BMW range—mainly because of its unusual face, which certainly not everyone will love. But then again, BMW have a history of creating cars of controversial aesthetics at the time, only for them to go on to bloom in later iterations as the years go by.

The 4 Series’ differences from the 3 Series are more than skin-deep. BMW have widened the rear of the car, lowered its centre of gravity, stiffened the chassis, and retuned the suspension. All these changes add up to a model that’s more agile and capable through corners—or in other words, a car with the performance to match its racy looks. But before we delve too deeply into the 4 Series, let’s check in with its key stats.

Equipment, options and extras

The BMW 4 Series range kicks off with the sporty M Sport trim, which comes with plenty of kit as standard, including cruise control, 18in alloys, three-zone climate control, and leather seats heated in the front. We recommend paying extra for the adjustable lumbar support, as well as the M Sport Pro pack for its adaptive suspension.

The M Sport Pro Edition gives drivers a choice of three exclusive exterior colours, and adds tinted windows, sportier styling, 19in alloys and the M Sport Pro pack. The range-topping M440i is similarly equipped, but of course also includes that mighty six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.

Every 4 Series comes with variable steering as standard. This ramps up assistance to save you from excessive movement when parking, and offers less help on faster roads to prevent the car from feeling hyperreactive to tiny steering adjustments. It’s not perfect—the car can still feel a bit sensitive to quick inputs at higher speeds—but that can be mitigated by switching to Sport mode, which adds weight to the steering for a greater sense of connection to the front wheels and easier judgement of the required steering input.

Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2

The most powerful BMW 4 Series—barring the incredibly fast M4, of course—is the M440i, with its 369bhp six-cylinder 3L petrol engine. That’s a lot of power—so it’s just as well it’s fed to all four wheels for better traction. In fact, the M440i gets going so well it hits 62mph in just 5s, pipping the 4 Series’ rivals the Audi S5 and Mercedes-AMG C43. It feels pleasingly potent from low down in the rev range, although it’s more than happy to sing all the way to the red line.

All that being said, our pick of the range is the entry-level rear-wheel–drive 181bhp 420i petrol. It’s quick enough to be fun with its 0–62 in 8s, and its love to be revved—entirely in keeping with the character of a sporty coupé. You might also opt for the 430i, a stronger version of the 420i, delivering its power more effortlessly. The 420i also offers a slightly more relaxed driving experience, although we don’t feel it warrants the extra outlay.

Drivers racking up serious miles may consider the 420d diesel. It provides far more oomph than the 420i below 3,000rpm, and its 0–62 drops to 7s, with extra lowdown urgency making B road overtakes a cinch. You might consider the xDrive, the four-wheel–version of the 420d, but we’d say it’s unnecessary unless you’re planning to drive mostly in snow. You can also get four-wheel–drive as standard on the 335bhp M440d.

The 4 Series is pricier than its rival the Audi A5, partly because the 4 Series is available only in relatively high-end trims and with more powerful entry-level engines. There’s little price difference though if you compare it to similarly specced versions of both cars. Moreover, the 4 Series is a little less costly than its competitor the Mercedes C-Class Coupé.

Company car drivers will probably favour the 420d diesel, as it costs the least in monthly salary and nets the best mpg. The 420i petrol is a cheaper option for those buying with cash or on PCP finance, and is expected to hold its value better than its rivals.

Safety and security

Euro NCAP have awarded the BMW 4 Series a full five stars. It comes with plenty of safety kit as standard, including lane-departure warning and automatic emergency braking. The optional Driving Assistant Professional pack (which comes as part of the Technology Plus Pack) adds adaptive cruise control, automatic speed limit assistance, a front cross-traffic alert system and more advanced lane-keeping assistance.

The Car Planet verdict

The BMW 4 Series is a fabulous drive, boasting a smart interior and more room than you might imagine. While its powerful engine the M440i is a lot of fun, the 420i strikes the finest balance between performance and running costs, while still impressing on a twisty road.

Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand 4 Series today and let’s get the ball rolling!