The BMW 440i coupe is undoubtedly a vehicle with a lot to recommend it. It drives incredibly well and looks beautiful in an understated, Q-car kind of way.
In This Article...
Performance – Engine, Transmission, and Other
The 4-series is equipped with the same two overachieving engines that are provided in the 3-series. A 255-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine powers models with the designation 430i. A smooth-running 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine that receives assistance from a 48-volt hybrid system to produce 382-hp powers the M440i. Thanks to a modified suspension, more aggressive steering calibration, a wider rear track, and a lower center of gravity than the 3-series sedan, the 4-series offers a dynamic driving experience. Nevertheless, the M440i coupe we tested left us less enamored with its driving characteristics than its fantastic inline-six. The Bimmer’s remote handling and agreeable ride didn’t give us the same satisfaction as the M340i sedan, with the exception of robust brakes that functioned well in our 70-to-zero-mph test (149 feet). We observed good power from the turbocharged four-cylinder during our test drive of an all-wheel drive 430i xDrive variant, but we left with a similar criticism of the car’s too-soft ride.
Unsurprising Suspense
It takes a black art to find the ideal balance between balanced stiffness and comfortable riding quality. BMW achieved great results with the refresh by focusing on developing a firmer suspension and better steering setup.
Although the electrically assisted steering is a bit light, it has quick turn-in and some feedback, which is more than we can say for many recent BMW models. The 440i offers a stable ride with a suspension that can effectively absorb bumps while still feeling connected to the road thanks to the 2018 update’s modified damping. The results indicate that the 4-series trails the competition at the skidpad despite having a taut ride with no body roll. It measured 0.86 g, compared to 0.90 g or more for the Q60, ATS, and C-class. However, it should be noted that the 440i was fitted with all-season Pirelli tires and would have likely achieved a higher result if it had been fitted with the $1700 Track Handling package, which adds Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires.
The BMW 4-series was one of our favorite luxury coupes going into this test, and the minor updates only strengthened an already potent package. The engine is marriage-worthy, the suspension is cozy but nevertheless agile, and the very straightforward styling gets better the more time you spend with it. There are solutions to these problems, but they come at a cost. The interior is a little out of sync and the car may benefit from stickier rubber to make the most of the chassis. This is still a nice two-door, despite some recipe changes by BMW.
SERPRESULT
The BMW 4 Series is a respectable little premium automobile.
Strong performance, even with the base 430i * Quiet and comfortable ride experience * Newer competitors have more cutting-edge technology * Smaller cargo capacity
Actually, you might not kiss that 7000 rpm redline as often as you’d imagine (albeit briefly, as even in manual mode, the gearbox automatically upshifts). Not with 332lb ft at your disposal. And especially not when that is the only option available from 1300 rpm to 4500 rpm.
Ironic, huh? BMW has kept the straight-six engine alive while giving it a diesel’s torque range, so the 440i feels most at home being pushed along at part throttle, short-shifting, and generally catching bolshie TDI Audis with their pants down.
However, resist not. You’ll need to occasionally shift down a few gears and let that six warble a little. This car sounds fine, lacking the disagreeable M4 resonance or the staticky, slightly strained note produced by, say, an M135i.
Yes, the turbo does prevent it from having a Pavarotti-like large top end, but it still has a pleasing, tuneful rasp that stands out among the typical turbodiesel cacophony. In any case, BMW is pushing hard to squeeze i8 electro-tech into its everyday cars and bring hybrid propulsion to models like the 3 and 7 series. This straight-six 4-Series is worth savoring while it still has life in it because they may soon become extinct.
And supposing that this engine in the 4-Series produces a fairly finished vehicle?
Yes, “complete” is an excellent term to describe it. This is a really quiet cruiser now that the diesel noise is gone, which may seem odd to mention at first, but the Audi A5 is now so silent it’s like being in an A-level exam room, so BMW is doing well to remain competitive.
It’s amazing how much some nice cow skin elevates the 4’s cabin from ergonomically mundane to opulent and expensive-feeling. The test car had certain extended leather boxes checked. The test car’s optional lane keep assist and other driver aids were overly eager and invasive, but they were readily turned off with a proper button, not a sub-sub-menu dig. I’d advise BMW to conduct some driver aids research and refinement.
It’s not the best driving tool on its own. Even while the steering is accurate in terms of speed, you don’t really get a sense of how hard the tyres are being worked because the steering has that new BMW gloopiness, especially just off the straight-ahead position. Though it does seem incredibly well balanced, the 4-Series wants to be poured into a corner before applying a kick of power once everything has settled.
In the recent months, I’ve driven both the Mercedes-AMG C43, which is far more effervescent and responsive than the Audi but feels slightly heavier than the BMW, and the new Audi S5, which is a delightful, numb object that would love to be doing all of the driving itself. That’s what it would do since it has all-wheel drive. It would be interesting to choose amongst those for 365-day British driving.
No, not in terms of pure performance since today’s turbocharged downsizers are simply too good. Too adaptable and clever. A 440i is not necessary. However, if you want to experience the intrinsic rightness of a BMW with six gasoline-fueled cylinders arranged in a line and driving the rear wheels, the 4-Series is what you need. Please don’t forget to get it debadged.
How is driving like? 8/10
The 440i coupe does a fantastic job of walking the line between sports car and luxury automobile.
The in-line six-cylinder engine, which is one of our favorite motors in any car, period, surely contributes to the straight-line performance.
The 3.0 litre container is wonderful from top to bottom. Maximum torque begins just above idle and continues to be available well into the high end, where a brief burst of peak power is only 500 rpm away. Without a doubt, acceleration is powerful.
Amazingly, the engine’s twin-scroll turbo shows almost no lag, making it an engine you really want to push to the limit. That said, the sound it produces is unappealing, so don’t anticipate any enjoyment when you do it. Yes, there are no alluring pops or crackles to be heard here.
Everything comes together brilliantly thanks to the automatic transmission, which consistently shifts gears in a fast, quick, and smooth manner, even when its Sport mode is not activated. In addition, paddle-shifters are available if you want to truly take matters into your own hands.
The 440i coupe rides like a punishing sports car, which is understandable given its apparent performance bias. The good news is that it does not.
Its independent suspension system, which consists of MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear axles with adjustable dampers, performs admirably on Australian roads.
When faced with potholes and coarse chips in the road, most people would hesitate, but the 440i coupe puts those naysayers to rest with its smooth ride. Do you perceive them? Yes, but they’re not very loud, especially in a car like this one with sporty goals.
With great body control, cornering is also a lot of fun. You’ll quickly be reminded of why SUVs aren’t nearly this much fun to drive when you deliberately tip its 1555kg kerb weight into a curve.
Simply put, the M Sport brakes (front: four-piston fixed callipers, rear: two-pot floating stoppers) and conventional rear-wheel-drive characteristics of the 440i coupe shine on a winding stretch of road.
Its excellent electric power steering, which is speed-sensitive and rapid at low speeds for greater maneuverability and “slow” at high speeds for improved stability, enhances this experience.
This specific system has a precise weighting and a surprising amount of feel, which is why we enjoy it so much. Nobody’s surprise, it also performs exceptionally well.
Of course, you can switch to the Sport drive mode on the 440i coupe to improve handling even further. This option stiffens the adaptive dampers for even flatter corners and increases the weight of the electronic power steering. But we believe that neither is required.
How does the 6-cylinder BMW 440i compare to its competition when more and more performance cars are shrinking their engines?
The BMW 440i is a luxurious cruiser with a smooth, powerful straight-six engine that is a lot of joy to drive. However, it is not the most economical option, especially with an engine that is so eager to rev. If that’s a worry, a 435d would be a better option. Despite its high price, the 440i is still a fantastic option for anyone who are tired of shrunken turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
The top-of-the-line 335i petrol 3 Series was superseded by the more potent 340i by BMW last year. Now it’s the turn of the 4 Series, whose 440i model’s turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline engine now produces 20 more horsepower.
Our automatic variant, which also comes with a six-speed manual transmission, has 450 Nm of torque and can reach a top speed of 155 mph before being electronically limited. With this car, though, it’s not just about the numbers because the straight-six engine distributes its power in a really addicting manner.
It enjoys being revved despite being turbocharged. In-gear overtaking is simple, but stretching it out is when the real fun happens. It sounds amazing, and the power isn’t too strong to prevent you from fully appreciating it. It achieves an excellent mix between functionality and performance on the road.
Is a BMW 440i trustworthy?
With a 2.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, BMW is ranked 30th overall out of 32 automobile brands. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
The BMW 440i is quick.
We didn’t ask you whether the BMW B58 engine is the greatest one available at the moment for nothing back when we did. The 3.0 liter straight-six engine has dominated the market since it first appeared and has never taken any hostages. It’s true that when it was first debuted and made available on vehicles like the BMW 440i or BMW M240i, there was little to no competition because straight-six mills were still uncommon in the market. Today, a few things have changed, but the B58 has also changed.
It underwent a few improvements throughout time to become even better. For the cars it was being utilized on, the first model’s 326 horsepower and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque were more than sufficient. BMW was forced to make various changes as a result of the competition’s growing threat and the constantly evolving emissions legislation. Now, depending on the vehicle, it can be found in BMW vehicles with a range of power outputs, from 335 horsepower to 382 horsepower.
Additionally, we’ve seen it tweaked to nearly 1,000 horsepower and other extremes. That type of information will, of course, only be of interest to a few group of people since it calls for significant hardware modifications. However, the original B58 engine should easily reach 400 HP with a straightforward ECU tune and perhaps a new exhaust, as is the case with the BMW 440i in the video below. It appears to have a M Performance exhaust installed, and the numbers it ought to be producing are as follows: 580 Nm of torque and 400 horsepower.
The car is now moving much more quickly than before with these new numbers. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 4.6 seconds, and the top speed appears to have climbed from 250 to 270 km/h. The video below will demonstrate that it is true and that the 440i is capable of eye-watering speeds.