For years the BMW 3 Series set the standard for the sporty coupe and sedan market, often beating its competitors by a wide margin.
It always performed with an amazing level of handling, just the right level of suspension feel, and a world-class engine. Over time, the 3 Series lost some sizzle as cars like the Audi S4/S5 and Mercedes C-Class began to outperform the 3 Series in some rankings.
This prompted BMW to up the ante and create a more distinct line – and the first order of business was to separate the coupe from the sedan in 2013 in much the same way Audi has done with the S4 sedan/S5 coupe method. This resulted in having the 4 Series name applied to the coupe and convertibles – including the so called “four door coupe” – while the 3 Series name stayed with the traditional four-door sedan model. Even the M model changed its naming scheme, bringing the new M4 nameplate to go in parallel with the iconic M3 name.
This year, the 440i Coupe gets a subtle and yet refined makeover to keep ahead of its competition. Rather than a huge overhaul, BMW has decided to stick with what works and make continuous improvements over time. With the BMW’s trademark long hood and short overhang, the 440i offers beautiful design and great performance overall. The 4 Series comes in the Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe. I drove the 2018 440i xDrive as part of the review process.
Design
The guiding principle for this year’s update was to “stick to the proven formula but add extra richness to the car’s character,” according to Domagoj Dukec, head of BMW exterior design. This year’s design includes a mild update, nothing over the top. It seems that BMW know they have a good product and are choosing to maintain familiarity until the next major model change.
The nose of the car has been given a slight makeover, adding “three-dimensional muscularity.” A larger air intake, hexagonal full-LED headlights and full-LED rear lights have been added. Keeping to the traditional look of the 4 Series, the headlights still maintain the characteristic “eyebrow” design. As far as the rear of the vehicle goes, various minor tweaks have been made including placing the reflectors higher up on the tail to give the vehicle a lower, scooped look. Two new paint options have been provided – Snapper Rocks Blue and Sunset Orange.
The interior design of the 4 Series continues to give the driver a sporty, yet elegant feel. You will not find cheap plastic inserts or strange design elements in the 4 Series. Rather, many areas stand out and appear rich and modern indeed, including a high gloss black cover panel on the centre console and electroplated elements throughout.
Both the rear passenger area and the trunk are top-of-the-class for volume, making the rear seat surprisingly usable for a coupe.
There is no touchscreen in any of the 4 Series models, but this also means no fingerprints smudging up the screen. But even with the improved version of the multi-display, it’s still not as intuitive as simple touch panels in much the same way iPad might operate. Car companies, please just learn from Apple or Samsung for customer interface ideas!
Standard models come with a 6.5-inch screen, which bumps up to 8.8-inches with the premium package. Android Auto is not supported, and Apple CarPlay costs extra. Two interesting things worth noting: there is a wireless phone charging induction tray and also a WiFi hotspot feature available. The in-car internet access is provided for up to 10 mobile devices.
Performance
Starting up the 440i Coupe comes with a pleasing and subtle-but-loud-enough exhaust. More importantly, the 440i has some serious power under the hood.
The 440i Coupe offers an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission (thank you BMW for still offering manual), four-wheel disc with ABS and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine offering up a strong 320 horsepower and 330 foot-pounds of torque. The engine pulls the car right up to the redline with ease, often making you feel like you’re driving a car that costs twice as much. BMW’s inline six is still one of the best engines in the world, and it truly shines in the 440i.
All three suspension options (base, M Sport, Adaptive M) have improved damping and have been stiffened up for 2018. This gives greater stability and reduced roll over previous models. The 4 Series all have a lower centre of gravity than the 3 Series, which is exactly what is required for more agile handling on the road. Some people might find the ride a tad too stiff, so you may want to test drive the 440i thoroughly over bumpy roads before making the final decision.
The steering feel has definitely improved over the years, with a sufficient heft to the overall feel and quick response. It still feels a bit numb, and this is where brands like Porsche do an amazing job – we hope BMW will continue to refine the road feel.
What about some comparison? I think the new Audi S5 has a slight edge in steering and road feel, but the BMW’s engine is just impossible to beat. Both the Audi and BMW are much better than the Lexus RC coupe, which looks great but doesn’t have a “soul.”
Summary
The base pricing for the 2018 440i Coupe starts at $56,850. Add-ons will quickly project you into the high 60s and 70s, making this a pricey vehicle. The convertible model is a hardtop only, making it a quieter and cosier drive during those long winter months. Although I focused on the 440i xDrive coupe this week, in many ways I prefer the Gran Coupe, which looks as slick as the two-door coupe but has the practicality of a four-door.
All in all, the 440i – especially in Canadian-friendly xDrive version with all-wheel-drive – is a top performing coupe with a beautiful styling and world-class engine.
