Review

Review: BMW F32 4-Series Coupe (2013-20)

4.5 stars

  • Responsive turbocharged petrol engines
  • Frugal 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
  • Excellent ride/handling balance
  • Steering is accurate and well-weighted
  • Stop-start system can be disruptive
  • For 420d, engine noise at idle

Review: BMW F32 4-Series Coupe (2013-17)

Overview

Released in October 2013, the BMW F32 4-Series was a mid-size coupe. Manufactured in Munich, Germany, the rear-wheel drive F32 4-Series Coupe range initially consisted of the 420d, 428i and 435i models, with the 420i following in January 2014. To minimise fuel consumption, all models had Auto Start Stop (engine shutdown when stationary), an ECO PRO driving mode and a coasting mode which disengaged the powertrain to prevent engine braking.

In May 2016, the BMW F32 4-Series Coupe range was revised as the 428i and 435i were replaced by 430i and 440i, respectively. Furthermore, fuel efficiency was improved for the petrol engines and safety equipment was enhanced as BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant’ was fitted as standard across the range.

BMW F32 4-Series Coupe specifications
  Engine Years Trans. Peak power Peak torque
420d 2.0-litre N47 D20 turbo-diesel I4 2013-15 6sp man.,
8sp auto
135 kW at 4000 rpm 380 Nm at 1750-2750 rpm
2.0-litre B47 D20 turbo-diesel I4 2015-17 6sp man.,
8sp auto
140 kW at 4000 rpm 400 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm
420i 2.0-litre N20 B20 turbo petrol I4 2013-17 6sp man.,
8sp auto
135 kW at 5000-6250 rpm 270 Nm at 1250-4500 rpm
428i 2.0-litre N20 B20 turbo petrol I4 2013-16 6sp man.,
8sp auto
180 kW at 5000 rpm 350 Nm at 1250-4800 rpm
430i 2.0-litre N20 B20 turbo petrol I4 2016-17 6sp man.,
8sp auto
185 kW at 5200 rpm 350 Nm at 1450-4800 rpm
435i 3.0-litre N55 B30 turbo petrol I6 2013-16 6sp man.,
8sp auto
225 kW at 5800 rpm 400 Nm at 1200-5000 rpm
440i 3.0-litre B58B30 turbo petrol I6 2016-17 6sp man.,
8sp auto
240 kW at 5500 rpm 450 Nm at 1380-5000 rpm

Dimensions and body

Compared to the BMW E92 3-Series Coupe , the F32 4-Series Coupe was 26 mm longer (at 4638 mm), 43 mm wider (1825 mm), 16 mm lower (1362 mm) and had a 50 mm longer wheelbase (2810 mm); the drag coefficient was 0.32 Cd. Furthermore, the use of high- and ultra-high-strength multi-phase steels and tailored blanks contributed to a 60 per cent increase in torsional rigidity, while kerb mass was reduced by around 45 kg.

Suspension and steering

Like the related BMW F30 3-Series sedan , the 4-Series Coupe had a double-joint tie-bar front axle with spring struts and a five-link rear axle. For Australia, both the 428i and 435i models were fitted with BMW’s ‘Adaptive M’ suspension which lowered the ride height by 10 mm and used electronically-controlled dampers to adjust damper resistance according to the road surface and driver behaviour. From May 2016, however, Adaptive M suspension was fitted as standard for Australian-delivered vehicles.

The BMW F32 4-Series Coupe had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW F32 4-Series Coupe included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, cornering brake control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. In the event of a collision, ‘BMW Intelligent Emergency Call’ would automatically transmit vehicle information and call the BMW ConnectedDrive Call Centre for assistance; emergency services would then be informed by the call centre if required. A manual emergency call could also be initiated via the SOS button.

Like the F30 3-Series sedan , the 4-Series Coupe was fitted with BMW’s ‘Active Protection’ system which operated automatically at speeds above 18 km/h. If the front-mounted camera or radar detected an emergency braking manoeuvre or the onset of heavy understeer or oversteer, Active Protection prepared for a collision by retracting the front seatbelts and closing the side windows and sunroof. If a crash was unavoidable, the Active Protection system would autonomously apply the brakes. Following the initial impact, the system would also seek to bring the vehicle to rest with a maximum deceleration of 5 m/s2; while the brakes would lock for a further 1.5 seconds to reduce the likelihood of a second collision.

In May 2016, standard safety equipment for the BMW F32 4-Series Coupe was extended to include:

  • BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant’:
    • Approach Control Warning: if the driver was rapidly approaching an obstacle ahead, the driver would receive a visual warning in the instrument cluster, followed by a warning tone. If the driver failed to respond, the brakes would be applied automatically with deceleration of up to 3 m/s2;
    • Lane Departure Warning (LDW): operating at speeds above 70 km/h, a camera could scan the road up to 50 metres ahead and detect lane markings. If the driver unintentionally deviated from their lane, the driver would be alerted via steering wheel vibrations and a visual warning in the instrument cluster;
    • Pedestrian Warning with Light Braking Function: used a camera to scan the road ahead when the vehicle was travelling at speeds between 10 km/h and 60 km/h. if a potential collision with a pedestrian was identified, the driver would receive a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an alert tone; simultaneously, the braking system would be primed for maximum response. If the driver failed to respond, medium-force braking would be automatically initiated – this would reduce the risk of collision and prompt the driver to react. Once the driver applied the brake pedal, maximum braking force would be applied; and,
  • Lane Change Warning: used two radar sensors in the rear of the vehicle to monitor traffic in adjacent lanes with a range of up to 60 metres behind the vehicle. The Lane Change Warning would warn the driver of potentially dangerous situations by conveying warnings through the instrument panel, an LED icon on the door mirror and steering wheel vibrations.

Compared to the other 4-Series Coupe models, the 430i, 435i and 440i were fitted with an upgraded braking package which included four-piston front brake calipers.

Features: 420i, 420d, 428i and 435i M Sport

Standard features for the BMW 420i and 420d Coupes included 18-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity (audio streaming and mobile phone connectivity), BMW’s ‘Business’ navigation system, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, Dakota leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, bi-xenon headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The BMW 428i Coupe was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, a HiFi sound system with nine speakers, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system with an 8.8-inch display, DVD drive, 20GB hard drive for music storage and internet connectivity, power adjustable lumbar support for the front seats and electrochromatic door mirrors.

The BMW 435i Coupe was fitted with an M Sport package as standard and differentiated by its 19-inch ‘M’ double-spoke alloy wheels, a 600 watt Harman/Kardon surround sound system with sixteen speakers and a 600 watt amplifier, ‘M’ leather steering wheel, proximity key with keyless entry (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’) and ‘BMW Individual’ anthracite-coloured roof liner. Visually, the 435i could be identified by its ‘M’ aerodynamics package and nine-bar high-gloss black grille.

Sport Line, Modern Line, Luxury Line and M Sport package

Within the BMW F32 4-Series Coupe range, the 420d and 428i were available in Sport Line, Modern Line or Luxury Line trims as standard –

  • Luxury Line:
    • Exterior highlights: chrome treatment for the front and rear bumper, kidney grille slats and exhaust tip, double bridges in the front apron’s outer air intakes, Air Breathers (positioned behind the front wheel arches), window recess covers and exhaust tip; and,
    • Interior features: chrome surrounds for the centre stack, high-gloss wood strips, and upholstery colours of saddle brown, Veneto beige or black.
  • Sport Line:
    • Exterior highlights: high-gloss black treatment for the kidney grille slats (in a chrome-coloured frame), front and rear bumper trims, B-pillar trim, window recess covers, Air Breathers and exhaust tip; and,
    • Interior features: chrome pearl grey surrounds for the air conditioning and radio controls, a sport leather steering wheel with red contrast stitching, high-gloss black interior trim with coral red accent lines and the choice or black leather upholstery with red stitching or coral red upholstery with black stitching.
  • Modern Line:
    • Exterior highlights: turbine style alloy wheels, matt chrome grille slats, satinated aluminium trims for the bumpers, window recess covers, Air Breathers and exhaust tip; and,
    • Interior features: oyster or black Dakota leather upholstery, a light-coloured dashboard, dark oyster or black steering wheel and Pearl Gloss Chrome accent strips.

The 435i, however, was fitted with BMW’s ‘M Sport’ package as standard –

  • Exterior highlights: 19-inch ‘M’ double-spoke alloy wheels (with M Sport suspension), M aerodynamics package (including a larger front air intake, side skirts and rear diffuser), and high-gloss Shadow Line trim elements; and,
  • Interior features: contoured sports seats with M piping and blue contrast stitching, an M leather steering wheel, M door sill finishers and a ‘BMW Individual’ anthracite roof-liner.

May 2016 update

In May 2016, standard features for the BMW F32 4-Series Coupe were extended to include BMW’s ‘Adaptive M’ suspension, a head-up display (HUD), power folding door mirrors and BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system which included top and side views. Furthermore, the 430i Coupe was fitted with BMW’s ‘M Sport Package’ as standard.

2016 BMW F32 428i Coupe Individual

Released in Australia in January 2016, the BMW F32 428i Coupe Individual was specified with the following BMW Individual features:

  • Fine-wood trim in Piano Black;
  • Extended Merino leather upholstery in Opal White;
  • Champagne-Quartz paint finish; and,
  • Leather instrument panel.

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F32 428i Coupe Individual included 19-inch double-spoke M light alloy wheels in Orbit Grey, Harman/Kardon surround sound system, heated front seats, adaptive LED headlights, BMW’s Connected Drive Freedom, Innovations Package, M Sport package, internet connectivity, glass sunroof and satinised aluminium exterior trim. Australian deliveries of the BMW F32 428i Coupe Individual were limited to twenty (20) vehicles.

Related links

Review: BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe (2017-20)

Overview

Production of the BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe commenced in March 2017 and it was released in Australia in June 2017. Visually, the BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe could be identifiable by its bi-LED headlights (fitted as standard), LED front fog lights, full-width front air intake (with a new front apron for the 4-Series Luxury Line), new L-shaped LED tail lights, more contoured rear apron and new alloy wheel designs. For Australia, the BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe was solely available with petrol engines.

Inside, the F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe featured new electroplated elements for the air outlets and door control panels, chrome highlights for the air conditioning and audio controls, a high-gloss black cover panel for the centre console, a new ‘Nora’ leather lining for the steering wheel and double stitching on the instrument panel; the 440i M Sport also had a Dakota leather finish for the instrument panel. Fitted as standard, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system utilised BMW’s iDrive6 operating system.

The BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe and F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe had ‘stiffer suspension with more advanced damping technology and an upgraded steering set-up’. According to BMW, these changes provided ‘a tangible improvement in both lateral and longitudinal handling properties’, including ‘reduced roll, more neutral responses when driving at the limit, [and] even greater straight-line stability’.

BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe specifications
Model Engine Trans. Peak power Peak torque
420i Luxury Line 2.0-litre B48B20M0 turbo petrol I4 6sp man. 135 kW at 5000 rpm 290 Nm at 1350-4250 rpm
8sp auto 135 kW at 5000 rpm 270 Nm at 1350-4600 rpm
430i M Sport 2.0-litre B48B20O0 turbo petrol I4 6sp man.,
8sp auto
185 kW at 5200 rpm 350 Nm at 1450-4800 rpm
440i M Sport 3.0-litre B58B30M0 turbo petrol I6 6sp man.,
8sp auto
240 kW at 5500 rpm 450 Nm at 1380-5000 rpm

Safety equipment

Compared to the post-May 2016 BMW F32 4-Series, standard safety equipment for the BMW F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe was largely unchanged. The BMW F32 LCI 4-Series, however, introduced BMW’s ‘Speed Limit Info’ which used a camera to interpret speed limit signs and could display this information in the vehicle’s Head-Up Display.

Furthermore, the BMW F32 LCI 440i M Sport was equipped with BMW Active Cruise Control with stop & go function. Operating at speeds between 30 km/h and 210 km/h, Active Cruise Control could maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead. With the stop & go function, the vehicle could apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest and, once the traffic ahead began to accelerate, automatically accelerate if the vehicle had been stationary for a period between 1 and 3 seconds. If the vehicle had been stationary for longer than 3 seconds, the driver would need to briefly press the accelerator or a button to initiate acceleration up to the previously set cruising speed.

Features: BMW F32 LCI 420i Luxury Line

Standard features for the BMW F32 LCI 420i Luxury Line included 8.0J x 19-inch front alloy wheels with 225/40 R19 tyres and 8.5J x 19-inch rear alloy wheels with 255/35 R19 tyres, a 100 watt sound system with six speakers and digital radio tuner (DAB+), BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system with an 8.8-inch colour display, 3D map and satellite map displays, DVD drive, 20 GB audio storage drive and voice control, Bluetooth and USB connections, ‘Dakota’ leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front sports seats with driver’s seat memory settings, cruise control with braking function, LED headlights, LED fog lights (front and rear), a head-up display, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, ‘Nora’ leather steering wheel trim, remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with fold-in function, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, three 12 volt power sockets, LED interior ambient lighting, ‘Fineline’ anthracite interior trim, velour floor mats, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

Features: BMW F32 LCI 430i M Sport

Compared to the 420i Luxury Line, the F32 LCI 430i M Sport added a HiFi sound system with nine speakers and a 205 watt amplifier, proximity key (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access), an ‘M’ leather steering wheel, an anthracite ‘BMW Individual’ roofliner and ‘M’ door sill finishers. Visually, the 430i M Sport could be identified by its M Sport package which included high-gloss ‘Shadow Line’ exterior trim, M Aerodynamics package and black high-gloss finishes for the grille slats and Air Breathers.

Features: BMW F32 LCI 440i M Sport

The range-topping BMW F32 LCI 440i M Sport was distinguished by its harman/kardon surround sound system with sixteen (16) speakers and a 600 watt digital amplifier, heated front seats, Adaptive LED headlights with High-Beam Assist and ‘Dakota’ leather trim for the instrument panel. The 440i M Sport also featured BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which used ultrasonic sensors to measure potential parking spaces at speeds of up to 35 km/h and could provide automated steering inputs for parallel and right angle parking manoeuvres while the driver controlled vehicle speed. For the F32 LCI 4-Series Coupe, the Parking Assistant included an ‘Auto PDC’ function which activated Park Distance Control (PDC) when approaching an object at the front to display the remaining distance.

2017 BMW F32 LCI 420i Coupe Luxury Edition

The BMW F32 LCI 420i Coupe Luxury Edition was released in Australia in June 2017. Compared to the standard 420i Coupe, the Luxury Edition added heated front seats, a proximity key (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), a power-operated glass sunroof and a metallic paint finish.

Specifications

Related links

Back To Top