Review: BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe (2014-20)

Review: BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe (2014-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in June 2014, the BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe was a five-door liftback. Manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, the F36 4-Series Gran Coupe range initially consisted of the 420d, 420i, 428i and 435i models. All of these models had eight speed automatic transmissions, Auto Start Stop (i.e. engine shutdown when stationary), a coasting mode which disengaged the powertrain to prevent engine braking and an ECO PRO driving mode.

In May 2016, the BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe range was revised as the 428i and 435i 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.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the BMW F32 4-Series Coupe , the F36 4-Series Gran Coupe had the same length (4638 mm), width (1825 mm) and wheelbase (2810 mm); the 4-Series Gran Coupe, however, had a 12 mm higher and 112 mm longer roofline which extended into the rear quarter panels. Furthermore, the 4-Series Gran Coupe had a drag coefficient of 0.28 or 0.29 Cd depending on the particular model.

Suspension and steering

The BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe had a double-joint spring-strut front axle and independent, five-arm rear suspension; the 428i and 435i were also fitted with BMW’s ‘Adaptive M suspension’ which lowered the suspension by 10 mm and included electronically controlled dampers which could be adjusted via the Driving Experience Control system. From May 2016, however, Adaptive M suspension was fitted as standard for Australian-delivered vehicles.

The BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe had Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic (speed-sensitive power assistance).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW F36 4-Series Gran 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.

The BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Active Protection’ system which automatically operated 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, the Active Protection system would prepare for a collision by retracting the front seatbelts and closing the side windows and sunroof. Following an initial impact, the system would also apply the brakes for a further 1.5 seconds to reduce the likelihood of a second collision.

In May 2016, standard safety equipment for the BMW F36 4-Series Gran 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.

Features: BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Standard features for the BMW 420i and 420d Gran Coupe included 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 R18 run-flat tyres, a 100 watt sound system with six speakers, auxiliary inputs, 20GB audio storage, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, audio streaming and voice recognition, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system with an 8.8-inch colour display with 3D maps, Dakota leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats (with memory settings), cruise control with speed limiter, bi-xenon headlights with washers, front and rear fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electrochromatic rear view and door mirrors, a power-operated tailgate, 12 volt power socket, ambient lighting, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The BMW 428i Gran Coupe was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R19 run-flat tyres, a HiFi sound system with nine speakers and a 205 watt analogue amplifier, and front seat power lumbar adjustment.

Fitted with BMW’s ‘M Sport Package’ as standard, the BMW 435i Gran Coupe featured 19-inch M alloy wheels with 225/40 R19 front and 255/35 R19 rear run-flat tyres, a harman/kardon surround sound system with sixteen loudspeakers and a 600 watt digital amplifier, ‘Aluminium Hexagon’ interior trim, M steering wheel with gearshift paddles, proximity key (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), motion-sensing operation of the tailgate, anthracite roof liner and BMW’s ‘variable sport steering’. Visually, the 435i could be identified by its M Aerodynamics package and black high-gloss front grill and window recess covers.

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

Within the F36 4-Series Gran 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 –

• M Sport package:
  • 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 F36 4-Series Gran 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 Gran Coupe was fitted with BMW’s ‘M Sport Package’ as standard.

2016 BMW F36 428i Gran Coupe Individual

Released in Australia in January 2016, the BMW F36 428i Gran Coupe Individual was specified with the following BMW Individual features:

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

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F36 428i Gran 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 F36 428i Gran Coupe Individual were limited to ten (10) vehicles.

2016 BMW F36 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition

Released in June 2016, the BMW 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition was offered in ‘Luxury Line’ and ‘M Sport’ specifications.

BMW 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition Luxury Line
Compared to the standard BMW 430i Gran Coupe, the 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition Luxury Line could be identified by its Tanzanite Blue metallic paint finish and 19-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in V-spoke style. Inside, the BMW 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition Luxury Line featured a 16-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system, extended ‘Merino’ leather upholstery in Opal White, ‘BMW Individual’ leather steering wheel, ‘BMW Individual’ leather instrument panel, ‘BMW Individual’ Anthracite roofliner, ‘BMW Individual’ door sill finishers and fine-wood Ash Grain interior trim with metal inlays and Pearl Gloss chrome highlights.

BMW 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition M Sport
Compared to the BMW 430i Gran Coupe, the 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition M Sport could be identified by its Mineral White paint finish, M Sport Package which included M Sport brakes, 19-inch BMW M double-spoke alloy wheels and ‘satinised’ aluminium exterior trim.

Inside, the 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Edition M Sport featured a 16-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system, extended ‘Merino’ black leather upholstery, A ‘BMW Individual’ leather instrument panel, fine-wood Ash Grain interior trim with metal inlays and Pearl Gloss chrome highlights.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe (February 2014)
• Specifications: BMW F36 4-Series Gran Coupe (June 2014)
• Behind the Wheel: 2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Review

Review: BMW F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe (2017-20)

Overview

Production of the BMW F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe commenced in March 2017 and it was released in Australia in June 2017. Visually, the BMW F36 LCI 4-Series Gran 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 F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe was solely available with petrol engines.

Inside, the F36 LCI 4-Series Gran 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 F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe and F32 LCI 4-Series 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’.

Safety equipment

Compared to the post-May 2016 BMW F36 4-Series, standard safety equipment for the BMW F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe was largely unchanged. The BMW F36 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 F36 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 F36 LCI 420i Luxury Line

Standard features for the BMW F36 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, automatic tailgate operation, 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 F36 LCI 430i M Sport

Compared to the 420i Luxury Line, the F36 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 F36 LCI 440i M Sport

The range-topping BMW F36 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 F36 LCI 4-Series Gran 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.

BMW F36 LCI 420i Gran Coupe Luxury Edition

The BMW F36 LCI 420i Gran Coupe Luxury Edition was released in Australia in June 2017. Compared to the standard 420i Gran 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

• Specifications: BMW F36 LCI 4-Series Gran Coupe (March 2017)

Related links

• BMW Australia: BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe