Used BMW 4 Series review

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4 Sep, 2018 1:15pm Richard Dredge

A full used buyer’s guide on the BMW 4 Series covering the 4 Series Mk1 (2013- date)

With the first two generations of BMW 3 Series, the two-door model was a less practical saloon rather than a stylish coupé. When the third-generation 3 Series appeared in 1990, the two-door car was pitched as a sleeker, premium model, so it was now a proper coupé.

BMW stuck to this formula for the next two generations of 3 Series, but for the Mk6 car there was a significant change: the 3 Series morphed into the 4 Series. As before, there were coupé or coupé-cabriolet models powered by efficient four or six-cylinder petrol or diesel engines. Here’s how to buy the right 4 Series. 

Models covered

• • BMW 4 Series (2013-date) - Whether you go for a Coupé or Convertible, sports car will be a winner. 

BMW 4 Series Mk1

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History

The 4 Series Coupé replaced the 3 Series in summer 2013, followed by the folding metal hard-top Convertible a few months later. At first there were just 420d, 428i and 435i cars, but the 425d and 430d xDrive Coupés followed in March 2014.

Five months later, the Convertible range was boosted by 420i, 425d, 430d and 435d xDrive editions. In March 2016 the 326bhp auto-only, twin-turbo 3.0-litre 440i replaced the 306bhp 435i. At the same time the 420i (in rear-drive and xDrive four-wheel-drive forms) and 430i received a new, more powerful engine.

A facelifted 4 Series was launched in February 2017 with a new nose, more paint options, an upgraded interior, LED headlights and recalibrated suspension.

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BMW 418d Gran Coupe review
BMW 430d Gran Coupe review
BMW 4 Series Convertible in-depth review
BMW 435i Convertible review

Which one should I buy?

None of the engines is weak, but the six-cylinder units have a gorgeous soundtrack that’s absent from the four-cylinders, which still offer better economy and enough power for everyday driving.

The gearboxes are good, too; a great six-speed manual was standard, but an eight-speed auto was an option. SE trim features 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, leather trim, all-round parking sensors, xenon lights and heated front seats.

Sport, Modern and Luxury editions add 18-inch rims and sports seats. M Sport cars bring sports suspension and styling; six-cylinder models have metallic paint. 

Alternatives to the BMW 4 Series

The closest rival is the rear-wheel-drive Mercedes C-Class, which features a wide choice of engines and comes in Coupé or soft-top Cabriolet guises. It isn’t as much fun as the BMW, but it’s superbly built, reliable and has a cast-iron image, although used prices tend to be high.

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The Audi A5 comes in front or four-wheel-drive forms, the latter massively improving usability in the winter. As with the BMW, you can take excellent build quality, practicality and efficient engines for granted. The Audi TT is offered in Roadster or more practical hatchback variants, while the Volkswagen Scirocco comes only as a very usable hatchback. 

What to look for

Base trim

A new entry-level 418d Coupé arrived in spring 2015, with a detuned 2.0-litre engine.

Spare wheel

There’s no need to carry a spare wheel, because all 4 Series models come with run-flat tyres. 

Modes

Drive Performance Control is standard; it adjusts the throttle response, steering and suspension. 

Corroded rims

Alloy wheel corrosion around the centre caps isn’t unusual; dealers will replace wheels under warranty.

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Interior

Those in the front of a 4 Series get the best seats. They’re supportive and have plenty of adjustment, plus there’s lots of head and legroom. Anyone under six feet is fine in the rear, but only if those in front aren’t tall, or are considerate with their seat positions. The car seats only four, but boot space isn’t bad, at 445 litres, although the cabrio cuts this to just 370 litres.

Running costs

The 4 Series has variable servicing, so the car flags up when it needs attention. No two check-ups cost the same, but they’re typically every 18,000 miles or two years.

An oil change is £179 to £215 depending on model; a full service with filters is £411 to £561. All engines are chain-driven, so there are no cambelts to renew. The coolant never needs replacing. The brake fluid should be refreshed every two years, at a cost of £93.

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Recalls

There have been six recalls for the 4 Series. The first came in January 2015 to deal with seatbelt concerns. The engine stalling and the rear axle working loose prompted action in June 2015 and October 2016.

In December 2016 a campaign started for possible electric power steering faults. The most recent recalls, in January and September 2017, related to glitches with the airbags and front seat securing mechanism respectively.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The 4 Series was 54th in our Driver Power 2018 satisfaction survey. Owners were most impressed by the car’s connectivity, ranking it in 22nd place here, and the BMW scored well for its low running costs. After that the car did surprisingly poorly, with disappointing scores for reliability, exterior finish and, incredibly, ride and handling.

We were really impressed when we first drove the BMW 4 Series, loving the attention to detail with the cabin design and ergonomics, the build quality and the driving experience. That first drive was of the range-topping 435i Coupé; when we got behind the wheel of the Convertible soon after, it was clear that the two bodystyles are quite different to drive. The Coupé feels sportier, while the Convertible is more of a cruiser. Yet with the roof up, the open car is just as refined as the closed one. Whichever 4 Series you buy, you’re bound to love it. However, the array of engines, trim levels and options available is bewildering, so try a few different combinations before parting with your cash in order to pin down the model that’s right for you.

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Lancia Delta Integrale reborn at the hands of Automobili Amos

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Luke Wilkinson 2018-09-04 12:20

Italian coachbuilder Automobili Amos has created the Delta Futurista, a £270k Lancia Delta Integrale

Eugenio Amos, founder of Italian coachbuilder Automobili Amos, has created what he claims is the ultimate tribute to the Lancia Delta, the Futurista. A complete reworking of the original 1980s hot hatch complete with extensive use of carbon fibre and engineering upgrades, the car will be available from €300,000 (£270,000).

We’ll start with the bodywork. First, the rear doors have been welded shut, which makes the Futurista look like the old Delta S4 homologation special. Also, every unbolt-able panel has been scrapped and replaced with a carbon fibre duplicate, which results in a weight saving of around 90kg over the original car. Which is good, particularly because carbon fibre won’t rust in the way that the Lancia Delta’s original panels have been known to.

The engine’s also been given a thorough seeing-to, with the addition of an uprated intercooler, new intake system, improved exhaust and, thankfully, a new engine loom which will hopefully also eradicate the trademark Lancia wiring gremlins. This results in a claimed power output of about 330bhp, which should be more than substantial enough to worry the current crop of super hatches.

• The best hot hatchbacks on sale today

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The Delta Futurista’s suspension, brakes and transmission have all been beefed up, whilst the interior is garnished with sumptuous Alcantara Recaro seats, lashings of carbon fibre and a big red button with a rocket ship on it. The function of which, we’re very keen to discover.

And the price for all this craftsmanship? Well, much like the Eagle Speedster and Singer 911, it’s considerable at £270,000. But Eugenio Amos says, the feelings of “passion, euphoria and nostalgia” attached to this car can’t be measured numerically. It’s bought with the heart rather than the head.

Let us know what you think of the £270,000 Automobili Amos Delta Futurista in the comments section below...

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New 2019 Chevrolet Corvette C8 spied with mid-engined layout

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Alex Ingram 2018-09-04 11:05

Next Chevrolet Corvette will break from front-engined tradition when it's revealed in 2019, but V8 power will still feature

The next generation Chevrolet Corvette has been spied testing - and the big news is that for the first time ever it’s going to be mid-engined.

To date, all seven generations of the iconic American sports car have positioned the engine ahead of the driver, but to keep this new model competitive against the most focused European rivals - not to mention the Ford GT - Chevrolet's hand has been forced, so it has changed tactics with the upcoming C8.

Though the position of the engine has changed, it’s expected that at least in some versions, the same LT1 6.2-litre V8 will still feature. However, it's likely to produce more than the 449bhp of the current C7.

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Earlier sightings of a C8.R test mule - the race-prepared ‘Vette that will compete in the World Endurance Championship - relied on forced induction. Rumoured to be a 5.5-litre turbocharged V8, in road form it could produce as much as 750bhp. Hybridisation could also debut in the C8, which would consist of an electric motor sending its power to the front wheels.

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Despite the drastic change in position for the engine, it’s clear that many of the most recognisable design features will remain. The front appears to sport sharp, triangular headlamp units similar to those on the current car, and the tail lights also mimic the units used by the C7.

The next Corvette is expected to be revealed in early 2019, with US sales beginning in the Autumn.

Take a look at our list of the best American cars of all time...

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Government invests £10million in digital tech to beat roadwork jams

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Hugo Griffiths 2018-09-03 18:10

New Street Manager planning system could work with Google Maps and Waze to help drivers avoid roadworks and traffic jams

The Government is investing up to £10 million into a new digital service that will allow drivers to better plan their journeys around roadworks.

Street Manager will be a free service, providing apps like Google Maps and Waze with real-time traffic data, allowing them to further enhance their route guidance. The Department for Transport says new apps could be created to make best use of the service, while road users could also receive push notifications, preventing them from being caught up in roadworks. The average UK motorist currently spends 32 hours a year stuck in traffic jams. 

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The Department for Transport says the current system used by utility companies and local authorities to alert drives to roadwork-related traffic is “costly and ineffective”. The new system will allow the 2.5 million roadworks that take place in the UK every year to be more accurately recorded. 

Google-owned Waze currently uses driver-generated reports of incidents to help inform other motorists of traffic delays, while Google Maps draws data from mobile phone locations to calculate traffic flow and help route planning.

Commenting on Street Manager, roads minister Jesse Norman said: “Roadworks can often be frustrating for motorists, especially when they cause hold-ups at busy times and delay journeys. 

• Best sat-nav apps 2018

We want to reduce this disruption and delay, and Street Manager is just one of a number of actions we are taking so that local authorities and utility companies can better plan and manage their roadworks.” Norman added: “The data opened up by this new digital service should enable motorists to plan their journeys better, so they can avoid works and get to their destinations more easily.”

Will more accurate information on traffic delays caused by roadworks solve the problem? Let us know in the comments…

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Ford Mondeo safe for now as company seeks to stem losses

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Hugo Griffiths 2018-09-03 16:05

As rumours circulate of the Mondeo’s demise, Ford admits its European operations require a “major redesign”

Ford is facing widespread speculation its previously genre-defining Mondeo hatchback is to cease production.

Reports over the weekend suggested the once ubiquitous Mondeo could chopped from Ford’s lineup, with analysts from Morgan Stanley saying the company could cut up to 12 per cent of its global workforce of 200,000.

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With European losses of €73 million (£66 million approx) between April and June this year, much of those job losses are expected to be concentrated in Europe. The company employs 12,000 people in the UK in its dealerships, engine plants and administration centres, building cars such as the Mondeo, Fiesta, Focus and Galaxy in Germany in Spain.

Sources close to Ford told the Sunday Times the Mondeo hatchback - as well as the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers - are likely to be dropped from showrooms, as attention shifts to the growing SUV market and models like the Kuga and EcoSport.

A spokesman for Ford said the majority of its volume and revenue are currently in “low-performing cars and Multi Activity Vehicles” like the S-Max and Galaxy. The company said it plans to attack costs “aggressively” by implementing “facility and product program efficiencies” – hinting job losses are on the horizon.

Addressing the Mondeo, Ford said it plans to go ahead with a scheduled facelift later this year, updating the car’s looks and enhancing the Mondeo Hybrid.

Ford declined to the number of job losses being reported as they were “pure speculation”, but admitted “our Europe business requires a major redesign to deliver our longer-term target of 6% EBIT [Earnings before Interest and Taxes] margin”.

How ‘Mondeo Man’ came into being

While the Mondeo may be safe for now, the very fact its demise is being discussed is indicative of changing consumer tastes in cars. Back in 1996, a year before he was elected Prime Minister, Tony Blair recounted a meeting he had with a self-employed electrician who was cleaning his car: "I met a man polishing his Ford Sierra," Blair said. "His dad voted Labour, he said. He used to vote Labour, too. But he'd bought his own house now. He was doing very nicely. 'So I've become a Tory,' he said.

"That man polishing his car was clear. His instincts were to get on in life. And he thought our instincts were to stop him.”

While the man Blair met had a Sierra, the car quickly became a Mondeo as the story gathered momentum, and Mondeo Man was born as shorthand for the modern average voter.

The Mondeo’s fortunes started to stall when it was first outsold by the BMW 3 Series, but its final undoing may prove to be at the hands of an SUV.

Now read our long-term test review of the Ford Mondeo…

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Abarth 595 and 695 updated for 2018

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Alex Ingram 2018-09-03 16:00

Pocket Abarth hot hatch gains minor cosmetic tweaks and a fruitier sports exhaust

The Abarth 595 and 695 have gained mild updates for 2018, consisting of minor styling changes, revised trim fittings and new colour options.

A new front bumper features an enlarged front air scoop, which not only looks more aggressive but is claimed to increase engine cooling by up to 18 per cent. At the back, there’s a more pronounced diffuser, and revised reflectors and vents.

• Best hot hatchbacks on sale right now

Each of the five trim levels gains unique detailing to set them apart on the outside. Bumper inserts, for example, are finished in matte black on the entry-level 595, body coloured on the 595 Turismo and grey on the 595 Competizione. Both the Competizione and the Pista gets the option of a new Adrenalina Green paint finish and the choice of a contrasting black roof. A more subdued Asfalto Grey shade joins the 595 Turismo’s line-up.

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The fifth trim level, the 695 Rivale is designed in partnership with Italian yacht builder Riva. It’s available as a hatch or a convertible, and features two-tone paintwork and boat-inspired pinstriping.

Like the bumper trims, the interior the colour schemes vary depending on model level. In the base 595, the wide swathe across the dash is finished in body colour, in the Turismo it’s Matte Grey, the Competizionie gets a darker grey finish and the Rivale has maple inlays with mahogany optional. Little else has changed inside, though the turbo gauge gets white backlighting so that it’s easier to read.

As before, the 595 gets an active sports exhaust, which is standard on Competizione and Pista versions. Controlled by a Sport button on the dash, in its loudest mode it produces a tone that Abarth describes as “even more resounding”. There’s also a “gentleman driver” mode if you don’t want to disturb people quite so much.

The engine it’s attached to is the same 1.4-litre turbocharged unit as before. It’s available in four power outputs: 138bhp for the standard 595, 158bhp for the Pista, 163bhp for the Turismo and 178bhp in the Competizione and Rivale. The most powerful model accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds - 0.6 seconds quicker than the Turismo.

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All models are paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, while an automatic with wheel-mounted paddle shifters is optional. Every variant of the 1.4 complies with the latest Euro 6D-TEMP emissions regulations.

The Competizione gets further mechanical upgrades to set it apart from the lower models in the range. It rides on Koni suspension with adaptive dampers all round, is stopped by Brembo brakes with four-pot calipers, and a mechanical self locking differential which was first used by the limited-run Biposto.

Do you like the look the updated Abarth 595? Let us know in the comments below...

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What does the future hold for Lando Norris?

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Stephen Errity 2018-09-03 13:01

Earlier this year we caught up with McLaren’s latest F1 driver, Lando Norris, to talk about his success and future

Spotting a future champion is as tough in motor racing as it is in any other sport. For every Damon Hill, Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton, there are countless prospects who don’t make it to the Holy Grail of Formula One. ‘Sure things’ don’t really exist, but 18-year-old Lando Norris comes pretty close. The young British driver has just been named as the occupant of McLaren's second seat for the 2019 season, meaning he'll be lining up with teamate Carlos Sainz on the F1 grid. 

Over the past seasons, the Glastonbury youngster has upended the conventional wisdom that drivers need two years in a category of racing to find their feet and mount a title challenge. Instead, he has dominated categories in his rookie year, becoming the 2015 MSA Formula champion, 2016 Formula Renault Eurocup champion and 2017 Formula 3 European Series champion. 

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And that stellar record didn’t go unnoticed in the F1 paddock: for 2018, Norris dovetailed an attack on the Formula 2 championship with British team Carlin alongside test and reserve driver duties for McLaren now he's been installed as McLaren's number 2 driver, the biggest challenge lies ahead. So what is it about Norris that allows him to always hit the ground running in a new car and a new environment? We spoke to the man himself earlier this year to get his view on exactly that. 

“I think it’s just preparation, really,” he says. “So far in my career, I’ve always been able to test in the following year’s car, so it’s just been a case of maximising whatever days I have. “I’m able to adapt to a new car easily and quickly, so if I have five days of testing, it takes me maybe the first morning to get used to the car. “After that I can be trying to maximise things and learn as much as I can.

“Also, I’ve always raced with teams I know are capable of winning titles, so the only reason I wouldn’t do it is if I didn’t do a good enough job.” This has continued to serve him well in the 2018 F2 season, with Norris competiing strongly and securing multiple podium finishes.

“McLaren wants me to learn as much as possible and go about things the way an F1 driver would, give the kind of feedback an F1 engineer would look for. So if there is the opportunity to step into the F1 car, I’ll already be where I need to be.” Now that he has been confirmed as a driver for the 2019 F1 season, only time will tell if he is ready. 

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“I just need the consistency that someone like Lewis or Fernando has had for years. know that’s where I need to improve and sometimes that just comes with time.” It seems certain that the consistency he seeks will come, but while that will represent the end of one journey from karting to the pinnacle of motorsport, it will also be the start of the struggle to forge a long and successful career at racing’s top level.

Norris makes no bones about how he sees things playing out from there. “I want to be remembered for being a very good driver, for being a bit different from the rest and [winning] a championship or two,” he declares. “I want to be someone like Senna, Schumacher or Hamilton – drivers who’ve stood out from the rest.”

Who is your all-time favourite F1 driver? Let us know in the comments below...

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