BMW has sent its 4-Series coupe to the plastic surgeon for a mid-life makeover – two years after the facelift of its 3-Series sedan.
The 4-Series, which is based on the 3-Series, was introduced in 2013. A Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe followed in 2015.
Changes in the facelift are subtle, starting with tweaks to the front and rear lights.
The Sport and Luxury variants receive a revised front apron. The addition of a chrome trim surrounding the air intakes and fog lamps freshens things up.
A new rear apron design replaces the previous one, which looked long in the tooth.
Other exterior revisions include LED fog lamps for all variants, two new body colours (Sunset Orange and Snapper Rocks Blue) and four new wheel designs.
In the cabin, things look familiar until you realise the instrumentation for the speedo and rev counters are now fully “Playstation” – no more physical needles to point to how fast or furious you are going. But this feature is an option.
The latest BMW Navigation Professional (again, an option) housed in a protruding infotainment display above the centre console features a new interface.
The revamp extends to a double-stitched dash-top, electroplated trim on the air-con vents (and door switches) and a high-gloss black panel for the centre console with chrome inserts.
The steering wheel is wrapped in high-grade leather, offering better grip.
The suspension for the Coupe and Gran Coupe is now stiffer, thanks to a more advanced damping system. The Convertible retains its comfort-oriented set-up to appeal more to open-top lovers.
The steering system has also been improved in all three body styles. This is a software tweak to provide better straight-line stability.
Engine choices remain the same. Agent Performance Motors is unlikely to offer a diesel engine option, but the current 184bhp 420i, 252bhp 430i and 326bhp 440i petrol versions should continue.
The four-cylinder 430i Convertible test-driven here is more of an autobahn cruiser compared with the 440i Coupe.
Its suspension is softer, as expected, but it lacks the composure of its structurally stronger fixed-roof sibling to address tight hairpins and long S-bends.
It is, however, in its element when it is driven leisurely and with its roof stowed. This way, it offers a head-turning and stylish drive.
The cream of the crop must be the 3-litre 440i Coupe. Featuring BMW’s signature silky 6-cylinder petrol powerplant coupled with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it makes for a sonorous and smooth drive.
The package is completed with a taut and controlled suspension which remains unperturbed in any bend. The icing on the cake is a crisp steering.
Since its launch, the 4-Series has found some 400,000 buyers worldwide.
The facelifted version should easily continue the momentum until an all-new replacement is unveiled in three years’ time.
BMW 430i Convertible 2.0 (A)
ENGINE 1998cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 252bhp at 5200rpm
MAX TORQUE 350Nm at 1450-4800rpm
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 6.3 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h
CONSUMPTION 15.9km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced
BMW 440i Coupe 3.0 (A)
ENGINE 2998cc, 24-valves, inline-6, turbocharged
MAX POWER 326bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 450Nm at 1380-5000rpm
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 5 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h
CONSUMPTION 14.7km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced
Related story: BMW updates 4 Series
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Related story: BMW 440i Gran Coupe review
