I was a little bit mean to the 4 Series last month, citing aloofness and lack of engagement as reasons I wasn't quite feeling the love as a driving machine, ultimate or not. Question marks remain on that score but let's have a look at some of the good things.
More time at the pumps with the bikes affixed
These mainly centre on the looks and feelgood factors. Squinty-eyed lights and pedestrian friendly bonnet line aside this is an exceptionally fine looking coupe. And miles better than the aging C-Class or flaccid Audi A5 alternatives. We can debate the loss of dynamic mojo but in styling terms the 4 Series really seems to impress. The muscular rear arches are what really make it; accommodating that 80mm of extra track over the E92 3 Series coupe has really done wonders for the 4's stance and given it a decisively more aggressive demeanour than the 3 Series. And Estoril Blue is a guaranteed win on any sporty Beemer in my book. It's been said before but the appetite
for the M4
is suitably whetted - if this is the M division's starting point it'll be spectacular in the metal.
And it's a lovely thing to be in too. Everybody bangs on about Audi interiors but when we were doing all those comparisons with the M135i it struck me how it felt a league above everything - S3 and A45 AMG included. Obviously bells, baubles and whistles can be added to all according to the depth of your wallet but even the basics feel solid and properly premium. I like the low-slung driving position and clean design of BMW interiors too and little tactile details like cold, metallic weight of the iDrive control are beautifully resolved. Shame same can't be said of the gearshift or other driving interfaces. Oops, sorry, there I go again...
Adaptors needed to pair Thules with BMW bars
Back to the good stuff I'm also really appreciating the BMW Professional media and nav package. The screen graphics are the best I've encountered and I've grown to trust - and depend on - the Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) and its colour coded indications of congestion. It's all very slick and user friendly. Next step? To explore some of the online Connected Drive features I've not really dabbled with yet.
You'll also note the 4 Series has sprouted roof bars and the Thule ProRide 591 bike racks I originally sourced when I 'lifestyled' the Focus ST long termer we had in last year. The BMW bars are suitably slick, though I need a different Thule 'T-track' adaptor for the wider gutter so for the moment they're just clamped in place. Fitting was pleasingly painless still and four bolts will remove the whole caboodle when not needed.
Does the 4 Series wear them well? I'm not sure. There's a certain coolness about roof racks on some sporting cars - a 911 or Aston with ski racks always looks bob-on in my book - but having said the BMW looks nice to then clutter it up with roof bars does go against.
Any more love out on the road for the 4 Series?
Doesn't do wonders for the fuel consumption either, a run into the (gale force) wind along the M4 with two bikes fitted seeing it plunge to the mid 20s at a cruise-controlled 70mph. But you'd have not wanted two muddy mountain bikes in the back on the way home, even if they'd have fitted. Which they wouldn't.
To a marketing wonk my 'lifestyle' - one-year-old, outdoorsy sports habit, etc - would probably locate me in the 3 GT part of their Powerpoint presentation. And I could have a 335i M Sport one for £1,700 less than the 435i, god forbid. I take bloody-minded pride in not conforming to such a Venn diagram but a 335i M Sport Touring at a base price of £39,185 (a bit cheaper than the GT and couple of grand less than the 4) would probably be a happier place on which to plonk a roof carrier and couple of bikes. And given the lack of engagement with the 4's driving dynamics little sacrifice on that score.
FACT SHEET
Car: 2013 BMW 435i M Sport
Run by: Dan
On fleet since: October
Mileage: 4,182
List price new: £48,160 (Basic list of £41,435 OTR plus £670 for 19-inch M double-spoke 442M wheels, £360 for Adaptive Headlights, £515 for Adaptive M Suspension, £350 for enhanced Bluetooth, £300 for folding mirrors, £825 for head-up display, £460 for Interior Comfort Package comprising memory electric seats, 'extended storage' and sun protection glass, £95 for internet, £675 for Harmon/Kardon speakers, £570 for M Sport brakes, £1,000 for BMW Professional Media Package, £325 for online entertainment, £330 for reversing camera and £250 for Variable Sport Steering.)
Last month at a glance: 4 Series gets racked, develops drinking habit as a result