Since 2013 when BMW broke the 3 Series into two models identified by the number of doors, we have gotten used to the 3 Series Sedans with four doors and the 4 Series Coupes with two doors—until BMW threw us a curve with the four-door BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, but that's another story.
The 2018 BMW 4 Series represents the series' fourth model year, which means it is due for a Life Cycle Improvement (LCI) that BMW recently announced. Available in the Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe versions, the 4 Series has sold more than 400,000 units worldwide since its launch. In case anyone asks, the Coupe is made in Munich, the Convertible in Regensburg, and the Gran Coupe in Dingolfing.
We can expect the refreshed 2018 BMW 4 Series to be available in the U.S. starting in March 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
LCI changes usually involve a BMW's exterior styling and sometimes, an interior refresh. The updated 2018 BMW 4 Series received those, and more.
The headlights have a new hexagonal profile and are full LEDs instead of the older xenon units. LED front foglights are standard. The taillights of the new 4 are also LED and seem brighter and sharper.
The restyled front has as its dominant feature an unbroken central air intake that widens towards the outer edges. Also modified were the air intakes up front and the apron in the rear.
Inside the car you might see chrome accents on a high-gloss black center console and a sports steering wheel as standard. The instrument panel gets double stitching and three new upholstery colors—Midnight Blue Dakota leather, Cognac Dakota leather, and Ivory White Dakota leather—which will be available along with three new interior trim strips.
The two new paint colors of Snapper Rocks Blue Metallic—kind of a turquoise—and the bold Sunset Orange are not only available on the new 4 Series; they are exclusive to it. . Each equipment line for the new 4 Series—the Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line, and M Sport lines—get a new model-specific wheel design.
When it comes to the parts that make a BMW handle like a BMW, the LCI versions have some new stuff; at least, the Coupe and Convertible do. Those two cars come with a stiffer suspension setup that BMW says improves handling but doesn't take away from ride comfort. Lateral and longitudinal dynamics for the standard suspension, the M Sport suspension, and the Adaptive suspension have been improved, supposedly regardless of the load on board. Straight-line stability is said to be better and BMW also says it has improved steering fell. We hope so.
High-performance tires are available as an option for the BMW 430i and 440i models.
If you add up all the different 4 Series models and variants of models, the number comes to 31. That's because there are three gasoline engines and three diesel engines. The gasoline mills in the 420i, 430i, and 440i are members of the BMW EfficientDynamics family and all have BMW TwinPower turbo technology. The diesel options power the 420d, 430d, and 435d xDrive. All three types of 4 Series—Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe—can be had with any of the six powerplants—but not here. In the U.S. market, you will be limited to BMW 430i and 440i models, plus xDrive variants.
An eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission is standard on the 430i xDrive, 440i Convertible, 440i xDrive Convertible, 440i Gran Coupe, and 440i xDrive Gran Coupe. The six-speed manual gearbox can be had on the 430i, 440i, and 440i xDrive Coupes.
BMW did not forget the M4 in the Life Cycle Improvement. The new BMW M4 Coupe and BMW M4 Convertible also have the full-LED treatment front and rear as well as other styling updates and an update navigation system and Connected Drive. Power still comes form the inline turbo six that puts out 425 horsepower. However, the M emblems on the seats are now illuminated, and options include WiFi hotspots, Apple CarPlay, and wireless phone charging. The 2018 M4 may be ordered with the Competition Package that includes, among other things, an additional 19 horsepower.
The redesigned nose, tail, and front and rear LEDs will set this new 4 Series apart from the old one for those paying attention. For everyone else, the car still looks great, the technology inside has moved ahead a step or two, it’s BMW coupe, and you can get a proper M version. What's not to like?—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
