BMW 4 Series

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how-to-spec-a-bmw-4-series

Coupe

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

4 SERIES

Whether you love or hate its looks, the latest BMW 4 Series is the best coupé you can buy in 2021, and the deserving winner of our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-2021-coupe-of-the-year/n22451">Coupé of the Year Award.&nbsp;</a>

We love the 4 Series for its engaging driving style, its smart interior and its decent practicality, and with our recommended 181bhp 420i petrol engine under the bonnet, it strikes an impressive balance between performance and running costs. Our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62">review</a> can tell you more about what the 4 Series is like to drive and to live with, but here we're focussing on which version you should go for.

Go for M Sport trim, as most BMW buyers do, and you'll be off to a fine start, because heated seats, three-zone climate control and 18in alloy wheels come as standard. There are still plenty of ways to add more luxury to the 4 Series, though, without blowing your budget.

BMW 4 Series options to choose and avoid

<h3>1. M Sport Pro pack (£2500)</h3>

To turn the 4 Series from a good car into a great one, you need to add the M Sport Pro pack. It's not cheap,&nbsp;but as well as giving you an upgraded audio system, it also brings adaptive suspension to&nbsp;help&nbsp;soak up the worst of the lumps, bumps and ruts that pockmark&nbsp;UK roads. Whether you're returning home after a long day or going for a spirited drive in the country, this pack is a must.

BMW 4 Series options to choose

<h3>2. Comfort Plus pack (£1950)</h3>

This pack bundles together lots of useful kit, including keyless entry, an electric bootlid and a heated steering wheel – all of which will make life with the 4 Series even easier. The biggest benefit, however, is the addition of electric adjustment for the front seats, including for lumbar support. This makes it easy to find a perfect driving position easy, and keeps you comfy on even the longest of journeys.

<h3>3. Technology pack&nbsp;(£1900)</h3>

Staying connected is important, so not having to plug your phone in to charge it when you're driving is a big help. Just place it on&nbsp;the wireless charging pad and watch the juice flow. This package also gives you a head-up display that puts the most useful information right in front of you, as well as gesture control which you can use to operate the iDrive infotainment system.

<h3>4. Metallic paint (£670)</h3>

As standard, your new 4 Series will come with non-metallic white paintwork, so to add both visual distinction and value, we'd recommend upgrading to one of the five metallic colours on offer instead. Besides&nbsp;more lustrous takes on black&nbsp;or white&nbsp;this&nbsp;unlocks&nbsp;a choice beyond monochrome, and any metallic hue&nbsp;will ensure that you get&nbsp;more money back when it comes time to sell your car.

<h3>1. Electric glass sunroof (£950)</h3>

While a pair of six-footers will be fine in the rear seats of the 4 Series for short journeys,&nbsp;it's not what you'd call spacious, and this is particularly felt on longer trips. That's why we'd avoid going for this electric glass sunroof;&nbsp;it lets more light into the car&nbsp;but it also reduces rear headroom, which is already at a premium.&nbsp;

BMW 4 Series options to avoid

<ul>
	<li>Model&nbsp;420i M Sport</li>
	<li>List price&nbsp;£40,460</li>
	<li>Target Price&nbsp;£38,001</li>
	<li>Target PCP £403&nbsp;per month</li>
	<li>
	Options we'd add&nbsp;-&nbsp; M Sport Pro pack (£2500), Comfort Plus pack (£1950), Technology pack (£1900), Metallic paint (£670)
	</li>
	<li>Cost of options&nbsp;- £7020</li>
</ul>

*all prices correct at the time of writing

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/4-series/coupe/deals">View our latest BMW 4 Series deals &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

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<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/how-to-spec">Next: see how to spec more cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

BMW 4 Series: best buy

How to spec a BMW 4 Series

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

Our guide to BMW's award-winning coupé covers which options to consider, which to avoid and how much to pay for it all

How to spec a BMW 4 Series        

Hatchback

Sports

Alpine (pronounced 'Al-peen') only makes one model, but if you’re in the market for a sports car, this French brand is worthy of your attention.

Its A110 is one of the best-handling cars on sale today. And while it’s not especially powerful, it’s still properly quick, thanks to its low weight.

The looks and character of today’s A110 were inspired by a legendary namesake that won the first ever World Rally Championship back in 1973. But the new car is undoubtedly a worthy successor.

ALPINE

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB12 is a very fast and very luxurious long distance cruiser, and the DBS is arguably one of the most glamorous cars around.

Proving it's not afraid to move with the times, Aston has also embraced&nbsp;the march of the SUV; its DBX707 is a stunning example of what's possible when building a fast, expensive and sporty SUV.

ASTON MARTIN

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and sonorous V8 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur&nbsp;saloon&nbsp;and the Continental GT coupé and convertible.

BENTLEY

Alpina has produced high-performance versions of BMW's range since the 1960s, and is now considered to be a manufacturer in its own right.

Whilst it cars are typically fast, and are often considered alternatives to BMW's M models, they are typically more comfortable with engines that provide a more relaxed power delivery.

Its models have similar naming conventions to the equivalent BMW: the B3 is based on the BMW 3 Series and the B4 Gran Coupé started life as a 4 Series Gran Coupé, for example.

BMW ALPINA

Volkswagen owns several hugely desirable brands, including Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche, but Bugatti is the most exclusive of them all.

For many years, its Veyron hypercar was famous for being the fastest road car of them all, with a top speed of 254mph. Meanwhile, the Chiron that succeeded it has moved things on again, and the fastest versions are capable of more than 300mph.

If you’re after the ultimate – and have almost unlimited funds to play with – this is it.

BUGATTI

One of the world’s most famous brands and an integral part of the Formula 1 grid since the first championship in 1950, Ferrari fully lives up to its exalted reputation, producing some of the best sports cars money can buy.

Its entry-level model (although that term hardly seems appropriate) is the Portofino convertible, which is powered by a twin-turbo V8 and capable of blasting from 0-62mph in 3.5sec.

Then further up the range you find the mid-engined 488s, in coupé and Spider forms, and two GT cars: the GTC4 Lusso and the appropriately named 812 Superfast, a V12 monster that can hit 211mph.

FERRARI

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

Lamborghinis have been adorning bedroom posters since the mid-1960s. Not bad for a company whose origins lie in making tractors.

Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group, and as well as bolstering its core sports car portfolio, it has branched out to launch the Urus – a luxurious SUV that’s a rival to the similarly rapid Bentley Bentayga W12 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

LAMBORGHINI

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

LOTUS

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

To many, McLaren will always be best known for its motorsport activities, but it also has a growing range of high-performance cars designed to challenge the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

Most McLaren models share two key components: a central tub made out of carbonfibre and a powerful V8 petrol engine. And with cars ranging from the entry-level 540C to the hardcore (but still road legal) Senna, McLaren cars rival everything from the Jaguar F-Type to the Porsche 911 and Ferrari’s 488 Pista.

MCLAREN

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Polestar is a relative newcomer to the new car market, having been born as a motorsport team later bought by Volvo. Today it produces a range of upmarket, fully-electric vehicles and as a brand now sits independently of Volvo.

Its models are given numerical names, and unusually these don’t denote the size of the model, rather they indicate the order in which they’re launched. The now-discontinued Polestar 1 was the firm’s first model and the Polestar 2 is an executive hatchback which is a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV, Polestar 4 a coupé and Polestar 5 a performance car.

Polestar has a focus on sustainability: in 2020 was the first car maker to release a study to show the carbon footprint of its cars, and in 2021 it started a project to ensure rare-Earth materials such as cobalt – used in many electric car batteries – are sourced responsibly.

POLESTAR

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

2 SERIES

8 SERIES

Historically, BMW coupés have simply&nbsp;been swoopier, less practical versions of their saloon car counterparts. Not any more –&nbsp;the&nbsp;BMW 4 Series Coupé&nbsp;is a rakish model in its own right.

Sure, the 4 Series is&nbsp;still based on the same underpinnings as the more sensibly shaped <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a>&nbsp;but the differences go well beyond losing the two rear doors. BMW has widened the car's rear, lowered the centre of gravity, retuned the suspension and stiffened the chassis.

All that should help make the 4 Series even more agile and capable than the saloon through the corners. In other words, BMW has worked hard to make sure this&nbsp;a car with the performance to match its sleeker looks.

So, has it succeeded – and is the BMW 4 Series a better buy than an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/coupe/review/n17191">Audi A5 Coupé</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cle/coupe/review/n26434">Mercedes CLE</a>? Read on to find out (or if you want a soft-top, check out our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/sports/review/n173">BMW 4 Series Convertible review</a>)...

The 4 Series Coupé is great to drive, smart inside and reasonably roomy

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