Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2014-2022 reliability review

What should I look for in a used BMW 4 Series?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

The diamond-cut alloy wheels on M Sport cars can corrode. This usually originates from kerb damage that allows road salt to react with the exposed metal. If this is left untreated, damage could spread. And since repairs to this type of alloy wheel are slightly more complex than standard alloy wheels, it can be quite expensive to fix. Make sure you’re not the one footing the bill for damage caused by the previous driver.

The most important area to check is arguably the service history, because you'll want to make sure the car has been serviced regularly and at the scheduled intervals. This is because most engines in the 4 Series, particularly the four-cylinder and six-cylinder diesels, suffer from timing chain issues if the car is not properly maintained. If the timing chain is breaks or comes lose, the engine will be very badly damaged, resulting in big repair bills. To help minimise this risk, make sure to listen out for any rattle or knocking noises from the engine, especially on start-up when the engine is cold.

Is a used BMW 4 Series reliable?

The 4 Series Gran Coupé didn't appear in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, but the closely related 4 Series Coupé and Convertible did, and they didn't do too well, finishing last in the coupe, convertible and sports car class, in 13th place out of 13 cars. They also appear to be less reliable than the closely-related BMW 3 Series diesel, which did very well in the executive car class with a score of 96.5%.

Costly repair bills and long stints in the workshop were the main headaches for 4 Series Coupé and Convertible owners, with 25% of the cars in our survey going wrong. Only 33% of faults were fixed for free, leaving most owners with bills of up to £750 and 25% having to find more than £1000 to put things right. Although most faulty cars could still be driven, half of them took more than a week to fix.

Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé: owners' reliability data

While the 4 Series Gran Coupé didn't feature in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, owners in previous surveys appreciated the car's robust mechanical performance. Some, however, did raise concerns about electrical issues, particularly with the car’s sensors and dashboard displays. These problems often required dealer intervention.

The majority of our respondents said their dealership's service was prompt and professional, with repairs generally handled efficiently under warranty. However, a few mentioned longer-than-expected wait times for parts.