- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present front
- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present rear right tracking
- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present interior dashboard
- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present interior rear seats
- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present boot open
- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present alloy wheel detail
- Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present left static
What's the used BMW 4 Series like?
Like the spork merges the spoon and fork, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is an amalgamation of two different cars: the BMW 3 Series executive saloon and the BMW 4 Series two-door coupé.
It all begs the question: do the different puzzle pieces mesh? It'd certainly be a shame if the answer were no, considering those pieces originate from what in our book are two five-star buys, whether new or used.
Few cars mix sleek styling and sharp handling with versatile practicality and good fuel economy as well as the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé does. Only relatively high used prices stop it from grasping that fifth star.
Pros
- Fantastic to drive
- Handy hatchback boot
- Generous kit list
Cons
- A used 3 Series is similar yet considerably cheaper
- Head room slightly tight in the rear
- Firm ride (on non-adaptive suspension)
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Engines and performance: Your entry-level petrol engine is a 181bhp 2.0-litre unit. Badged 420i, it's pleasantly punchy and capable of sending the Gran Coupé from 0-60mph in a respectable 7.5sec.
Up next is the 430i. With power rising to 241bhp and 0-60mph reducing to 6.2sec, it does feel quicker, but the difference falls short of astronomical.
No, that word is better left for the M440i, because it has a lively, sonorous, silky smooth 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol unit and 369bhp. What's the 0-60mph time? Well, just 4.5sec – that's performance car quick.
If you do lots of motorway miles, the 420d diesel might appeal, because, thanks to plenty of shove low down in the rev range, it feels effortlessly strong. The 420i may possess a similar power figure and 0-60mph time, but it demands you pile on the revs for it to really get going.
Ride and handling: The ride is noticeably firmer than a few rivals – the Audi A5 Sportback, for instance – and you'll feel bumps and potholes, whether big or small. The impact is very rarely severe, though, meaning the ride is largely comfortable. What's more, if you seek out an example that has adaptive suspension from new, the Gran Coupé becomes impressively compliant in Comfort mode.
Another reason we're able to forgive the firm ride is because it helps create the Gran Coupé's wonderfully sharp, precise and engaging handling. Also aided by well-weighted steering and remarkable balance, it's a clear class leader in this area and, no matter the situation, it proves a joy to drive.
The all-electric BMW i4 is similarly great, but you'll need to read that car's separate review to get the full story.
Interior and practicality: If you like sporty driving positions, you’ll appreciate how the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé sits you down low. There's also lots of seat and steering wheel adjustment to help you find a comfortable position.
Interior quality is on par with the A5 and superior to the Mercedes C-Class Coupé. The materials look and feel suitably premium, although there are some hard plastics, they're found in areas you rarely touch.
There’s plenty of space up front, with loads of room for taller individuals to get comfy. Storage space is good as well, thanks to a big glovebox, a useful cubby under the centre armrest, two cup holders, a tray for storing your phone and decently sized door bins.
Rear space is where the Gran Coupé sets itself apart from the regular 4 Series coupé, though. For starters, the presence of rear doors makes climbing into the rear seats an absolute breeze. There’s also slightly more head room and leg room for rear-seat passengers, although six-foot individuals will still find their heads grazing the roof lining.
At 470 litres, the Gran Coupé's boot is 30 litres bigger than that of the regular 4 Series. It’s also a little bigger than those of the A5 Sportback, which we managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases into, and the Mercedes CLA. The Gran Coupé will easily swallow a pushchair or a large weekly shop, plus, because it's a hatchback, it's easy to load and unload, too.
Trims and equipment: Every 4 Series Gran Coupé comes with plenty of standard equipment. Even the entry-level M Sport has 18in alloy wheels, auto-dimming side mirrors, adaptive LED headlights, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a 10.3in infotainment system (that you can operate via touch or a handy rotary controller between the front seats).
Going for an M Sport Pro Edition car gets you 19in alloys, sportier styling, three-zone climate control and M Adaptive Suspension. The range-topping M440i is similar in its kit list to this M Sport Pro Edition trim.
Facelift: In 2024, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe gained refreshed LED headlights, new taillights and an updated kidney grille design. Inside, it received a new infotainment system but saw the removal of the physical climate controls (a backwards step for usability), alongside a new steering wheel and revised ambient lighting. While the diesels were dropped from the engine line-up, mild-hybrid technology was added to the remaining petrols.
"I love the 3.0-litre straight-six engine in the M440i. It loves to rev and it sounds fantastic as it does so." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
Interested in buying a used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
Ownership cost
What used BMW 4 Series will I get for my budget?
You can buy a used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé for around £23,000. At this price point, you can expect a 2021 or 2022 car in 420i, 430i and 420d forms. Most cars at this price point are in M Sport trim, but have around £4000 extra to spend if you fancy an M Sport Pro Edition model. The M440i and 2024 facelift models start from around £30,000.
Check the value of a used 4 Series Gran Coupé with What Car? Valuations
How much does cost to run a BMW 4 Series?
MPG
The 420d is the most economical engine, averaging more than 50mpg (according to official tests), but the xDrive four-wheel drive version increases fuel consumption and emissions slightly. The 420i manages around 41mpg officially.
Road tax
All versions of the 4 Series Gran Coupé are subject to the current flat rate fee of road tax, which is £200. All versions cost more than £40,000 when new, too, making them subject to the £440 luxury car tax surcharge. This applies for five years from the second year of registration.
Insurance and servicing
For the four-cylinder models, insurance ratings sit at around group 30, which places the 4 Series firmly in the middle of the pack for this type of car. The M440i is in group 40, making it the most expensive version to insure.
Running costs for maintenance and repairs are broadly in line with other premium rivals. However, as with most BMWs, servicing and upkeep are likely to cost more than equivalent models from less prestigious mainstream brands.
Warranty
From new, every 4 Series Gran Coupé comes with a three-year warranty with no mileage cap. That's a bit better than the three-year, 60,000-mile warranty from Audi, but it's the same cover as Mercedes.
Safety
The 4 Series Coupé was awarded a full five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in 2019. It also comes with plenty of standard safety equipment, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-departure assist. The optional-from-new Driving Assistant Professional pack (which comes as part of the Technology Plus Pack) adds adaptive cruise control, a more advanced lane-keeping assistant, a front cross-traffic alert system and an automatic speed limit assist.
Reliability
The 4 Series Gran Coupé is a reliable car, according to the What Car? Reliability Survey. Owners also value the car’s mechanical reliability, though some report sensor and display issues.
To find out more about used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé reliability, head to our dedicated reliability page.
Our recommendations
Which used BMW 4 Series should I buy?
Engine
The 4 Series Gran Coupé is great from the get-go in entry-level 420i M Sport form, which is why it's our favourite engine. While prices for the more powerful 430i are similar to the 420i, it is more rare on the used market. If you can find a good one for a similar price to a 420i, we wouldn't dissuade you from choosing it.
If your journeys require the effortless performance and better long-distance fuel economy of the 420d, then that's worth considering. Plus, if you're after the quickest and best handling 4 Series Gran Coupé out there, then we'd point you towards the M440i.
Specification
The M Sport Pro Edition trim is tempting for its adaptive suspension, so if you have the money to spend and the roads around you are ridden with potholes, go for it. Otherwise, M Sport is a good option.
Our favourite BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé: 420i M Sport
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used BMW 4 Series?
The Audi A5 Sportback offers a more comfortable ride and an equally plush interior. Plus, because the latest one has been around for longer, you'll find used prices are more reasonable – you can pick up a 2020 model for around £20,000, for instance. It doesn't handle as sweetly as the Gran Coupé does, though.
The Mercedes CLA is a similar story, being comfier and cheaper to buy, but not as good to drive. The CLA is a smaller car, too, and is less spacious and practical.
If you're looking to spend less money, though, we'd urge you to turn your attention to the BMW 3 Series executive saloon or the BMW 4 Series two-door coupé (depending on which side of the 4 Series Gran Coupé you best gel with). Yes, the Gran Coupé successfully marries their two ideals – to answer our original question, the different puzzle pieces do indeed mesh – but, as you can see, that marriage comes at a cost.
For a comparable used 3 Series, you're looking at prices that are around £8000 cheaper. In the case of the 4 Series coupé, you'll spend around £4000 less.
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Interested in buying a used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
How reliable is the BMW 4 Series ?
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