Yahoo Autos The BMW 430i Coupe Does Grand Touring Right
BMW made a Faustian bargain when it launched the 4-series a few years back as a replacement for the 3-series coupe. In its quest for sales, the German automaker dialed back some of the driving enjoyment of the prior model in favor of consumer-driven traits such as additional interior space and a larger cargo hold. Although we enjoy a roomy back seat and a spacious trunk as much as the next person (and the 4-series coupe has both), we were disappointed to see a BMW lose ground in terms of driver involvement.
For even deeper coverage of the BMW 4-series, see our Buyer’s Guide in-depth review.
More than four years after introducing the 4-series, BMW is taking steps to rectify this decision, and the refreshed 2018 4-series two-door coupe and convertible (and their four-door Gran Coupe counterpart) feature revised suspension and steering setups aimed at improving the model’s dynamic prowess.
The powertrains carry over untouched, with a 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four in the $44,495 430i and a 320-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six in the $50,895 440i. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, although a six-speed manual is a no-cost option on the rear-wheel-drive 430i coupe-the spec of our test car-as well as on rear- and all-wheel-drive 440i coupe models.
Drive Time
Despite its suspension and steering enhancements, the 430i still doesn’t match the cohesive engagement of the prior 3-series coupe. Tackling twisty two lanes in the 430i is a transactional process; the coupe cuts through corners with agility, poise, and stoicism, but does little to enthrall the driver.
Our test vehicle was equipped with the $2600 M Sport package that includes a set of staggered split-spoke 18-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S001 summer tires, which, along with the optional adaptive dampers ($700), helped the 430i circle our 300-foot skidpad at decent 0.89 g. (Due to wintry weather conditions during most of our time with the car, we photographed it with a set of seven-spoke wheels on all-season tires.) Although an Audi A5 2.0T, a Cadillac ATS 2.0T coupe, and a Mercedes-Benz C300 coupe all recorded more than 0.90 g around the skidpad, the BMW’s near-50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution meant it was less prone to understeer than some of its more nose-heavy rivals.
While the well-weighted-if a touch too heavy-steering sends enough information to the 430i’s thick-rimmed steering wheel to let the driver know when front-end grip has been exceeded, the electrically assisted setup lacks the tactility of the ATS coupe’s steering, which transmits subtle variations in road adhesion well before the tires wash out.
Like its skidpad performance, the 430i’s 160-foot stop from 70 mph is ever-so-slightly eclipsed by those of the Audi (152 feet), the Cadillac (156 feet), and the Mercedes (157 feet). Still, the 430i’s firm and progressive pedal allowed us to reign in the 3579-pound coupe with confidence time and time again.
Feisty Four
The 248-hp turbocharged four is a lively engine. The sprint to 60 mph is a 5.7-second affair and the 430i crosses the quarter-mile after 14.3 seconds at 100 mph. The standard automatic transmission likely would be even quicker, as a less powerful 2014 428i coupe with the self-shifting gearbox reached the mile-a-minute mark after only 5.3 seconds.
Even as ardent cheerleaders for manuals, our drivers are split on the 430i’s gearshift since its motions are more rubbery and notchy than the best BMW manuals of the past. Oddly, its built-in rev-matching function only works when downshifting one gear at a time. Skipping gears-for example downshifting from fifth to third-does not trigger the function. (The feature can be disabled entirely by selecting the Sport+ driving mode.)
Rather than exhibiting the zeal of a sports coupe, the BMW 430i projects the imperturbable calm of a grand touring car. Its stoic chassis and comfortable cabin make it an ideal tool for tackling long swaths of highway. Bolstering that mission, our test car came equipped with a number of comfort and convenience features as part of the $2300 Premium package (heated front seats with lumbar support, a navigation system, and more), $1450 worth of brown leather, a $500 wireless charging pad, Apple CarPlay compatibility for $300, and a $550 coat of Snapper Rocks Blue Metallic paint, bringing the as-tested price up to $52,895.
The refreshed 2018 BMW 430i isn’t the reincarnated 3-series coupe we hoped for, but it is a capable and competitive grand tourer. For those seeking greater driver involvement, BMW’s smaller, nimbler 2-series is closer to our two-door dreams.
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