2022 BMW 430i Gran Coupe M Sport review

Coupe sedans like this BMW 430i Gran Coupe have found a niche in the market, catering to those who value driveability over practicality but aren't quite ready to sacrifice a couple of doors.

One model that provided an excellent compromise between sedan and coupe was the first-generation F36 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. But while that was essentially a reshaped BMW 3 Series, its G20 replacement has been penned to distinguish itself from the sedan with a brasher and more upscale appearance.

It shares plenty with the 3 Series though, including powertrains and performance, so we drove the mid-spec 430i M Sport, which is arguably the sweet spot of the range, to see why you'd choose it over the much-esteemed 330i sedan.

Pricing and Features

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The Gran Coupe is the third in a trio of second-generation BMW 4 Series models, which also include the Coupe and Convertible. The Coupe and Gran Coupe are available in Australia with three petrol-powered variants, the two-litre four-cylinder 420i and 430i, and the sportier 3.0-litre six-pot M440i. Convertibles miss out on the entry-level 420i spec.

Before on-road costs are added, the Gran Coupe is priced from $76,900 for the 420i or $84,900 and $118,900 for 430i and M440i respectively.

The 430i's price tag is $5000 more than the 330i sedan and shares the quintessential BMW model's M Sport package that brings sporty M-Car bling.

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Standard features across the range include 'Cockpit Professional Connected Package' with 12.3-inch digital instrument display, high-res 10.25-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker sound system, wireless charging, digital radio and wireless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

You also get M Sport Suspension, 19-inch M alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, power-adjusted sports front seats, head-up display, LED headlights, auto high beam, power-operated hatch, ambient interior lighting and three-zone climate control.

As well as the beefier 190kW engine, 430i spec adds premium ‘Vernasca’ leather upholstery, adaptive M suspension, keyless entry and start with digital smartphone key, M Sport brakes, the Driving Assistant Professional tech suite and Parking Assistant.

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Our test vehicle also came with the Visibility Package that for $5800 brings metallic paintwork, sunroof, and BMW Laserlight adaptive headlights ($1100), which took pricing before on-road costs to $90,800.

The BMW 430i requires pricier 95 or 98 RON premium unleaded petrol but has a relatively frugal official combined fuel consumption rating of 6.6L/100km.

It's covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which seems a little miserly these days, though you do get three years of roadside assist coverage with that.

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Instead of set service intervals, visits to the service centre are determined by sensors that let the driver know when servicing is required based on kilometres covered and driving style.

BMW offers a five-year/80,000km basic service package for $1565, or $4110 for an expanded Service Inclusive Plus package that covers additional parts such as windscreen wiper blades, brake pads and discs, and clutch disc/plate.

Comfort and Space

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Apart from the sloping roofline, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe's interior is a dead ringer for that of the 3 Series.

This of course means it's a nice place to be, particularly when nestled in the 430i's plush and well-bolstered ‘Vernasca’ leather sports front seats.

The rear seats are nicely moulded too, so you're sitting in them rather than on, and they offer good legroom.

As you'd expect with coupe styling, headroom is a little tight – more so with the optional sunroof – but it's more generous than the two-door coupe's.

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Rear-seat amenities include bespoke air-conditioning settings and vents, an illuminated footwell, a pair of USB-C ports and a fold-down armrest with cup holders.

Behind the rear seats, boot space is 470 litres, which is 30 litres bigger than the coupe's and 10 litres less than the 3 Series sedan. While you lose a bit of height compared to the latter, the floor space is longer and will easily fit a couple of big suitcases lying down, with the broad, high-opening hatch making it easier to load and unload. Folding the 40:20:40 split rear seats down will bring up to 1290 litres of space.

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If you're new to BMW, the in-car technology could take a bit of getting used to, particularly when negotiating the different menus. But once you get it you'll find operation quite intuitive through the iDrive rotary dial on the centre console or the 'Hey BMW' voice activation that includes the ability to select certain functions such as drive modes without taking your eyes off the road. What you won't be able to do is operate the screen directly, with touchscreen capability unavailable due to the global semiconductor shortage.

In short, this feels every bit like an $80,000-plus luxury coupe sedan should.

On the Road

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Like its coupe sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has been engineered to deliver perkier driving dynamics over the 3 Series, despite sharing the same powertrains.

It has a bigger footprint than the sedan, with a 5mm-longer wheelbase and front and rear tracks stretched by 16mm and 55mm respectively, which brings a reduced centre of gravity despite its 4mm higher ride height.

The 4 Series also has enhanced aerodynamics and increased body rigidity made possible by stiffening the suspension struts, resulting in noticeably tighter handling.

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Adaptive dampers that are part of the 430i's standard kit improve handling further, compared to the 420i.

The Comfort setting ensures a smooth ride without compromising handling. As with the two-door coupe, you'd really have to overcook a bend to feel any kind of body roll meaning there were few times when I felt it necessary to switch to the stiffer Sport or Sport Plus settings.

Individual drive mode allows you to select the Comfort suspension with sportier engine performance and stiffer steering settings, for example.

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The steering is excellent and whether you have it in Comfort or stiffer Sport mode it's well-weighted and direct, backed up by the noticeable body stiffness and a compliant rear end.

Despite a little lag on takeoff, the 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is a perky but refined unit that once going responds quickly to pedal inputs through the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

While not as brutish as the 285kW 3.0-litre straight-six M440i, the 430i has more than enough oomph that will get you from a standing start to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, which is less than half a second slower than the sleeker 430i Coupe.

Safety

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Because it's technically a 3 Series variant, the 4 Series Gran Coupe shares the sedan's five-star ANCAP rating from 2019.

Standard safety equipment across the range includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear collision prevention.

The 430i also comes standard with the Driving Assistant Professional package that brings adaptive cruise with stop and go function, lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert and 'evasion aid' that helps the driver when they are trying to avoid a collision.

VERDICT

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The BMW 430i Coupe was one of my favourite cars in 2021 and a year on, its four-door sibling didn't disappoint.

Although the Gran Coupe isn't quite as nimble as the two-door, it feels more sprightly than the 330i and offers a very satisfying driving experience that makes it a great grand tourer that you'll happily drive for hours on end.

In terms of looks, I liked that giant kidney grille treatment when it first showed up on the coupe and I reckon it looks even better in front of the four-door shell. It also succeeds in making the Gran Coupe appear a lot more upmarket than the 330i, which makes the $5000 price difference a bit of a bargain.

2022 BMW 430i Gran Coupe specifications