2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 428i Review
When BMW recently replaced the entry-level 1 Series with the new 2 Series, it seemed like a logical move, especially with tough competition coming in the segment from the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The automaker isn’t swapping the venerable 3 Series for the new 4 Series, though; that would be sacrilege for longtime fans of the brand. Instead, the 3 Series will continue as only sedan and wagon models, while the 4 Series will offer coupes and Gran Coupe sedans.
This may seem like a marketing gimmick to get luxury car shoppers to spend close to $4,000 extra, just to go up one digit for a car that shares the same platform as the 3 Series sedan. But with a completely new exterior, the 4 Series is more than a derivative of the 3 Series, even if it shares much of same in-cabin tech with a few improvements. These bells and whistles are still mostly optional and, unlike some competitors’ cars in this segment, require tacking on costly extras for now-basic features like navigation and in-dash apps.
Pricing and Design
The new BMW 4 Series come in three body styles: the two-door Coupe, the four-door Gran Coupe, and the two-door Convertible. We tested the 428i Gran Coupe, which also comes in a faster 435i configuration, and both Gran Coupe models are available in xDrive all-wheel-drive versions. The 428i Gran Coupe comes with a 240-horsepower twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 435i is equipped with a 300-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Suggested retail price of the 428i Gran Coupe starts at $40,300 and the 428i xDrive Gran Coupe at $42,300. The 435i Gran Coupe starts at $45,800 and the 435i xDrive Gran Coupe at $47,800. These prices jump further as you add the seven different option packages available for both the 428i and 435i.
Buyers can also choose to add one of two “design line” option packages, Luxury and Sport, that add various exterior and interior enhancements, plus the M Sport package that our test car came with. The M Sport package adds 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, an aerodynamics kit, sports seats, and special exterior trim and interior trim for $3,500.
Our test car was also outfitted with the Cold Weather package that includes a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and retractable headlight washers, and the Driver Assistance package that adds a rearview camera and Park Distance control. Both packages cost $950 each. The $1,000 Dynamic Handling package adds variable sport steering, while the $2,200 Premium package includes keyless entry, lumbar support, and one year of Sirius XM satellite radio.
Standalone options on our test car included M Sport brakes (not part of the M Sport package) for $650, side- and top-view cameras for $750, a special paint color for $550, and Enhanced USB and Bluetooth with Smartphone Integration for wireless music streaming. So while our 428i Gran Coupe test car started at $40,300, by the time the options were tacked on along with a $950 destination charge, the total sticker price came to $52,300.
With its flared fenders and bold character line running from the front fender all the way to the rear taillights, the exterior sheet metal of the 4 Series makes it stand out from the 3 Series. The 4 Series is also almost 2 inches lower to the ground than the 3 Series, while vents just behind the front wheels improve aerodynamics.
Media, Performance, and Conclusions
Connectivity, Navigation, and Interface 
BMW was the first automaker to add iPod integration a decade ago, and the company’s iDrive center-console controller set a design standard that’s been adopted by many competitors. BMW was also one of the first car companies to offer in-dash navigation, and the first European automaker to add in-dash apps.
While we had a chance to try some of the latest BMW technology in other vehicles, not much of it was in our 428i Gran Coupe test car, even with $12,000 worth of options already added. The car still didn’t even have navigation or a premium audio system; those cost $2,150 and $875, respectively.
Most of the infotainment and vehicle function are accessed via the iDrive controller. While the original iDrive is a popular point of reference for a poor in-car infotainment interface, BMW has drastically improved the way it works. Like most other infotainment interfaces, it still has its quirks, though. See our separate review of the iDrive system for a more detailed look.
Media and Phone Support
Our 428i Gran Coupe test car came with the base audio system with nine speakers powered by a total of 205 watts. Sources include AM/FM with HD Radio and Sirius XM, a USB port, an aux input, and Bluetooth wireless audio streaming via the Enhanced USB and Bluetooth option.
The performance of the audio system was above average for a no-name setup, thanks to the generous number of speakers and adequate amplification. Many cars in this range now have streaming audio, but that requires the $200 BMW Apps option. Bluetooth for phone calls is straightforward, with easy pairing with our iPhone 5s and equally simple access to the phone menu through the iDrive controller.
Performance and Conclusions
We tested the BMW 428i Gran Coupe over a holiday weekend this summer at Cape Cod, and with the crowds and traffic it was difficult to really open the car up. But we did come away impressed with the power and performance of the 428i Gran Coupe, whether carving empty early morning Cape roads or making runs to Logan Airport on Boston-area highways. And the 428i’s ample power is balanced with an estimated EPA fuel economy of 23 city and 34 highway from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
BMW has used the “Ultimate Driving Machine” slogan for decades, and this holds true based on our time in the 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. The on-road performance of the car is what BMW true believers would expect, although standard in-cabin technology in this segment is lacking. And while enthusiasts will probably applaud BMW for keeping the tech in check unless a buyer wants to pay more for it, the lack of basic features hurt the 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe in the showroom when compared with its competitors.
2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 428i
3.0
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See It
$52,300.00
at Truecar
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MSRP $52,300.00
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
The 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will please enthusiasts, but it can’t compete with other cars in the segment in terms of standard tech features.
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