2018 BMW 4-Series Pros vs Cons

Since it was introduced as a replacement for the 3-Series' convertible and coupe four years ago, BMW's 4-Series has been a popular purchase among luxury vehicle enthusiasts. The 4-Series has a history of being a powerful and exciting vehicle, and the 2018 BMW 4-Series is no exception. Despite there being a good number of competitors joining the market, the 4-Series manages to hold on to a top spot.

What's New for 2018?

The 2018 BMW 4-Series only received a few small changes for the model year, including a revised interior styling, upgrades to the materials used on the inside, and a re-tuned suspension.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 BMW 4-Series – The Pros

1. A Powerful Performance On the Base Trim

If you are shopping on a budget but still want a powerful powertrain, the 2018 BMW 4-Series has a particularly strong base trim, the 430i. This vehicle has a 2.0-L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine is able to generate 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is more than sufficient on either the coupe, convertible, or 4-door Gran Coupe.

2. A Quiet Ride

Whether you opt for the 430i or 440i, you will get a nice, quiet ride from the powertrain. Even in the convertible, you won't get much road or wind noise while going down the road. Take it up to highway speeds, and the cabin is still remarkably quiet.

3. A Comfortable Interior

The 2018 BMW 4-Series epitomizes interior comfort for luxury vehicles. Even the standard sports seats are well-bolstered and keep you locked into place while navigating sharp turns. The seats provide plenty of lumbar and lateral support to make long rides comfortable even for those with bad backs and hips.

4. Smooth Acceleration

The 4-Series has no problems with acceleration, especially on the high-powered 440i. The 430i manages to also garner quite a good amount of get-up-and-go power and can easily make it up to highway speeds.

5. Effortless Handling

If you tend to drive on the conservative side, you will enjoy the good amount of security you get from the car's handling. It feels effortless going over rough road surfaces, and the optional adaptive and sport suspension options add an extra level of confidence to the 4-Series' handling abilities.

6. Excellent Climate Control

The 2018 BMW 4-Series has a climate control system that provides an equal and ample amount of heat or air conditioning to both the front and rear seats. Passengers will not find themselves sweltering on hot summer days or freezing during the winter. BMW adds its standard top vent temperature selector as a nice extra touch.

7. Easy to Find a Driving Position

Regardless of a driver's size, it is easy to find the right driving position. The driver's seat is 8-way power adjustable and 2-way manual adjustable. It is also height-adjustable and comes with a driver seat thigh extension, which is a great bonus for taller individuals.

8. High-Quality Interior Materials

Everything on the vehicle's interior truly looks like it is made from high-quality materials. None of the upholstery or trim looks gaudy or prone to wear-and-tear over time. The 430i's leatherette is an absolutely convincing leather substitute.

9. Vast Visibility

The roof pillars on the 2018 BMW 4-Series are remarkably slender, which makes frontal and rear visibility quite good. Although backing up by sight alone is pretty easy in this vehicle, the standard rearview camera makes backing up that much simpler and safer.

10. Numerous Driver Aids

Automakers tend to slap a wide array of driver aids on their luxury vehicles, and BMW does its best to go all-out in this respect. BMW's Assist emergency telematics system is particularly innovative and helpful, as it uses data and voice to transmit information to a service assistant online or over the phone.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 BMW 4-Series – The Cons

1. Not Too High-Tech

Although there are some cool tech features on the 2018 BMW 4-Series, it is definitely not the most high-tech luxury coupe on the market right now. Some of its competitors offer more in the way of smartphone app integration and optional safety and tech features. A few more high-tech options might make the vehicle a little bit more worth its price tag.

2. Small Amount of Cargo Space

While cargo space isn't excruciatingly small, it does not stack up to what you will find on some of the competition. The convertible has a smaller trunk than the coupe, so you will want to keep this in mind before you settle on which body style you want to buy. At the most, you can fit two small pieces of luggage in the convertible's trunk and slightly more in the trunk of the coupe.

3. Not Much Small Item Storage

There is not a lot of small item storage space to be found throughout the cabin of the 4-Series. The few pockets and compartments that are available are relatively small and won't hold larger tablets or laptops very well. The only things that really fit into any particular place are smaller-sized cups and smartphones.

4. iDrive Can Take Some Getting Used To

The 4-Series has an infotainment system that takes some getting used to. While the iDrive infotainment system tends to work pretty well, you will likely have to mess around with its settings and spend a good amount of time figuring out its functions. It isn't very intuitive at first and might prove rather frustrating for non-tech-savvy drivers.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 BMW 4-Series v. 2018 Audi A5

The 2018 Audi A5 Coupe suffers the same interior storage space issues as the 4-Series, but it more than makes up for this with its massive list of tech features, chic interior design, and a strong performance from all trim levels.

2018 BMW 4-Series v. 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class also has three body stylings to choose from, and there is a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid variant that makes for quite an attractive choice. Inside and out, the C-Class looks and feels luxurious. However, the Sport models don't have the best ride quality, and the coupe is pretty cramped in the rear.

Conclusion

The 2018 BMW 4-Series maintains its hold over luxury car enthusiasts despite the surge of competitors. While it could use a few more high-tech features to make it worth the price, the ride quality, comfort, and security that the 4-Series offers make up for some of the vehicle's downfalls.