BMW 4 Series F32

Today we will talk about a novelty from BMW.  Meet BMW 4 series in F32 body. This car can be called a novelty of BMW market in quotes. All because this type of a body at BMW company exists already about 40 years. Simply earlier this car was within the 3 series.  But in the beginning of 2011, marketers have thought up a new move: to deduce three coupes in a separate series and to assign to it an index 4. Before this car came out only as concept art, there were a lot of photos and assumptions.  Journalists were talking about a new generation, and engineers were promising golden mountains and new driving sensations.

BMW brought the BMW 4 Series F32 concept to the international exhibition, and it looked new. The hero of our review differed significantly in design from the 3 Series. If the 4 had come out in the format that the engineers originally intended, the 4 Series F32 body could have been considered a separate model and a new class. But when the general public saw this car, the degree of disappointment was at an all-time high.

It was more of a marketing move, which allowed Stuttgart to sell the 3 Series by adding minor exterior differences and giving it a new index 4. But the price tag went up.

History

BMW 4 Series F32 is produced since 2013. It is assembled in Germany. Concern BMW produces the fourth series in 3 body types: coupe with index F32, convertible with index F33 and grand coupe with index F36. The standard set is diluted by a sporty version that carries two indexes F82 and F83. And all this is the fourth series of the car. But about the other indexes, we will talk next time, The main hero of today’s review – BMW in the body F32, 4 series.

If you want to buy yourself a BMW 4 Series coupe new, or on the aftermarket, get ready for the fact that there are 4 basic configurations on the market, which you can add any options you want. For the m-series, the engineers in Stuttgart have developed unique wheel rims and one ingenious technical solution that looks cool.

They placed the air intakes in the front fender. This idea significantly increases the aerodynamic performance of the car. How does it work? Air through the radiator grille passes through the wheel arch and exits through the air intake on the front fender. A beautiful exterior bodywork element and a great technical solution.

But even without that, the 4 Series has an excellent aerodynamics score than the 3 Series. In the M-Package, the 4 Series BMW F 32 will greet the driver with sport seats in a combined style of alcantara and cloth, branded nameplates on the sill, side support for the seats, M-Performance steering wheel, and anthracite black ceiling.

Technical specifications

With a double push of the hood lever, the driver can see the heart of his Bavarian horse. Twin turbine, Twin Power Turbo engine inscription, felt material under the hood, battery is traditionally located at the rear. This is necessary for a perfect paint job.

Let’s talk about BMW’s 4 Series engine lineup. The F32. There are fewer of them than in the F30, but there is a lot to talk about.

Let’s start with the simplest configuration, which has an index 420. There are two variants: diesel and gasoline. Versions can be both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. Here each driver decides for himself individually. And everything is standard: in order to make this series a weekend car, everyone advises to take a TC with rear-wheel drive. For those who use the car everyday and value safety – in Stuttgart they advise to take models with all-wheel drive. However, this version costs significantly more.

Which option to buy: diesel or gasoline?

Let’s start with the diesel engines. Two variants are installed here. On the cars of the first years of production, the engine N47 is installed. This is a rather old motor from BMW, which has already completed its existence. In this version, it is no longer produced.

What can we say? A powertrain that has been time-tested. Initially, there were a lot of shortcomings. That’s why it was modernized many times. Practically, every owner knew the main headache. It’s the timing chain. But after the engineers in Stuttgart decided to correct the mistake, the result was a good motor BMW F32 420d which has excellent technical characteristics. It has 184 horsepower and 380 Newtons of torque. Average acceleration to 100 km / h about 7.3 seconds. And according to the statement of the German manufacturer, the average fuel consumption of this engine in the city – 5.8 liters. But in dense traffic, especially in traffic jams, fuel consumption will be slightly higher, about 8 liters. But the car is actually quite economical.

The BMW 4 series F32 of recent years is equipped with the B47 motor. It is a deeply modernized N47. Among the main advantages we should notice improved technical characteristics. Unlike its predecessors, this engine produces 190 horsepower and more torque – 400 Newtons. Accordingly, it has better dynamic characteristics. The car reaches the first 100 km/h in about 7 seconds. Fuel consumption is even less. As for reliability, car enthusiasts note that this is a fairly reliable power unit. Naturally, with proper attention to it.

Another nice thing about B47 engines is that it has more interchangeable parts with other engines. This makes the car a little cheaper to manufacture, and affects the price of servicing.

Gasoline

And as for gasoline engines, the N20 is installed on the BMW in 32 body. It has trimmed technical characteristics, if compared with diesel. Cardinally nothing serious. It has 184 horsepower and 270 Newtons of torque, which is slightly less than the diesel version. According to technical specifications, it is slower to pull the car to the first 100 km / h (approximately, in 7 seconds) and one and a half liters of fuel consumes more. But it has its own advantages.

A car equipped with this engine will initially cost less. Also, this motor is easy to turn into the one that stands on the 428 body. Owners of these motors have long known this feature.

In favor of environmental friendliness, the Bavarians artificially “stifle” the engine’s performance. But the problem is solved by a simple re-flashing of the car’s “brains”. In general, the motor itself is quite reliable. At least, up to a mileage of 100 000 km, it does not cause any special problems. And according to reviews, it has no significant shortcomings.  The power unit is modern, it is equipped with all chips from the company BMW.  This and Vavtronic, and Twinscroll turbine with snails, direct injection. In general, in terms of technical characteristics and equipment, it resembles a six-cylinder engine N55, only smaller. It’s actually a stalwart that is capable of producing around 300 horsepower when downpumped.

At the same time, it remains economical and has German reliability. The top-of-the-line models are equipped with a full six-cylinder engine from BMW. Reliable enough, it produces 306 horsepower and 400 Newtons of torque. Add to this the fact that it can be re-flashed and get about 400 horsepower. You can also put a downpipe on it. Naturally, the top configuration has more fuel consumption – about 11-12 liters per 100 km in the urban cycle, but it is worth it. In Russia, top kits are delivered exclusively in all-wheel drive version. But classic rear-wheel drive “full-fledged” BMWs are delivered to Europe.

Interior

The driver sees a sporty, leather steering wheel with multi-functions in front of him. With its help it is possible to control almost all electronics of the car. Everything that did not fit into the steering wheel was placed on the console near the gearbox lever. The car is equipped with rain and light sensors, anti-glare monitor.

What is interesting is that contrary to the fight against tobacco, the Germans placed a smoker’s package in the thirty-second body. There is an ashtray and a cigarette lighter. On the right side of the driver’s side is a retractable armrest, for a comfortable hand position. Under it there is a space in which you can put items, an output for Aux and USB connector.

Under the shift selector there is a key for selecting driving modes. By pressing it without going into the settings, the driver can activate the style he or she prefers at the moment.

The first mode is ECO. Driving is optimized for minimum fuel consumption.  If the driver feels that he/she will not reach the nearest gas station, by switching on this mode, the car can drive 70-100 km.

Comfort mode is activated by default. This is a kind of average driving style.

The third mode is sport. When it is activated, the gas pedal becomes more informative, the steering wheel is more sensitive, and the automatic shifts speeds in a higher rev range.

The last mode is Sport Plus. Here the driver disables all dynamic stabilization systems, electronic aides. This is for maximum driving pleasure. All basic control technologies are duplicated in the I Drive software.

As soon as you get behind the wheel of the 4 Series in the M-Package, you will tactilely feel the excellent lateral support of the sports seats. Compared to the 6 Series sports seats, they are a head taller. Journalists and car bloggers unanimously say that in the 6 Series, the lateral support is completely lacking. Here it is incredible. The interior completely repeats the 3 series in the F30 body. On this car is installed multimedia of the latest generation in the base. A manual six-speed gearbox is installed on the fourth series. As an option, you can order an 8-speed automatic transmission from the company ZF, the car is equipped with a start-stop system.

To summarize the interior

The steering wheel is made of quality leather, multifunctional and heated. It is pleasant to hold on to it. Standard stereo, climate control, on-board computer with adjustment of absolutely everything in the car. There is heated seats, ergonomics of the car is at the height.

Absolutely everything is at your fingertips. Joysticks, switches, climate, music, joystick control of the monitor. Everything is done at the highest level. In the stock configuration the on-board computer displays information on the led dashboard of BMW F32 in 6.5 inches. It was possible to make and more. But from the point of view of visual perception, everything looks quite simple.

The upper part of the torpedo and glove compartment are made of soft plastic. There is no noise in the car, the engine is almost inaudible. Only after 4-5 thousand engine revolutions, in the salon to hear the work of the power unit. But this is most likely a fat plus, rather than a minus. It is, after all, BMW.

There is ambient suspension in the doors. The sport seats are made of alcantara and cloth. There is a retractable footrest. Everything is done quite well, in terms of ergonomics and convenience. As an additional option you can order a fully leather interior. Even a torpedo and racks will be covered with leather, not to mention armrests, door cards and seats. Absolutely everything that can be covered with high-quality German leather – you will have.

Electronics

Car 2013. Quite modern. But the number of contrivances that have been applied in Stuttgart is simply off the scale. We will tell you about the most influential and large-scale of them.

Brake energy recovery system. You think it’s complicated? Now it uses kinetic energy during braking, which used to fly into the air. There is a kind of converter in the car, which charges an additional car battery. It is used to power climate control, multimedia and so on. Now you can not save money on the climate. Fuel will not be consumed.

Online traffic information. The on-board computer of the BMW Four now displays information about everything that may await the driver ahead: accidents, speed limits, right down to the approximate temperature of the road surface. Remote control of the car. Not a novelty, but it is also necessary to stop on it. Starting the car from the apartment, car heating and autostart in winter.

BMW Projection Display.  The integrated projector and mirror system projects a contrasting image onto a transparent film on the windshield. Depending on the options fitted to the BMW, the projection display can display, in addition to the current speed, navigation system prompts, the current speed limit on a section of road and the settings for adaptive cruise control.

Active cruise control with Stop&Go function. The cruise control can now brake and accelerate itself. Sensors in the front bumper read out what is happening in front of the car every hundredth of a second. Automatic High Beam Control. When you turn on the high beam, sensors in the front bumper automatically narrow the light to avoid blinding the oncoming driver.

Speed limit information system. The information display, in navigation mode, shows the current speed limits on each section of roadway. iDrive Touch controller. No more pushing mechanical buttons. You live in the 21st century. Touchpads are everywhere, and BMW is no exception. Touchless trunk lid opening. Your hands are always clean. We wrote about this system a little later in this article. Adaptive LED headlights that adjust to ambient light.

Adaptive suspension that also adjusts to the driver’s driving style.

Options

Stuttgart also produces the Sportline, Luxury, M-Sport and Modern packages.

The Luxury configuration differs from the modern only by a set of colors, wheel rims and various boutaforia like nameplates on the sill and so on.

Design

As far as design is concerned, the 4 Series BMW looks more aggressive and peppy than the 3 Series. Stuttgart has made an interesting decision in terms of body width. Due to the fact that the 4 Series has a low roof and a few centimeters wider body, it gives it additional brutality and confidence. Also, the designers at BMW had a difficult task. Predecessors of the protagonist of today’s review, and these are E92 and E93 – were very beautiful cars. Therefore, in this class the Germans could not make a mistake and make the car less beautiful.

Large wheel arches, which allow you to install disks 20 radius, in the mirrors are located turn signals, if you press whether the driver three times, there is a three-fold flashing to the participants of the movement.

The traditional curve that distinguishes BMW vehicles from other cars. The fuel filler flap is opened by simply pushing it open. But it works exclusively when the car is open. At the rear of the car are BMW F32 LED headlights with swirl function, which allows them to keep clean even in the dirtiest weather. Additional catapults and reflective elements are integrated in the rear bumper.

OEM parking sensors, fin, which serves as an antenna and at the same time a decorative element. An additional brake light is placed in the fin. The trunk can be opened in two ways. The first is by pressing and holding the button on the key, the second – by pressing the button located under the BMW emblem. Trunk capacity of 480 liters, this is a leading performance in its segment.

Restyling

The new 2017 bmw 4 series car’s steering is finely tuned. Any movement of the steering wheel is reflected in the behavior. The car quickly and safely dives into corners. There are no serious rolls at all. And this was the main disease of the triplets.

But the main thing for which we would like to praise this BMW F32 performance is the suspension. Many car bloggers rightfully consider it a benchmark in its class. It is neither hard nor soft. The Germans have achieved an average balance. Bavaria Motors have found the golden mean. The car rearranges itself perfectly.

Despite the fact that many people do not like it because of such trifles as start-stop and eco-pro. They say, why put on cars, which have over 300 horses after chip tuning, these gimmicks. The answer is quite simple, in order not to cut performance indicators. Auto companies are under pressure and environmentalists. Therefore, in order not to artificially choke the engines with heavy exhaust, because of which the car can not breathe normally, concerns use the start-stop system, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions into the air, especially in urban traffic jams. It should also be noted that in many large cities it is impossible to warm up the engine. Therefore, car manufacturers are forced to invent new technologies that allow oil not to flow into the crankcase and ensure safe and easy starting of the engine immediately on the move.

Generations and configurations

1 generation – restyled

1 generation

10.2013 – 02.2017