Used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé 2021-present review

Like the spork merges the spoon and fork, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is an amalgamation of two different cars: the BMW 3 Series executive saloon and the BMW 4 Series two-door coupé.

It all begs the question: do the different puzzle pieces mesh? It'd certainly be a shame if the answer were no, considering those pieces originate from two five-star buys, whether new or used.

Engines & Performance: Your entry-level petrol engine is a 181bhp 2.0-litre unit. Badged 420i, it's pleasantly punchy and capable of sending the Gran Coupé from 0-60mph in a respectable 7.5sec.

Up next is the 430i. With power rising to 241bhp and 0-60mph reducing to 6.2sec, it does feel quicker, but the difference falls short of astronomical.

No, that word is better left for the M440i, because it has a lively, sonorous, silky smooth 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol unit and 369bhp. What's the 0-60mph time? Well, just 4.5sec – that's performance car quick.

If you do lots of motorway miles, the 420d diesel might appeal, because, thanks to plenty of shove low down in the rev range, it feels effortlessly strong. The 420i may possess a similar power figure and 0-60mph time, but it demands you pile on the revs for it to really get going.

Ride & Handling: The ride is noticeably firmer than a few rivals – the Audi A5 Sportback, for instance – and you'll feel bumps and potholes, whether big or small. The impact is very rarely severe, though, meaning the ride is largely comfortable. What's more, if you seek out an example that had adaptive suspension from new, the Gran Coupé becomes impressively compliant in Comfort mode.

Another reason we're able to forgive the firm ride is because it helps create the Gran Coupé's wonderfully sharp, precise and engaging handling. Also aided by well-weighted steering and remarkable balance, it's a clear class leader in this area and, no matter the situation, it proves a joy to drive.

The all-electric BMW i4 is similarly great, but you'll need to read that car's separate review to get the full story.

Interior & Practicality: If you like sporty driving positions, you’ll appreciate how the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé sits you down low. There's also lots of seat and steering wheel adjustment to help you find a comfortable position.

Interior quality is on a par with the A5 and better than the Mercedes C-Class Coupé. The materials look and feel suitably premium – sure, there are some hard plastics, but they're found in places you rarely touch.

There’s plenty of space up front, with loads of room for taller individuals to get comfy. Storage space is good as well, thanks to a big glovebox, a useful cubby under the centre armrest, two cup holders, a tray for storing your phone and decently sized door bins.

Rear space is where the Gran Coupé sets itself apart from the regular 4 Series coupé though. For starters, the presence of rear doors makes climbing into the rear seats an absolute breeze. There’s also slightly more head room and leg room for rear-seat passengers, although six-foot individuals will still find their heads grazing the roof lining.

At 470 litres, the Gran Coupé's boot is 30 litres bigger than that of the regular 4 Series. It’s also a little bigger than those of the A5 Sportback – which we managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases into – and the Mercedes CLA. The Gran Coupé will easily swallow a pushchair or a large weekly shop, plus, because it's a hatchback, it's easy to load and unload, too.

Trims & Equipment: Every 4 Series Gran Coupé comes with plenty of standard equipment. Even the entry-level M Sport has 18in alloy wheels, auto-dimming side mirrors, adaptive LED headlights, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a 10.3in infotainment system (that you can operate via touch or a handy rotary controller between the front seats).

Going for an M Sport Pro Edition car gets you 19in alloys, sportier styling, three-zone climate control and M Adaptive Suspension. The range-topping M440i is similar in its kit list to this M Sport Pro Edition trim.

Interested in buying a used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé for around £29,000 – expect a 2021/'22 model in 420i M Sport form. Have around £3000 extra to spend if you fancy an M Sport Pro Edition or 420d model. The 430i demands around £35,000, while the M440i pushes prices close to £40,000 (and often more).

As of writing, for a 2023/'24 Gran Coupé, you'll need upwards of £35,000.

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MPG: Officially, the 420i averages 41.5mpg and the 420d 53.3mpg. The 430i has a figure of 39.8mpg and the M440i 35.3mpg.

Road tax: You'll pay £190 per year in road tax, plus an additional £410 in luxury car tax for years two to six of the car's life – this is because all Gran Coupé's exceed £40,000 list prices when new.

Insurance and servicing: Insurance groups range from 30 (for the 420i M Sport) to 40 (for the M440i) – that's out of 50 – and that's about average, if not a little high, for this kind of car.

BMW servicing tends to be more expensive than mainstream manufacturers, as well as some premium ones (such as Audi). For two services of a 2022 420i M Sport, we were quoted £935.64 via BMW.

Reliability

Owner reviews from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey have highlighted the Gran Coupé’s solid mechanical performance, yet some have flagged recurring electrical issues, mainly with sensors and dashboard displays that frequently necessitate dealership involvement.

Most respondents commend their dealerships for prompt and professional service, with most repairs being efficiently managed under warranty. Nevertheless, a minority have reported frustrating delays due to long wait times for parts.

Discover more about used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

The 4 Series Gran Coupé is great straight from the get-go in entry-level 420i M Sport form. We see little reason to spend more money in Gran Coupé that sports a higher trim or different engine.

We believe most buyers will feel the same, although there are some exceptions. For instance, if your journeys lean into the effortless performance and better long-distance fuel economy of the 420d, then that's worth considering. Plus, if you're after the quickest and best handling 4 Series Gran Coupé out there, then we'd point you towards the M440i.

The M Sport Pro Edition trim is tempting for its adaptive suspension, so if you have the money to spend and the roads around you are ridden with potholes, go for it.

Our favourite BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé: 420i M Sport

The Audi A5 Sportback offers a more comfortable ride and an equally plush interior. Plus, because the latest one has been around for longer, you'll find used prices are more reasonable – you can pick up a 2020 model for around £20,000, for instance. It doesn't handle as sweetly as the Gran Coupé does, though.

The Mercedes CLA is a similar story, being comfier and cheaper to buy, but not as good to drive. The CLA is a smaller car, too, and is less spacious and practical.

If you're looking to spend less money, though, we'd urge you to turn your attention to the BMW 3 Series executive saloon or the BMW 4 Series two-door coupé (depending on which side of the 4 Series Gran Coupé you best gel with). Yes, the Gran Coupé successfully marries their two ideals – to answer our original question, the different puzzle pieces do indeed mesh – but, as you can see, that marriage comes at a cost.

For a comparable used 3 Series, you're looking at prices that are around £8000 cheaper. In the case of the 4 Series coupé, you'll spend around £2000 less.

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Interested in buying a used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.