BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A BMW 4 SERIES COUPE FROM OSV: https://bit.ly/2PHYXbI

BMW's second generation 4 Series Coupe is now much more its own model, with a distinctive look and a more sporting dynamic feel. It's also a little bigger, a little faster and a little cleverer. For brand enthusiasts, there's plenty to like.

Market and Model

Sporty 'M Sport' trim is standardised this time round and prices start from around £40,000 for the entry-level 420i. There's a further £2,500 premium if you want the 420d diesel version - which can be had with xDrive 4WD for another £1,500 more. You're looking at around £44,000 for a 430i. And think in terms of around £54,000 if you want the M440i xDrive model.

As an option, there's an 'M Sport Pro' package which includes a special 'Sprint' function for additional bursts of speed and a sporty engine soundtrack in the cabin when the 'SPORT' driving mode is activated. Plus you get M sport brakes, 19-inch 'M light' alloy wheels, a rear spoiler in a high-gloss black, BMW individual high-gloss 'Shadowline' trim with extended features and BMW individual lights and M seat belts. You might also be interested in a browse through the M Performance Parts portfolio, from which you can order things like 20-inch M Performance forged light alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design with a Jet Black matt finish. Or maybe a carbon fibre finish for the front grille, front splitter and side skirts, as well as aero flicks for the front apron in high-gloss black.

Cost of Ownership

Mild hybrid technology has been included with all diesel engines and with the straight-six petrol unit of the flagship BMW M440i xDrive Coupe. Fitting a 48V starter-generator and second battery greatly increases the scope for utilising Brake Energy Regeneration and the electrical power it produces. The recuperated energy collected by the 48V battery can be supplied to the 12V electrical system or used for generating additional drive power when fed back to the 48V starter-generator. When the car is accelerating, the generator is also able to offer the driver an electric boost effect that instantly makes an extra 11hp available.

All of which should promise a very competitive set of efficiency stats. Let's see. We'll start with the petrol models. The 420i manages up to 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 122g/km of CO2. For the 430i version, the figures are up to 49.6mpg and up to 131g/km. For the M440i xDrive, the figures are up to 41.5mpg and up to 155g/km. What about the diesels? For the 420d, the official figures are up 72.4mpg and up to 103g/km. For the 420d xDrive version, it's up to 65.7mpg and up to 112g/km. For the 430d xDrive, it's up to 45.6mpg and up to 146g/km. Finally for the M440d xDrive, it's up to 42.2mpg and 158g/km. Across the range, BiK rates vary from 27-37%.

Summary

So is this BMW 4 Series Coupe still the car in this class that does it all, the sector benchmark, the go-to choice in its segment? If you're the kind of driving enthusiast this model has traditionally appealed to, the answer's probably yes. Overall, there's a sustained level of excellence shot throughout this contender that Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class Coupe rivals still can't quite match. That's something especially evident when it comes to handling dynamics that have been usefully improved in this MK2 model, especially when it comes to suspension and steering response.

There's a levity about this 4 Series, a certain joy you get in driving it that the others can't quite emulate. Great then, that it does all the sensible stuff really well too. You get a spacious boot, comparatively decent rear legroom, very competitive day to day running costs and sensible residual values. Which all helps your conscience. Why? Because this is a car that, exactly because of those attributes, you can buy and use - and use hard - without that nagging sense of guilt that you may have over-indulged yourself.

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