Introduced for 2014 as the 428i, the gracefully curvaceous two-door offshoot of the renowned BMW 3 Series promised to turn more heads than its sedan relatives—and to perform with even greater gusto. Refined athleticism of the coupe and convertible enhances their strong appeal to buyers shopping on the sporty end of the compact luxury segment. For 2017, the model designation has changed to 430i, thanks to a more powerful four-cylinder engine.
What's New for 2017
A new 2-liter four-cylinder engine changes the model designation of BMW’s compact 4 Series coupe and convertible from 428i to 430i. Coupes can have black Dakota leather with blue stitching. Basic SensaTec leatherette upholstery is now available in Venetian Beige/Black. Navigation (in the Technology Package) has been updated to BMW’s iDrive 5.0 interface. Wireless charging and a wi-fi hotspot with enhanced USB and Bluetooth can be added.
Choosing Your BMW 430i
Available as either a coupe or convertible, the 430i can be outfitted with optional xDrive all-wheel drive as an alternative to standard rear-drive. The revised, turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine develops 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s an 8-horsepower boost, and an increase of 3 pound-feet.
Rear-drive coupes can substitute a six-speed manual gearbox for no additional cost. Convertibles come only with automatic and have a power-retractable hardtop (not a fabric roof), along with a standard wind blocker.
Fuel economy of the rear-drive coupe is estimated at 21 mpg city/33 mpg highway (25 mpg combined) with manual shift. Automatic raises the estimate to 23/34 mpg (city/highway), or 27 mpg combined. Standard automatic stop/start is able to shut the engine off at stoplights.
All 430i models start out with such premium features as adaptive xenon headlights, a moonroof, 10-way power front seats with driver’s memory settings, Bluetooth audio and phone, and HD radio. Leather seating is available individually for $1,450, or as part of a $2,200 Premium Package, which also provides satellite radio and keyless access. Premium-equipped models are eligible for a Luxury package with chrome exterior accents and wood or aluminum interior trim.
- Moving in a different direction, the $2,600 M Sport Package includes an adaptive suspension, specific wheels, aerodynamic body trim, and an M steering wheel.
- The Track Handling package (available with or without the full M Sport treatment) contributes a choice of 18- and 19-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, variable sport steering, and the M adaptive suspension.
- A navigation system comes with the $2,750 Technology Package, which also adds a larger instrument display screen, head-up display, and a suite of integrated smartphone apps.
- The Lighting Package tacks on full LED headlights with automatic high-beam control.
- The Cold Weather Package adds neck-warming air vents (convertible only), heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
- Safety gets a modest boost from the Driver Assistance Package ($950), which consists of a rearview camera and front/rear parking sensors. A Driver Assistance Plus version ($1,700) adds blind-spot monitoring, front collision warning, lane departure warning, city collision mitigation, pedestrian protection, a surround-view camera system, and speed-limit data.
Adaptive cruise control is a standalone option. Additional options include a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, an automated parallel parking system, and a power rear sunshade.
Coupes start at $43,145 (including destination charge), while the convertible has a base MSRP of $51,295. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive costs $2,000 additional.
Although most of the option packages are reasonably priced, adding too many can make the 430i downright expensive. We recommend the Driver Assistance groups for their valuable safety features. Otherwise, consider devoting your options budget to either luxury or performance—not both.