2014 BMW 428i Full Test

Edmunds.com

2014 BMW 428i Full Test

Edmunds' full test of the all-new 2014 BMW 428i. Includes driving impressions, test data, photos, specs and more.

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dfelix70

It's a shame the interior looks so dull and uninspired. Take the BMW logo off the steering wheel and you'd think that the interior was for a $20k car. And the exterior design, overall, isn't much better. I'm sure it'll sell tons, but that just worsens the situation as these cars will be as common as Civics and Corollas.

quadricycle

@dfelix70: I think that you're confusing an cheap interior with an understated one. The interior on this 4 Series actually looks pretty nice, and I'm sure the materials quality is decent, if nothing particularly special (this is an ENTRY level luxury car

rickibobbi

!

dfelix70

@quadricycle, this "understated" interior looks pretty cheap to me. Regardless of material quality, when money is invested in a great design, you can see it. I don't see that here.

joefrompa

The 4-series is a ~$40k car and it's interior has elements that do not live up to that standard. As you option it up, it really doesn't hold up to it's price. But it's definitely not a $20k interior.

In regards to Edmunds results on acceleration - surreal. Can't believe a 2.0 liter, very efficient engine in a 3500 pound pig is putting up 13.8 quarter mile times...

cuselancer17

I can understand all the " These will not be cross shopped" but really... this, or the new Chevy SS for that 47 grand? Puts value in perspective, IMO.

seppoboy

This BMW's interior really cannot be faulted for visual design or quality of materials for the price point. Where BMW does not excel is in the simplicity and intuitiveness of controls, requiring owners to become used to them rather than being naturally functional and easy to live with. The exterior is fine for its purposes, nicely done. The 4-series does have a value problem though, BMW's options packaging and pricing runs the tab up very quickly. Run-flats and lack of a spare tire also is a big negative, especially when they clearly had the space in the rear for at least a space-saver spare. Who wants to drive a modern BMW far from a dealership on a long holiday weekend on those run-flats?

lions208487

@ Quadricycle- though I agree the exterior lines are well proportioned to the vehicle and look great in person. After test driving the 428i myself, I have to side with dfelix70. Though in person you appreciate the detail, it's laden with plenty of plastic

marcos9

Nice looking ride, but for me, I prefer a manual transmission and AWD. But don't get me wrong, I love the new look of these Bimmers. I saw the M6 Gran Coupe and it was absolutely stunning, even though if I were to spend that kind of cash, the Audi RS7 would be it for me. Keep them coming BMW.

mnorm1_

Nearly $50k, synthetic leather, i.e. vinyl, no navigation system, 4 cylinders not 6, a not so special interior - it's ok but who wants ok at this price.
At $30-35k might have interest; at $47k no interest from me.

syslog

I cross shopped the 4 series, Audi S5 and the Benz C350 4matic coupe (ended up buying the Benz).

The Audi smokes both the BMW and the Merc in exterior looks (very subjective, I know).

The Merc smokes both the BMW and the Audi in interior. The BMW is well put together but plain, the Audi S5 interior lags the sedans so it is a bit out of date. The Merc is just a very special place to be. It just screams jewel like precision and quality.

Combine this with the fact that I got 6 cylinders, the full tech stuff (nav, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring etc etc), 4 wheel drive and the AMG wheels and alcantara interior package for $48k, exactly the same as the plain jane 428i mentioned in this article, the Merc was hard to say no to. I should add that the retail was $53k, but the dealer was willing to deal, while I don't think you will get much flex on the 4 series.

joefrompa

Syslog - Let's add a bit of reasonableness to your post. Your C350 4matic had a $53k MSRP. The dealer was willing to deal because it's a model that is on it's way out with the most dated engine, chassis, and interior of the group. I'm glad you like it, but let's face the fact it's the most aged too.

For $53k MSRP, you could have had a 435i coupe with a 300 hp inline six turbo engine. It would have been equipped with the premium, cold weather, and tech package.

And, at least at the end of 2013, dealers were willing to let you order one of those for bout $3k off including holiday discounts - and the 4-series just came out too.

I don't think EITHER is a great value, but let's put that C350 vs. 4-series story in perspective.

330i_zhp

'A "four-door coupe" Gran Coupe is even rumored to be in the works.' -- Anyone else have issues calling a 'four door' a 'coupe'?

linard76_

Joefromtampa,

The C250 and C350 coupes were introduced in 2012 along with the new interiors and engines from the sedans. The platform has been around since 2008 but your assertion it's the most aged is a bit off. The A4/5 have been around for longer without the same level of updates to the engines or interiors.

mercedesfan

@joefrompa, The 435i is priced into the stratosphere if similarly equipped to the C350. That is my main problem with the F30/F32. They simply aren't worth it when you compare them dollar for dollar with their competition. For example, a comparable 435i xD

nuieve

The interior is depressing especially considering what MB has shown recently for their upcoming C-class. In fact, base 3/4-series BMW interior, while not 'cheap', is probably the most underwhelming of all the cars in its class. It's definitely way below C-class (even current model), A4-class, IS, Genesis, Q50, ATS...

majin_ssj_eric

BMW's pricing has gone completely off the deep end. $47k for a stripped 428i with a 4 cylinder? Yeah, yeah, it is a superb 4-cylinder, I know, but still! BMW has gotten mighty high on its own legend lately and have simply priced themselves out of their own league in my humble opinion. This should be the price for the 435i with the 428i coming in around the $42-$44k mark loaded...

jeffyb

This new 428 looks gorgeous, and I am sure it drives really well, but for my past two coupe purchases I have gone with Audi A5 and I am (still) glad I did. A comparably equipped BMW 428 is faster than the A5 -- no doubt. However, BMW nickels & dimes you for every option, and makes you take useless stuff in their packages to get what you really want. I found that process to be frustrating, and I found that the BMW was about $8K more than a comparable AWD A5. The 428 is faster and more agile, but the A5 is still plenty quick and feels more solid than any Bimmer I've driven. Also I've had zero problems with my two A5's whereas my neighbors 528 has been a nightmare and the dealer a pain to deal with. Just for what it's worth...

cybercoupe

We own a 435i but test drove the 428i originally. Beautiful car but we wouldn't have gone for the 4-cylinder model because it seemed underpowered compared to the 6-cyl and it didn't have the nice growl that you get with the six. Interiors are beautiful, technology packages great (visibility is good even without back-up camera) and it is just an all-round good-looking coupe. We got the M-Sport which makes a difference in looks and performance. It is a fun car on the open road but the several miles to work in the morning are also a pleasure. All cars are overpriced these days so price is a strange argument against buying such an exceptional vehicle.

engineer_mba

Once all of the new "players" arrive, I think a [massive] comparison test will be in order. I hope that the Edmunds staff will be up to the challenge :-)

cbrandi_

Sorry, but that black interior does look cheap, more suited for a Ford Focus. $47,000 without even a backup camera. Expensive, but there are fools enough to pay for it.

agentorange

No spare = no sale to me.

expensivehobby

I've spent time in both the prior generation and this generation of 3/4 series. There seems to have been an effort to bring more conveniences to the base level (no nav) buyer but it has happened at the cost of some materials quality. Base buyers actually get an info screen, which is very helpful, and there are real cupholders where we expect them to be, in the console as opposed to the limited-size and function pop-out versions of the past. However, you see slightly harder plastics throughout on the doors and dash. I think a base-model or as close as possible to it driver will be happier trading up in years, whereas the buyer of a loaded car might be a little disappointed.

Then again, if you're a base engine buyer, as lovely as the old inline six was, this turbo four (the 2.0) just tromps all over it in terms of performance.

jbush74

@Joefrompa - I bought this car about 3 weeks ago. Yes, the acceleration numbers are hard to believe. But yes, they are accurate. This thing is an absolute rocket-ship. Coming from a Nissan 370z and then an Infiniti M37 (both are nice), I would take th

jbush74

One more point - The 435. I wish I had a chance to drive this to compare for myself, but on paper I just can't see how it makes sense. The numbers I have seen is you get about 1/2 a second better 0 to 60 performance. That will cost you around 5K and at least 6 mpg, if not more (I'm averaging 29.9 mpg on my first 4 tanks of gas). The economics just don't work there IMO.