Used 2019 BMW 4 Series 440i Convertible Review

Name: 2019 BMW 4 Series Review
Brand: BMW

More about the 2019 4 Series

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2019 BMW 4 Series 440i Convertible.

5 (50%)

4 (50%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.5

2 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

My wife loves this car

Robert B Aiken, Merrill, WI, 05/19/2019

2019 BMW 4 Series 440i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Her hair does not blow with the windows up and top down and the neck warmer extends the season for Drop Topping., We have leased BMW's for the last 10 years driving a 135 convertible, Series 5 Sedan, 640i Convertible, 750i and a 440i convertible. The best ride for the driver is the 750i and 640i. We truly enjoyed all of them and they meet different needs. The 440i is the most fun …

Excellent summer ride

James, Mohegan Lake, NY, 03/05/2019

2019 BMW 4 Series 440i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Opted for the 440i without x-drive to save weight. Great acceleration and handling. Great folding hardtop and decent trunk even with top down. One of the best looking convertibles out there.

See all 2 reviews of the 2019 BMW 4 Series 440i Convertible

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Edmunds Summary Review of the 2019 BMW 4 Series 440i Convertible

What’s new

New standard features: navigation, Apple CarPlay, parking sensors
Upgraded gauge cluster
Part of the first 4 Series generation introduced for 2014

Pros & Cons

Pro:Strong performance regardless of four- or six-cylinder power
Pro:Ride quality is quiet and comfortable
Pro:Biased toward comfort, but still excels at high speed on flowing roads
Con:Cargo capacity is smaller than in top rivals
Con:Rivals offer more innovative in-car tech
Con:Some interior trim pieces feel a bit cheap for the price

Full Edmunds Review: 2019 BMW 4 Series Convertible

byBrent Romans^{Senior Manager, Written Content
Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at Edmunds and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.}

Vehicle overview

BMW's reputation for making world-class sport coupes and convertibles is hard-earned. The automaker practically invented the segment decades ago with its 2002 and then the two-door 3 Series. It has led the pack ever since. Five years ago, BMW redesigned the two-door 3 Series (coupe and convertible) and rechristened it the 4 Series. Today's 2019 BMW 4 Series continues to deliver the performance, poise and refinement of its predecessor.

As such, the 4 Series can be a bit of everything to everyone. It's more civilized than a true sports car (no cramped interior or bone-jarring highway ride here) yet it's more sporting than a mainstream family car. The 4 Series offers a satisfying balance of comfort, capability and technology. One of our editors said it best in his test notes: "The 4 Series favors maturity over exuberance."

For 2019, the 4 Series turns a few previously optional features into standard equipment, the better to stay competitive as redesigned rivals add tempting offerings of their own. But while useful, these are minor details that don't give the 4 Series any particular edge. In a category BMW once so thoroughly dominated, the 4 Series is no longer an automatic pick. Audi, Mercedes-Benz and even Chevrolet and Ford now offer compelling coupes and convertibles. So, the competition has grown stronger, but that doesn't detract from the 4 Series' inherent excellence.

Notably, we picked the 2020 BMW 4 as one of Edmunds' Best Luxury Cars for this year.

2019 BMW 4 Series models

The 2019 BMW 4 Series is available as a coupe or convertible in two trims — 430i or 440i — that differ mostly by engine type. The 430i is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque), while the 440i uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (326 hp and 332 lb-ft). All 4 Series models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, though a six-speed manual is optional with the coupe. BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is also an option.

Standard 430i features include 18-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, a sunroof (coupe), heated side mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, automatic wipers, selectable drive modes, cruise control, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and emergency notification, roadside assistance and remote services, including smartphone app control over some car functions. Convertible models have a power-operated retractable hardtop with a removable wind deflector.

Inside you'll find dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front sport seats, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, ambient cabin lighting, BMW's iDrive infotainment system with navigation and an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay (one-year subscription), and a nine-speaker audio system with a CD player, HD radio and a USB input.

The 440i adds keyless entry and ignition, upgraded steering wheel leather, and a premium 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with satellite radio. (These are offered as options on the 430i.)

Notable options include adaptive headlights, an adaptive sport suspension, premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, a surround-view camera system and a wireless device charging pad. Additional safety features and driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the BMW 430i Convertible (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic transmission | RWD).

Driving

8.0

Removing the roof has increased the 4 Series' heft and blunted its nimbleness, but not as much as you might think. Power is merely adequate. While this drop-top won't be your first choice for a twisty road, it doesn't wilt at the challenge. As a cruiser, it excels.

Acceleration

7.5

With little perceptible lag, the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder picks up cleanly from low revs. The eight-speed transmission is matched well to the engine to provide reliable thrust without undue delay. Good but not giddying acceleration at full whack, reaching 60 mph in 6.9 seconds in our testing.

Braking

8.5

Brake modulation is superb in routine driving; its initial low-effort travel ramps nicely into increased braking force. Neither mushy nor "high and hard," the pedal delivers the right action in all but near-panic stops, where it can feel a bit wooden. It stopped from 60 mph in 111 feet in our testing.

Steering

8.0

The steering feel is a little inert, but the quickness is spot-on for this car, and the heft is just right whether at parking lot speeds or on the freeway. Our test car has 18-inch wheels and summer tires. Leave it in the default setting; Sport mode makes the steering unnecessarily heavy.

Handling

7.5

This BMW is a tidy handler. Despite tires that howl readily, the car has good balance and comports itself well. Its extra weight over the coupe is apparent as you drive it harder, as turn-in is blunted noticeably. Sport mode doesn't significantly change the optional Adaptive M dampers on our test car.

Drivability

8.0

Gear changes are unusually smooth, particularly in Comfort mode, if not especially quick. It has good logic on grades. The stop-start system restarts the engine quickly but with an abrupt lurch. Not much engine braking, and the cruise control slows the car in corners and does not downshift the transmission on descents.

Comfort

8.0

A nice, accomplished cruiser. It has a comfortable ride that's well-damped, managing to strike a nice balance between comfort and control. Extraneous noises are few, and its comprehensive climate controls let you ride top-down even in cold weather.

Seat comfort

7.5

The sport seats are quite comfortable yet not heavily bolstered. There's enough lateral support for the car's grip, so they're well suited to the car's disposition. An extendable thigh support is the icing on the cake. The upright back seat has firm padding and little contouring.

Ride comfort

8.0

A comfortable ride that doesn't smother the road but has the right compliance. You feel the bumps and seams, but they don't upset the car or its occupants. It deals well with its increased heft and the ride never falls apart. Only certain roads betray its rooflessness; body quivers are few.

Noise & vibration

8.0

It's very civilized overall, with especially good noise isolation for a drop-top. Wind noise is minimal, and the most prominent sound is road noise. The engine sounds unabashedly like a four-cylinder, which isn't great but at least it's reasonably well muted.

Climate control

8.0

The climate control system works powerfully, reaching target temps rapidly. The simple layout has two knobs (plus a "stratifier" knob) and a row of same-feeling buttons. Oddly, auto mode doesn't control fan speed. The front seats are heated and deliver warm air from the headrests. The back seat gets two vents and a temperature knob.

Interior

8.0

This is a convertible with few compromises. The top is outstanding in nearly every regard. Visibility and access match the coupe's, and the driving position is spot-on. There's solid space for front occupants, though backseat legroom is at a premium.

Ease of use

8.0

BMW's iDrive goes a long way toward decluttering the interior while giving the driver information and control of the infotainment along with a multitude of vehicle settings. It takes some time to explore but, once learned, becomes second nature. Other controls are fairly straightforward.

Getting in/getting out

6.5

This two-door BMW offers access typical for this class. Its doors are not too long or too heavy for easy use in a parking lot. A large aperture eases access when the door can be opened fully. Modest sills and seat bolsters pose little obstruction. Backseat access is OK for a coupe, but there's nothing to grab onto.

Driving position

8.5

There's a vast range of driver seat height, fore-aft reach and steering wheel adjustment. Tall drivers are easily accommodated (particularly when the top is down!). Very good relationship between the pedals and the seat.

Roominess

8.0

Not exactly a compact car, it offers more than enough room all around for both front passengers. Rear seating seems improbable, but two adults will have enough space, assuming the front passengers aren't tall. Generous door armrests. The slim dashboard frees up space inside.

Visibility

8.0

There's lots of glass, all-around visibility is good, and none of the pillars are intrusive. Thanks to a full-size rear window, rearward visibility is fairly good, but the high-resolution backup camera is still helpful. The sloped nose can make it difficult to judge the end of the hood.

Quality

8.0

The cabin is well-built, with tight, even gaps and no squeaks or rattles. The materials are uniformly pleasant, though there's little about the interior design or layout that exudes a wow factor. Lesser-priced stablemates look similar inside.

Convertible top

9.0

An accomplished execution. This is an articulating hard roof that is tight and quiet and looks well-finished when up. Looks like a coupe inside, too. The power top folds down in 22 seconds. The wind blocker panel is cleverly stashed behind the rear seatback.

Utility

6.0

The folding roof has to go somewhere when stowed, and cargo space is what takes the hit. The cargo space is meager if you don't flip the partition, and with the partition up, the roof won't stow. Cabin storage options are limited, too. It's best to use the back seat for cargo.

Small-item storage

6.5

Storage options for small items are limited. The front armrest bin is tiny and suitable for a phone and little else. The door pockets will hold a bottle each. Two cupholders and a decent-sized glovebox round it out. The back seat has two cupholders and a small tray.

Cargo space

6.0

The partitioned trunk leaves a fair volume for items, but the available room is quite tapered. Flip the partition up for more space, but then you can't put the top down. None of this is surprising for a convertible, but it still limits the car's top-down potential during weekend getaways and road trips.

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

Good luck squeezing a car seat behind the driver's seat with the top up — there is only a narrow slot through which to shove it. The front seat will need to be moved all the way forward. Lower LATCH points are highly visible under plastic lids at both back seats. There are no upper tether points.

Technology

7.5

Entry-level luxury cars often adopt the pay-to-play mentality with options, and the 430i is no different, with optional navigation and Apple CarPlay. iDrive is very well sorted these days and is a thoroughly modern way to explore the technology, but Android users are out of luck. Driver aids are optional.

Audio & navigation

8.0

Fast responses and sharp, clear graphics. The touch-sensitive knob supports writing and pinch-zoom for optional navigation. The optional Harman Kardon audio system (AM/FM/XM/CD) has decent sound quality with tight bass and some distortion at higher volume.

Smartphone integration

7.5

Accesses music library quickly and in a logical fashion. It has Apple CarPlay (a $300 option), which is easy to set up and works pretty well even without a touchscreen. Android Auto is not available. There are two USB inputs but no auxiliary jack.

Driver aids

6.0

Our car was not equipped with the optional Driving Assistance package that includes the usual array of driver aids that are now standard on every Toyota and other cars that cost many thousands less. That these systems are optional is a disappointment.

Voice control

8.0

Native voice controls support natural language quite well but can be used only with navigation input. Apple CarPlay voice controls work quite well and can be accessed by holding the steering wheel voice button down.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO^® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2019 BMW 4 Series in Ohio is:

$79.83 per month^*

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