2017 BMW 440I | WBA4E3C34HG187463

Body Styles

The BMW 4 Series (F32/F33/F36) was offered in three distinctly shaped body types, each meticulously crafted to reflect the model’s sporty positioning and stylistic departure from the more conservative 3 Series range. Each variant combined a performance-focused stance with luxury-car detailing, but with body proportions and silhouettes carefully tailored to different use cases and driving preferences.

The BMW 4 Series Coupe (F32) presented itself as a traditional two-door grand touring coupe, characterized by its long, sculpted hood, steeply raked windshield, and a low, wide-set front end that emphasized its rear-wheel-drive architecture. The roofline flowed gracefully into a short rear deck, creating a balanced yet dynamic silhouette with a cab-rearward design that visually stretched the wheelbase. Compared to the contemporary 3 Series sedan, the 4 Series Coupe had a lower ride height, wider track, and more aggressive front and rear overhangs. The flared wheel arches and frameless doors added to its sporty yet refined appeal, while the lower seating position enhanced the sensation of driving a true performance coupe.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible (F33) retained the same essential design cues as the coupe but introduced a fully power-retractable three-piece hardtop that offered year-round practicality. When closed, the roofline mimicked the sleek silhouette of the coupe almost seamlessly, with subtle differences in roofline curvature and C-pillar thickness. With the roof lowered, the car transformed into a clean, open-air cruiser with a distinctly horizontal beltline and integrated rollover protection hidden behind the rear seats. The rear deck was slightly bulkier to accommodate the folding hardtop mechanism, giving the convertible a more muscular rear profile. Despite its added weight and complexity, the Convertible maintained the elegant proportions and sporting stance of the 4 Series identity.

The most versatile of the trio, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36) combined the aesthetic character of a coupe with the practicality of a four-door layout. Designed with a swooping fastback roofline that seamlessly tapered into a wide liftback tailgate, it offered a silhouette more reminiscent of a luxury sport sedan coupe than a traditional hatchback. Unlike the coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe featured four frameless doors and a longer roofline, which allowed for easier rear-seat access and improved headroom for passengers. Its proportions remained balanced and sleek, with a slightly higher beltline and extended rear quarter windows that visually connected the elongated profile. The rear liftgate opened wide to reveal a large cargo area, blending performance style with real-world usability — a unique trait in this premium segment.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The “4 Series” name was introduced by BMW in 2013 to establish a clear separation between its sedan (3 Series) and coupe (4 Series) models — similar to the 5/6 Series distinction. The new naming structure reflected the brand’s shift toward more premium segmentation, positioning the 4 Series as a design-led, sportier expression of the compact executive formula. While mechanically related to the F30 3 Series, the 4 Series had a lower ride height, wider track, and revised suspension geometry for enhanced dynamics and a more aggressive look.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The BMW 4 Series offered a rich and evolving palette of exterior paints, interior materials, and distinctive wheel designs — all curated to underscore the model’s identity as a more emotional, performance-oriented evolution of the 3 Series. Across the Coupe (F32), Convertible (F33), and Gran Coupe (F36), BMW blended sporty elegance with expressive customization, making each trim level visually and tactilely distinctive.

The exterior colors ranged from understated metallics to bold, track-inspired finishes, appealing to both classic luxury buyers and spirited drivers. Core options included Alpine White and Jet Black, two solid paints that highlighted the car’s sculpted lines with high contrast and simplicity. Metallic choices such as Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver, Black Sapphire, and Melbourne Red delivered depth and sophistication, especially under changing light. For a more dramatic look, BMW introduced vivid hues like Estoril Blue, exclusive to M Sport packages, and Sunset Orange, which added dynamic flair to the aggressive bodywork. The Individual program unlocked bespoke colors including Tanzanite Blue, Azurite Black, and Champagne Quartz, available mainly on higher trims and M Performance variants, giving buyers access to true personalization with a premium finish.

The interior design reflected BMW’s focus on driver-centric luxury, offering materials and color schemes that balanced refinement with sportiness. Standard interiors featured SensaTec synthetic leather in Black, Oyster, or Venetian Beige, with matte silver or fine-wood accents depending on trim. Higher trims and packages introduced Dakota leather upholstery in a wider range of colors, including Coral Red, Cognac, and Mocha, often with contrast stitching and optional aluminum hexagon, high-gloss black, or brushed aluminum trim. The M Sport package included M-specific touches such as blue stitching, aluminum pedals, M steering wheels, and optional carbon fiber trim, while the Luxury Line offered wood veneers and chrome highlights. Heated seats, ambient lighting, and fine-grain leather dash inserts elevated the premium atmosphere in well-equipped models. Across body types, the cabin layout stayed cohesive, but convertibles received added sun-reflective surfaces and dual-finish dash options.

Wheel designs ranged from classic multi-spoke elegance to aggressive M Performance styling, spanning 17 to 19 inches depending on trim and package. Base models typically rode on 17-inch V-spoke or double-spoke alloys finished in silver, optimized for comfort and efficiency. Sport Line and Luxury Line trims introduced 18-inch wheels with dynamic spoke patterns in gloss silver, orbit grey, or bi-color finishes. M Sport models came standard with 18-inch star-spoke or twin-spoke wheels, often in ferric grey or polished two-tone, while optional 19-inch M light-alloy wheels pushed visual aggression further. Select models featured staggered fitments (wider rear wheels) to enhance handling dynamics and stance, particularly in rear-wheel-drive variants. The M Performance Parts catalog also offered lightweight forged wheels and track-inspired designs, further customizing both appearance and grip levels.

Top Expensive Options

• M Sport Package (aero kit, wheels, suspension): ~$3,500
• Adaptive M Suspension: ~$1,000
• Head-Up Display: ~$1,200
• Harman Kardon Surround Sound System: ~$900
• Adaptive LED Headlights: ~$1,400
• Dakota / Merino Leather Interior: ~$1,500–$3,000
• Navigation Professional with iDrive Touch: ~$2,000
• Driving Assistant Plus (ACC + Lane Assist): ~$1,500
• Heated & Ventilated Seats with Memory: ~$1,000
• Exclusive BMW Individual Paint / Trim: ~$2,000–$4,000

vs Competitors

The 4 Series competed directly with the Audi A5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, and Lexus RC. Compared to the A5, the BMW offered more dynamic steering and chassis tuning, especially with the M Sport setup and xDrive. The Mercedes C-Class Coupe leaned more toward refinement and luxury, while the 4 Series delivered a purer driving feel with a better rear-drive balance.

Against the Lexus RC, the 4 Series offered sharper handling and more efficient engines, though the Lexus countered with naturally aspirated charm and reliability. The Gran Coupe uniquely bridged a gap — it rivaled the Audi A5 Sportback and delivered more practical space than either traditional coupes or sedans.

The 440i, with its B58 inline-six, was widely regarded as one of the best all-around grand tourers of its time — combining comfort, agility, and straight-line power in a sleek package that undercut full-blown M cars on price.

Fun Fact

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe was never part of the original product plan — it was greenlit after internal research showed that buyers wanted coupe styling with real rear seat usability. It became one of the most successful variants in the lineup and inspired Audi to expand its Sportback range. Additionally, the F32 Coupe was the first BMW to offer optional laser-etched M Performance decals and frozen matte factory paint — ushering in the modern “tuner OEM” aesthetic seen across current M Sport cars.