Sliced prices for upgraded BMW 4 Series

PRICE reductions, more equipment and badge changes headline the updated BMW 4 Series range, with up to $10,100 cut from its asking price, ahead of an Australian arrival in late May this year.

The new sharpened price is aimed at improving sales, which for the two-door coupe and convertible line-up, have slowed down 17.3 per cent to 567 sales at the end of April this year since the new model's introduction in 2013.

4 Series coupe and convertible sales slipped 12.7 per cent last year, selling 1921 units, while the four-door Gran Coupe retailed 858 units during its first full year in 2015. Year to date, the Gran Coupe is ahead of last year's performance with 318 sold – an increase of 5.6 per cent.

BMW Australia’s corporate communications general manager Lenore Fletcher told GoAuto the model update was in line with typical mid-life revision timetables and was expected to attract new customers to BMW.

“It puts it more within reach of those who are looking at the range, it changes the way that they look at the model they want to get into,” she said. “I think you probably will see that to some degree, but the overall aim of the refresh was to keep the vehicle competitive and to make it more accessible.” “The extra specification will attract more people to the brand”.

Ms Fletcher said the price reductions were necessary to maintain the 4 Series' competitiveness in a challenging market, but the company was being careful to not effect resale values of existing customer's cars.

“It’s a competitive market and this is recognition of that competitive area that we are in.” “We certainly are in constant conversation with all of our customers and dealers and we will be talking to them if they have any queries about this,” she said.

The updated range has retained the 420i and 420d entry-level models, with 430i and 440i debutantes replacing the 428i and 435i at the top of the pricelist, matching the restructure of its 3 Series sedan sibling.

The 420i now starts from $68,900, which is a $2200 price cut over the superseded model the convertible is now priced from $85,900, which represents a $2500 drop.

Despite the price cuts, equipment lists have been bolstered - the 420i is now fitted with adaptive M Suspension, head-up display, folding external mirrors, lane change warning, BMW's ‘driving assistant’ auto-braking system and the ‘surround view’ cameras.

Those additions are on top of a standard features list that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, eight-speed auto, power-adjustable front seats, leather trim, bi-xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, digital radio, BMW’s Connected Drive emergency call and information systems, while the M Sport package remains on the options list.

The 135kW/270Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol drinks a little less with the update according to BMW, with fuel economy improving between 0.2L/100km and 0.5L/100km - 5.8L/100km for the coupe and 6.2L/100km for the convertible.

Its 140kW/400Nm 420d diesel coupe equivalent has had a $2200 price reduction, now starting from $71,200, while the convertible model has dropped $2500, which now starts from $88,200.

The new mid-range 430i is also $2500 cheaper than the 428i it replaces, at $79,900 in coupe or Gran Coupe guise and starts from $96,900 for the convertible form.

Rolling on 19-inch wheels, the 430i has a nine-speaker up-spec sound system and electric lumbar support adjustment for the front seats and, while the M Sport pack is now standard fitment, the Luxury Line package available as a no-cost option.

The 430i gains an extra 5kW of power, with outputs from the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine up to 185kW and 350Nm as well as a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.8L/100km for the coupes (0.6L/100km reduction) and 6.3L/100km (down 0.4L/100km) for the 430i Convertible.

The new mainstream 4 Series flagship is the 440i and it slots in just beneath the $100,000 mark, starting from $99,900 for the coupe and Gran Coupe - a $10,000 drop from the outgoing car’s asking price. The convertible has been reduced by $10,100 to start from $117,900.

Powered by the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, peak power has increased by 15kW to 240kW and peak torque jumps 50Nm to 450Nm, enough to cut the 0-100km/h sprint by 0.1s to 5.0s.

Fuel consumption has also been reduced to 6.8L/100km for the coupe (down 0.6L/100km), which qualifies the model for reduced luxury car tax (LCT) and 7.2L/100km (a 0.5L/100km reduction) for the convertible.

The flagship features list includes 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, adaptive LED headlights, variable sport steering, upgraded instrument panel, heated front seats, parking assistance, active cruise control, ‘Concierge Services’ and internet connectivity, while the convertible gets the ‘air collar’ neck heating system.

BMW has not followed the lead of some other brands with capped price or free servicing plans, instead retaining its condition-based servicing to determine maintenance needs, the cost of which can be covered by the optional BMW Service Inclusive (BSI) in a Basic or Plus service package.

2016 BMW 4 Series pricing*

420i (a)	$68,900
420d (a)	$71,200
420i Convertible (a)	$85,900
420d Convertible (a)	$88,200
430i (a)	$79,900
430i Convertible (a)	$96,900
440i (a)	$99,900
440i Covertible (a)	$117,900

*Excludes on-road costs