Review: 2021 BMW 430i

When you have been at or near the top of the automaker heap of luxury sport coupes for a while, a vehicle change or refresh can be a tricky thing; and if you are not careful, you could easily upset the fan base. So like anything in life, there are a few people that have expressed their displeasure with the new second generation 403 coupe design. As for me, I like the new aggressive look and I say, It's about time.

The internet just about broke the day the BMW released its first major upgrade of the 4 series since releasing it back in 2014 when it separated the 2-door coupe and convertible from the 3 Series thereby creating its own line. This new update BMW made to the wildly successful 4 series seemed innocent enough, but all it took was a couple of well-placed people to complain about the new grille, and like a 13 year old with a pimple on his nose, the whole school knew about it and began talking about how hideous it was before the first lunch bell rang. For the record, I'm completely fine with the grille change because, honestly, there are far worse front grilles out there in the coupe/sedan kingdom to complain about. I like the bold aggressive look and stance it gives the front of the car, especially since I've always felt this car could use a bit more attitude for what it truly is. For those who are BMW purists, this grille was inspired by the 1930s-era BMW 328 sports car that was named Sports Car of the Century in 1999. I commend the engineers for paying homage to a special car in not only BMW history, but sports car lore. OK, now that we dealt with the elephant in the room, let's talk about what continues to make this one of the top-selling cars in its class.

New Powertrain

What made the previous models so special, and had its competitors striving to catch it, was the powerplant. Well, the competition is going to have to work much harder now because the all-new 430i will get the updated B46 2.0-liter 4-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine with a high precision fuel injection system. That new engine will now produce a healthy 255 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque with a top speed that is electronically controlled at 155 mph. That type of power is usually found on larger vehicles and not a 2-door coupe. The key to the 430i's power numbers is the old school inline-4 cylinder engine as its foundation. Because of the engine block design, the inline-4 is more efficient at producing torque and power. These numbers allow the 430 to launch even stronger off the line or accelerate harder out of a heavy 'G' corner without any engine tumble or turbo lag. Also, the inline is more compact than a V-engine allowing for better harmonic balance; so it can still grab asphalt at 6,800 RPM's while the majority of its competitors have peaked at 5,000 RPMs and fade into the background.

Let's not forget the quick-shifting sport automatic 8-speed transmission (not 10) that is setup to provide perfectly timed shifts whether you are looking for pure straight line speed—0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds—or needing that perfect shift going in or coming out of a road course hairpin corner. This system is able to adapt its shift strategy because it works with data it gathers from the standard navigation system. That data makes it possible for the transmission to avoid unnecessary gear changes by shifting down early in order to use engine braking to scrub off speed and be in the correct gear to accelerate out of a turn. It's quite possible that the weekend hobby road course racer will never 'run out of talent' again when entering a corner and isn't likely to accidently take out a fellow hobby racer. And for the traditionalist who prefers to do their own shifting in those tight hairpins, the 430i comes with a paddle shifter system that works seamlessly with this new transmission as well.

New Air and Foot Print

The previous 430i handled far superior to most in the class, but this new model will handle even better because its aerodynamic efficiency numbers have dropped even more from a coefficient (Cx) 0.29 to a Cx of 0.25. The reason for the considerably lower coefficient numbers is that this new 430i is 5.2 inches longer, 1.0 inch wider, and 0.4 inches taller. The other benefit of the new vehicle lengths is that the 430i will have a larger tracking footprint which means even better high-speed handling. This type of performance is great for someone who might be a weekend hobby road course racer, but the question is how will all this power superiority translate to someone who uses it for their daily commuter or kid shuttler duties. When you know you have that type of reliable power response at the flick of your fingers or tap of your right foot, it creates a subliminal confidence for all the other features the car offers from the handling to the safety features. When I was out driving around the Dallas/Fort Worth area during the week I had my press loan test vehicle, I never felt like I was in over my head or conversely getting run over because of turbo lag when I needed to shoot down an on-ramp and get up to cruising speed. And because of its low center of gravity, lightweight components, and perfectly tuned suspension, that confidence translates to a fun and enjoyable drive especially when I had a 3-hour drive to East Texas on some twisting highways to visit a friend.

Updated Interior

The 430i also was given a refresh inside. It still has all the high touch luxury points you would expect to find in its 3 series cousin, but the newest difference to the interior is how the driver's cockpit was designed for a sports car instead of two-door sedan. The engineers even added newly designed sport seats for the driver and passenger to allow for a personalized drive and ride experience. I didn't have a previous model to compare the new cockpit upgrade to, but I could definitely tell it had been created with the driver in mind because of the way everything was laid out. Even the design of the center console created a feeling of individual spacing for the front seat passengers. There wasn't anything I couldn't easily see or reach when needed. Again, a confident feel leads to a confident and enjoyable drive.

At the end of the day, this car is way more than anyone really needs for their grocery-getter commuter life, but I believe that in this instance overkill should be seen as longevity and durability. You will quite possibly want a technology upgrade somewhere in the far away distant future before you wear out the 430i. Also, it's nice to see a car—a sports coupe if you will—to remind us that our daily transportation does not have to be just another monthly payment that we make to survive our commuter lives. It can be a big kid toy that has us looking forward with anticipation and excitement as we prepare to drive to the coast or winery for the weekend or just to see a friend three hours away. Vehicles should still be fun, and this one will most definitely do it.

Starting MSRP: $45,600
Pictured MSRP: $59,220

About BMW

The special fascination of the BMW Group not only lies in its products and technology, but also in the company's history, written by inventors, pioneers and brilliant designers. Today, the BMW Group, with its 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries as well as a global sales network, is the world's leading manufacturer of premium automobiles and motorcycles, and provider of premium financial and mobility services.