First Drive: BMW 430i

 

by Michael Satterfield - 07/12/2021 

I was excited to see the new face of BMW in person, photos never do automotive design justice, and while change is hard the new larger grill does indeed look pretty darn good in the flesh. What I wasn't prepared for was how the women in my life would respond to the new style... they all loved it. My wife, mom, sister, and female family friends all loved it. The guys were a little more skeptical. According to industry reports, women drive as much as 80% of new car purchases so maybe BMW hit a home run with this new frontend. 

This new 4 Series is very different than previous BMW coupes, which felt much more sporty, nimble, and focused. The 430i isn't overly opulent when compared to some competitors in this class, but it doesn't feel like a sparse sports car like a BMW from the early 2000s, something I kind of miss. If you omit the $2,300 Premium Package and some of the other optional extras perhaps it would feel closer to its more performance-focused predecessors 

I took the car on a road trip through the backroads of East Texas, where the coupe's 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and standard 8-speed automatic transmission, proved to be fun enough for a daily driver, but don't expect to light up the tires. If you do want a high-performance BMW Coupe you'll need to look at the M2 Competition, the 440i, or just jump to the over $30,000 more M4. But for a daily driver that can still deliver some fun on the backcountry roads, the 430i will do the job.

I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of buttons and at the dash's and console's clean and tidy nature. Some BMW models have been overwhelmed with the number of buttons and switchgear that the simple layout of the 430i was refreshing. The interior is also surprisingly roomy able to seat four adults comfortably, even with its roofline, rear headroom wasn't an issue for any of my taller passengers. The trunk will swallow up five carry-on suitcases making the 430i a great road trip car, big enough, but not an SUV so those antique store finds can't make their way home with you.

For a daily driver, the standard BMW driver-assistance features make driving the 430i a little less stressful, the lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control help soak up highway miles. While emergency braking with pedestrian detection help around the city. 

Overall the 430i doesn't really give me the "Ultimate Driving Machine" feeling like the M2 does, but it is a competent coupe with lots of room and the features most drivers look for. In a world where the two-door is in decline, the 430i is a good gateway vehicle for those looking to put style over function.