As an M4 owner, I’ve had the privilege of driving both the 430i coupe and the M440i convertible as loaner vehicles while getting my G82 serviced.
Experiencing these two cars has allowed me to gain a perspective very few individuals get a chance to, all from the lens of an M4 driver.
Obviously, when it comes to budget, the M4 might be completely out of the question.
However, if the budget for any models is feasible, this article is going to help you identify which model might be the right fit for you based on my personal experience.
The 430i
The BMW 430i coupe I drove was exceptional in every way.
This model features a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and available rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD).
For reference, this is the vehicle I drove as of most recent — so, I experienced the M4 (G82), M440i loaner, and 430i loaner.
The first thing you’re going to notice with the 430i is how SMOOTH the vehicle drives.
My initial thought as I was leaving the BMW dealership was, WOW — this thing is smooth.
It literally put a smile on my face how nice, plush, and comfortable it was to drive, especially considering I drive an M4 X-Drive Competition.
Putting it into sport mode and the vehicle becomes a little stiffer and accelerates quick enough to get you from point A to point B smoothly.
This is not the vehicle that will throttle you into the back of your seat when you push it, but that’s what I love about this car, it doesn’t need to do that.
See, the 430i coupe is the perfect luxury sport touring vehicle.
It’s compact, feels extremely luxurious, and very capable for a daily or weekend vehicle.
The M440i
The M440i convertible I drove was certainly quicker than the 430i coupe; but don’t let this fool you, the 430i actually seemed more stabilized on the road.
That’s because the M440i is not a full-on performance car.
The BMW M440i Coupe is powered by a 3.0L turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt hybrid system, producing 386 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
One thing I noticed about the M440i is how ‘synthetic’ the speed of the vehicle felt; almost soulless.
The ‘sportiness’ to it felt synthetic and here is where I understood the markup of the vehicle is to sell the consumer on the badging.
Yes, you are literally paying for the ‘M’ badging when you opt-in for the M440i.
The M440i has more in common with the 430i than it ever will with an actual M4.
In fact, there is absolutely nothing in common with the M4 in terms of what an M4 actually feels like driving.
When you compare the 430i to the M440i, the 430i feels more comfortable, has plenty of power to pass up traffic, and feels more premium.
The M440i feels more like a tuned 430i that loses that premium, executive, comfort feel.
While I did enjoy the convertible, I would be buying the M440i more or less for my ego, rather than for the actual value of the vehicle.
The Legendary M4 Competition with X-Drive
The M4 Competition is a complete animal, and holds the highest quality of these three vehicles, which comes as no surprise.
When you get inside the M4, your first thoughts are, ‘wow, this feels like quality.’
The 2024 BMW M4 Competition xDrive features a 3.0L twin-turbo inline-6 engine producing 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
After driving the other two cars, you immediately get a feel of how much better the seats are (I have the factory sport/comfort seats).
They hug you better and are significantly bolstered.
As you go to turn the vehicle on, you notice that all the plastic on the center console from the previous models are now made up of a glossy black finish, giving the vehicle a much more premium and luxurious aesthetic.
The roar of the startup reminds you you’re in a full-fledged performance car.
Your first reaction when getting this heavier beast on the road is, ‘holy smokes, this throttle response is immediate, and I can feel how much power is underneath my foot.’
When flooring the M4, you think — ‘there is no way a vehicle should EVER be this fast.’
Ladies and gentlemen, the M4 Competition with x-drive is dangerously fast, but it is stable thanks to its performance chassis and suspension calibrations.
Turning it in a corner with applied pressure on the accelerator and you are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
G-force? Yes, it’s there when you plant your foot down, especially when the transmission level is notched from the standard 2 to 3.
Deciding Which Model is Best For You
Deciding which model is best for you will highly depend on your lifestyle.
See, the M4 Competiton was always my dream car ever since the F82 first emerged.
I decided to go for the G82 because of the additional technology and luxury features, as well as its standard comfort options which the previous generation did not quite master.
I wanted a luxury beast that could behave itself when you needed it to, and then completely eat the road when you want it to.
The 430i, M440i, and M4 are three completely different vehicles for individuals with very specific needs.
My thoughts are if you are not going to get the performance model, being the M4, get the 430i coupe.
It is literally the perfect car if you’re looking for a luxury sports car with the perfect balance of comfort, prestige, luxury, and sport.
The M440i in my opinion is something that drivers might pay too much for very little.
While you do get the ‘M’ badges, there is nothing ‘M’ about the vehicle, it drives like a tuned 430i with less comfort.
I like the car, but I much rather have the 430i over the M440i personally.
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