In 2014, BMW decided to separate the two-door models from the venerable 3-Series and create a new line of cars altogether, dubbed the 4-Series. In line with the German manufacturer’s naming convention, these cars bore the F32 code name. This first generation of the BMW 4-Series was on sale until 2020, when it was replaced by the car’s second (and current) generation, the BMW G22 4-Series.
Midway through the F32’s life, the manufacturer introduced the BMW 440i. It was the top-of-the-line model and was a properly fast car that didn’t compromise on practicality, and there are several reasons you should consider buying one. This guide will look at most of them, along with anything else you should know before you settle on one.
The Top of the Line 4-Series
With the 4-Series, BMW also split the high-performance M iteration into its own series — the F82/F83 M4. Consequently, the BMW 440i was the most powerful variant in the six-year run of the F32 4-Series.
The BMW 440i was introduced as a replacement for the BMW 435i in 2016 when the series underwent its facelift. While the N55 straight-six powered the 435i, the BMW 440i introduced the B58 to the line and brought 20hp and 37lb-ft more torque than its predecessor (We’ll look at this engine in more detail further below.)
You could buy the car with an 8-speed ZF gearbox as standard or equip it with a 6-speed manual for no extra cost. There was also the option to get an RWD iteration of the car or fit it with BMW’s all-wheel xDrive system. If you have the option of choosing, we recommend the latter.
Like the rest of the first-gen 4-Series, the BMW 440i was sold in three body types — a Coupé (F32), Convertible (F33), and Gran Coupé (F36) — collectively referred to as the F32 series. The arrival of the four-door Gran Coupé certainly baffled many of us as it went against BMW’s original idea to separate its two-door and four-door models. Nevertheless, the BMW 440i Gran Coupé is a spectacularly capable car, and we find no reason to question the manufacturer on its decision.
BMW B58 — The Heart of the BMW 440i
The BMW 440i is the only car in the F32 4-Series lineup to feature the B58 engine. The BMW B58 is a turbocharged straight-six engine that replaced the N55 on several of the Bavarian manufacturer’s cars. It’s arguably one of BMW’s finest straight-six engines ever and, perhaps, the most reliable Bimmer engine you can buy today. After all, the B58 is the result of decades of the Bavarian manufacturer perfecting the configuration of an inline-six.
The B58 features two twin-scroll turbochargers, direct fuel injection, BMW’s double VANOS (variable valve timing), and Valvetronic (variable valve lift) systems. In 2016, the B58 made its way onto the World’s 10 Best Engines list, and it wasn’t surprising to see why.
The BMW 440i Coupe with the optional 6-speed manual gearbox enabled a 0 to 62mph sprint time of 5.2s. This time was cut short by 0.2s on the standard 8-speed ZF Automatic.
The Convertible and Gran Coupe were heavier than the coupe and managed the same feat in 5.4 and 5.1 seconds, respectively, with the automatic gearbox.
How Much Power Can a BMW 440i Make?
The B58 at the heart of the BMW 440i is a remarkable engine even in stock form. That said, with some straightforward updates like an ECU remap, peak power and torque can be pushed upwards of 400 hp and 400 lb-ft, respectively. We’ve seen some impressive plug-on kits that have enabled the car to produce 420 hp and 442 lb-ft — that’s as much power as the M4 and the same amount of torque as the bonkers M4 GTS.
Clearly, there’s a tonne of room for updating the performance of this engine, and as time goes by, you’ll only have more options on the market. With what’s already out there, you should easily be able to achieve performance that gets you a sub-4.3s 0-60mph run and a top speed over 186mph (300kph). What more could one ask for?
Interiors, Design, and Features
The BMW 440i is a great-looking car, irrespective of which angle you look at it from. It features a sportier body kit as standard, so it gets a more aggressive stance with a more imposing front bumper and purposeful side skirts. The car’s rear looks relatively simple, but it’s got some aesthetically pleasing touches like a dual-tip exhaust and sharp, L-shaped taillights.
The interior of the car may not be the most upmarket amongst its competitors, and if this is of prime importance to you, you will be left a little disappointed. The dashboard and M Sport steering are wrapped in premium leather, while the seats and door trim feature a slightly less-expensive feeling Dakota leather. That said, BMW offered several customization options to make the inside feel more premium, and if you can find a pre-owned example equipped with them, you’ll find no reason to complain.
The BMW 440i features the iDrive6 infotainment system, which is still BMW’s most impressive system to date. It includes an 8.8-inch touchscreen that offers drive mode-specific views and is easy to use.
Optional Packages
The BMW 440i, being the manufacturer’s range-topping 4-Series model, came with an impressive list of features even as standard. Still, like with every BMW, there was more you could equip the car with, and these features and options were bundled into optional packages.
Driver Assistance Package
This package added a rearview camera and Park Distance Control for $950.
Driver Assistance Plus Package
The Driver Assistance Plus Package offered what the base Driver Assistance Package did, Active Blind Spot detection, speed limit information, Active Driving Assistant, a lane departure warning system, and a forward-collision warning system. It was priced at $1,700.
Cold Weather Package
For $700, owners could equip their BMW 440i with a heated steering wheel, retractable headlight washers, and heated front seats.
Track Handling Package
The Track Handling Package sat one step below the M Sport Package in what it had to offer. If you wanted to extract more from your BMW 440i, this was the package to get. It added Variable Sport Steering, Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport brakes, an increased top speed limiter, and lighter 18-inch wheels equipped with wider, performance tires.
The Track Handling Package costs $1,700.
M Sport Package
For $2,550, the M Sport Package included all that the Track Handling Package had, with an M Steering wheel and aerodynamic bodywork.
Is BMW 440i Reliable?
The BMW 440i F32 is one of the most reliable modern-day BMWs. The B58 engine that it is powered by is a shining example of the German manufacturer’s engineering prowess, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find any significant flaws with it. The rest of the car, inside and out, is solidly put together as well.
You can scour Bimmer forums for hours, and you’ll only be able to find a couple of owners with uncommon inconveniences rather than common problems that affect multiple cars.
Nevertheless, like with anything mechanical, some elements are prone to failure sooner than others, and the BMW 440i and the B58 at its heart are no exception.
Pre-Purchase Inspection — Known Issues
While the B58 engine is an excellent, reliable piece of engineering, there are some minor things you should look out for if you’re in the market for a pre-owned example.
Coolant Loss
While not a very common problem, some owners have reported that the coolant levels on their cars tend to drop quicker than usual. The BMW 440i features two coolant reservoirs — a primary one for the radiator and a smaller, secondary unit that stores coolant for the
B58 engine’s air-to-water intercooler.
Interestingly, owners who face the issue haven’t been able to narrow down on why coolant levels are dropping. The usual suspects like a failed gasket or transfer pipe haven’t failed, so this is a unique problem. Still, some aspects you should check if you find that your car is losing coolant quickly include the coolant cap and whether other factors like excess engine heating affect it.
The engine cooling system on the BMW 440i is pressurized, and the coolant tanks feature a cap that allows pressure release if there is excess pressure. Small amounts of coolant may be lost when this happens, but this is not something to worry about; however, if you’re losing coolant more drastically and can’t pinpoint why there may be an underlying issue that needs to be diagnosed and rectified.
Oil Filter Damage
The oil filter on the BMW B58 engine is prone to disintegrating at the bottom. When this gets too severe, parts of the oil filter can get stuck to the housing. This shouldn’t cause any severe damage in most cases, but if parts of the filter enter the engine, it can cause premature wear to the internals.
In some cases, the best course of action is to replace the oil filter and the housing, especially if your car is still covered under warranty. However, pulling the stuck filter out should also rectify the issue. We recommend checking the oil filter housing for debris every time you get the filter changed.
VANOS Solenoids Problem
The BMW B58 employs the manufacturer’s double VANOS system, essentially variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust. The VANOS on modern-day BMWs use a solenoid that actuates the valve timing, and they’ve proved to be somewhat unreliable in the past.
In the case of the B58, it gets a little more problematic as BMW moved the timing chain and the VANOS solenoids to the rear of the engine, making it a little more technically challenging and time-consuming to access when compared to a front-mounted timing chain.
If you experience a sudden, unexpected drop in performance, rough idling, a drop in fuel efficiency, and most notably, VANOS-related DTC codes, you could be dealing with a solenoid failure.
The solenoids themselves are relatively inexpensive – it’s the cost of labor that will leave a more lasting hole in your wallet. Factory-fitted solenoids on the B58 should easily last over 100,000 miles if maintained well.
Valve Cover Gasket Failure
Like its predecessor, the B58 features a valve cover gasket made of rubber. Given the demanding, high-temperature environment that it is present in, this rubber gasket tends to harden and crack over time. When this happens, it can leak oil from the valve cover. Typically, this should happen only after about 70,000 to 80,000 miles, but don’t be surprised if you have to deal with it sooner.
On the plus side, the B58 features tech that its predecessors didn’t — a heat encapsulation system that reduces the drastic changes in a typical engine running heat cycle. This is sure to improve the longevity of the valve cover gasket.
Is the BMW 440i Worth Buying in 2022?
The F32 4-Series, in general, takes everything that its 3-Series counterpart does and makes it better. Its pièce de résistance, the BMW 440i, is perhaps as close as you can get to an M4 without actually having to pay for one. With a few performance updates, you can also get close to M4 level performance without heavily compromising on the practicality or everyday driveability of the BMW 440i.
Of the three body types available, our favorite is the BMW 440i Gran Coupe, simply for its additional room and comfort. Sure, it’s heavier and marginally slower than its coupe counterpart, but it’s unlikely most of us will notice the difference.
If you don’t want to spend the money on a newer BMW 4-Series (G22) and desire all that a 3-Series has to offer in a package that looks better, this is the car to get.
