BMW is known as the ultimate driving machine for a number of reasons. First, they have been dominating car comparisons for decades. Next, they offer a more engaging driving experience that still offers excitement to their customers. Lastly, they continue to innovate with technology, styling, and performance with all their models.
One model that made history in the brand is the 4 Series. 2014 was the first year of 4 Series and owning a used one may be a lot more affordable than you think.
Cost of the 2014 BMW 4 Series
Now that the BMW 4 Series has been out for several years, picking up a nice example is much cheaper than buying new.
CarGurus shows an average price of around $15,000 to $30,000 depending on mileage, models, and other specifications. Since the first generation 4 Series was made until 2020, you can find much nicer examples if you're willing to pay a little more.
Models
The 2014 4 Series came in Coupe and Convertible body styles when it was introduced. BMW essentially renamed the 3 Series coupe and convertible into the 4 Series. That is why the 4 Series shared a majority of mechanical components with the 3 series. Audi did a similar renaming when they released the A5 coupe around the same time.
The base model for the US was the 428i with a 241 hp turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine. The highest trim model for 2014 was the 435i which featured a twin-scroll turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine with 302-hp.
A Gran Coupe body style was offered in 2015 which combined the looks of a coupe with the practicability of 4 doors. BMW's Motorsport division also created a high-performance version of the 4 series called the M4 in 2015 which featured a 425-hp twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine.
Performance
Since BMW is known as the ultimate driving machine, performance is a key factor in all the 4 Series. The base 428i has a very quick 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds. Moving on to the 435i, the 0-60 time is slightly better at 4.7 seconds. If you want the ultimate performance-oriented 4 series, The M4 is going to be the one to get with its 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds.
Fuel Economy
With stop-start technology and turbochargers and eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2014 BMW 4 Series has some decent MPG numbers according to FuelEconomy.gov. The 428i has 23 city, 34 highway, and 27 combined mpg. The 435i is a bit less with 21 city, 31 highway, and 25 combined mpg. Unfortunately, BMW did not offer their famous turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engines in the 4 series as they achieve an impressive 60 mpg.
BMW Reliability
In the car world, BMW has gained a recent reputation as being a somewhat unreliable vehicle. When people make jokes that BMW stands for “Break My Wallet”, that is not a good indication of brand reliability.
The issue with BMW and other luxury auto manufacturers is due to depreciation. When purchasing on the used market, customers need to understand that these cars are $40,000-$60,000 brand new. When things go wrong (and they will), you have to expect that type of comparable pricing in repairs.
Add in the fact that you truly don’t know how well a previous owner has cared for the car and it makes sense why people fear used BMWs. With that out of the way, the first generation 4 Series does have a few specific issues to look out for.
Since there were 2 main engines for the US market, we can discuss problems specific to that configuration. BMWs N20 engine was featured in the 428i model until it was replaced by the B48 engine in the 430i. The 435i model featured a turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine known as the N55. This engine was replaced by the B58 in the 440i models of the same generation.
Common issues for the N20 include timing chain failure, oil leaks from valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets, and other various wear and tear items.
The N55 6-cylinder engine in the 435i has similar oil leaks from the valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets. However, it featured some unique issues. First, the water pump tends to fail prematurely. Next, Vanos Solenoid failure tends to happen as the engines get more wear and tear. Lastly, the High-Pressure Fuel Pump is a common failure for the N55 engine.
With that in mind, it is good to set your expectations to a certain level. BMWs are never going to be as reliable as Honda or Toyota. However, with proper maintenance and preventative care, the 2014 4 Series can last a long time while still being the ultimate driving machine.
If you are interested in purchasing a 2014 or other used BMW 4 Series, it is always a good idea to get a pre-purchase inspection before buying.