Generation-specific owner insights from 112+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?374
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2013–2020
11
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners generally view the F32 4 Series as a stylish, engaging driver's car that balances performance with daily usability.
12 problems reported (1 very frequent, 1 recurrent, 10 isolated) · high confidence
The 440i with the B58 inline-six engine is consistently recommended as the most desirable and reliable powertrain option within the F32 generation. Owners describe the B58 as "awesome," "efficient," and possessing significant tuning potential, with one owner noting their 440i GC "is an amazing car even bone stock." The 430d diesel also receives strong praise from a long-term owner who reports three years of ownership "surpassing expectations." For those prioritizing reliability, the B58-equipped models are repeatedly cited as the safest choice.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series and Audi A5.
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Owners generally view the F32 4 Series as a stylish, engaging driver's car that balances performance with daily usability. The B58 inline-six engine in later models (440i) is widely praised for both power and reliability, while the Gran Coupe body style is celebrated for its exceptional practicality and hatchback-like cargo access. Common criticisms center on the degrading soft-touch door handle material, run-flat tire harshness, and the car's expensive maintenance when out of warranty. Owners frequently note that the 4 Series is more attractive and sportier than the equivalent 3 Series sedan, though some question whether the coupe body style justifies the practicality trade-off.
Owners position the F32 4 Series as the sportier, more engaging choice compared to Mercedes-Benz rivals, which are seen as more comfort-oriented with superior ride quality and interior luxury. The 4 Series is frequently compared to the 3 Series, with owners noting the 4 is wider, lower, and more aesthetically pleasing, though the 3 Series offers more practicality with four doors. Against the Ford Mustang, owners acknowledge the Mustang is cheaper to maintain but describe it as a "Hertz rental-spec" vehicle lacking the BMW's curb appeal and driving refinement. The Mercedes E-Class is considered to have superior interior luxury and ride comfort, but the BMW is viewed as more reliable when buying used and more rewarding to drive.
Owners recommend the 440i with the B58 engine as the top choice for reliability and performance. For the Gran Coupe body style, owners highlight the 440i GC as particularly versatile, with one owner noting the trunk design "hinges at the top of the back window, making loading it about a billion times easier." The 428i/430i four-cylinder models are considered acceptable but less desirable, with one owner noting a 428i "will be more expensive to maintain than a V6 Mustang because of more expensive wear items." Owners advise avoiding early model years and seeking CPO warranty coverage when possible.
Owners strongly advise purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) 4 Series to gain warranty protection, as out-of-warranty repairs can be expensive. For the 2019 model year specifically, one owner recommends the B58 engine and notes the 430i "isn't a bad or notoriously unreliable car." Multiple owners caution that high-mileage examples (76k+ miles) are risky without warranty coverage, with one advising to "shell out the extra few thousand for a CPO model." Owners recommend checking for the common door handle material degradation issue and budgeting for regular maintenance. For college students or younger buyers, owners warn about the attention a BMW attracts and the need for disciplined maintenance schedules. When buying used, owners suggest verifying service history, checking for bodywork damage, and listening for unusual engine noises.
The F32 generation is widely regarded as one of BMW's more attractive modern designs, with owners frequently expressing disappointment at the subsequent G22 generation's controversial large grille. The Gran Coupe variant is particularly praised for its versatility, with one owner noting it can "eat as much stuff as an X1 with its back seats down." Owners consistently recommend the B58 engine for reliability, though they note the importance of more frequent oil changes (5-7k miles) than BMW's recommended 10k interval to prevent oil filter disintegration. The 2019 model year is considered a safe choice as early B58 injector issues were addressed by 2018. Analysis based on approximately 112 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | air bags |
| 2019 | 16 | 0 | engine |
| 2018 | 34 | 0 | engine |
| 2017 | 23 | 0 | engine |
| 2016 | 49 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2015 | 178 | 5 | electrical system |
| 2014 | 68 | 6 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2015 · air bagscampaign 15V148000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 428i Convertible, 428i xDrive Convertible, 435i Convertible, and 435i xDrive Convertible vehicles manufactured October 22, 2014, to February 27, 2015. Due to a programming error, the driver's front air bag deployment timing may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2015 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 15V189000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
2015 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 24V288000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
2015 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 24V527000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
2015 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2014 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 14V627000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
2014 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 15V189000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
2014 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 24V288000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
2014 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 24V527000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
2014 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2014 · air bags:side/window:headcampaign 25V871000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.