Generation-specific owner insights from 271+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?374
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2014–2020
11
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners generally view this generation as a stylish, engaging daily driver with strong engines, particularly praising the B58-equipped models and the Gran Coupe's practicality.
7 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence
Oil filter disintegration with extended oil change intervals, coolant tank cap leaks, PCV valve membrane failure, valve cover gasket leaks.
The 440i with the B58 inline-six engine is the most consistently recommended version, praised for its reliability and tuning potential. The 430d diesel also receives strong owner endorsement, described as a true driver's car that exceeds expectations. The 428i is considered acceptable but less desirable, with one owner noting it will depreciate hard as an almost 10-year-old four-cylinder automatic.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Ford Mustang V6, BMW 3 Series and Audi A5.
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Owners generally view this generation as a stylish, engaging daily driver with strong engines, particularly praising the B58-equipped models and the Gran Coupe's practicality. The most frequently discussed problem is the degrading soft-touch plastic on interior door grips, described as a very common issue. While reliability is seen as decent when maintained, owners emphasize the importance of buying certified pre-owned or budgeting for out-of-warranty repairs, and note that the car is more expensive to maintain than mainstream competitors.
Owners position the 4 Series as sportier and more engaging than the Mercedes E-Class, which is favored for ride comfort and interior luxury. Against the Ford Mustang V6, the BMW is seen as having better curb appeal and luxury but higher maintenance costs. The 3 Series is considered essentially the same car underneath with a more practical saloon body, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe is praised for its hatchback-like trunk access. The Audi A5 and VW Arteon are mentioned as equivalent alternatives without detailed comparison.
Owners recommend the 440i (B58 engine) as the top reliability choice, with the 430d as a strong diesel alternative. For the 2.0-liter diesel, the B47 engine is considered acceptable if warmed up properly, with fewer timing chain concerns than the earlier N47. The 420d is described as a respectable, rock-solid car. Owners advise against buying non-certified examples without warranty coverage and suggest looking for CPO models with lower mileage.
This generation suits buyers wanting a sporty, stylish daily driver who can handle German maintenance costs. Owners recommend buying CPO models to get warranty coverage, as out-of-warranty repairs can be expensive. For the 2019 model year specifically, one owner notes the B58 engine has minor issues including potential oil filter disintegration with 10,000-mile oil change intervals, coolant tank cap leaks, PCV valve membrane failure, and valve cover gasket leaks: all addressable with more frequent oil changes (5,000-7,000 miles) and inexpensive DIY fixes. Multiple owners warn that high owner counts (4+ in 5 years) are a yellow flag. For convertibles, owners advise being prepared to clean drains and replace rubber seals on 10+ year old examples.
The 2014-2018 door grip issue is so widespread that owners recommend aftermarket replacement parts or covers as the standard fix, with one noting the handles will continue to wear and slip if only temporarily covered. The Gran Coupe body style receives particular praise for its trunk design: the hatch hinges at the top of the rear window, making loading significantly easier than traditional sedans, with owners reporting it can carry surprisingly large items with rear seats folded. Owners of the 440i Gran Coupe describe the B58 as feeling like a "teleporter" with the 8-speed automatic being "borderline telepathic" in sport mode. Analysis based on approximately 271 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.