Behold a BMW from the era of normal sized kidney grilles. Remember those halcyon days? The F32 4 Series was a handsome thing, and in 440i specification it provided its owner with compelling performance without the need to shout about it. The B58 turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six sends 326hp to the rear wheels so it's as discreet to drive as you need it to be. This one even has a very rare manual gearbox. In late 2020 it's arguably more appealing now than it's ever been. Sorry, G22.
This is especially true because a nice 440i can now be had for supermini money. Twenty-four-grand buys today’s Spotted, making it about £20k less than they it would have been three years ago. And rest assured it remains as compelling a driver’s car as it’s ever been. Take that BMW six, which delivers its peak output at 5,500rpm but is muscular long before that, thanks to 332lb ft of torque arriving from 1,380rpm to 5,000rpm. Obviously it’s far less vocal or ferocious than M-badged stuff, but that's rather the point.
The F32 chassis was also a peach. Despite fewer doors than the 3 Series, the last-gen, pre-CLAR 4 Series was not what you'd call featherlight. But the 440i marshalled its 1,615kg very well, with admirable refinement and suppleness on British roads, coupled to great body control and predictably good balance. The F32 always felt cohesive, doubly so in this case because the 3.0-litre was so well suited to the chassis. Think fluid. And just the right amount of fast.
No less important in this sub-M model is its ability to feel like a conventional 4 Series; you could spend weeks barely tickling that six-pot and revelling in its ease of use. BMW’s six-speed manual improved over the previous generation so there’s pleasure to be had even at low pace progress. Of course it's at speed where the self-assured 440i comes alive. They really don’t make ‘em more broadly talented than this when it comes to road duties; for £24k it’s a heck of a lot of car.
This one is conspicuously well specced, too, with grey paintwork set against a red leather interior, so it won't be confused for a repmobile too often. 19-inch wheels and M Sport suspension ensure a familiar handling package, and 10,000 miles in three years suggests the car’s enjoyed an easy life away from the fast lane of a motorway. It also gets BMW's just-right mix of digital and analogue, too (i.e. proper dials); all held together with a svelte German design that looks better by the day. Honestly, what’s not to like?
SPECIFICATION | BMW 440I (F32)
Engine: 2,998cc, straight-six, turbocharged
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 326@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@1,380-5000rpm
MPG: 38
CO2: 172g/km
First registered: 2017
Recorded mileage: 10,000
Price new: c £45,000
Yours for: £24,000
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