2014 BMW 435i xDrive Coupe Review By John Heilig

THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig

Reviewed Model: 2014 BMW 435i xDrive Coupe

Engine: 3.0-liter Twin Turbo 6

Horsepower/Torque: 300 hp @ 5,800-6,000 rpm/300 lb.-ft. @ 1,200-5,000 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 110.6 in.

Length x Width x Height: 182.6 x 71.9 x 54.2 in.

Tires: P225/45R18 run flat

Cargo: 17.7 cu. ft.

Economy: 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway/28.9 mpg test

Fuel capacity: 15.8 gal.

Curb Weight: 3,735 lbs.

Sticker: $64,275 (includes $975 destination, $14,350 in options)

The Bottom Line: The BMW 435i is a beautiful car with performance to match. On Interstates, it’s a smooth cruiser; on back and winding roads it’s a BMW.

What a pleasure it was to drive the BMW 435i. First of all, it’s a Bimmer. Second, it’s an M Sport (part of that huge option package). Third, it makes you look better because of how good it looks going down the road.

Several manufacturers have come out with what they claim are sedans tha6t look like coupes. The Mercedes-Benz CLS (and CLA) and the Volkswagen CC are a couple. The 435i, however, is a coupe that looks like a sedan. Yes, I know it’s a coupe, but there were several times during my test drive when I looked in vain for rear doors.

The twin turbo 3.0-liter engine offers more than enough power, at 300 horses. If you’re merging, it’s there. If you’re on the highway, you have enough power to get out of trouble. You also have enough get up and go to get you home quickly after a long day of work. Yet, you have a steady cruise control, to help keep you out of trouble with the law.

The 435i also had a clear Heads Up Display (HUD) that contained a lot of information, but not too much.

After 12 hours of total driving (in two-hour shifts), I arrived at my various destinations with no backaches or assorted pains. Therefore, I can state with certainty that the front seats are comfortable with good side support. Side support isn’t always needed for racing around corners at high speed; it’s also useful for just keeping you ensconced in your seat.

Getting into the seats isn’t a big deal. A nice feature is the seat belt “presenters” that reduce the twisting your back must normally withstand reaching for the belts.

The iDrive-driven infotainment system takes some getting used to, but it works well once you get your kinks out. Navigation is easy to program. Seven buttons control all functions.

There’s a simple automatic transmission. The shift pattern isn’t PRNDL, but PND with P in between N and D. Manual mode is on the left of D.

In front of the driver are clear Teutonic instruments. A fuel gauge is on the left, then a speedometer, information panel, tachometer and water temperature gauge. They are clear with white-0on-black dials. At first, I was slightly confused by the transposition of the speedometer and tachometer, but you learn to get used to it fairly quickly.

Over your head is a nice sunroof which is for good weather, something that was rare the week I drove the 435i. The arm rest has the USB and AUX outlets. There is a small glove box, barely large enough for the manuals.

I liked the trunk, which is a decent size at 15.7 cubic feet. The rear seat back releases are located in the trunk, which makes it much easier than trying to contortion around the front seats to reach them from inside. There’s also some storage under the trunk floor.

Among the $14,000-plus in options is the M Sport package ($3,100) that converts the 435i into a 435i M. This package contains, among others, 19-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, aluminum hexagon interior trim, a sport steering wheel, an aerodynamic kit and an “anthracite” headliner. To go with this, the dynamic handling package ($1,000) includes the adaptive M suspension and variable sport steering.

The technology package ($3,150) includes the navigation system, HUD, enhanced Bluetooth and smartphone apps and BMW online. The premium package ($2,200) includes keyless entry lumbar support for the front seats and satellite radio. So you can see, the 435i is well equipped to go along with its physical beauty.

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