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BMW 4 Series vs BMW 3 Series

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BMW 4 Series
BMW 4 Series

$59,999 - $99,988

2022 price

BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series

$62,988 - $114,990

2023 price

Summary

2022 BMW 4 Series
2023 BMW 3 Series
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 6, 3.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
7.8L/100km (combined)

6.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

5
Dislikes
  • Slender door handles
  • Low roof for ingress/egress
  • Overly keen 'Lane Departure Warning'

  • Harder ride might bother some people
  • Cosy back seat for child seats
  • Lacklustre lane keeping tech
2022 BMW 4 Series Summary

Without a whole lot of fanfare BMW has slipped yet another model into its Australian line-up.

Sitting alongside existing coupe and convertible variants, the new 4 Series Gran Coupe follows the template established by the previous gen version. 

A sports luxury four-door with a sleek, fastback twist, it provides a more adventurous alternative to its close 3 Series cousin. 

Offered in three grades, this is the M440i xDrive, the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, all-wheel drive 4 Series Gran Coupe flagship. 

It competes with premium all-wheel drive four-doors like Audi’s S5 Sportback, the Jaguar XF P300 R-Dynamic HSE, and the Mercedes-AMG C 43.  

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2023 BMW 3 Series Summary

Back in the day, the 3 Series sedan was often the entry to the brand for first time BMW owners, and for good reason. They offered practical interior space without compromising on engine performance.

And they simply looked good, no boring nanny design elements. Then the 1 Series came along and price points bumped up, so how does the ‘entry’ BMW 320i M Sport live up to its long-standing reputation?

With an updated dashboard that brings the interior and tech up to market and a sharper exterior design, it more than holds its own at the table of luxury sedans, despite hard competition from the likes of the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C200 and Jaguar XE.

However, if the Merc is a placid and well-behaved mare… the BMW is the barely-broken-in bronco and it takes a certain kind of ‘rider’ to enjoy what the 320i has to offer.

I’ve been discovering just that this week with my family of three. What did we find out? Read below!

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Deep dive comparison

2022 BMW 4 Series 2023 BMW 3 Series

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