2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport Review
Hey car enthusiasts, let's dive into the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport, a car that really blends performance, luxury, and practicality. If you're looking for a ride that's as fun to drive as it is comfortable and versatile, this might just be the one for you. We're talking about a four-door coupe that doesn't compromise on style or substance, especially when kitted out with the M Sport package. This specific model year saw some nice updates, and the 440i replaced the outgoing 435i, bringing a more potent engine and other enhancements to the table. It's a fantastic option for those who want the sporty feel of a coupe but need the everyday usability of a sedan, all wrapped up in that signature BMW package. The Gran Coupe body style itself is a masterclass in design, offering a sleek silhouette that usually comes with a less practical rear seat and cargo area. However, BMW managed to pull off a brilliant trick here, giving it a hatchback-style rear liftgate for significantly better access and cargo space than a traditional sedan. This makes it a truly compelling choice for a wide range of drivers, from singles who love to haul gear to small families who appreciate a bit more flair in their daily driver. When you add the M Sport package, you're not just getting cosmetic upgrades; you're also getting a suspension tune that sharpens up the handling, making this already engaging car even more so. It's the kind of vehicle that makes you want to take the scenic route, even if it’s just to the grocery store.
Under the Hood: Power and Performance
Let's talk about what makes the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport tick: the engine. This beast is powered by BMW's B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine. Now, this is a seriously impressive piece of engineering, folks. It pumps out a healthy 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Compare that to the 435i it replaced, and you're looking at a nice bump in both power and torque, thanks to the new engine. This engine is known for its smooth power delivery, its responsiveness, and its surprisingly good fuel economy for its performance level. Whether you're merging onto the highway, overtaking slower traffic, or just enjoying a spirited drive on a winding road, the 440i Gran Coupe delivers ample power without breaking a sweat. The engine note itself is also something to appreciate – a refined growl that lets you know there's serious performance under the hood without being obnoxious. Mated to this powerhouse is typically BMW's ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, which is widely considered one of the best automatics on the market. It shifts quickly, smoothly, and intelligently, always seeming to be in the right gear at the right time. For those who prefer a more engaging driving experience, a 6-speed manual transmission was also available, offering a more raw connection to the car. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system was an optional upgrade, providing enhanced traction and stability, especially in adverse weather conditions. The M Sport package further enhances the driving dynamics. It typically includes M Sport suspension, which offers a firmer ride and sharper handling, making the car feel more planted and responsive in corners. You also get M Sport brakes, which provide stronger stopping power, and sportier steering tuning for a more direct feel. This combination of a potent engine, a superb transmission, and the M Sport enhancements makes the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport a truly exhilarating car to drive, offering a perfect balance of sporty performance and daily drivability. It’s a testament to BMW’s dedication to the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ ethos, even in a more practical Gran Coupe body style.
Exterior Styling: The M Sport Advantage
The 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport truly shines when it comes to its exterior aesthetics, especially with the M Sport package giving it that extra edge. The Gran Coupe design itself is a win for style. It takes the sleek, sloping roofline of a coupe and applies it to a four-door body, creating a silhouette that’s both elegant and sporty. It’s a car that definitely turns heads without being overly ostentatious. The longer wheelbase and the distinctive Hofmeister kink at the rear window add to its sophisticated profile. Now, when you add the M Sport package, things get even more interesting. Visually, this package typically includes a more aggressive front bumper with larger air intakes, a redesigned rear bumper, and M Sport side skirts. These aerodynamic enhancements not only look cool but are designed to improve airflow and cooling for the engine and brakes. The M Sport models also often come with unique M Sport badging, usually on the front fenders, distinguishing them from other trims. Another key visual cue is the wheels. The M Sport package often includes larger, more intricately designed alloy wheels, typically in a staggered setup (wider rear wheels), which further enhance the car's sporty stance and improve handling. The specific wheel designs can vary, but they always contribute to the aggressive and premium look. The M Sport suspension, while primarily a performance upgrade, also lowers the car slightly, giving it a more planted and athletic appearance. The body colors available for the M Sport variants often include some more vibrant or metallic options that complement the sporty styling. Even the kidney grilles seem to fit perfectly with the overall aggressive yet refined front fascia. The liftgate, a hallmark of the Gran Coupe, is seamlessly integrated into the design, maintaining the coupe-like profile while offering exceptional practicality. It’s this combination of the inherently stylish Gran Coupe body and the performance-oriented M Sport visual cues that makes the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport a standout in its class. It manages to be both a sophisticated executive car and a sporty machine, a duality that’s hard to achieve but which BMW has mastered here. The attention to detail, from the sharp body lines to the subtle M Sport accents, creates a cohesive and undeniably attractive package that appeals to those who appreciate both form and function.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Step inside the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport, and you’re greeted with that familiar BMW blend of luxury, sportiness, and advanced technology. The M Sport package doesn’t just stop at the exterior; it brings its sporty flair inside too. You'll typically find M Sport branded door sill plates, an M Sport steering wheel (often a thicker, leather-wrapped wheel with paddle shifters), and M Sport-specific trim elements. The seats are usually upgraded to sport seats, offering more bolstering to keep you comfortable and secure during spirited driving. These seats often come in premium materials like Dakota leather, and they provide excellent support on long journeys or twisty roads. The driver-focused cockpit is a hallmark of BMW interiors, and the 440i Gran Coupe is no exception. Everything is intuitively laid out, with the instrument cluster providing clear information and the center console angled slightly towards the driver. The iDrive infotainment system is front and center, controlled via a rotary dial on the center console or, in some configurations, touchscreen functionality. The screen itself is crisp and responsive, offering navigation, audio, climate control, and vehicle settings. For 2017, BMW’s iDrive system was quite advanced, with features like Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and a premium sound system standard or available. Optional features could include things like a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, heated and ventilated seats, and advanced driver-assistance systems. The materials used throughout the cabin are of high quality – soft-touch plastics, genuine wood or aluminum trim options, and precise switchgear – all contributing to a premium feel. The rear seats in the Gran Coupe are surprisingly accommodating for two adults, with decent headroom despite the sloping roofline, although three across can be a squeeze. The real party trick, as mentioned, is the liftgate, which opens up a generous cargo area that’s far more usable than in a traditional coupe or sedan. This practicality, combined with the luxurious and tech-rich interior, makes the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport a compelling choice for those who want a car that’s both a driver's machine and a comfortable, convenient daily driver. It’s a space where you can truly enjoy your time behind the wheel, whether you’re commuting to work or embarking on a weekend getaway. The combination of ergonomic design, high-quality finishes, and cutting-edge technology ensures that every drive is an experience to remember.
Driving Dynamics and M Sport Handling
When it comes to the driving experience, the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport truly lives up to its M Sport badging. BMW has always been renowned for its driving dynamics, and this car is a prime example of that expertise. The M Sport suspension is a key component here. It stiffens up the ride, reduces body roll in corners, and provides a more connected feel to the road. While it's firmer than the standard suspension, it doesn't necessarily mean it's harsh or uncomfortable for daily driving. It strikes a brilliant balance, offering enough compliance for comfortable commuting while providing the sharp response needed for enthusiastic driving. The steering is another highlight. BMW's electric power steering system is well-tuned, offering a good amount of feedback and precise control. When you turn the wheel, the car responds immediately and accurately, making it feel agile and nimble, especially for a car of its size. The M Sport package often includes variable sport steering, which adjusts the steering ratio based on wheel angle, making low-speed maneuvers easier and high-speed driving more stable. The potent B58 engine provides more than enough power to make the driving experience exciting. The inline-six delivers its power smoothly and linearly, allowing you to easily modulate throttle inputs. Combined with the responsive 8-speed automatic transmission (or the available manual), you have a powertrain that’s both exhilarating and easy to manage. The car feels planted and stable at higher speeds, giving you confidence to push it on highways and open roads. In corners, the combination of the M Sport suspension, the precise steering, and the car's inherent chassis balance allows for high cornering speeds with confidence. The optional xDrive all-wheel-drive system, if equipped, further enhances grip and stability, allowing you to put the power down effectively even in less-than-ideal conditions. The M Sport brakes are also a significant upgrade, offering strong, consistent stopping power that inspires confidence, especially when driving spiritedly. Overall, the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport offers a driving experience that is both engaging and refined. It’s a car that can be driven enthusiastically on a winding road one moment and comfortably cruise down the highway the next. It’s this duality of performance and comfort, wrapped in a stylish and practical package, that makes the 440i Gran Coupe M Sport such a desirable vehicle for driving enthusiasts who also need a versatile daily driver. You really get a sense of BMW's engineering prowess in how they manage to blend these often-conflicting attributes so seamlessly.
Practicality Meets Performance: The Gran Coupe Advantage
What truly sets the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport apart from its 4 Series coupe sibling is its inherent practicality, thanks to the Gran Coupe body style. While it looks every bit the sporty coupe, it offers a level of utility that’s often missing in two-door vehicles. The most significant advantage is the rear liftgate. Unlike a traditional sedan with a fixed trunk lid, the Gran Coupe features a large, upward-opening rear hatch. This dramatically improves access to the cargo area, making it much easier to load and unload bulky items like luggage, sports equipment, or even flat-pack furniture. The cargo space itself is generous for its class, offering significantly more volume than the 4 Series coupe and often rivaling that of some compact SUVs. The rear seats also fold down, usually in a 40/20/40 split, further expanding the cargo-carrying capability and allowing you to transport longer items with ease. This versatility makes the 440i Gran Coupe a far more practical choice for those who need a car that can handle a variety of tasks, from daily commuting to weekend adventures. Beyond cargo, the rear passenger space is also more accommodating than in a typical coupe. While it’s still a four-door coupe, the Gran Coupe design generally offers more headroom and easier ingress/egress for rear passengers compared to its two-door counterpart. This means you can comfortably carry friends or family in the back seats without them feeling too cramped, making it a viable option for small families or for those who frequently give rides. The driving dynamics, as discussed, are not sacrificed. The M Sport package enhances the sporty feel, and the Gran Coupe's chassis is inherently well-balanced. So, you get the driving pleasure associated with BMW, combined with the everyday usability of a more practical vehicle. This fusion of style, performance, and practicality is the core appeal of the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport. It’s a car that doesn’t force you to compromise. You can have the sleek lines and sporty performance of a coupe, but with the added convenience and versatility that make it suitable for a wider range of lifestyles. It’s a clever solution for those who want their car to look good, feel good to drive, and be able to handle whatever life throws at them. This makes it a standout choice in the premium compact segment, offering a unique blend that many other vehicles simply cannot match.
Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Premium Sportback
In conclusion, the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport stands out as a remarkably well-rounded premium vehicle. It masterfully combines the head-turning aesthetics of a coupe with the practical advantages of a hatchback and the dynamic prowess that BMW is famous for. The upgraded B58 engine delivers thrilling performance with smooth, refined power, while the M Sport package sharpens the handling and adds aggressive styling cues both inside and out. The Gran Coupe’s innovative liftgate design significantly enhances cargo versatility, making it a more usable daily driver than its coupe counterpart. Inside, occupants are treated to a luxurious and technologically advanced cabin that prioritizes driver engagement and passenger comfort. Whether you’re navigating city streets, embarking on a long road trip, or enjoying a spirited drive on a favorite stretch of road, the 440i Gran Coupe M Sport proves itself to be a capable and enjoyable machine. It appeals to those who appreciate sophisticated design, exhilarating performance, and practical functionality. If you're in the market for a premium vehicle that offers a unique blend of sporty character and everyday usability, the 2017 BMW 440i Gran Coupe M Sport is definitely worth a serious look. It’s a testament to BMW's ability to create cars that are not only desirable but also incredibly competent across a wide range of criteria, truly embodying the spirit of the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ in a practical, stylish package.
