Wheels Australia — August 2016

138 WheelsMag.com.au

4SeriesGranCoupeYetanothernicheplugged

Liftback practicality; slick drivetrains; frameless doors; Audi A5-smashing dynamics

Neither coupe-ish enough to be cool, or elegant enough to be beautiful

• The Pick: At just $500 more than the two-door, a 428i Gran Coupe kinda makes sense...
  420i $68,900 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1480 7.6 — 5.8 95 59 R
  420d $71,200 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 1510 7.5 — 4.6 D 60 R
  430i $79,900 L4T 2.0 185 350 A8 1580 6.0 — 5.8 95 60 R
  440i $99,900 L6T 3.0 240 450 A8 1575 5.2 — 6.8 95 59 R
  4 Series Conv Inheritscoupe'sdynamism
  Elegantreardeckenhancesstyling;asquietasthecoupe;velvetypetroldrivetrains
  Much heavier than the coupe, to the detriment of performance; small rear seat


• The Pick: 428i has everything most people could ever need, except for the 435i's six-pot
  420i $85,900 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1660 8.2 — 6.2 95 57 R
  420d $88,200 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 1690 8.2 — 4.7 D 57 R
  428i $96,900 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1700 6.4 — 6.3 95 57 R
  435i $117,900 L6T 3.0 240 450 A8 1750 5.5 — 7.2 95 64 R
  M4 Convertible $161,900 L6TT 3.0 317 550 M6 1750 4.6 — 9.1 98 57 R
  M4 Convertible $161,900 L6TT 3.0 317 550 S7 1790 4.4 — 8.7 98 57 11/14 R
  M4 Competition Conv$165,900 L6TT 3.0 331 550 M6 1750 4.3 — 9.1 98 R
  M4 Competition Conv$165,900 L6TT 3.0 331 550 S7 1790 4.1 — 8.7 98 R
  3SeriesGT The3crossesover
  Riding on a 3 Series platform, but with a higherdriving position and a stack more space
  It’s not what you’d call classically good looking, though at least it isn’t an SUV


• The Pick: The top-spec 328i – it’s much faster, yet barely any thirstier than the 320i
  320i $68,100 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 — 7.9 — 6.2 95 60 R
  320d $70,400 L4TD 2.0 135 380 A8 — 7.9 — 4.9 D 60 R
  328i $76,800 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 — 6.1 — 6.5 95 59 09/13 R
  Z4 Nowwithaddedmaturity
  Looksgoodinthemetal;foldinghard-topofferssecurity;keenstandardchassis
  A Boxster is comprehensively better than the top models, which are heavy and ride firmly


• The Pick: Base turbo petrol with small wheels – the most pure and best-value Z4
  sDrive20i $80,500 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1395 6.9 — 6.8 95 55 R
  sDrive28i $90,500 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1400 5.5 — 6.8 95 55 02/12 R
  sDrive35i $119,700 L6TT 3.0 250 450 S7 1525 5.4 13.69.0 95 64 10/12 R
  5Series Nottheleaderitoncewas
  Excellent drivetrains; nicely finished cabin; M5’s borderline-scary performance
  Standard suspension offers a startling lack of composure; M5 too heavy and uninvolving


• The Pick: 528i a slick all-rounder; 550i is a jet, but not worth the extra over 535i/535d
  520i $82,300 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1610 8.0 — 6.7 95 47 R
  520d $84,800 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 1625 8.1 — 5.2 D 52 R
  520d Touring $93,300 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 1715 8.3 — 5.3 D 52 R
  528i $9,200 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1620 7.3 15.4 6.5 95 47 08/12 R
  535i $117,900 L6T 3.0 225 400 A8 1700 6.1 14.3 7.6 95 52 08/10 R
  535i Touring $123,900 L6T 3.0 225 400 A8 1770 5.9 — 7.9 98 52 R
  ActiveHybrid 5 $121,700 L6TH 3.0 210 450 A8 1925 5.9 — 6.4 98 52 11/12 R
  535d $123,700 L6TTD 3.0 230 630 A8 1725 5.5 — 6.1 D 52 05/11 R
  550i $159,900 V8TT 4.4 330 650 A8 1830 4.6 — — 95 52 R
  M5 Pure $185,000 V8TT 4.4 412 680 S7 1870 4.3 — 9.9 98 48 R
  M5 $230,900 V8TT 4.4 423 680 S7 1870 4.4 12.29.9 98 47 10/14 R
  5SeriesGT Badged5,basedonold7
  Typically outstanding BMW drivetrains; spacious, flexible and comfortable interior
  Love it or hate it styling; feels big and cumbersome around town


• The Pick: 535i offers Club Class rear legroom for $1K over sedan, but doesn’t drive as well
  520d $96,500 L4TD 2.0 135 380 A8 1875 8.9 — 5.3 D 52 R
  530d $111,500 L6TD 3.0 190 560 A8 1940 6.2 — 5.8 D 52 R
  535i $119,500 L6T 3.0 225 400 A8 1940 6.3 — 8.2 95 52 R
  6 Series Coupe Swingswithdrivers
  640i boasts one of the world’s greatest six-cylinder engines; improved styling
  Not a car for driving enthusiasts, but the bigger boot will fit more drivers


• The Pick: Turbo-six is so good it renders the twin-turbo V8 almost irrelevant
  640i $177,900 L6T 3.0 235 450 A8 1685 5.3 — 7.4 95 49 R
  650i $231,900 V8TT 4.4 330 650 A8 1795 4.6 — 8.6 95 49 R
  M6 $292,600 V8TT 4.4 441 700 S7 1850 3.9 — 9.9 98 50 R
  6 Series Conv Sixindrop-topform
  Shark-nosed presence, plush cabin, and superb engines to blow your toupee off
  Dull dynamics will disappoint drivers; zero rear legroom will disappoint passengers


• The Pick: More noise in 330kW V8, but peachy six is the default pick
  640i $193,900 L6T 3.0 235 450 A8 1820 5.5 — 7.6 98 49 R
  650i $247,900 V8TT 4.4 330 650 A8 1930 4.6 — 8.9 98 49 R
  M6 $308,600 V8TT 4.4 441 700 S7 1980 4.0 — 10.3 95 48 R
  6SeriesGranCoupeSixplustwodoors
  Sexierthana5Series;bettertodrivethana7Series;canfitfive(atapinch)
  Still not as dynamic as a BMW should be; poorly packaged rear seat


• The Pick: The six is lovely, but huge premium over a 535i makes it questionable value
  40i $184,900 L6T 3.0 235 450 A8 1750 5.4 — 7.5 98 49 R
  40d $184,900 L6TTD 3.0 230 630 A8 1810 5.4 — 5.4 D 49 R
  650i $238,900 V8TT 4.4 330 650 A8 1865 4.6 — 8.6 98 49 R
  M6 $299,600 V8TT 4.4 412 680 A8 1875 4.0 — 9.9 98 46 R

1SeriesHatch Thereardrivecontinues

The last rear-drive hatch, and all the better for it; excellent engines and transmissions

Cabin quality and space can’t match Audi’s A3; barely a manual transmission to be seen

• The Pick: Punchy 125i is a good match for a Golf GTI, however the M135i is a cracker
  118i $36,900 L4T 1.6 100 220 A8 1320 8.7 — 5.6 95 59 R
  118d $40,300 L4TD 2.0 110 320 A8 1375 8.1 — 3.8 D 59 R
  120i $41,900 L4T 1.6 130 250 A8 1320 7.2 — 5.7 95 60 R
  125i $48,900 L4T 2.0 160 310 A8 1375 6.2 — 6.5 95 61 R
  M135i $62,510 L6T 3.0 240 450 A8 1430 4.9 — 7.5 95 62 R
  2Series BMWrediscoversitstalents
  Body control a vast improvement over 1 Series coupe; punchy engines; great handling
  Too much equipment is optional. M2 sold out for the foreseeable future


• The Pick: M2 howls a delicious straight-six wail, and has the grunt to match
  220i $48,900 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1365 7.0 — 6.0 95 63 06/14 R
  220d $50,900 L4TD 2.0 135 380 A8 1390 7.1 — 4.4 D 6 4 R
  228i $59,900 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1405 5.7 — 6.3 95 64 R
  M2 Pure $89,900 L6T 3.0 272 465 M6 1495 4.5 — 8.5 95 R
  M2 $98,900 L6T 3.0 272 465 S7 1495 4.3 — 7.9 95 R
  2 Series Conv Afreshbreeze
  Loads prettier than the 1 Series convertibleit replaces; superb drivetrains; slick roof
  You'll never find one with a manual gearbox; M235i's stiff ride; sizeable weight gain


• The Pick: In this guise, it's all about selfie sticks and top-down shots so grab the 228i
  220i $55,900 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1530 7.6 — 6.4 95 63 R
  228i $68,900 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1555 6.0 — 6.6 95 64 R
  M235i $86,500 L6T 3.0 240 450 A8 1620 5.0 — 7.9 95 64 R
  2ActiveTourerMiniinamuumuu
  One of the more athletic front-drive hatches on sale; BMW cabin quality, fit and finish
  Late-to-the party B-Class rival doesn't feel like a BMW; slightly frumpy looks; lumpy ride


• The Pick: The three-pot petrol, for its thrummy elasticity and its best-case-scenario ride
  218i $44,400 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 1360 9.2 — 5.2 95 58 02/16 F
  218d $47,800 L4TD 2.0 110 330 A8 1410 8.9 — 4.2 D 58 10/14 F
  225i $54,900 L4T 2.0 170 350 A8 1430 6.6 — 6.1 95 59 10/14 F
  i3 COTY-winningelectricwunderkind
  Stunning design; instant torque delivers grunty performance; our reigning COTY winner
  Only seats four, with a similarly compact boot; road noise; entry price


• The Pick: While going full EV is commendable, the Range Extender is worth the extra coin
  $63,900 E 125 250 A1 1195 7.2 — 53 09/13 R
  Range Extender $69,900 L2H 125 250 A1 1315 7.9 — 0.6 95 53 01/15 R
  3Series Nowyoucanhaveyour3withatriple
  Mid-life update brings new engines with outstanding efficiency and performance
  Optional ‘Variable Sport’ steering adds cost and confusion, without dynamic gain


• The Pick: 330i delivers a fine performance/value blend, but M3 brings proper thrills
  318i $54,900 L3T 1.5 100 230 A6 1475 8.9 — 5.4 95 59 04/16 R
  320i $61,900 L4T 2.0 135 290 A8 1505 7.2 — 5.8 95 59 R
  320i Touring $65,300 L4T 2.0 135 290 A8 1585 7.5 — 5.9 95 57 R
  320d $63,800 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 1505 7.3 — 4.4 D 59 R
  330i $69,900 L4T 2.0 185 350 A8 1545 6.1 14.3 5.8 95 60 04/16 R
  330e $71,900 L4T 2.0 185 420 A8 1636 6.1 — 2.1 95 R
  330i Touring $73,300 L4T 2.0 185 350 A8 1615 6.0 — 6.1 95 60 R
  340i $89,900 L6T 3.0 240 450 A8 1605 5.2 — 6.8 96 60 R
  ActiveHybrid 3 $100,200 L6TH 3.0 225 400 A8 1655 5.3 — 5.9 95 60 R
  M3 $139,900 L6TT 3.0 317 550 M6 1520 4.3 — 8.8 98 54 R
  M3 $139,900 L6TT 3.0 317 550 S7 1560 4.3 12.2 8.3 98 54 06/16 R
  M3 Competition $144,900 L6TT 3.0 331 550 M6 1520 4.2 — 8.8 98 R
  M3 Competition $144,900 L6TT 3.0 331 550 S7 1560 4.0 — 8.3 98 R
  4SeriesCoupeTwo-door3becomes4
  Wide stance and adaptive dampers make 4 Series a proper driver's car – especially M4!
  Electric steering doesn’t feel fluent in Sport mode; styling has lost some elegance


• The Pick: The excellent 428i is the sweet spot, but the M4 manual is addictively involving
  420i $68,900 L4T 2.0 135 270 A8 1465 7.3 — 5.8 95 57 R
  420d $71,200 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 1465 7.3 — 4.3 D 57 R
  430i $79,990 L4T 2.0 185 350 A8 1470 5.8 14.1 5.8 95 57 R
  440i $99,900 L6T 3.0 240 450 A8 1525 5.0 — 6.8 95 64 R
  M4 $149,900 L6TT 3.0 317 550 M6 1497 4.3 — 8.8 98 5711/14 R
  M4 $149,900 L6TT 3.0 317 550 S7 1537 4.1 13.0 8.3 98 57 09/14 R
  M4 Competition $154,900 L6TT 3.0 331 550 M6 1497 4.2 — 8.8 98 R
  M4 Competition $154,900 L6TT 3.0 331 550 S7 1537 4.0 — 8.3 98 R

Price

Eng

type

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size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

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km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

Price tested Drive

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

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Fuel

cons.RON

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Issue

tested Drive

Bentayga Becauseyoucan...

Effortless,serene,powerfulandplush;competentontheroadandoffit;quick,too

We’re still not sold on the looks; the price; at this money, it should have more gear

• Pick: Brilliant if you want to stand out, but a Range Rover also does a decent job of that
  $420,000 W12TT 6.0 447 900 A8 2440 4.1 — 13.1 98 A

BMW

3yr/unlimited

bmw.com.au

L=in-line,

V=vee,

F=flat,

R=rotary.

Number of cyls or rotors.

T=turbo,

S= s'charged,

D=diesel,

H=hybrid

LitresKilowattsNewton metresM

=m

anual,

A

=automatic,

S=sequential,

C=CVT

Kilograms0-100km/h acceleration, in secs (Wheels

tested figures in italics)

0-400m acceleration, in sec s (Wheels

tested figures in italics)

Fuel consumption in Litr

es/100km

Recommended octane ratingGlass's predicted resale ra

ting, retained after 3 years

Rec When we drove it

ommended Retail Price

at time of publication(* indicates driveaway) F= F

ront drive,

R=Rear drive,

A

=All-wheel drive

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