insideKENT Magazine Issue 56 - November 2016 | Page 145

General rule of thumb with BMW – being the
efficient, organised sorts that they are – is that
an odd number series has two doors, whilst an
even number has two. The 430i would once have
been referred to as a ‘3-Series Coupé’, so
rebadging it as a 4-Series makes perfect sense,
and realigns it nicely with the Series-2 and 6
coupés.
The particular model that we had the privilege of
driving was the F32 430i M Sport. And let me
state from the outset that it is so, so much more
than a vamped-up 2 door 3-series. In fact, the
only thing they appear to have in common is the
bonnet panel!
The 430i is lower, sleeker and far more ‘muscle
car’ than its ancestor, without appearance at all
brash and ostentatious. It is a car that warrants
a second and even third look, and which affords
driving enthusiastically, even when it is standing
still. The car we drove, with its magnificent Alpine
white paintwork, looked truly stunning.

Inside was no less eye catching, with a cabin
that immediately infers luxury and comfort, with
its plethora of brushed aluminium, and cosy,
comfy leather upholstery. Being a 4-Series, this
isn't a ‘family car’ in the strictest sense, but
nonetheless there is plenty of space inside and
in the boot, and the back seats are far more than
adequate for adventures catering to more than
two people.
The car has plenty of cool tech, such as a stylish
electric sunroof, Harman Kardon audio system
and the now de-rigueur central digital control
screen, providing navigation, parking assistance
and of course, entertainment information. The
430i certainly looks impressively hi-tech, but
everything is laid out in such a sensible, ergonomic
manner, the user guide is almost dispensable; it
feels intuitive to operate the various controls,
dials and switches.
One of my favourite gadgets has to be the neat
little ‘robot arms’ that hand you your seat belt,
so you don't have to turn round and grab it.
These push the belt into a place where you can
take it easily, then they automatically retract out

145

of the way afterwards. Simple, efficient, and very
clever, and epitomising the no-nonsense,
perfection-driven ethos of BMW design.
When driving the 430i you are aware that it has
immense power, but again, not in a brash, dare
I say American fashion. This is precision German
engineering at its finest, with not a single drop
of fuel, rev or horse being wasted between the
engine and the wheels. The car sounds amazing,
but it never overpowers you with noise levels,
providing feedback but not earache, and giving
you a chance to enjoy the excellent sound system,
and acoustics naturally provided by the shape
of the car and the well-placed speaker system.

An enthusiastic squeeze of the accelerator pedal
will throw you back into your leather sports seat
in a most satisfying manner, as the 430i's Sport
transmission works its magic and the BMW
rockets from 0-62mph in a fraction under 6
seconds; and if you were naughty enough,
achieving a governed top speed of 155mph.