[moff]

Hi all,

I thought I would give it some time to do a review of my new car. Frustratingly due to changing jobs I've only managed 1000 miles in nearly 2 months, but I've driven it enough to have a good feel for the car. Obviously the engine is still tight, but I've been extending the rev range since 600 miles and now use the full rev range.

I came from a 640d Coupe and a C63 Coupe before that, so a bit of a mix! My intention was to buy an M4 CP, but with the lack of BMW FS support and the ridiculously good deals on the 440i I thought I would go all out and put every option on the car that I wanted.

Engine & Noise
Interesting one this, without the MPPSK I am not a fan and I think the B58 is muted. I also really dislike the fake noise in the petrol engined BMW's (it was actually good in my 640d), and I think it sounds terrible in the M4.

But... the MPPSK transforms everthing. Firstly, you lose the fake noise as it's coded out and secondly you gain an epic switchable exhaust system. Yes, it's a little too loud on cold start in Comfort, but on the go there is very little difference to stock unless you exceed 3500rpm.

Change to Sport or Sport+ and the car is transformed into a dirty beast. The sound is beyond good, it's not to the level of my C63 (obviously!) but it really does excite. I've driven enough M4's to know the noise, it sounds much better. I really don't get why the M4 is so muted (CP makes it a little better), the Performance exhaust should be a factory fit option like it is with an AMG car.

Power wise it's good, but I'd still like a little more power. The car will remain MPPSK stock for now, but I will start exploring ideas after Xmas, 400-420bhp will be ideal for the car.

Handling
Compared to my 6er it's a revelation! The 640 is too heavy and numb with zero connection feel between the steering wheel and tyres. The 4's steering is still not great, Sport is too heavy and I think Comfort is too light (at low speed). I know virtually all cars now are suffering the same issue with the move to full electric power steering, but I miss the hydraulic setup in my C63 and prior to that my 135i Coupe.

I am enjoying throwing the car around a little but it's early days and I have really pushed it through the bends too much. I want to find an empty space to understand the car at traction limits a little better.

Unlike most, I opted against Adaptive. The main reason is the lack of configurability of the modes. To explain.... I don't need the Comfort ride 90% of the time, but I concede that it would be nice on a motorway cruise. But I push on in Comfort and I like the stock setup. It was good on my 640 too, but this is even better. Not sure what the LCI changes are, but I'm impressed and it compares well to my previous C63.

If the Adaptive could have been changed so I could have a Sport setup in Comfort it might have swayed me. The lack of M buttons for individual modes too is an issue.

Interior
Coming from my last 2 cars the interior was important. The F3* stock interior comes in for a lot of criticism and rightly so. Compared to the C Class and the A4 it's lacking in certain areas. For me there are too many hard plastics. To fix this I spent the cash on getting the individual merino leather interior, individual leather dash and the individual piano trim.

The above transforms the interior from ok to wow and for me the additional £2500 wasn't crazy when you look at how expensive the leather options are on the 640 and with the amazing discounts on the 440.

A few comments though...

Piano Trim - horrendous for light scratches and swirls. Yet to find a good solution or polish to use to get rid of them. This is always the case with piano trim and I never learn my lesson when speccing it!

Opal White - I've thrown a stack of products at it to hold off dye transfer etc, but I don't expect these seats to look 100% in 12-24 months time. It will be a battle!!

Exterior
I do like a car to stand out a little and from the outset I had decided that I would get the M Performance Aero package. I seriously considered the Individual paint too, but £3500 for Grigio Telesto was a step too far in cost.

So instead, I went for my favourite BMW wheels (except the 763's) - the 20" 405M's. I was worried about the ride on the Pirelli RFT's but I've been pleasently surprised. I know it will be better when I swap to Michelin's, but I am happy to destroy these tyres first.

The 405M's look epic in the flesh when clean and I love the different colours (ferric etc). However they are a bitch to clean. The ferric means they don't show the dust too much, but jesus... when they need a clean they take forever.

I love the bodykit too, but I am a little disappointed that the rear diffuser and side sills aren't carbon too, especially for the price. Once I find a very good supplier I will likely them get wrapped to match the front splitter and rear spoiler. Talking of the splitter, I permanently drive in fear of hitting kerbs. It's bad enough worrying about the 20" wheels, but approach kerbs in car parks is scary and producing some interesting parking!

Black Sapphire Metallic... what have a I done I should have known better as I previously owned an Audi S3 in solid black, but this paint can be marked way too easily, even with a ceramic coating. The problem for me was the lack of colour options outside of the Individual colours. I would have gone Imola Red (same as my 640) had it been an option, but I really don't like Melbourne in the flesh. Rock Snapper Blue was a consideration, but the green hues aren't for me. Too late now, but I've since seen a 'boring' silver 440 but with the same exterior spec as mine and it looked epic.

Top 5 Likes and Dislikes
Likes
1. Noise noise noise, bloody epic
2. Amazing interior, I love being in this car
3. Effortless performance
4. Exterior looks, can't stop staring at it!
5. Jekyl and Hyde ability at the press of a button

Dislikes
1. No sync button on the AC - ridiculous (was on my 640)
2. Manual handbrake, terrible, the elec one on my 640 was excellent
3. No memory for passenger electric seat (was on my 640)
4. Auto box - Comfort setting - jerky pull away, fixed by shifting it to the left
5. HUD - lack of graphics in Sport mode e.g. tacho, current gear

Options - some reviews
HUD and Digi Dash A good combo but far from perfect. As this is generation 1 for BMW I can let them off a little, but at a combined £1100 price it should be better. I love the HUD when navigating etc and I love the digi dash, but it's just not configurable enough. When using the HUD the info from the centre of the digi dash appears in the HUD which is great, but why can't I show something else on the dash? It's a waste of un-used space. Overall a good buy and the digi dash helps to modernise the cabin. 7/10

Adaptive LED'sOn looks alone these are a complete winner for me, but drive in the dark and they are epic. My 640's bi-xenons were bright, but these are the same, and the way the deal with traffic is so cool 9/10

That's it really, I think I've covered most things. Overall I am really happy with the car and keep thinking of excuses to drive it. I need to calm with the exhaust as I am being a little childish driving through my village and into Nottingham with a loud ASBO exhaust but I am sure the craziness will settle soon.

No point talking mpg at this stage, but I get 25-26mpg driving to my gym (3 miles away), I got 38mpg driving to Manchester airport, and I am averaging 23mpg due to nearly no long distance drives, running in and driving like an idiot.

If I could ONLY have 1 option (could be a good thread) on a stock 440i it would be the MPPSK. A massive bargain!!!! No doubt the new M340/M440i will have it as standard (it better).

Mod's done so far and mods to come:

1. F80 Shift paddles (epic)
2. Felt fitted into door compartments (to stop rattles)
3. M Performance Carbon mirrors (to come)
4. JB4 (new year)
5. Alcantara steering wheel (new year)
6. Carbon wrapping of sills and diffuser (new year)
7. Non-RFT's (next year)


Most have seen the pics already but I'll add a few to support the thread.

[moff]

Pics

[moff]

More pics

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Great review and I can confirm that it looks and sounds as good in the flesh!

This place has a good reputation for wrapping, and not a million miles from you, North Notts/South Yorkshire border.

https://mtecdynamics.com

[moff]

Originally Posted by Alex440

Great review and I can confirm that it looks and sounds as good in the flesh!

This place has a good reputation for wrapping, and not a million miles from you, North Notts/South Yorkshire border.

https://mtecdynamics.com

Thanks Alex

[xenon]

Leather dash transforms the interior, as you say.

[MashinBenzin]

Great review and that interior looks brilliant!

[RIKO_440i]

Nice read up
Can't wait to collect mine
Do they tell you how to run in the engine when you pick up?

[moff]

Originally Posted by RIKO_F33

Nice read up
Can't wait to collect mine
Do they tell you how to run in the engine when you pick up?

No - the official line is 1200 miles with varying revs but not over 4500 and 90mph.

I did that pretty much to 600 and then started extending out over that time.

[Penguinius]

Great review and gorgeous car. I've said it before and I'll say it again, those wheels are beautiful and you're a far braver man than me putting a child seat in with white leather! With a four year old I wasn't that brave and went for black!

[JLR1969]

If I was you I would consider getting the genuine carbon interior, that will transform the interior to another level and cure your black gloss trim issue in one go.

[moff]

Originally Posted by Penguinius

Great review and gorgeous car. I've said it before and I'll say it again, those wheels are beautiful and you're a far braver man than me putting a child seat in with white leather! With a four year old I wasn't that brave and went for black!

Haha, she's 5 and very well behaved! Food is banned too

I've got a seat protector on both the back seat, under the child seat and one on the back of the passenger seat too which stops the scuffs.

[moff]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

If I was you I would consider getting the genuine carbon interior, that will transform the interior to another level and cure your black gloss trim issue in one go.

Agreed, shame it wasn't a factory option, like on the F80.

Shockingly expensive for aftermarket.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by moff

Agreed, shame it wasn't a factory option, like on the F80.

Shockingly expensive for aftermarket.

How much?

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by moff

Agreed, shame it wasn't a factory option, like on the F80.

Shockingly expensive for aftermarket.

That place I listed will wrap your existing interior trim and apparently it's hard to tell the difference to proper carbon fibre with a professional job. I wouldn't recommend the DIY threads on here, I can only see bad things happening with that!

They also sometimes have sets already wrapped that you can just swap over without waiting for yours to be done.

Edit: just looking at their site they will skin with real carbon fibre.

[moff]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

How much?

I've only seen US pricing, but pretty sure it's £900-£1000 for everything.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by moff

I've only seen US pricing, but pretty sure it's £900-£1000 for everything.

Not so bad the F10 was £1800 and that was discounted from £2300

Worth every penny though

[moff]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Not so bad the F10 was £1800 and that was discounted from £2300

Worth every penny though

Man maths at its best.

It's served me well so far

[Rukka]

Great review moff and glad you are enjoying it.

That leather dash is top of my shopping list next time - it looks fantastic.

[werewolf81]

Great write up.

I agree that the ride on these wheel is surprisingly good, I'd never believe without trying it.

Also, Opal White brings so much light into the interior. It makes the car a really nice place to be in.

Och and it looks fantastic too

[rjberry]

Nice review and I can only agree with it.

I think the leather dash transforms the interior. I thought after a while I'd stop seeing it but I don't. I originally added the piano black trim but after previously experiencing the the ease with which it scratches, I changed my order to the normal aluminium and added the carbon m Performance trim. Perfect man maths there as I saved the original £570 and then got money back from selling the original trim

The MPPSK is the most important addition though, if I ever get fed up with the noise and the hooligan nature of the noise then I think I'll turn in my license!

[gr4z]

Great review and agree with all of it!

I will not be choosing Carbon Black next. 'Boring' silver as well for me next time...