2021 BMW 4 Series G22

Overview

Engines

2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid

Came as

• Coupe
• Convertible

On record

6 warnings, 7 recalls

What changed for 2021

• The new 4 Series coupe and soft-top convertible arrive as the 430i and the all-wheel-drive M440i xDrive, with ventilated seats a new option. Edmunds, CarGurus

Compare 2021 with 2020

Colors

• Sanremo Green Metallic2021
• Sunset Orange Metallic2021
• Bluestone Metallic2021
• Black Sapphire Metallic2021–2025
• Portimao Blue Metallic2021–2025

Interiors

• Black Vernasca with Blue Stitching2021–2025
• Mocha Vernasca2021–2025
• Tacora Red Vernasca2021
• Canberra Beige SensaTec2021–2025
• Oyster Vernasca2021–2025

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

• 430i: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus
• M440i xDrive: 3.0L turbo inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

Engines

• 2.0L turbo four-cylinder B48 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  255 hp and 295 lb-ft, with a 48-volt mild hybrid from 2025

• 3.0L turbo inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid B58 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  382 hp and 369 lb-ft, and 386 hp and 398 lb-ft from 2025

Transmissions

• Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
• xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

• Coupe Edmunds, a published reference
• Convertible Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• M Sport Package CarGurus, Edmunds
• Premium Package Edmunds
• Convenience Package Edmunds
• Executive Package Edmunds, CarGurus
• Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds
• Parking Assistance Package Edmunds
• Driving Assistance Package Edmunds
• Driving Assistance Professional Package Edmunds, CarGurus
• Shadowline Package Edmunds
• Cooling and High Performance Tire Package CarGurus

Figures for the whole G22

• Model codes: G22 (coupe), G23 (convertible), G26 (Gran Coupe) A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
• Built: The coupe and convertible in Dingolfing, the Gran Coupe in Munich A published reference
• Platform: BMW's CLAR, shared with the G20 3 Series A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
• Length: About five inches longer than the first 4 Series CarGurus

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Thermostat and coolant pump on the 430i All years

  One source so far

  Check: Watch the temperature gauge on a long drive for overheating warnings or a wandering needle, and ask whether the thermostat or auxiliary coolant pump has been replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts calls the electronic thermostat and auxiliary coolant pump weak points, usually failing between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, and lists oil use and the odd high-pressure fuel pump failure on the same engine. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Oil filter housing seep on the M440i All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look for oil around the oil filter housing.

  Euro Premium Parts says its gasket is prone to seeping at around 60,000 to 90,000 miles, a cheap part that takes labor to reach. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Electric water pump on the M440i All years

  One source so far

  Check: Ask whether the electric water pump has been replaced on a car near 80,000 miles, and look for a coolant warning.

  Euro Premium Parts says the B58's electric water pump has a known failure pattern and advises replacing it before 80,000 to 100,000 miles. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• The mild hybrid's starter-generator All years

  Check: Ask for proof that every starter-generator and starter recall has been done, and scan for stored fault codes.

  Euro Premium Parts reports fault codes and failures of the belt starter-generator and its wiring on early cars. NHTSA lists recalls for its battery connection on 2021 M440i xDrive coupes and 2025 430i cars. NHTSA, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Worn front control arm bushings All years

  One source so far

  Check: On the test drive, feel for the car following ruts in the road or vague steering.

  Euro Premium Parts says the front lower control arm bushings wear between 40,000 and 60,000 miles, especially on xDrive cars. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Early iDrive 7 glitches All years

  One source so far

  Check: Try the screen, Bluetooth, reversing camera and parking sensors, and ask whether the software is up to date.

  Euro Premium Parts says early cars' screens could freeze or drop Bluetooth, mostly cured by over-the-air updates, and reports camera and parking sensor faults from damp. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2021–2024 Recall 26V056000

  Wear inside the engine starter can make it overheat and catch fire. Dealers replace the starter. NHTSA

• 2021–2022 Recall 25V636000

  The engine starter's relay can corrode, overheat and short circuit. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until a dealer replaces the starter. NHTSA

• 2021–2022 Recall 23V584000

  The audio module's software may fail to sound the seat belt warning. Dealers update it. NHTSA

• 2021 Recall 21V554000

  The passenger seat belt's automatic locking retractor can switch off before the belt has fully retracted. Dealers inspect the retractors and replace them if needed. NHTSA

• 2021 Recall 21V176000

  In some side crashes the head and thorax airbag may not deploy as intended. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

• 2021 Recall 21V096000

  Part of the reversing camera's picture may be blocked, or the screen may stay dark, when reverse is selected. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

• 2021 Recall 20V761000

  The connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter-generator may have been assembled badly, raising its electrical resistance. Dealers inspect it and replace it if needed. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  The six-cylinder M440i All years

  One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts calls the M440i the sweet spot for most buyers, with near-M performance from a six it rates for long life. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 7,500 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 7,500 miles in normal use, sooner on cars driven hard A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 40,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says around 40,000 to 50,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Automatic gearbox fluid All years

  Replace every 40,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 40,000 to 50,000 miles, despite BMW calling it a lifetime fill A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new