3 Pros and 2 Cons Why the BMW M440i Gran Coupe Is Better Than a M340i
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe continues to be a vehicular bridge, spanning the gap between the 4 Series two-door coupe and the 3 Series sedan. With a more coupe-like profile that features four doors, the Gran Coupe is for those who don’t want to give up the sleeker styling of a coupe, but still require a more accessible rear seat area.
Recently, we borrowed a 2024 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe for evaluation. Like anything in life, there are pros and cons to this car, but ultimately, we prefer it to the M340i. Below are three reasons why we like the 4 Series Gan Coupe more than the 3 Series sedan, and two reasons why we do not.
Pro: Style
The obvious factor, and basic reason for the Gran Coupe’s existence, is style. Although it is a four-door vehicle (actually a five door, but more on that later), the 4 Series Gran Coupe has a swoopy shape that more resembles a coupe from side profile than a traditional sedan.
Although it is purely subjective, this gives the car a sportier, and in our opinion, better aesthetic. The fastback shape is a favorite around here and the other styling/trim enhancements makes it cooler than the M340i.
Con: Price
With more flash comes a higher price tag. Compared to the 2024 BMW M340i xDrive, the M440i xDrive Gran Coupe costs roughly $1,500 more. That’s not a huge leap for cars with a MSRPs north of $60,000 USD, but there’s still the principle of it.
Pro: Liftback
We’re a sucker for anything that has five doors. Having a hatch, liftback, or swing doors makes it infinitely easier to load cargo of various shapes and sizes. To us, the difference in price is completely negated with just this feature. For the sum of $1,500, there’s a better cargo area that also happens to make the car look cooler. Sign us up!
Con: Read Headroom
Rear seat passengers may have some qualms about the 2024 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe. Headroom in the rear row measures a scant 36.6-inches (930 mm), which has moderately tall occupants stuffing their craniums into the headliner. The M340i isn’t a great deal better, but the extra inch in the 3 Series makes it more accommodating to more passengers.
Pro: The Superfluous Things
There’re little things about the 2024 BMW M440i Gran Coupe that make it better as well. Silly things like how a Gran Coupe sounds fancier than Sedan. The way the M Sport trim pieces really emphasizes the car’s sportier look. Why on the topic of sport, it also has a slightly wider stance which helps cornering.
Mainly though, it’s that the 4 Series Gran Coupe is more interesting. There’s little like it on the road, and that always has us intrigued.
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A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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