BMW 420d is one of the finest cars in the BMW 4-Series. It is a nice upgrade from the 3-Series and lasts longer than its petrol counterparts. But is the BMW 420d a good car?
The BMW 420d is a good car if you desire a compact, luxurious, comfortable, and fun-to-drive luxury car. On the other hand, it is not a good car if you want a low-maintenance, fuel-efficient, and reliable compact car.
History of BMW 420d
The BMW 420d is a compact executive car made by BMW from 2013. The 4-series was formed when BMW spun off the 2-door models of the 3-series into a separate series. As a result, the 4-series features 2-door coupes, 2-door convertibles, and 5-door liftback or fastback (Gran Coupe).
It is currently in its second generation, with the first generation featuring turbocharged inline-3, inline-4, and inline-6 engines fueled by petrol and diesel. For the second generation, a plug-in hybrid was added to the mix. Besides, it is also vital to note that the first generation of the BMW 4-Series was referred to as the M4.
Features of BMW 420d
Appearance
The BMW 420d may be in the same class as the BMW 3-Series, but it looks more spectacular. Thanks to its low roofline at the rear that gives it a sporty look. Aside from having a nice exterior, the interior also looks nice and comes with multiple similar features to the BMW 3-series.
Since the BMW 420d comes in different body configurations, some models are longer than others. Nonetheless, the wheelbase ranges from 2610 mm (about 8.56 ft) to 2810 mm (about 9.22 ft), the length is 4638 mm (about 15.22 ft), the height lies between 1377mm (about 4.52 ft) and 1389 mm (about 4.56 ft), and the width is 1825 mm (about 5.99 ft).
Performance
In terms of performance, the BMW 420d performs better than most of its rivals. It is fitted with an inline-4 engine that delivers up to 190 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This car also has a top speed of 150 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds.
Comfort and cargo space
The BMW 420d may look more spectacular than the BMW 3-Series, but it had to sacrifice some space for extra beauty. The interior of the 4-series is smaller than the 3-series, more so in the rear seats where the roofline of the 4-series is lower than in the 3-series.
However, they have similar interior materials, dashboard layouts, and primary controls. Furthermore, the trunk space is less generous in the 4-series than in the 3-series.
Fuel efficiency
Even though the BMW 420d is not as fuel-efficient as most of its rivals, it performs well in this category. This car has an average fuel economy of between 42.8 mpg (about 6 cents per mile) and 48.7 mpg (about 6 cents per mile). This is fair as it is a high-performance car. But if you want a more efficient compact luxury car, you should consider looking at the Lexus RC or Infiniti Q60.
Safety
BMW makes some of the safest cars on the market. The BMW 420d is not an exception as it is packed with lots of safety features. Some of the top safety features include active blind-spot detection, automatic high beams, speed-limit info, rain-sensing wipers, front & rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and frontal collision warning.
Furthermore, the car also boasts of stability and traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera.
Price
When it comes to price, the BMW 420d is costlier than most of its rivals. It has a starting price of around $49,300. Note that some trim options can go up to $69,000. Some of its rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class only go for $48,100, the Audi A5 costs $46,600, and Genesis G70 for $41,000.
So, the BMW 420d is slightly costlier than most of its rivals. However, owners get more sophisticated features, and it performs way better than most of its competitors.
FAQ
Is BMW 420d worth buying?
Yes, the BMW 420d is worth buying if you’re looking for a luxurious, well-performing, advanced, and safe compact car. On the contrary, it is not ideal if you’re in the market for a fuel-efficient, low-maintenance, and affordable car. All in all, it is still a wonderful car with lots of fascinating features.
What are the common problems with BMW 420d?
The BMW 420d is an outstanding and well-performing compact luxury car. However, it also comes with several problems that interested buyers ought to know about. Some of these issues include clogged EGR valves, faulty EGR coolers, premature engine crank failure, EGR system leaks, and automatic transmission problems.
Is the BMW 420d a good daily driver?
The BMW 420d is a wonderful daily driver. This is because it is fun to drive and comfortable. Additionally, it has ample cargo space, and its compact design makes driving in traffic and parking in public car parks easy. With that said, running this car is quite costly compared to mainstream cars.
How fast is the BMW 420d?
The BMW 420d is a sleek and powerful car. It comes with a top speed of 150 mph. Additionally, this car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds. Furthermore, it produces up to 190 hp and has a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft of torque.
Which cars are like the BMW 420d?
The BMW 420d is a sleek and luxurious compact car. It also performs well and boasts of top-notch features. However, it also faces stiff competition from the market. Some of its closest rivals are Audi A5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Tesla Model 3, Lexus RC, Infiniti Q60, and Genesis G70.
Summary
The BMW 420d is a good car as it is compact, comfortable, and fun to drive. Moreover, it performs exceptionally well, and it is equipped with the latest technologies. On the other hand, this car is not so reliable, and it comes with multiple issues that interested buyers ought to know about.
Overall, the BMW 420d is a good car for a family and for daily driving. But owners should be ready to spend to keep the car running smoothly.