By 2017, the first generation version of BMW's 4 Series Coupe was facing newer rivals in the mid-sized sports coupe segment but it was up for the fight, especially in this usefully revised facelifted guise. The rear-driven handling dynamics remained class-leading and were usefully improved as part of the car's mid-term update. Plus they were matched to extra technology and a more powerful road presence. Potentially, this is everything you'd want in a car of this kind from this era.

History
Launched in 2013, the 4 Series Coupe, in contrast to its 3 Series Coupe predecessor, was intended to be far more of a stand-alone model. Even though under the skin, it still shared pretty much everything that made its less stylish but more practical showroom stablemate, the 'F30' generation 3 Series saloon, such a brilliant car. BMW launched this model to better target the threat posed by Coupe versions of Audi's A5 and Mercedes' C-Class. A Convertible version was launched in 2014 and a five-door Gran Coupe 4 Series model followed a year later. BMW upgraded the petrol engine line-up in 2016, then facelifted the range in the Spring of 2017. It's the post-20217 facelift Coupe model we're going to look at here as a used car buy.

This is the sort of car BMW has always done very well, a mid-sized rear-driven performance-orientated coupe with perfect weight distribution and a purposeful demeanour. It all made plenty of sense when the Munich maker first launched this 4 Series Coupe model back in 2013 - which meant that this improved facelifted version was even more appealing.

This was the car that replaced several generations of BMW's 3 Series Coupe and subsequently appeared in two other bodystyles - a Convertible and a stylised five-door hatch, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. Both these variants shared the changes made in mid-2017 to this two-door version, updates needed to keep this car competitive in the face of tougher competition from direct Mercedes and Audi rivals.

These two competing brands had really upped their game in the mid-sized executive coupe segment by 2017, Mercedes launching a second generation C-Class Coupe in 2015 and Audi following up with a MK2 model version of its A5 Coupe a year later. In response, this 4 Series got revised styling, an upgraded cabin, extra technology and an improved specification. Perhaps more significantly, there were dynamic changes too - a much more responsive steering system and a revamped suspension set-up that was said to enhance this car's handling capability without damaging its ride comfort. In this form, this car sold until mid-2020 when a second generation model was launched.

*CAR REVIEW PLAYLISTS*
► New Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myaZiV
► Behind the Wheel: https://bit.ly/35JuUo7
► Highlight Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/35N1Wnx
► Electric Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TAqjPK
► Short Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2HHlJMS
► Hatchback Reviews: https://bit.ly/3mKNAen
► SUV & 4X4 Reviews: https://bit.ly/37Verjt
► Saloon Reviews: https://bit.ly/37QrbrD
► City Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3jDzBVI
► Estate Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kDflog
► Sports Car and Coupe Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TwkzXb
► MPV Reviews: https://bit.ly/3e7114S
► Van Reviews: https://bit.ly/31QWcb4
► Business Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kGZncN
► Family Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myLaiy

*FOLLOW OSV ON*
► Facebook:   / osvltd  
► Twitter:   / osvmotoringnews  
► Instagram:   / osvltd