BMW M440 xDrive coupé: who it suits and what to check

BMW M440 - what exactly is this car

The BMW M440 M-Sport xDrive is a fast all-wheel-drive coupé that combines the muscle of a three-litre straight-six with genuine everyday usability. The car on our forecourt is a 2021 white two-door coupé with five seats, an automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive and 275 kW. The fuel type is listed as hybrid (petrol / electric): the six-cylinder cars in this generation use a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which does not allow driving on electricity alone but assists under acceleration and with efficiency, while also acting as the engine's starter.

This generation (G22) went on sale in 2020, replacing the previous 4 Series coupé. The new model has a longer wheelbase and updated engineering, and the body styles offered are the coupé, the convertible and the Gran Coupé. In 2024 the model received a mid-life update with a revised grille, new headlights and newer iDrive software, so later cars differ in appearance and on-screen menus from the one described here.

How the BMW M440 drives day to day

The motoring press has described this car as a very good GT coupé rather than a sharply track-focused sports car: it is at its best swallowing long distances. The eight-speed automatic has been praised for its very quick shifts, along with the flexible six-cylinder engine and brakes with a progressive feel. Ride comfort and a notably quiet cabin at motorway speeds have also been singled out.

The compromises are known too. The falling roofline limits rear headroom, so the back seat suits shorter trips or children better, and the car is heavier than the previous generation. A two-door body means climbing into the back takes some effort - worth bearing in mind if the car is to be a family's only vehicle.

This particular car's character is shaped by its M equipment: adaptive M suspension, M Sport differential, M Sport brakes with red calipers, a variable-ratio sports steering rack, a sports exhaust and 19-inch M Double-spoke wheels. Electronically adjustable damping lets you pick a more comfortable or a firmer setting to suit the road.

Equipment and interior

Inside there is Vernasca leather in black with blue stitching, sports seats with electric adjustment and memory, heated seats, a dark headliner and aluminium trim. A long list of assistance systems and conveniences makes daily use easier:

• Driving Assistant Professional, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and lane change assistance
• Blind spot warning, collision mitigation braking, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors and a parking camera
• BMW Laserlight, high-beam assistant, LED tail lights
• Head-up display, digital instrument panel, navigation with voice control
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Harman Kardon surround sound with amplifier and subwoofer
• Electric glass sunroof, keyless entry and start, wireless phone charging, powered boot lid
• Separate climate control for the rear seats, automatic climate control, rain sensor

The car is on summer tyres and comes with a set of winter tyres (studless) - a practical detail in Estonian conditions that takes care of one of the bigger running costs.

BMW M440 on Estonian roads and in winter

The xDrive system in this model is rear-biased and sends drive forward only when slip occurs. That is exactly why it has been praised in changeable and wet conditions: the car keeps its rear-drive character but adds security when grip runs out. On Estonian autumn and winter roads that, together with proper winter tyres, makes for a dependable everyday car, although the low body and large wheels call for care around snowbanks and kerbs.

On the upkeep side, European-market cars use condition-based servicing, with the computer bringing the interval forward depending on how the car is used; the general advice on owner forums is to change the oil more often than the maximum interval, and scheduled maintenance also covers spark plugs and gearbox oil. Bear in mind that servicing a car of this class costs more than a mass-market brand. With full-service rental, routine maintenance and wear-and-tear repairs, plus tyres and tyre changes, are covered by the monthly payment - depending on the package.

What to check before buying

Owner forums highlight a few recurring themes with this engine family and platform. Not all of them are backed by confirmed statistics, but they make a useful checklist at inspection:

• Rear differential and water pump leaks on earlier cars; the manufacturer linked the differential leak to excess oil filled at the factory
• Turbo wastegate rattle audible on cold start - reported, though how widespread it is remains unclear
• Electrical complaints, including the starter and a related recall; check that all recalls have been carried out
• Folding mirror electronics, and on some cars of this generation a recall on the sunroof control unit
• Tyre age and uneven wear - M-equipped cars often run different sizes front and rear
• Full service history, and consistent steering feel on the test drive

Buying or renting a BMW M440 from Autosky Rent

This white BMW M440 M-Sport xDrive coupé is for sale in Tallinn. Autosky Rent sells used cars, takes cars on consignment, and through its partner network offers better terms on servicing, tyre work, car washing and fuel.

If you would rather pay monthly, we also offer full-service car rental to private and business customers. Depending on the package, the monthly payment includes motor insurance and casco cover including superkasko, servicing and repairs for normal wear, summer and winter tyres with changeovers and storage, a replacement car when needed, 24h roadside assistance across Europe through the insurer, handling of insurance claims and Autosky Rent 24/7 customer support. Get in touch with any questions or to arrange a test drive.