Owning a BMW is a worthwhile investment for many reasons. It conveys prestige, attracts attention, drives well and has resale value. This German brand comes with all the trappings of a luxury car and one that remains with the owner for life.
The car on focus this time around is the BMW X4, 4×4, which according to the company, is available in three diesel engines comprising, one 2.0-litre (badged 20d) and two 3.0-litre units (the 30d and 35d). For 30d, it is impressively quick and, pulls strongly from just 1700rpm, and doesn’t run out of puff at higher revs and effortlessly flexible.
This sensation of speed is helped by the brilliant eight-speed automatic gearbox, which rarely gets caught out when asked for a sudden burst of acceleration, and moves through the gears sharply, but smoothly, at other times.
In terms of ride and handling, the X4 turns in to bends more crisply than anything this big should and stays admirably flat during fast cornering. The ride is impressive, and many are fitted with BMW’s optional variable damper control. It ensures the ride stays on the comfortable side of firm, even at low speeds and on marked urban roads.
In terms of space, the driver’s seat and steering wheel have enough adjustment to ensure occupants comfort. Visibility is average at best, though; you get a commanding view of the road ahead, but one’s over-the-shoulder view is hampered by the thick pillars and narrow rear window. Reaching the climate and audio controls is easy, and their simple rotary dials design makes them simple to use. The rest of the dashboard is logically laid out, too.
Front-seat occupants will have few complains about the space on offer. There’s also enough head, leg and shoulder-room for two adults behind, but three would be a squeeze due to the high transmission tunnel. Boot space is 500 litres, around 50 less than in an X3. Mechanically, engine refinement is fairly great.
The front half of the X4’s cabin is similar to that of the X3, which means it has a good blend of high-quality materials and well-damped switchgear, and feels nicely put together. There’s not much to inspire and delight, however, and a Porsche Macan’s interior is plusher still. The X4 was too new to be included in the latest JD Power customer satisfaction survey, but BMW finished close to the bottom of all the manufacturers for reliability.
Safety kit is comprehensive, and includes six airbags, run-flat tyres and a system that will automatically apply the brakes to help avoid collisions with cars and pedestrians at low speeds. An alarm is also standard, and the X4 received the maximum five stars from security firm Thatcham for its resistance to being stolen, and an impressive four out of five stars for its resistance to being broken into.
Talking about ownership, respective BMW dealerships in some markets charges a premium for the X4’s more stylish design over the more practical X3, but the X4 looks competitively priced against rivals such as the Porsche Macan. Fuel and tax costs aren’t too high considering the performance on offer and it struggles to hold on to as much of its value over three years as its premium rivals do.
MIKE OCHONMA
