Running Costs For A BMW 440i

The 440i is the highest spec 4 series you can buy from BMW, excluding the M4. The latest version is called the M440i as part of BMW’s ‘M-lite’ line-up, but it is still a 4 series at heart. So if you’re looking at a 4 series and want to go for the top of the range, you might wonder what the actual BMW 440i running costs are?

BMW 440i Running Costs

Both the previous and current generation 440i models are built around a 3-liter 6-cylinder engine. These engines have been named some of the world’s best in recent years, and you get fantastic performance. But with that performance, the engine can be pretty thirsty compared to the 2-liter options in the 430i and 420i models. Also, the extra power will mean more tire wear and other additional running costs. Let’s break these down…

Fuel Economy (MPG)

Let’s start with the highest running cost. With a larger engine, the economy of the 440i suffers against the other 4 series models. But how different is the mpg?

The table below contains a few figures. Firstly, I’ve listed the manufacturer’s claims for each model. I’ve also included my results – I currently own a 440i and have previously owned a 430i, so I can compare my results from long-term ownership. I’ve also used a 420i as a hire car for a few days. We’ll also look at how the 440i compares to its rivals.

I’ve listed both European and US manufacturer results for MPG because they can be very different. Also, these figures are for the coupe and gran coupe models – the convertible option has slightly different numbers.

With mpg results, the manufacturer claims are very different from real-world numbers. Looking at the Europe 440i against my values, their test driver must have been in economy mode the whole time and consistently below 2,000 rpm. It just isn’t realistic.

Real-World MPG

I’ll happily admit that I push my 440i sometimes and that hurts the mpg number, but that value of 37 European combined is too high. I agree with the highway mpg for both the 440i and the 430i, though. These cars are excellent at high mileage runs, and the engines cope very well.

Comparing the 440i to its main rivals, the results are very close. The Audi S5 is slightly more economical, but there is no difference. It’s a good sign of how competitive this market is for the German manufacturers.

You can manage your mpg with the BMW driving modes too. Switching between Eco, Comfort, and Sport modes does make a substantial difference to your fuel economy. For example, I get around 6 extra mpg using Eco mode compared to Sport. It does change your car’s handling and performance, but if you want higher mpg, go for Eco mode.

Overall I think the fuel economy on a 440i is excellent for a performance vehicle. BMW is known for its impressive 6-cylinder engines, and the ones used in both generations of the 440i are no exception. You can unlock a lot of power when needed and use the car on high mileage trips with ease.

Let’s look at maintenance next…

Service and Maintenance

The next thing you should consider is the cost of servicing and maintenance. Any BMW owner will tell you that this can be costly on all models. And the 440i is no exception. Fortunately, my servicing cost has been the same on my 440i as on my previous 430i. So there is no premium charge for the higher-spec model. But what do those costs look like?

Let’s look at the primary service intervals you need to break this down. This won’t cover everything, so no MOT costs for UK readers as an example. Also, you can go for the BMW service pack and pay monthly to cover all service costs (around £25 / $30 per month). Also, if you are like me and your annual mileage is relatively low, you’ll hit some of these services due to car age before you reach the required mileage.

One vital tip with any of these service costs is to negotiate. I’ve got an inspection cost down to £330 on my previous 4 series, and I’ve also heard horror stories of dealers charging £600 for an inspection service. So always ask around, and check with a handful of dealerships. These costs are from main BMW dealerships, so going to an independent garage will save you money.

Tires

Alongside servicing costs, you will have one-off costs such as tire replacement. This cost is going to depend on a few parameters:

• Wheel rim size
• Your driving style
• X-Drive or Rear Wheel Drive

Firstly – the most critical factor is how large your rims are. The 440i shares rim sizes with the other models in the 4 series range and start with 18-inch wheels. You can increase it to 19 inches, and if you go for the performance pack, you can move it up to 20 inches. 

I don’t want to get into too much detail on what package is the best choice, but there is a significant increase in cost between the 19 and 20-inch tires. This is more important on the 440i, particularly the rear-wheel-drive model.

For reference, my current 440i has 20-inch rims. My 430i had 19-inch rims, and I swapped to 20 for better looks, so I felt that increase in cost. And I’ll be honest: get premium tires if you go for a 440i on the larger rims. It is an absolute must because the power to those rear tires is excessive, and you need the tire performance. I started with average tires and upgraded quickly.

Comparing Tire Costs

The table below shows you what I paid for each set of tires and roughly how long they lasted. This is only my experience, and it will be different for every owner, but it should give you a good idea of the differences in cost.

I want to say that on lower-size rims, the cost and the lifetime are greatly improved for all tires. The 20-inch rims on my 4 series are very low profile, so they wear incredibly quickly. And particularly with aggressive driving, lower-grade tires won’t last long. So if you’re looking for a good tire option and going with a larger alloy, it’s worth choosing a premium tire.

In my opinion, it would be best if you also avoided run-flat tires. BMW loves adding run-flats, so they don’t have to give you a spare tire, but they have a minimal range when you get a puncture, and the ride quality is significantly worse than standard tires. Just avoid them.

Let’s look at insurance next…

Insurance

This will heavily depend on a few factors, but I’ll give you an idea of my insurance costs against a few different vehicles. Like the MPG comparison, the important thing is the difference between vehicles, because you won’t have the exact details as me, so your costs will be different. 

I will use 10,000 miles per year as the guideline for this study, and I’ve used my details (male, in my 20’s). I haven’t included any extras like a breakdown cover, and I have five years of no-claims discount. I will use a couple of year-old cars as a benchmark with 20,000 miles.

So as you can see, the 440i insurance I’ve been quoted comes under the equivalent for its main competitors. For anyone looking at stepping up to an M4, it’s a sizable increase too. And you may get a much lower cost if your circumstances are different from mine.

Summary

Overall, we’ve covered a few key aspects of running a 440i. We have looked at fuel economy costs. We’ve covered maintenance and servicing. And finally, the cost of insurance. There will be additional costs I have not covered here, such as vehicle taxes, but these vary in every country and state, so it’s not worth trying to cover here.

If you are in the market for a performance vehicle without the attention of something like an M series car, then the 440i is a great combination. Running costs for me were lower than I expected compared to the 430i, and those costs are ridiculous when I’ve spoken to M4 owners.

Cost-wise, it’s close between the 440i, the Audi S5, and the Mercedes C43, so if you don’t want the BMW badge, there are other good options. Regarding options, check out the links below for more info on the best packages and options from each manufacturer…

The Most Fuel Efficient BMWs in 2023

Which BMW Models Have Ambient Lighting?

BMW Premium Package Explained

The Most Expensive BMW Models

Comparing The BMW X5 vs The BMW X6

Which BMW Models Have A Heated Steering Wheel?