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Car Review: BMW 430i Gran Coupe 100 Year Anniversary Special Edition

I need not have even opened and of the coupe’s four-doors to be impressed, such is the brilliant metallic Mediterranean blue paint applied to the special edition which set off the unmistakable traditional BMW look of the 430i

While I cannot claim to be too enthusiastic about how 2016 played out or how I felt on New Year’s Day, I am truly grateful BMW chose to celebrate the 100 years of car making it chalked up in 2016 the way it did.

It was that milestone which led to the creation of the 430i Gran Coup 100 Year Anniversary Special Edition, a car I was at least lucky enough to test drive as the curtains closed on a pretty ordinary year.

It was a very good way to see out a year in which my Geelong Cats failing to make the most of opportunities was far from the only thing that went wrong for me.

I need not have even opened and of the coupe’s four-doors to be impressed, such is the brilliant metallic Mediterranean blue paint applied to the special edition which set off the unmistakable traditional BMW look of the 430.

I can’t recall when last I was so impressed by the paintwork of a vehicle. But I was to be even more impressed at the interior trim, if not a little bit concerned about keeping the brilliant white leather upholstery clean.

Wow, it is bright, but works well against the wood trim, metal inlays and chrome highlights to produce a classy look at a very good price of $85,900 plus on roads.

The Special Edition will cost $6000 more than the standard model, but BMW puts the value of the additional kit on this celebratory model at $11,500.

That special kit bag also includes a 16-speaker harman/kardon stereo, 19-inch V-spoke light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres and a commemorative certificate, which I guess you would hang on a wall rather than leave in the glove box.

There was not an overly noticeable change in look for the BMW 4-Series in 2016, and, for me, that works for this Special Edition in it running with a celebratory and more “traditional” BMW look.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 185kW and 350Nm and has a claimed fuel consumption rate of 5.8L per 100km.

The 430i felt as good on the road as it looks, offering sports car performance in its luxury package, eating up the road with plenty of power and keeping tidy on the twists and turns down south on the Fleurieu Peninsula during my week in it while comfortable and compliant around the city.

There were some events and happenings in my 2016 for it to not totally suck – I got to test drive some pretty impressive vehicles, for one thing, and the BMW 430i Gran Coup 100 Year Anniversary Special Edition made a late charge towards the top spots on that list.

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