If rear-wheel drive precision and a wider range of powertrain choices matter to you, the BMW 4 Series Coupe wins outright. The 430i is quicker than the CLE 300 4MATIC at every power tier where outputs match, and the M440i xDrive adds 386 hp against the CLE 450’s 375 hp at an identical 4.2-second sprint time. The CLE Coupe earns its place for buyers who prioritize a standard panoramic roof, a standard Burmester audio system, and a more tech-forward cabin loaded from the factory.
| Specification | BMW 430i Coupe | CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe | BMW M440i xDrive Coupe | CLE 450 4MATIC Coupe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L TwinPower Turbo inline-four, mild hybrid | 2.0L inline-four turbo, mild hybrid | 3.0L M TwinPower Turbo inline-six, mild hybrid | 3.0L inline-six turbo, mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 255 hp | 386 hp | 375 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 398 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive | 4MATIC AWD, standard | xDrive AWD | 4MATIC AWD, standard |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.6 sec | 6.2 sec | 4.2 sec | 4.2 sec |
| Length | 187.9 in | 191.0 in | 188.0 in | 191.0 in |
| Cargo | 15.5 cu ft | 11.2 cu ft | 15.5 cu ft | 11.2 cu ft |
| Curb Weight | 3,677 lbs | 4,057 lbs | 4,019 lbs, xDrive | 4,266 lbs |
| Seating | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| City / Hwy MPG | 28 / 36 | 24 / 33 | 26 / 33 | 23 / 33 |
The BMW 4 Series Coupe lineup opens with the 430i, powered by a 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline-four producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That engine sends power through an eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels, reaching 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Add xDrive all-wheel drive in the 430i xDrive Coupe and the sprint tightens to 5.4 seconds.
The CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe matches the BMW on paper: 255 hp and 295 lb-ft from a 2.0-liter inline-four. However, it reaches 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, a full 0.6 seconds behind the 430i, partly because 4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard rather than optional, adding mass.
Step up to the BMW M440i Coupe and the gap widens. The 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline-six delivers 386 hp, 398 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.6-second 0-60 time in rear-wheel-drive form. The M440i xDrive Coupe uses the same engine with all-wheel drive and cuts that time to 4.2 seconds. The CLE 450 4MATIC answers with 375 hp, 369 lb-ft, and an identical 4.2-second sprint, but with eleven fewer horses and 29 fewer lb-ft of torque.
The BMW also offers rear-wheel drive as a starting point, which matters to drivers who want a traditional coupe feel. The CLE Coupe sends power exclusively through 4MATIC AWD across its entire lineup.
Cargo is the BMW’s clearest structural win. The 4 Series Coupe carries 15.5 cubic feet of cargo, four more than the CLE 300 and CLE 450, which each hold 11.2 cubic feet. The AMG CLE 53 drops further to 9.8 cubic feet. For a two-door coupe used on weekend trips out of Grand Rapids, that difference is real.
Both vehicles seat four. The CLE Coupe is 3.1 inches longer overall, which may translate to a marginally larger footprint on a city street or in a parking structure, without adding cargo volume.
Inside the BMW 4 Series Coupe, ambient lighting and M Sport Seats on the M440i models set an athletic tone. The CLE Coupe arrives with a panoramic glass sunroof as standard equipment, 60/40-split folding rear seats, heated front seats, and MB-Tex upholstery. Leather is optional on the CLE. BMW’s ambient lighting is standard; the CLE’s 64-color LED ambient system is also standard.
For buyers who want a cabin focused on driver engagement, the BMW’s M leather steering wheel, M Sport Seats, and available carbon fiber interior trim deliver that orientation directly. The CLE leans toward comfort, with standard Energizing seat kinetics and optional multicontour massage seats.
Both vehicles run wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging as standard. Both support voice-activated controls and manufacturer app integration.
The BMW 4 Series Coupe runs BMW Operating System 8.5 with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Activate it with “Hey, BMW” and control navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings by voice.
The CLE Coupe uses third-generation MBUX with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.9-inch touchscreen, biometric authentication, fingerprint scanner, and MBUX Routines, a system that automates vehicle behavior by location or conditions. A standard Burmester 3D Surround Sound system with 17 speakers and 660 watts is included on the CLE, while BMW’s comparable Harman Kardon system is available rather than standard.
On safety, both vehicles include standard blind spot detection, frontal collision warning, and lane departure warning. The CLE 300 adds DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control, Surround View camera, Active Parking Assist, PRE-SAFE collision preparation, and GUARD 360 parking alert as standard. On the BMW, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation and Active Blind Spot Detection are standard; the Driving Assistant Professional package adds adaptive cruise and extended lane-centering capability.
The CLE’s standard safety suite is broader at the base level. The BMW’s upgrade path through Driving Assistant Professional closes that gap for buyers who option it.
BMW’s warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, and four years or 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Verify the CLE Coupe’s warranty terms directly with a Mercedes-Benz dealer, as those figures were not included in the verified spec set for this page.
Fuel economy favors the BMW 4 Series Coupe across comparable powertrain tiers. The 430i returns 28 city / 36 highway versus the CLE 300’s 24 city / 33 highway. At the six-cylinder level, the M440i xDrive returns 26 city / 33 highway against the CLE 450’s 23 city / 33 highway. The BMW’s rear-wheel-drive 430i, at 28 city / 36 highway, is the most efficient vehicle in this comparison by a clear margin.
Both vehicles carry four occupants and share broadly similar standard technology packages. The CLE adds standard features such as the panoramic roof, heated seats, and Burmester audio that cost extra on the BMW. The BMW counters with a larger cargo hold, a wider drivetrain selection, including rear-wheel-drive-only models, and a quicker 0-60 time at the base power level.
A note on the AMG CLE 53: At 443 hp and 4.2 seconds to 60 mph, the AMG CLE 53 Coupe is a genuine performance vehicle. Its closest BMW counterpart sits above the 4 Series Coupe lineup in the BMW M4 range, which is a separate vehicle. Comparing the AMG CLE 53 to the M440i is not a like-for-like exercise.
Sharpe BMW carries BMW 4 Series Coupe inventory in Grand Rapids. Whether you are choosing between the rear-wheel-drive 430i Coupe and the CLE 300, or weighing the M440i xDrive against the CLE 450, a test drive puts real numbers into context. Contact Sharpe BMW to schedule time behind the wheel or browse current inventory now.
Yes, at the base power level. The BMW 430i Coupe reaches 60 mph in 5.6 seconds versus 6.2 seconds for the CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe, despite both producing 255 hp. At the six-cylinder level, the BMW M440i xDrive and CLE 450 4MATIC both reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, but the BMW delivers 386 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque versus 375 hp and 369 lb-ft for the CLE.
Yes. The 430i Coupe and M440i Coupe are available in rear-wheel-drive configuration. The CLE Coupe comes exclusively with 4MATIC all-wheel drive across its full lineup. Drivers who want a traditional rear-wheel-drive sport coupe will find only the BMW offers that choice in this segment.
The BMW 4 Series Coupe carries 15.5 cubic feet of cargo. The CLE 300 and CLE 450 each carry 11.2 cubic feet, and the AMG CLE 53 drops to 9.8 cubic feet. The BMW holds more cargo than any CLE Coupe variant.
The BMW 430i Coupe returns 28 city / 36 highway. The CLE 300 4MATIC returns 24 city / 33 highway. At the six-cylinder level, the BMW M440i xDrive returns 26 city / 33 highway against the CLE 450’s 23 city / 33 highway. The BMW leads in fuel efficiency at both power levels.
At the base model, the CLE 300 4MATIC includes a panoramic roof, heated front seats, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control, and a Surround View camera as standard. Many of those features are available on the BMW 4 Series Coupe but require optional packages. The BMW counters with a larger cargo hold, rear-wheel-drive availability, and quicker 0-60 performance at comparable power levels.
Sharpe BMW in Grand Rapids carries BMW 4 Series Coupe inventory and offers scheduled test drives. Use the link on this page to browse available models or request a test drive appointment directly.
The BMW 4 Series Coupe is covered by a four-year / 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a four-year / 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
