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AUTO AUTO
REVIEW REVIEW

As we march inexorably towards a plug-in automotive future, it’s
worth pausing here and there to recognize notable internal combustion
engines.
In fact, it’s worth taking a moment to recognize internal combus-
tion engines in general. Somehow these amazing contraptions work by
injecting mixtures of gasoline and air into three, four, six, eight or more
combustion chambers under high pressure, ignite those mixtures caus-
ing a series of explosions, then use the energy released by those explo-
sions to move a 4000lbs vehicle forward at speeds that can comfortably
exceed 100MPH. And these engines do this so safely and with so much
reliability that we never give what they’re doing a thought. As internal
combustion engines begin to fade away, I hope we appreciate how much
they’ve given us over the 100 years or so that we’ve had them.
BMW M440i Gran Coupe, European Model shown
The notable engine I’d like to highlight in this review is the BMW
2023 BMW M440i in-line six-cylinder engine. While BMW’s straight sixes didn’t really reg-
ister in this country until the introduction of the first generation 5-series
By Stephen Schutz, MD sedan in the USA in 1975, the venerable Bavarian company actually
introduced its first in-line six in 1933.
Still, it was the classic late ‘70s 530i sedan that catapulted BMW
into the U.S. luxury car market mainstream, and the classic 3.0L in-line
six with its otherworldly smoothness and unique sound was the main
reason why.
Fast forward 49 years and the BMW straight-six engine still rules, have been criticized for being too Avant guard for their customers, but
in this case boosted by turbocharging and sitting in the 2023 M440i that’s not a problem for the 4-series. It’s a good-looking car.
coupe. Amazingly, the much-evolved version of BMW’s classic motor Unless you don’t like the “beaver teeth” grille. I like it, especially on
now produces 382HP, thanks not just to twin turbochargers but also the very handsome M3 sedan, but some observers don’t, so make sure
to a 48-volt mild hybrid assistance system. Plus, all that now gets you you take a good look before you click on “buy it now.” It’s not an under-
impressive fuel economy of 22MPG City and 31MPG Highway. Lest stated design element.
you think that’s no big deal, allow me to remind you that the 1975 530i The M440i’s interior is standard BMW fare, which is to say excel-
was able to muster just 174HP with discouraging fuel economy figures lent. Everything is right where you left it the last time you were in anoth-
of 16MPG City and 18MPG Highway. And of course, all 1970s engines er BMW, and I like that. Keeping things familiar is to be applauded and,
polluted much more than modern versions do. let’s be honest, BMW has solved the problem of putting things that need
Not surprisingly, the M440i coupe is fast, as evidenced by a 5.2 to be in the touchscreen menus there, and keeping things that should be
second zero-to-sixty MPH time, and it handles and brakes well, too. I buttons and knobs there. Thank you, BMW. And thank you Audi, too,
once owned a 2018 M3, and the “not a real M-car” M440i felt almost as for convincing BMW that gauges should have black backgrounds, white
fast as that wonderful car in all circumstances. I guess I’d say that unless numbers and red needles. That also works.
an extra five to 10 percent of performance and a few M-emblems are The BMW M440i is a fast, stylish coupe, which I am happy to rec-
important to you, save the additional $16,000 or so that the M4 costs ommend enthusiastically. The fact that it features one of the last classic
and get the M440i. BMW in-line six-cylinder internal combustion engines is just a bonus
One amusing side note: in the 1970s, racing BMWs sported a (I would say, a big bonus). No electric vehicle can ever have that “Riz.”
bespoke BMW M-badge that told the world that this was a “true” M-car As always, BCMS’ Phil Hornbeak will help you get the best deal on
that raced. Over the years many very special BMW M-cars for the street any new car or truck you want. Call him at 210-301-4367.
have come and gone, but none ever got to wear that badge, including the
two M3s I owned. My test M440i car had it, and I wish it didn’t. Sigh… Stephen Schutz, MD, is board-certified gastroenterologist
The M440i’s exterior design is very good. The folded, almost origa- who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
mi, sheet metal looks muscular, and the front- and tail-light modules are here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
as contemporary as anything for sale today. BMW’s iX and XM SUVs for San Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.

44 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • May 2024 Visit us at www.bcms.org 45