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Talking Cars 286: Driving the BMW 4 Series

Plus questions about winter tires, car buying, and our hosts’ backgrounds

Main theme: The podcast panel talks about our time spent with the new BMW 4 Series, specifically the M440i xDrive. From road trips to the track, we have a lot to say about how BMW’s newest coupe always rises to the occasion.

Driven this week: 2021 BMW 4 Series

Audience Questions
• I’m buying a new car to get out of the city. Do I have to go on a test drive? I’m nervous about COVID-19.
• Are run-flat winter tires less effective because of their additional stiffness?
• I want to buy a new car that’s not sold in the U.S. Can I?
• What are all those books in the background of Gabe’s home office?

Talking Cars 286
Talking Cars panelists Ryan Pszczolkowski, Keith Barry, and Gabe Shenhar.

Consumer Reports Consumer Reports

As with other “Talking Cars” episodes, this one is available free through Apple Podcasts. (Subscribe to the audio or video.) You’ll also find the audio on Spotify (log-in required) and video on YouTube.

Ram 1500, Redesigned New Cars and SUVs, episode 285
Mercedes-Benz GLA, Road Trips With Pets, episode 284
Toyota Venza, Thankful in 2020, episode 283
Car Reliability, Land Rover Defender, episode 282
We Answer Your Questions, episode 281

Have a Question?

We’d love to include it in a future show. Upload your video questions to our Dropbox folder. Please send high-definition (1920x1080) MP4 video files with high-quality audio. Or send an iMessage question to our TalkingCars@icloud.com account.


Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on BlueSky @itskeithbarry.bsky.social.