2014 BMW 4-series coupe pricing to start at $41,425; base six-cylinder costs $46,925

Tantalized by the 2014 BMW 4-series, but hesitant to put money down on the 3-series coupe replacement until you've had the chance to pore over a complete list of options packages? Once you've worked your way through the pricing guide below, you'll have no excuse not to head to your local BMW dealer. The online configurator went live a few months ago, but this is perhaps the most straightforward and easily digestible pricing breakdown so far.

At the low end of the pricing spectrum is the 428i coupe. Equipped with a 242 hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, this base model starts at $41,425 including destination and handling fees. Stepping up to the all-wheel drive 428i xDrive coupe bumps the price up to $43,425.

Inline-six powered versions are, as one might guess, a little more spendy: Adding two cylinders adds $5,500 to the base price, with the turbocharged 3.0-liter I6-powered 435i and all-wheel drive 435i xDrive costing $46,925 and $48,925, respectively.

Manual transmission die-hards take note: 428i, 435i and 435i xDrive cars can be had with a six-speed manual. Otherwise, you'll be driving with an eight-speed automatic.

Adding options will quickly inflate those base prices. The M Sport package, for example, adds $3,500 to the 428i and $3,100 to the 435i and opens up a world of alloy wheel possibilities while adding sport seats and bumping limited top speed upward. The technology package isn't cheap at $3,150 but adds a heads-up display, a navigation system with touchpad and more.

Select a few of these packages and you're looking at a $60,000 sticker price.

German cars being what they are, we could go on listing various options packages and prices until the heat death of the universe; our rapidly fading memories of college statistics courses suggest that there are approximately 60 trillion interior/exterior permutations available to the prospective 4-series buyer.

If you're looking to replace your now-outdated 3-series two-door, we suggest pouring a stiff drink before diving into the dizzying 4-series pricing guide below.

By Graham Kozak