Saturday 25th January 2014

Spec a BMW M4 for PistonHeads...

...and why it'll be in your interests to do so!

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PistonHeads is getting its very own BMW M4 and we want you to choose the spec. Why would you want to do that? All will become clear but if you were thinking of having a joke at our expense and choosing BMW Individual flouro pink with bright green wheels you may want to consider your options carefully. Because the joint activity we've arranged with BMW for the coming months around this car involves everyone on the site and is a promotion quite unlike any we've run before.

Any colour you like (apart from this one, sadly)

So what’s the deal? Well, BMW UK has given us pre-launch access to a brand new M4! From its high-revving 431 hp twin-turbo straight-six to its bespoke chassis components and trademark bonnet bulge and flared arches, the new M4 is one of the most exciting performance cars of 2014 and one any PHer would be proud to own. Indeed, many PHers are already discussing their spec in the forums as they prepare to order their cars.

'Our' M4 hasn't been built yet and that's where you come in. We need you to spec it for us. Why will become clear but it's in your interests to do it properly and you can choose from a specially selected range of BMW Individual paintworks and upholstery, M Performance Accessories and more. The M4 will be available with a manual gearbox but ours will be a dual-clutch DCT; beyond that it's up to you. Having submitted your spec BMW will build the car according to which options have received the most votes. It’s as simple as that and we'll keep you updated as the votes come in on how the car is shaping up.

As it stands the build slot is booked and we have until midnight on February 6 to make our choices before the its official launch on June 21. While it's being bolted together we'll keep you updated on what we plan to do with the car once it arrives but suffice to say there will be plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with it.

To view the specification options and start voting, please visit our special microsite. Your votes count but there’s more - all voters will be added to a prize draw to win two tickets to Goodwood Festival of Speed in June to see the car in the metal.

Further details can be found on the site.

Please visit this site for more information. You can also follow BMW on Facebook and Twitter.

[cerb4.5lee]

Really looking forward to this launching, I wasn't blown away by my E92 M3 but this on paper should be a stunner.

[cerb4.5lee]

Dropped my spec in too.

[cerb4.5lee]

I went for blue too.

[cerb4.5lee]

Schermerhorn said:

Don't think it will be the jump over the E92 M3 that the E92 was over the E46.

Is that the backwards jump you are referring too!

I would have thought that there are more M3 fans out there that prefer the E46 M3 to the E92 M3 the E92 went softer & more comfortable imo.

[cerb4.5lee]

Alex said:

The one thing I would want to spec is the manual gearbox!

I was pleased I went with the manual in my E92 M3 but the majority do prefer DCT that's for sure but lots of credit should go to BMW for giving drivers the option of both in this day & age.

[cerb4.5lee]

Schermerhorn said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Schermerhorn said:

Don't think it will be the jump over the E92 M3 that the E92 was over the E46.

Is that the backwards jump you are referring too!

I would have thought that there are more M3 fans out there that prefer the E46 M3 to the E92 M3 the E92 went softer & more comfortable imo.

I meant in terms of out and out performance. The E46 was definately a better drivers car than the E9x M3 series no doubt.

This latest one doesn't look like it'll suffer the 'soft' tag.

Yes it will be interesting to read what the press say about the next one but certainly on paper it looks that it could be quite a weapon...just need my numbers to come up though!

[cerb4.5lee]

Froomee said:

Blue, Carbon brakes and a few carbon accessories as the roof will be carbon i think the splitter and spoiler will tie in nicely.

Went for opal white interior is black is a bit dull and orange a bit much

Hopefully the car doesn't turn out black with black interior or silver with black...

I went for exactly the same spec as you & I just love the Blue exterior & lighter leather & I am sick of black leather as I find its just a bit too steady & predictable.

[cerb4.5lee]

VeeDub Geezer said:

Blue with white leather for me.

Always wanted an E36 in Estoril Blue and white leather when I was a teenager.

Non-ceramics as I wanted the blue calipers though...

Me too I always wanted a E36 in that combo for as long as I can remember...I wasn't brave enough to go for the standard brakes though I ticked the ceramics as the standard brakes on my E92 M3 were nothing short of useless but its great that this one will have good brakes either way.

[cerb4.5lee]

Froomee said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Froomee said:

Blue, Carbon brakes and a few carbon accessories as the roof will be carbon i think the splitter and spoiler will tie in nicely.

Went for opal white interior is black is a bit dull and orange a bit much

Hopefully the car doesn't turn out black with black interior or silver with black...

I went for exactly the same spec as you & I just love the Blue exterior & lighter leather & I am sick of black leather as I find its just a bit too steady & predictable.

I like cream with blue and hate black as the whole interior ends up dark and on a "sporty" car it's a bit dull and predictable.

On my Z4M I ruled out any car with black leather unless the exterior colour was bright.

I had imola red leather in my Z4M but sadly the leather was black in my M3.

[cerb4.5lee]

Amirhussain said:

I might be wrong, but I swear the new M3/M4 was going to be offered with a manual box?

A manual does come as standard but for those who don't like too much involvement you can still have DCT & that gearbox will be the big seller as usual, I do think BMW should be praised for offering a manual in this playstation generation age.

If I was in a position to buy a M4 I would go for the manual gearbox like I did in my E92 M3 I just struggle with this flappy paddle fetish everyone loves nowadays & I appreciate I will have a slower car but I still enjoy using a stick & clutch pedal too much...I live in the dark ages it seems.