Discussion
Had a test drive in a M4 today.
After owning many M's and various other performance cars in the past I was excited to try this new M offering.
How disappointing!
Sure it was fast but so boring. The power delivery was just like a large capacity turbo diesel. Loads of shove but zero character.
Handling again was very sure footed especially considering the freezing conditions but again the lack of feel and feedback from the steering and general feel was poor to none existent!
I was truly shocked at how far off the mark the M4 was. I am not usually this critical of cars as normally put any poor feedback down to me just not getting it but in this case the experience was definitely poor due to the car.
With dropping out of the company car scheme imminent I was really looking forward to getting back into an M after boring company diesel barges but to be honest I now don't know what try instead.
After owning many M's and various other performance cars in the past I was excited to try this new M offering.
How disappointing!
Sure it was fast but so boring. The power delivery was just like a large capacity turbo diesel. Loads of shove but zero character.
Handling again was very sure footed especially considering the freezing conditions but again the lack of feel and feedback from the steering and general feel was poor to none existent!
I was truly shocked at how far off the mark the M4 was. I am not usually this critical of cars as normally put any poor feedback down to me just not getting it but in this case the experience was definitely poor due to the car.
With dropping out of the company car scheme imminent I was really looking forward to getting back into an M after boring company diesel barges but to be honest I now don't know what try instead.
Having owned the E90 M3, and the LCI M5 and now the M6 GC CP, i too test drove the M4, my findings were the steering was good (it was dry and warm) and feed-back ok, it was very "Go-Cart" for me almost "boy-racer", it held the road well enough on the twisty stuff but a bit "fidgety" , not confidence inspiring nothing like the E90 which was awesome.
Interior cheap and cheerful, just 3 series, not impressed.
Interior cheap and cheerful, just 3 series, not impressed.
stevenandalex said:
If you want a new car I would try a m235i. I like you do not rate the new M4 and after driving an e92 M3, will be replacing mine for the M235i In a couple of years.
Steve
What makes you think an M235i will be any better? It's turbocharged and has electric steering like the M4...Steve
scarecrow said:
Had a test drive in a M4 today.
With dropping out of the company car scheme imminent I was really looking forward to getting back into an M after boring company diesel barges but to be honest I now don't know what try instead.
I think the 'OP' has a very good point. If you don't get on with the M3/M4 and you don't want a larger M car e.g. M5/M6 then what new 2 door car do you buy? The only other option for a new car in a similar price bracket for me was the Boxster/Cayman (I don't get on with Audi cars).With dropping out of the company car scheme imminent I was really looking forward to getting back into an M after boring company diesel barges but to be honest I now don't know what try instead.
I had the same problem with the test drive but opted for the M4 in the end anyway as I wanted a warranty and I like turbo cars. I've also had a raft of performance BMWs and they've proven to be very reliable (unlike a number of more expensive brands/models I've owned).
After playing with setting in mine for some time, I like the car - however others will always hate it, it's very different to previous incarnations as Chris Harris says in his review. The lack of exhaust note was very disappointing until the 'valve' mod.
It's not BMW's fault. They are just responding to demand.
Instead take issue with all the people on here who drive on motorways in heavy traffic, feel 'threatened' by turbo'd hot hatches and complain about 'lack of torque' and would prefer a better 'every day' car.
Well, you got what you wanted, basically a 335d that takes petrol and has an M badge stuck on the back.
Enjoy.
Instead take issue with all the people on here who drive on motorways in heavy traffic, feel 'threatened' by turbo'd hot hatches and complain about 'lack of torque' and would prefer a better 'every day' car.
Well, you got what you wanted, basically a 335d that takes petrol and has an M badge stuck on the back.
Enjoy.
Jazzer said:
x5x3 said:
Jazzer said:
We must all be idiots, eh?
yes - the sort who will spend their hard earned cash elsewhere now I'm not in the market for an M4 and never will be.
I love the car I have and will not be changing it any time soon.
Lots of people have opinions on forums - the only ones that count are the ones that buy one or another car.
ITP said:
Maybe consider a non german option?
F-type? RC-F? Both of these will sound considerably better than an M4 for similar money.
That is a good shout which I must admit I hadn't considered.F-type? RC-F? Both of these will sound considerably better than an M4 for similar money.
Still reeling from the disappointment of the M4, maybe I should arrange another test in better conditions to clarify.
x5x3 said:
Jazzer said:
x5x3 said:
Jazzer said:
We must all be idiots, eh?
yes - the sort who will spend their hard earned cash elsewhere now I'm not in the market for an M4 and never will be.
I love the car I have and will not be changing it any time soon.
Lots of people have opinions on forums - the only ones that count are the ones that buy one or another car.
So what are you going for?
GameOverMan! said:
I think the 'OP' has a very good point. If you don't get on with the M3/M4 and you don't want a larger M car e.g. M5/M6 then what new 2 door car do you buy? The only other option for a new car in a similar price bracket for me was the Boxster/Cayman (I don't get on with Audi cars).
I had the same problem with the test drive but opted for the M4 in the end anyway as I wanted a warranty and I like turbo cars. I've also had a raft of performance BMWs and they've proven to be very reliable (unlike a number of more expensive brands/models I've owned).
After playing with setting in mine for some time, I like the car - however others will always hate it, it's very different to previous incarnations as Chris Harris says in his review. The lack of exhaust note was very disappointing until the 'valve' mod.
I am in the same boat and can't find anything better than the m4 for similar money. I drove a 991 carrera s the other week and I loved it but thought it made the M4 look good vfm as the 991 was around £100k. I've had my E92 m3 for 3 years and fancy a change. I liked the new M4 better than my E92 in every department except for the noise. I had the same problem with the test drive but opted for the M4 in the end anyway as I wanted a warranty and I like turbo cars. I've also had a raft of performance BMWs and they've proven to be very reliable (unlike a number of more expensive brands/models I've owned).
After playing with setting in mine for some time, I like the car - however others will always hate it, it's very different to previous incarnations as Chris Harris says in his review. The lack of exhaust note was very disappointing until the 'valve' mod.
0836whimper said:
It's not BMW's fault. They are just responding to demand.
Instead take issue with all the people on here who drive on motorways in heavy traffic, feel 'threatened' by turbo'd hot hatches and complain about 'lack of torque' and would prefer a better 'every day' car.
Well, you got what you wanted, basically a 335d that takes petrol and has an M badge stuck on the back.
Enjoy.
This is absolutely spot on and so true... and sadly I fell into the same trap as I hated my E92 M3 for its lack of low down guts and the fact it was only exciting at 6k revs plus so then for me I didn't think it suited daily driving one bit...I never used it on a motorway but still it was a tricky car to enjoy its potential. Instead take issue with all the people on here who drive on motorways in heavy traffic, feel 'threatened' by turbo'd hot hatches and complain about 'lack of torque' and would prefer a better 'every day' car.
Well, you got what you wanted, basically a 335d that takes petrol and has an M badge stuck on the back.
Enjoy.
Then I got to experience a 640d which offers oodles of low down guts but offers absolutely zero reward and BMW with the M4 have tried to offer similar because that's what many wanted and now we all look back with fond memories of what we have lost...so BMW just cant win and I agree wholeheartedly.
BMW should obviously have models that cater for people who want petrol cars with low down grunt - they're a business after all, but should keep the 'M' cars as high-revving, normally aspirated enthusiasts' cars. Whenever I see a review of the M4 it sounds like the up-changes are being done at 4,000rpm. The only way to relieve the frustration is to find some YouTube vids of E36s and E46s being threshed to within an inch of their life!
MitchT said:
BMW should obviously have models that cater for people who want petrol cars with low down grunt - they're a business after all, but should keep the 'M' cars as high-revving, normally aspirated enthusiasts' cars. Whenever I see a review of the M4 it sounds like the up-changes are being done at 4,000rpm. The only way to relieve the frustration is to find some YouTube vids of E36s and E46s being threshed to within an inch of their life!
Totally agree, they should also make CSL versions like Porsche do with their RS's.0836whimper said:
It's not BMW's fault. They are just responding to demand.
Instead take issue with all the people on here who drive on motorways in heavy traffic, feel 'threatened' by turbo'd hot hatches and complain about 'lack of torque' and would prefer a better 'every day' car.
Well, you got what you wanted, basically a 335d that takes petrol and has an M badge stuck on the back.
Enjoy.
One of the most perceptive comments I've read in a very long time. Can't argue with any of this.Instead take issue with all the people on here who drive on motorways in heavy traffic, feel 'threatened' by turbo'd hot hatches and complain about 'lack of torque' and would prefer a better 'every day' car.
Well, you got what you wanted, basically a 335d that takes petrol and has an M badge stuck on the back.
Enjoy.
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