RE: Updated BMW M4 announced
Tuesday 17th January 2017
Never before has an M-car divided enthusiasts quite like this generation of BMW M3, and of course now M4 as well. Back when it was first driven nearly three years ago we loved it, then reception was less warm back in the UK, then it swung back around to proper admiration after a few months living with one. But only after one PH contributor named it his disappointment of the year. Divisive, see.
This latest change probably won't convert the detractors, being as it is a cosmetic change in line with the rest of the range rather than an overhaul. To that end the M4 features new LED lights front and rear, with changes inside including more chrome, new stitching and fresh M emblems for the seats. Of most significance in an admittedly light refresh is the optional ConnectedDrive nav, which brings a new display, inductive phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay.
While we could mention the interior updates here, you can see those for yourself; of more interest is what's happened underneath, with BMW claiming suspension tweaks that have "greatly enhanced the cars' dynamic handling capabilities without compromising on their impressive ride comfort." You'll remember back when we had a 435i long-termer that it didn't feel all that to drive; these new models now boast stiffer suspension with "more advanced damping technology and an upgraded steering set-up", both of which sound encouraging. BMW says the car should be more neutral and less prone to roll in all three (standard, M Sport and adaptive) suspension configurations.
Updated BMW M4 announced
A new look and more equipment for the 4 Series flagship, plus a refresh for the rest of the range too
Otherwise it's as you were for the M4, with 431hp (or 450hp in the Competition Package). Prices start at £57,817 for the coupe, with the Convertible - if you must - coming in at £61,910. For the equivalent Competition Pack cars you're looking at £60,815 and £64,110.
For the rest of the 4 Series range, BMW's "dynamically contoured athlete", the updates are more far reaching. Interestingly too BMW says 50 per cent of the 400,000 cars sold so far are Gran Coupes, with the two-door and convertible accounting for 25 per cent each. Styling changes front and rear are there to accentuate the car's width, with new lights and bumpers the main differences.
In the UK the 4 Series will be offered in those three bodystyles with six engines: 420i, 430i, 440i, 420d, 430d and 435d. The 20i, 20d and 30d models are available with xDrive and prices start at £32,525 for the 420i two-door. Orders are being taken from Thursday. Oh yes, and the outgoing M4 is now from £35K. Tempting...
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Discussion
I see they've nicked the M2's special turquoisey blue for the regular 4 series range...
Can't really see much else has changed. To say the changes are "far more reaching" is rather stretching reality for some new lighting graphics, dabs of interior chrome and retuned suspension...
Can't really see much else has changed. To say the changes are "far more reaching" is rather stretching reality for some new lighting graphics, dabs of interior chrome and retuned suspension...
Edited by GTEYE on Tuesday 17th January 12:24
Edited by GTEYE on Tuesday 17th January 12:33
Cupramax said:
LED headlights front and rear? Now theres a novelty 
It's one thing that really grates with BMW. They've used LED's since 2003 on their cars, yet every new model features halogen bulbs (on the whole) for the launch model and then BMW add LED's for the LCI models. I know it's all marketing b
ks, but really.No doubt these minor changes to the M4 will have all the lease boys twitching to end their plan and get into the latest 'must have' version though.
I think BMW need t reinvent the M car as it seems they have lost track of the core values these days. That said; they make the car that people want to a tightly controlled cost base. I guess the days of the hand built engines and race car driving experiences are long gone.
I think BMW need t reinvent the M car as it seems they have lost track of the core values these days. That said; they make the car that people want to a tightly controlled cost base. I guess the days of the hand built engines and race car driving experiences are long gone.
lord trumpton said:
No doubt these minor changes to the M4 will have all the lease boys twitching to end their plan and get into the latest 'must have' version though.
I think BMW need t reinvent the M car as it seems they have lost track of the core values these days. That said; they make the car that people want to a tightly controlled cost base. I guess the days of the hand built engines and race car driving experiences are long gone.
Not sure what a lease boy is but that's a great car actually. It even takes quite a few laps in its stride. Very pointy front end in particular.I think BMW need t reinvent the M car as it seems they have lost track of the core values these days. That said; they make the car that people want to a tightly controlled cost base. I guess the days of the hand built engines and race car driving experiences are long gone.
lord trumpton said:
No doubt these minor changes to the M4 will have all the lease boys twitching to end their plan and get into the latest 'must have' version though.
I think BMW need t reinvent the M car as it seems they have lost track of the core values these days. That said; they make the car that people want to a tightly controlled cost base. I guess the days of the hand built engines and race car driving experiences are long gone.
I think their aim is to sell as many as possible so why would they market to petrolheads? Manufactureres have plenty of heritage to market their cars with as well so why would they actually build an engaging car to drive. I think BMW need t reinvent the M car as it seems they have lost track of the core values these days. That said; they make the car that people want to a tightly controlled cost base. I guess the days of the hand built engines and race car driving experiences are long gone.
Also Ive never even been in an M3/4, I am sure they are excellent (bar that sound symposer s
t, what the actual fk were they thinking). MikeGoodwin said:
(bar that sound symposer st, what the actual fk were they thinking).
I suspect they were thinking t, what the actual fk were they thinking)."Ah, this engine sounds like a heap of s
t, we'd best try and play some nicer noises in to the cabin so the majority of our customers are happier. The fact it will piss of some internet purist types who account for 0.00001% of our sales is no big deal"GTEYE said:
I see they've nicked the M2's special turquoisey blue for the regular 4 series range...
Long Beach blue. It's available as a standard colour on a number of BMWs, not just the M2. About time it was available on the 4 Series too, which hopefully it will be. It's not showing on the configurator yet.It looks like the LCI 4 series has a different iDrive to the one introduced on the LCI 3 series last year (or at least on the M3 from Sept 16). Same 5 tabs, but the graphics are different. I would have thought they would have just bunged in the same one that the 3 was given (iDrive 5.0).
MattOz said:
Cupramax said:
LED headlights front and rear? Now theres a novelty
It's one thing that really grates with BMW. They've used LED's since 2003 on their cars, yet every new model features halogen bulbs (on the whole) for the launch model and then BMW add LED's for the LCI models. I know it's all marketing bks, but really.About time they updated the 4 Series/M4 taillights, halogen brake bulbs in 2016 on a 60k car was a joke
[quote=MitchT quote=GTEYE]I see they've nicked the M2's special turquoisey blue for the regular 4 series range...
[/quote]
Long Beach blue. It's available as a standard colour on a number of BMWs, not just the M2. About time it was available on the 4 Series too, which hopefully it will be. It's not showing on the configurator yet.
[/quote]
Long Beach Blue is an individual colour on the 'normal' range. This new 4 series colour is acutally a different colour called Snapper Rocks Blue and is M Sport only on the 4 series.
[/quote]
Long Beach blue. It's available as a standard colour on a number of BMWs, not just the M2. About time it was available on the 4 Series too, which hopefully it will be. It's not showing on the configurator yet.
[/quote]
Long Beach Blue is an individual colour on the 'normal' range. This new 4 series colour is acutally a different colour called Snapper Rocks Blue and is M Sport only on the 4 series.
I really wish I could love this car as I've enjoyed a few BMW's so far but I really don't like the sound the M4 makes, the steering feel, nor the general quality of BMW leather over the last few years. Even the lower range models have lost their sparkle. The GF has a 420d and whilst it looks nice it just doesn't drive as well as the e92 did (IMHO of course) and that was pretty bad until the runflats were gone. The drivers seat looks like its done 80k not 35 too!
I followed an e92 M3 to work today it sounded fantastic, to the point I'd probably buy a mint one of those if I went back to BMW. I think the next car will be a Cayman though, granted not as quick but the feel and noise are right in the sweet spot for my tastes.
I followed an e92 M3 to work today it sounded fantastic, to the point I'd probably buy a mint one of those if I went back to BMW. I think the next car will be a Cayman though, granted not as quick but the feel and noise are right in the sweet spot for my tastes.
Yipper said:
As fast dailies shift to AWD (or switchable AWD), the M range, with its badly twitchy back end, is starting to look and feel very dated.
We are all entitled to our own opinion but I've just passed 6.5k miles in a 2016 M3. My other car is an i3 which must surely be one of the least dated cars about and I have to say that in comparison the M3 is light years ahead in quality, feel and undatedness (well, you know what I mean).I can't comment on the pre LCI cars but having clocked up most of those miles in damp and greasy conditions I don't find it in the least twitchy. Clearly with well north of 400HP and rear drive you can't stamp on the accelerator but driven with the respect that it deserves it is far from twitchy.
I've recently had a number of Elises, a series one Exige and most recently a 928. None of which had traction control, so perhaps I'm a little better at tempering my right foot than if I'd just jumped out of something a little more forgiving.
Just my two pennies worth.
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