Thinking of Moving from Porsche to M4.

[Andrew911]

I was quite lucky enough last year to order a new, very rare 981 Boxster Spyder. it's been the best car I have owned including a few 911's. 380bhp from a slightly de-tuned engine out of the Carrera S, carbon buckets, sports exhaust, sports suspension etc, etc. So why change you ask? The Spyder is worth more than I paid for it. I am thinking of getting another summer in with the Spyder & sell in August when there will be plenty of demand for such a rare cab. Even allowing for finance costs I would have had 18 months free motoring & will probably make a little bit as well. So, I think timing wise it makes sense (to me) to sell before the summers out. I would have had 18 months free & very pleasurable motoring. I also tend to change my cars every 18-24 months as I get bored & also as i have chossen wisely I don't lose a massive shed load on cars either. So, got me thinking what next The M4 is the only car that seems to have appeal. Would be interested to hear from other M4 owners on their likes/dislikes. There is more power from the M4 & engine would 'feel' very different coming from a screaming, high reving NA flat 6. Also, do you guys/girls change the exhaust from your M4 to something like an IPE or Remus or is the standard exhaust plenty load enough?

Another question. Is it better from a 'more involving' drive & for residuals to to go for a manual? I know with Porsche enthusiasts, manual makes a massive difference when say selling a 911 turbo etc.

Edited by Andrew911 on Monday 20th February 10:05

Edited by Andrew911 on Monday 20th February 10:38

[Captain Caveman]

If you're concerned about residuals, then buying an M4 is suicide, especially a new one. Residuals on M-cars, unless it's a very limited edition, is particularly poor due to the large deposit contributions and discounts offered by dealers form new, and the large number of lease deals available. The M4 is a high volume exec coupe, and so will never have the cache or low production number of the Porsche, or even the GTR for example. Low production, niche cars, are what you need to buy if you want to ensure you don't lose too much money.

As a an example, you can buy just over 2 year old M4s for £35k, which is bonkers depreciation to be honest. So bad that they're not far off the price of low mileage e92 M3s, prices of which are starting to harden due to the last of the NA M3 status.

Buy yourself a NA 991.1 GTS with a manual box and you'll never see the value fall.

[Andrew911]

Captain Caveman said:

As a an example, you can buy just over 2 year old M4s for £35k, which is bonkers depreciation to be honest. So bad that they're not far off the price of low mileage e92 M3s, prices of which are starting to harden due to the last of the NA M3 status.

Buy yourself a NA 991.1 GTS with a manual box and you'll never see the value fall.

Similar to my current 981 Boxster Spyder - only 220 in the UK. I could keep the Spyder & enjoy 3-4 years free motoring. but I have lot of cash in the Spyder & also fancy a change. I wouldn't buy a new M4. £40K can buy me a very nice 24 month old example. if i keep the car for two years I can't see myself lose say £20K. For a similar prie I could buy my previous car back - a 997 Gen 2 Carrera S. It will lose less than the M4 over time but again just fancy a change but also don't want to lose a shed load either.

[Davel]

Not quite answering your question but at the end of last year, I moved from Boxster to an M240i and regret it.

The engine and gearbox are brilliant on the BMW but I really miss the character of the Boxster. I don't like the new 'characterless' feel of the steering of the BMW.

The Boxster was more fun to drive - I even preferred it to my previous C4.

I did try out an M4 earlier last year before buying the Boxster.

[Andrew911]

Davel said:

I did try out an M4 earlier last year before buying the Boxster.

What did you think of the M4 compared to the Boxster? I have had a few Porsche's & loved them all. If I fancy changing the 981 Spyder & have 45K to spend the main contenders for me are either going back to 997.2 (no bad thing. A lovely car), a 981 Caymen S or an M4. The M4 would be a very different car to what i am use to but that's also a good thing. My guess though is that I'll dump a load more cash on the M4 come resale.

[daz05]

The spyder is a car I'd love to own, I agree with the others definitely best to keep it.
997 or 991 GTS if you really fancied a change.

Try and get a drive in the m4 and see what you think and report back.

[s2000db]

I've got a 997 turboS and a M4 as a daily, and I love it!

It's basically a totally different driving experience, and quite an entertaining handful in comparison...

Give one a test drive, but make sure you give it loads of beans, and watch the traction light flicker in fourth gear, really does focus your mind, in contrast to the Porsche's all round abilities..

[Davel]

The performance of the M4 was very Impressive but can probably be a handful in the wet.

I can't actually remember what the steering was like feedback wise.

Take a long test ride before you decide.

[bennyboysvuk]

Davel said:

The performance of the M4 was very Impressive but can probably be a handful in the wet.

I can't actually remember what the steering was like feedback wise.

Take a long test ride before you decide.

I test drove the M3 and found it all to be modern BMW, so for my sportier tastes I found it too sound deadened and rather fake. The active sound generator roars through the speakers initially, but when you lift off it goes a bit too quiet, which doesn't sound quite normal. It's great at everyday driving in the same way that a 320d is.

However, if you're driving it hard with DSC off, it is good fun. It seems possible to provoke powerslides at pretty much any road speed, which is a hoot, but for lower speed rewards and general feel-good factor, I think it's some way behind more focused cars.

[Andrew911]

bennyboysvuk said:

Davel said:

The performance of the M4 was very Impressive but can probably be a handful in the wet.

I can't actually remember what the steering was like feedback wise.

Take a long test ride before you decide.

I test drove the M3 and found it all to be modern BMW, so for my sportier tastes I found it too sound deadened and rather fake. The active sound generator roars through the speakers initially, but when you lift off it goes a bit too quiet, which doesn't sound quite normal. It's great at everyday driving in the same way that a 320d is.

However, if you're driving it hard with DSC off, it is good fun. It seems possible to provoke powerslides at pretty much any road speed, which is a hoot, but for lower speed rewards and general feel-good factor, I think it's some way behind more focused cars.

Wrt exhaust sound; maybe something like an IPE or Remus exhaust? I know the M4 will feel very different to my 981 Spyder. Funny thing is whatever car I get i always return back to Porsche. It will be a daily drive for me so i guess i will need to be mega careful in the wet/ice It seems on paper to be a very different proposition to me getting another porker.

[Andrew911]

s2000db said:

I've got a 997 turboS and a M4 as a daily, and I love it!

It's basically a totally different driving experience, and quite an entertaining handful in comparison...

Give one a test drive, but make sure you give it loads of beans, and watch the traction light flicker in fourth gear, really does focus your mind, in contrast to the Porsche's all round abilities..

Sounds fun. Also good that you have a comparison with a 997 turbo & M4 & you still really rate the M4. I have had a few Porkers. Loving the 981 Spyder & previous one was a 997.2. I think my choice will likely be M4 - very different to what I have had, which is very appealing or back to a 997 - great car with rock solid residuals even for a standard Carrera S, but have never gone back to a car I owned previously. As you say I need to test drive one to find out if its for me.

[Captain Caveman]

If you like NA cars, and don’t want to lose too much in depreciation, have you considered a last of the line 2013 e92 M3 coupe? These although not quite a quick as the M4, have shed loads of character, better steering, a cracking high revving V8 engine and (I think) better looks. You can get a low mileage 2013 Comp pack for about £34k from BMW Approved, and you won’t lose much in depreciation as prices are firming up. I considered the M4 after my GTR, but found it lacked character, the steering lifeless, and the engine wasn’t much fun to wring out. The S65 engine in the e92 is a peach and coming from previous NA Porches, you’ll appreciate the delivery and high revving nature, especially with an Akrapovic exhaust. Simply one of the best sounding cars ever made when its voice is unleasheed

[Andrew911]

Captain Caveman said:

If you like NA cars, and don’t want to lose too much in depreciation, have you considered a last of the line 2013 e92 M3 coupe? These although not quite a quick as the M4, have shed loads of character, better steering, a cracking high revving V8 engine and (I think) better looks. You can get a low mileage 2013 Comp pack for about £34k from BMW Approved, and you won’t lose much in depreciation as prices are firming up. I considered the M4 after my GTR, but found it lacked character, the steering lifeless, and the engine wasn’t much fun to wring out. The S65 engine in the e92 is a peach and coming from previous NA Porches, you’ll appreciate the delivery and high revving nature, especially with an Akrapovic exhaust. Simply one of the best sounding cars ever made when its voice is unleasheed

Ummmm. Very interesting! Didn't really consider that. Thanks.

[Andrew911]

Captain Caveman said:

If you like NA cars, and don’t want to lose too much in depreciation, have you considered a last of the line 2013 e92 M3 coupe? These although not quite a quick as the M4, have shed loads of character, better steering, a cracking high revving V8 engine and (I think) better looks. You can get a low mileage 2013 Comp pack for about £34k from BMW Approved, and you won’t lose much in depreciation as prices are firming up. I considered the M4 after my GTR, but found it lacked character, the steering lifeless, and the engine wasn’t much fun to wring out. The S65 engine in the e92 is a peach and coming from previous NA Porches, you’ll appreciate the delivery and high revving nature, especially with an Akrapovic exhaust. Simply one of the best sounding cars ever made when its voice is unleasheed

Ummmm. Very interesting! Didn't really consider that. Thanks. I'll try & test drive both the M3 Coupe & M4.

Edited by Andrew911 on Tuesday 21st February 12:29

[Captain Caveman]

Andrew911 said:

Ummmm. Very interesting! Didn't really consider that. Thanks. I'll try & test drive both the M3 Coupe & M4.

Edited by Andrew911 on Tuesday 21st February 12:29

You should definitely. The M3 coupe is much more analogue and feels more mechanical. The engine is the heart and soul of the car and dominates the experience, although quite muted in stock form. Handling, balance and feel are exceptional, and the car just loves to dance seemingly on its tip toes on a twisty road. Lots of ppl complain that the car has no torque, which if coming from a turbocharged car is true, it doesn't have the instant woomph in the back that you get at low revs, but that just the difference in delivery between turbo and NA, which you'll be familiar with. All in all, it's an extremely engaging car, very visceral and mechanical, much more so that the GTR I had before it, despite the performance difference.

Edited by Captain Caveman on Tuesday 21st February 12:53

[Andrew911]

Captain Caveman said:

You should definitely. The M3 coupe is much more analogue and feels more mechanical. The engine is the heart and soul of the car and dominates the experience, although quite muted in stock form. Handling, balance and feel are exceptional, and the car just loves to dance seemingly on its tip toes on a twisty road. Lots of ppl complain that the car has no torque, which if coming from a turbocharged car is true, it doesn't have the instant woomph in the back that you get at low revs, but that just the difference in delivery between turbo and NA, which you'll be familiar with. All in all, it's an extremely engaging car, very visceral and mechanical, much more so that the GTR I had before it, despite the performance difference.

Edited by Captain Caveman on Tuesday 21st February 12:53

All sounds great. The M3 was not on my radar. Not sure why. Coming from NA Porsche's I think I'll really like the M3. I want to get most of the summer with the 981 Spyder & will consider a move late August.

[rds1]

I have an M4 as a daily and a 997 GTS. I knew I would lose a lot on the M4 but I still think it's a lot of car for the money and can't really be compared with the 911 which is twice as much near enough.

M4 performance is very rapid once it gets going. It's too easy to spin the wheels unless you are gentle with the throttle and I suspect you will find that a bit annoying compared to the Porsche (I do). I have an MPE exhaust which sounds pretty good but is expensive at over 3k.

Standard equipment such as heads up display, camera,hi Fi etc are all pretty good as is the space and practicality. They look pretty good too with all the carbon bits.

As others have said go test drive it (which I didn't!).

[Andrew911]

rds1 said:

I have an M4 as a daily and a 997 GTS. I knew I would lose a lot on the M4 but I still think it's a lot of car for the money and can't really be compared with the 911 which is twice as much near enough.

M4 performance is very rapid once it gets going. It's too easy to spin the wheels unless you are gentle with the throttle and I suspect you will find that a bit annoying compared to the Porsche (I do). I have an MPE exhaust which sounds pretty good but is expensive at over 3k.

Standard equipment such as heads up display, camera,hi Fi etc are all pretty good as is the space and practicality. They look pretty good too with all the carbon bits.

As others have said go test drive it (which I didn't!).

Its great to get comments from those who own or have owned Porsche's so I can get a bit of a comparison. But also as someone on here said also look at the M3 Coupe. The 981 Spyder is stripped back a bit - its a great car but will be a novelty to jump into M4 spec car

[nickfrog]

Captain Caveman said:

If you're concerned about residuals, then buying an M4 is suicide, especially a new one. Residuals on M-cars, unless it's a very limited edition, is particularly poor due to the large deposit contributions and discounts offered by dealers form new (...) As a an example, you can buy just over 2 year old M4s for £35k, which is bonkers depreciation to be honest.

All quite relative - what if you did get the max discount and finance contributions (both available on cash deals even if you have to borrow £10k for 1 month at next to no cost) ? You end up paying £48k for one and probably sell it for £32k trade (or more privately). I call that superb % residual. As for £ residuals, it depends what you're comfortable with. For many people, £450/month doesn't ever register...and they get to drive a M4.

[Captain Caveman]

nickfrog said:

All quite relative - what if you did get the max discount and finance contributions (both available on cash deals even if you have to borrow £10k for 1 month at next to no cost) ? You end up paying £48k for one and probably sell it for £32k trade (or more privately). I call that superb % residual. As for £ residuals, it depends what you're comfortable with. For many people, £450/month doesn't ever register...and they get to drive a M4.

Hmmm, you must have money to burn. I don’t think Ive ever lost close to that much money on a car, in 20 years of motoring, and that includes new cars. Losing £16k in 2-3 years on a car is A LOT of money, plus the cost of the interest over that period. If you buy cars wisely, you don’t have to lose much at all. Just depends on your view on the value of money.