Tuesday 20th October 2015

BMW M4: PH Fleet

Dan faces up to the reality - he really should read the manual sometimes

---

So last time I got a ticking off from the comments thread for not properly reading the manual and appreciating launch control rpm can apparently be adjusted from the cruise control stalk. Seems real PHers are confident enough in their masculinity to admit such things so, suitably emboldened, I delved into the instructions and uncovered another bit of BMW trivia the entire PH world will now roll its eyes and say 'what, you didn't know THAT?'

March of progress; M4 now 6 sized!

I'm afraid it's nothing like as exciting as choosing your launch rpm either. Yes, I'll share this with the one other person who didn't know but according to which way you have the mirror switch the M4 will or won't dip its nearside mirror when reversing. I like this. With wheels this nice I'm paranoid about parking kerbside. And after finding out how much Austin Yellow paint costs I'm keen to keep 'em level for 'regular' reversing. Being able to switch between the two modes without having to delve into a menu is a gift. My name is Dan, I read the manual and I now know more about 'my' car.

Still awake? You're probably wondering where that C63 shoot-out is aren't you? It's coming, honest. In the meantime I decided threadbare rear tyres and looming autumnal weather probably weren't the smartest combination and did puppy dog eyes at BMW's press office to see if they'd lend me another set of rear wheels so I could see these ones off in style and then have something to drive home on. Amazingly they agreed, a flight from Farnborough next door to their office meaning I could drop the car with them to load these and inspect a chip on the windscreen. When I picked it up the following day the car was beautifully clean, seemingly bearer of a new screen and packing two box fresh rear wheels with fresh Pilot Super Sports in the back.

To be continued...

Privileges suitably abused I motored home a happy man, knowing we had a day booked at the PHTV test track and a chance to give those tired old tyres a proper send off. But then it rained. Dreams of tyre smoke extinguished, dodgy rubber still in place and a look at the diary trying to find another opportunity. On a brighter note whatever Rain-X style coating BMW put on the glass when they cleaned it was proper witchcraft; fully beaded up rear screen and side windows would clear on the first prod of the accelerator. I've asked what it was they used and am awaiting an answer, because whatever it was it worked a treat.

I'm itching to give it a proper blast too. As good as it is on the day to day - and it really is very good - I've still not really cut loose in it. And I really, really need to give those rears a proper Viking send-off. Probably for the best I don't do this on a local roundabout, tempting as it is.

Now, as I write we've just had something delivered to the car park that might make a rather interesting comparison. It's also gold, costs £78K as delivered against 'my' M4's £73,870 and makes a rather compelling back to back. I'll get to that in due course. I've got a C63 comparo to type up first!

---

FACT SHEET
Car: BMW M4
Run by: Dan 
On fleet since: June 2015
Mileage: 8,967
List price new: £73,870 (Basic list of £57,055 plus £1,330 for Black Merino leather, £545 for advanced parking package, £2,645 for 7-speed M DCT transmission, £6,250 for carbon ceramic brakes, £175 for 19" M Double-spoke style 437M alloy wheels/Black with mixed tyres, £265 for sun protection glass, £155 for extended storage, £140 for sliding front armrest, £440 for lane change warning system, £395 for Carbon Fibre interior trim, £1,600 for Adaptive LED headlights, £370 for driving assistant, £500 surround view, £825 Head-up display, £675 Harman/Kardon Loudspeaker system, £95 internet and £190 for online entertainment)
Last month at a glance: Spare tyres acquired, not yet fitted

Previous reports
Dan wanted an M3, gets an M4 instead - what to do?!
It started so well... and now the M4 is in the bodyshop
Finally back from the bodyshop; time to drive!
Tyres were harmed in the making of this film

[Itsallicanafford]

Try holding down the door open on the key, it used to open all the windows on the E92, handy if you are in a tight parking space.

[Leins]

Itsallicanafford said:

Try holding down the door open on the key, it used to open all the windows on the E92, handy if you are in a tight parking space.

A double-tap of the door-open button was even better as when you used the door handle the window dropped, but then went back up automatically when you closed the door again

[FastRich]

Likewise, when you lock the car if you notice the windows and/or sunroof are open, hold the lock button on the fob down and they'll all close. I think some convertible cars even close the roof when you do this.

I can't believe you didn't know about the dipping mirror though - that's been around since at least 1996 (that's the oldest car I've had which had that feature).

One of the best tricks is to be in view of your car but a reasonable way away from it - well out of key fob range. Press a button or two to make sure its not working then hold the fob up to your head (temple area seems to work best) and press the button again - it'll work.

[redroadster]

M2 30 grand cheaper same engine, how do they justify price difference ? .

[RossP]

Don't forget you can also flash the lights from the iphone app!

(and turn on the fans, or lock/unlock the doors).

The feature is slightly better on my i3 where you can also activate the heating (or cooling) which I have just done so will be getting into a nice warm car in 5 minds for my drive home

[thatsprettyshady]

RossP said:

Don't forget you can also flash the lights from the iphone app!

(and turn on the fans, or lock/unlock the doors).

The feature is slightly better on my i3 where you can also activate the heating (or cooling) which I have just done so will be getting into a nice warm car in 5 minds for my drive home

And find it when it gets nicked like I managed.

[RossP]

redroadster said:

M2 30 grand cheaper same engine, how do they justify price difference ? .

It's not £30k cheaper though... Where did you get that from??

It's also not the same engine. 1 turbo vs 2 for a start!

£44k for the M2, £57k for an M4. That's £13k. Factor in discounts on M4s and they're within £5k!

M4 also has better seats, nicer leather, more standard equipment etc etc

[cerb4.5lee]

I find the colours on these really disappointing, I don't like Yas Marina blue yet blue is usually my favourite colour and Austin Yellow is very marmite, I thought Sakhir Orange could be nice as something different but saw one yesterday and I really didn't like it at all.

White is maybe too predictable and black hides all of the detailing of the skirts too much and Silverstone II is my least favourite because its neither blue or silver, mineral grey is too ordinary so its not easy and even the individual colours aren't that great.

Its a shame they don't do Imola Red or Estoril Blue or Le Mans blue as I like all three of those, I think if I went for one it would have to be Tanzanite Blue but I have read that it just looks like black most of the time so I cant win.

[bigtime]

Imola red or Ferrari red can be done for £3200.

[bigtime]

redroadster said:

M2 30 grand cheaper same engine, how do they justify price difference ? .

Very informed ............ Not.

Absolute nonsense.

[cerb4.5lee]

bigtime said:

Imola red or Ferrari red can be done for £3200.

I didn't realise that cheers.

[MitchT]

What would it cost to get a BMW 'Individual' colour on one of these - specifically an 'Individual' colour that isn't one of the ones on the configurator? I'm thinking Atlantis Blue. Equally, what about Long Beach Blue which is a no cost option on some 'M' cars, but not shown at all on the M4's configurator?

[bigtime]

Mitch - as above mate £3200. This is for the likes of imola red, fire orange (when it was available) and Java green etc.

[gsuk1]

Maybe I'm missing something but why would you want to select the revs at launch? Surely the whole idea of launch control is that the car works that out for you.

[bigtime]

Because the surface may be wet so you'd want to launch at lower revs.

[dc2rr07]

'Yes, I'll share this with the one other person who didn't know but according to which way you have the mirror switch the M4 will or won't dip its nearside mirror when reversing'

Yes, same as on E46 BMW's and probably lots more models as well so nothing 99.9% of BMW owners already know.

[MitchT]

bigtime said:

Mitch - as above mate £3200. This is for the likes of imola red, fire orange (when it was available) and Java green etc.

That's a fair old premium over the £950 for an 'Individual' colour that's on the list. I guess that applies to any 'off list' colour whether it's 'individual' or not?

[Cacatous]

Not a single person curious about what parked up in the car park?