Thursday 10th December 2015

BMW M4: PH Fleet

After the encouragement of Brands Hatch the M4 reveals its wild side in the winter gloom

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So there I was saying how unexpectedly brilliant and easy to balance the M4 was on a greasy track. And then I took a detour across rural Bedfordshire in typically wintry conditions. And things got a bit lairy.

Charm yet to wear off despite a winter scare

Good news? I didn't actually end up in a field. Mainly because I think the BMW couldn't quite decide between leaving the road via snap oversteer or just bouncing off it through a combination of overly fierce springs and insufficient damping. When we stopped my brother, following in his MX-5, looked ashen. "That was scary just watching it!" he said.

A sensible man would have just driven a little slower but it's fair to say - as others have reported - a greasy, bumpy B-road and the M4 are not happy bedfellows. Or at least this M4. But it seems there may be a solution and, after a stirring recommendation from PHer Wills2 following my last report, I'm off to drive an M4 with a few important tweaks. "I've just come back from AC Schnitzer UK having driven their modified M4 today, OMG what a machine!" he said in his post. "It has their full RS passive damper and spring set up, 510hp, exhaust and lashings of carbon. I've driven the standard M3 but this is on another level the traction and turn-in leave you astounded, the way it handles directional changes whilst dealing with road camber and soaking up the worst of Norfolk's B-roads is a marvel."

'FKU' seems an apt plate for this Schnitzer M4

Recommendation indeed and, having read that, I was quickly on the phone to Schnitzer's UK operation in Norfolk to arrange a go. More power from a Schnitzer piggyback ECU and less sidewall via 20-inch wheels sound like just what the car doesn't need. But our man Wills2 was clearly impressed and I'm keen to see if it lives up to the hype. Plus the demo car is the same colour as 'mine' so it'll make a proper like-for-like comparison. Watch this space for more.

In other news I've mainly just been enjoying what'll probably be my last few journeys in the M4 before it goes back and I fully swap into the Range Rover. I am determined to get another track session in before that, if only because the confines of Brands merely hinted at what's there with a little more room to play with. And, white-knuckle ride on the bumpy B-road or not, the upward trajectory of my affections for the M4 continue.

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FACT SHEET
Car: BMW M4
Run by: Dan
On fleet since: June 2015
Mileage: 12,339
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: Good and bad in the winter gloom

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
Just read the ruddy manual!
So, is it better than the C63 AMG?

[sh33n]

I have to agree that the M4 feels most at home on sweeping A roads than Bs. I went out for a spirited drive a few nights back and found myself sticking to As and those which included changing to two lanes so I could appreciate the sheer acceleration rather than outright cornering speeds.

Be good to hear the review, but the AC Schnitzer stuff does come at a massive premium. The remap is the same box that appears every tuner has and can be had for ~£600.

[s2000db]

Cold greasy B roads, equals dampers in 'comfort mode'.

Were you in normal mode during your 'moment', Dan??

[rtz62]

" if it lives up to the hype. Plus the demo car is the same colour as 'mine' so it'll make a proper like-for-like comparison."

Wow, I wonder how my X reg Audi A4 1.8T stacks up with my friends S4 as it too is the same colour...

Tongue-in-cheek aside,I wonder how the car would fair if it was dropped off with Iain Litchfield and seeing what his magic wand can do for your M4; the do a 525bhp upgrade, offer Akrapović and Remus exhausts, and suspension tweeks.

It could make another interesting 'compare and contrast' with your M4 and whatever AC Schnitzer can do....may I suggest a group mini-test????

[steve1386]

I think an argument can be made for the Alpina B3/4 Bi-Turbo here - slightly softer setup and suited to the road rather than track, would it make for a better British B-road car?
To be fair, I highly doubt in the real world the D3/4 would be much, if at all slower around a twisty road and through the mid-range, which is where performance is really needed on the road.

Both cars are rarer too...Get one in for test Dan!!

[wideangle852]

. . BMW M4 . . the quickest way to meet Jesus going backwards into a ditch . .

[Wills2]

I will add it was dry and 17c when I drove it.. But I bet you were impressed.

Edited by Wills2 on Thursday 10th December 22:53

[981C]

I don't get this M4 death machine commentary at all. I think it's fine if you maintain an element of sensibility when driving it. I agree that the damper rebound is a little too fast, but you can change your driving style to compensate. I drive in MDM with the throttle on Sport Plus most of the time and it's not as bad people make out. Dan is obviously a maniac.

People forget this is a car that will do 100 in 8 seconds in standard form and and that's a lot of performance to try and unleash through a rear drive platform.

BTW, a slightly stripped version of that AC car is faster than a 991GT3 around Hockenheim.

[Lorcan]

@Sh33n

The piggyback ECU and map is unique to AC Schnitzer and unlike most other tuners comes with a 2 year (extendable to 3) 60,000km warranty to cover the engine and drivetrain against any tuning-related faults. Not only does this let you sleep at night, it means it can be sold and fitted by over 40 BMW dealers around the UK.

It's a premium product, for a premium car.

Lorcan @ AC Schnitzer UK

[Aids0G]

Dan just a thought, before the M4 goes back it would be quite intriguing to get it and the Range Rover on a damp winter track together for an article, could be a bit of fun while you are in charge of them both?

There seen to be quite a few vids of SVR's on track and they seem mildly 'capable' for an suv!

Ag

[Dan Trent]

981C said:

I don't get this M4 death machine commentary at all. I think it's fine if you maintain an element of sensibility when driving it. I agree that the damper rebound is a little too fast, but you can change your driving style to compensate. I drive in MDM with the throttle on Sport Plus most of the time and it's not as bad people make out. Dan is obviously a maniac.

I agree with you and felt bad reigniting that narrative but what the last couple of days on wet and bumpy East Anglian B-roads in both the standard car and the Schnitzer one has taught me is just how limiting it is having to moderate your driving to compensate for the damping; you're denying yourself so much of what the engine (stock or tuned) is capable of it really seems a waste. I had so much more confidence in the Schnitzer car to exploit more of the performance more of the time (without going mental) that it just seemed a bit frustrating having to hold back in the stock car.

I agree with the broader point though; one of the things I've enjoyed in having extended time with the M4 is learning how to manage the power delivery to make most effective use of it. On a smooth surface that's a really satisfying challenge and something to master, giving real depth to the car's character. Sometimes though it's just a right pain in the ass! I think it's fair to say the standard suspension just has a narrower operating window than stuff like Schnitzer's KW set-up; if something like the latter helps you get more out of the car in more situations that has to be a good thing, right?

Cheers,

Dan

[981C]

Dan Trent said:

I agree with you and felt bad reigniting that narrative but what the last couple of days on wet and bumpy East Anglian B-roads in both the standard car and the Schnitzer one has taught me is just how limiting it is having to moderate your driving to compensate for the damping; you're denying yourself so much of what the engine (stock or tuned) is capable of it really seems a waste. I had so much more confidence in the Schnitzer car to exploit more of the performance more of the time (without going mental) that it just seemed a bit frustrating having to hold back in the stock car.

I agree with the broader point though; one of the things I've enjoyed in having extended time with the M4 is learning how to manage the power delivery to make most effective use of it. On a smooth surface that's a really satisfying challenge and something to master, giving real depth to the car's character. Sometimes though it's just a right pain in the ass! I think it's fair to say the standard suspension just has a narrower operating window than stuff like Schnitzer's KW set-up; if something like the latter helps you get more out of the car in more situations that has to be a good thing, right?

Cheers,

Dan

Yes, absolutely. I didn't realise they used a KW setup that's merely re-badged and optimised by them.

BMW are releasing some new M Performance Accessories next year with two suspension options: A KW HAS kit for those who wish to retain the adaptive damping, and a full Coilover kit, again by KW, for the more adventurous. The first car to utilise the latter will be the M2.

BTW, what did you make of the extra power? Does the AC car have more rear tyre?

Edited by 981C on Sunday 13th December 15:31

[Wills2]

Come then Dan, where's the write up?

[Patrick Bateman]

Is damping down an uneven road not something the M division usually get right?

[mwstewart]

The impression I get of this car is that it's very fast, but not particularly great. It sounds like a big compromise in many areas.