It’s nearly time, M4 or M4CP, personal loan or PCP

[Mark83]

I also picked up mine up in Dec 19 with the >£20k of dealer contributions.

Not really used daily but I've been driving in and out of central London a couple of times a week as I've been told to avoid public transport. It's a nice place to sit and the DCT was welcome when stuck in London traffic. The heated seats and steering wheel have also been welcomed this week! It's also a decent GT and it comfortable on 4hrs drives. People complain about the lack of lumbar support in the Competition models but I can't say I've noticed it or any discomfort. There's a fair amount of road noise and that's my main criticism. I guess the wide tyres, 265F and 285R, don't help.

It's not special like a couple of other have mentioned. It doesn't have the sense of occasion like a 911. It's a fast 4 series ultimately. Strangely had quite a few thumbs up (no middle fingers yet) from people but I put that more down to the colour, San Marino Blue.

[liner33]

Mark83 said:

I also picked up mine up in Dec 19 with the >£20k of dealer contributions.

Not really used daily but I've been driving in and out of central London a couple of times a week as I've been told to avoid public transport. It's a nice place to sit and the DCT was welcome when stuck in London traffic. The heated seats and steering wheel have also been welcomed this week! It's also a decent GT and it comfortable on 4hrs drives. People complain about the lack of lumbar support in the Competition models but I can't say I've noticed it or any discomfort. There's a fair amount of road noise and that's my main criticism. I guess the wide tyres, 265F and 285R, don't help.

It's not special like a couple of other have mentioned. It doesn't have the sense of occasion like a 911. It's a fast 4 series ultimately. Strangely had quite a few thumbs up (no middle fingers yet) from people but I put that more down to the colour, San Marino Blue.

I'm after SMB and cream interior, there are a few around in budget

[Chestrockwell]

liner33 said:

I'm after SMB and cream interior, there are a few around in budget

Which budget? There are no SMB’s around in the low 30’s. I think it was a special order individual colour up until late 2018 as that’s the earliest I can find them at.

This one is nice and well within budget with a good spec but it’s quite old, still, approved used warranty that I imagine will be cheap and easy to extend

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202101288448570...

[liner33]

Chestrockwell said:

Which budget? There are no SMB’s around in the low 30’s. I think it was a special order individual colour up until late 2018 as that’s the earliest I can find them at.

This one is nice and well within budget with a good spec but it’s quite old, still, approved used warranty that I imagine will be cheap and easy to extend

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202101288448570...

Hopefully £40-£42k Seen a couple with the spec I like along with the ultimate pack

Something like this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010074...

[cosworth330]

My F80 M3 has been cheap to run, only ever replaced front tyres and paid for one brake fluid change in 4 years and bought a spare set of 437m with winter tyres. I bought mine at 2 years old and it came with the 5 year service pack from new plus I got the dealership to fit new MPSS as a part of the deal, also has carbon ceramics so never needed any brake pads/discs. Financed it on PCP but managed to pay it off in 18 months. The biggest cost has been depreciation. I’ve bought two other old 90’s manual cars to play with in that time so I don’t really get bored of the M3 either. Four years with it now and still not bored yet!

[Chestrockwell]

It’s that time!! Just waiting til the 12th so I can get behind the wheel for a test drive but I’m all clear, the M4 mission is a go ahead

There are 2 that I have my eyes on,


Option 1

No pictures of this yet but I’m getting a video tomorrow, it has a huge spec with the classy looking LED lights that I prefer to even the LCI models. It’s an early model which I’m particularly excited for as I hear they feel a lot quicker than later models as the boost is quite brutal. Mileage is high however it comes with a full comprehensive BMW warranty.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202103110006101...

Option 2

This one is a competition pack that just misses out on the newer Idrive which is a pain as I love the apple car play but I’m quite keen on this one as it has the better louder exhaust, the spec isn’t as big as the other one but as long as it has HK, reversing cam and HUD, I’m happy. I’m not too convinced on the seats but I’m sure they don’t look that clean because of the poor lighting.


Some will say these are pricey, some will say I can get better but frankly speaking I don’t want to buy one without a full BMW warranty, warranty wise do seem to offer some well priced warranties but I’ve read more bad experiences with them than good.

As for the finance, I’ve been offered 4% APR by Lloyds on a HP, I’ve actually been offered the same on a PCP deal but the car can’t be older than 7 years old at the end of the term. The lower APR and my deposit does open me up to some much better, newer M4 competitions in ideal specs but I don’t want any mileage limitations or final payments hanging over my head. The HP option is basically a personal loan unlike the PCP which depends on future values etc

Anyways, a lot of M4 owners here, what do you think I should do?

[Chestrockwell]

Option 2


https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202101137933980...

[cerb4.5lee]

Exciting times ahead for you OP!

Great news.

[Wills2]

Chestrockwell said:

It’s that time!! Just waiting til the 12th so I can get behind the wheel for a test drive but I’m all clear, the M4 mission is a go ahead

There are 2 that I have my eyes on,


Option 1

No pictures of this yet but I’m getting a video tomorrow, it has a huge spec with the classy looking LED lights that I prefer to even the LCI models. It’s an early model which I’m particularly excited for as I hear they feel a lot quicker than later models as the boost is quite brutal. Mileage is high however it comes with a full comprehensive BMW warranty.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202103110006101...

Be aware of the updates that happened to the LCI M3 and the M4 (but not LCI) for the 16 plates and onwards, they get better dampers but still have that boosty torque delivery, however many of us had the later firmware flashed that made the power delivery more linear as the car is more driveable that way on a give and take road. Also the older cars cannot be upgraded to the latest firmware should you wish there were loads of istep releases over the period of production as they refined the car.

[cerb4.5lee]

Mark83 said:

Insurance was a bit of a shock, double the cost of my previous C63.

A photo of me enjoying mine...

Edited by Mark83 on Monday 1st February 20:50

Edited by Mark83 on Monday 1st February 20:55

I was shocked with the insurance on the M4 as well. It comes in at the second highest I've paid for insurance just behind the 640d I had.

[cerb4.5lee]

Geomac79 said:

That’s my M4, brilliant car and sounds great for a stock car. It’s my 2nd car so I don’t do many miles in it.

I would totally recommend the convertible, this is my first and with the new M4 being a soft top I’m sure they will hold there value.

I like that a lot.



I test drove a M4 Convertible back in 2016 and I really enjoyed it. I loved how much you could hear the exhaust with the roof down big time.

[Chestrockwell]

Wills2 said:

Be aware of the updates that happened to the LCI M3 and the M4 (but not LCI) for the 16 plates and onwards, they get better dampers but still have that boosty torque delivery, however many of us had the later firmware flashed that made the power delivery more linear as the car is more driveable that way on a give and take road. Also the older cars cannot be upgraded to the latest firmware should you wish there were loads of istep releases over the period of production as they refined the car.

This is slightly concerning, I’m very close to putting a deposit on the competition pack as it’s the cheapest one by far however I’m worried now, is it bad? I don’t drive like a maniac and I’ll probably never turn traction fully off. Will it be a problem in MDM mode, difficult to drive etc?

Thanks

[nickfrog]

Chestrockwell said:

This is slightly concerning, I’m very close to putting a deposit on the competition pack as it’s the cheapest one by far however I’m worried now, is it bad? I don’t drive like a maniac and I’ll probably never turn traction fully off. Will it be a problem in MDM mode, difficult to drive etc?

You'll be fine providing you keep on top of your tread depth in the wet this time

You have to be sensible/smooth with the throttle but ultimately those cars are very tractable unless you're being silly.

[Wills2]

Chestrockwell said:

Wills2 said:

Be aware of the updates that happened to the LCI M3 and the M4 (but not LCI) for the 16 plates and onwards, they get better dampers but still have that boosty torque delivery, however many of us had the later firmware flashed that made the power delivery more linear as the car is more driveable that way on a give and take road. Also the older cars cannot be upgraded to the latest firmware should you wish there were loads of istep releases over the period of production as they refined the car.

This is slightly concerning, I’m very close to putting a deposit on the competition pack as it’s the cheapest one by far however I’m worried now, is it bad? I don’t drive like a maniac and I’ll probably never turn traction fully off. Will it be a problem in MDM mode, difficult to drive etc?

Thanks

I was referring to the early non-comp car you linked to hence I cut the comp car out of your post as I replied, what I said doesn't effect the comp cars.

[Chestrockwell]

nickfrog said:

You'll be fine providing you keep on top of your tread depth in the wet this time

You have to be sensible/smooth with the throttle but ultimately those cars are very tractable unless you're being silly.

Don’t worry, I’ll cherish that car like it’s my baby and I’m still scarred from that night on the M25, don’t exceed 50 when I see tyres displacing a lot of water. I actually educate others too every time I have a passenger!

As for the throttle, definitely, I’m well aware of the horror stories and people writing them off. I’ll take it easy and maybe even get some driving tuition if the car scares me

[nickfrog]

Chestrockwell said:

don’t exceed 50 when I see tyres displacing a lot of water.

That's sensible, I do the same, not worth the risk. I am often surprised how slow people go in the dry but how fast people go in the (very) wet.

[SELON]

Wills2 said:

Chestrockwell said:

Wills2 said:

Be aware of the updates that happened to the LCI M3 and the M4 (but not LCI) for the 16 plates and onwards, they get better dampers but still have that boosty torque delivery, however many of us had the later firmware flashed that made the power delivery more linear as the car is more driveable that way on a give and take road. Also the older cars cannot be upgraded to the latest firmware should you wish there were loads of istep releases over the period of production as they refined the car.

This is slightly concerning, I’m very close to putting a deposit on the competition pack as it’s the cheapest one by far however I’m worried now, is it bad? I don’t drive like a maniac and I’ll probably never turn traction fully off. Will it be a problem in MDM mode, difficult to drive etc?

Thanks

I was referring to the early non-comp car you linked to hence I cut the comp car out of your post as I replied, what I said doesn't effect the comp cars.

I had a ride in the Ring Taxi M3, which I think was non Competition. Well driven it’s an amazing bit of kit. Was told it was a stock car. Was very composed. Far better than i am a driver. Don’t take liberties with it, but it’s very quick. Can also light up the rear very easily in dry conditions, but it’s a car with 450hp, so that what you expect, I guess.

[Wills2]

SELON said:

Wills2 said:

Chestrockwell said:

Wills2 said:

Be aware of the updates that happened to the LCI M3 and the M4 (but not LCI) for the 16 plates and onwards, they get better dampers but still have that boosty torque delivery, however many of us had the later firmware flashed that made the power delivery more linear as the car is more driveable that way on a give and take road. Also the older cars cannot be upgraded to the latest firmware should you wish there were loads of istep releases over the period of production as they refined the car.

This is slightly concerning, I’m very close to putting a deposit on the competition pack as it’s the cheapest one by far however I’m worried now, is it bad? I don’t drive like a maniac and I’ll probably never turn traction fully off. Will it be a problem in MDM mode, difficult to drive etc?

Thanks

I was referring to the early non-comp car you linked to hence I cut the comp car out of your post as I replied, what I said doesn't effect the comp cars.

I had a ride in the Ring Taxi M3, which I think was non Competition. Well driven it’s an amazing bit of kit. Was told it was a stock car. Was very composed. Far better than i am a driver. Don’t take liberties with it, but it’s very quick. Can also light up the rear very easily in dry conditions, but it’s a car with 450hp, so that what you expect, I guess.

non comp has 425bhp, either way they have the potential to bite I did 90,000 miles in my non comp, the turbotastic delivery of the early cars gets old quickly the ones with a more linear delivery are better cars to drive, especially as the DCT has a habit of causing the rear axle to break traction on full bore upshifts. a set of PS4S help but rob the car of the balance and sharp turn in the * rated CSC5/MPSS give the car

Exciting cars to drive though.

[Chestrockwell]

I had an interesting conversation today with someone who’s had a few M4’s, he told me I should have gone for the convertible and I said they’re a lot heavier and the sun is hardly out here. He countered and said the extra weight helps traction resulting in them being easier to handle and not as skittish or tail happy.

I never thought of it this way, it’s quite interesting, is there any truth to this?

[SELON]

Chestrockwell said:

I had an interesting conversation today with someone who’s had a few M4’s, he told me I should have gone for the convertible and I said they’re a lot heavier and the sun is hardly out here. He countered and said the extra weight helps traction resulting in them being easier to handle and not as skittish or tail happy.

I never thought of it this way, it’s quite interesting, is there any truth to this?

With the roof down, there’s logic to that point. Lower centre of gravity and weight transferred over the back end.

But it might also create a pendulum (think 911). Plus, you probably want a consistent experience when getting to know you car. So I think a coupe is much better for safer track driving/fast B lane driving.

The only other difference i can think of is that the convertible has slightly softer suspension apparently, it’s certainly softer in Comfort mode which is good around town and M way cruising. But might be a little more compliant for acceleration (weight transfer to the rear).

As a convertible owner, I can say that the “neck scarf”, the wind deflector and heated seats make it usable in almost any plus zero temperature (with woolly hat on sometimes ) and of course no rain, snow or hail! So, it’s useable a lot of the time. For me, the convertible is a mood/experience thing. Just gives another dimension to the experience (open air, more noise etc), rather than traction/ultimate lap times.