Potential M4 purchase - good idea?
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m looking at replacing my 330d with an M4 - probably three years old, competition pack. Just wondering if any owners would have a view of the good, the bad and the potentially horrendous bits!
Am I nuts entertaining a three year old M4?
Is the extended warranty a must?
Any options that are essential?
Does it have any known weak points?
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
Thankfully I don’t need to worry about it resulting in a divorce as that’s already happened
Thanks..!
I’m looking at replacing my 330d with an M4 - probably three years old, competition pack. Just wondering if any owners would have a view of the good, the bad and the potentially horrendous bits!
Am I nuts entertaining a three year old M4?
Is the extended warranty a must?
Any options that are essential?
Does it have any known weak points?
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
Thankfully I don’t need to worry about it resulting in a divorce as that’s already happened
Thanks..!
Good bits for me...the looks/the engine/the performance/the playful chassis/DCT is good at delivering the punch/the seats are nice to sit in/it is quite good on fuel given the performance.
Bad bits for me...the interior feels ancient/the ride is too hard/the noise it makes is crap/the electric steering isn't great.
No horrendous bits for me.
Bad bits for me...the interior feels ancient/the ride is too hard/the noise it makes is crap/the electric steering isn't great.
No horrendous bits for me.
Kuroblack350 said:
Any options that are essential?
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
I have the carbon trim in mine which I like, I also like the HUD. Mine doesn't have the full leather on the doors/dash/glovebox and that is worth searching out to lift the interior I reckon. The ICON headlights are nice too(mine doesn't have them though). Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
I didn't want the Comp Pack, but the majority do though. The CP does give you sexier looking seats/a fruitier exhaust, and around an extra 15 bhp. Plus a load of suspension changes etc to make it a bit more friendlier to drive.
Most CPs come with 20" wheels, and imo the ride is bad enough with the standard cars 19" wheels to be fair. So it could be worth you searching out a CP car with the 19" wheels if you are set on a CP car.
Kuroblack350 said:
Hi all,
I’m looking at replacing my 330d with an M4 - probably three years old, competition pack. Just wondering if any owners would have a view of the good, the bad and the potentially horrendous bits!
Am I nuts entertaining a three year old M4?
Is the extended warranty a must?
Any options that are essential?
Does it have any known weak points?
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
Thankfully I don’t need to worry about it resulting in a divorce as that’s already happened
Thanks..!
I bought a 2017 M4 Comp in April. Personally i'm still really enjoying it.I’m looking at replacing my 330d with an M4 - probably three years old, competition pack. Just wondering if any owners would have a view of the good, the bad and the potentially horrendous bits!
Am I nuts entertaining a three year old M4?
Is the extended warranty a must?
Any options that are essential?
Does it have any known weak points?
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
Thankfully I don’t need to worry about it resulting in a divorce as that’s already happened
Thanks..!
I have had several M cars and this one makes me smile every time I drive it and I use it as a daily driver.
Agree the sound is a bit tame in comfort mode, but buy a valve controller and have them fully open if you want more grunt/burbles
Only thing I would say is be mindful of the turbos as they can need replacing at about 50,000 miles and the only warranty worth anything is the BMW one. (lots of info/guides on M3Cutters)
Lots of car for the money and very quick.
GLENNRED said:
I bought a 2017 M4 Comp in April. Personally i'm still really enjoying it.
I have had several M cars and this one makes me smile every time I drive it and I use it as a daily driver.
Agree the sound is a bit tame in comfort mode, but buy a valve controller and have them fully open if you want more grunt/burbles
Yours will sound better than mine to be fair. Mine is a December 2018 model so it has the fun sponge OPF on it, so I don't get any pops/bangs or crackles, plus I believe that it is also quieter overall because of the OPF too. I have had several M cars and this one makes me smile every time I drive it and I use it as a daily driver.
Agree the sound is a bit tame in comfort mode, but buy a valve controller and have them fully open if you want more grunt/burbles
I think all cars with a production date after August 2018 have the OPF on them, they also lose the carbon fibre propshaft as well.
They are great cars and very solidly built.
Buy a standard car from the main dealer as plenty of people run them with the Boot Mod3 to the ECU which makes them quicker but can cause engine issues.
The comp cars are my favourite but watch out if it has the carbon pack as the front splitter is easy to damage and costs a whole load to replace.
The comp wheels look great with the smoked look but at 20 inch with low profile tyres are easy to kerb.
I would always run one with a BMW warranty for that peace of mind cause if something does break then the bills can be huge especially on the engine.
The vehicles with big specs and individual colours are the most sought after but be prepared to pay for it.
Buy a standard car from the main dealer as plenty of people run them with the Boot Mod3 to the ECU which makes them quicker but can cause engine issues.
The comp cars are my favourite but watch out if it has the carbon pack as the front splitter is easy to damage and costs a whole load to replace.
The comp wheels look great with the smoked look but at 20 inch with low profile tyres are easy to kerb.
I would always run one with a BMW warranty for that peace of mind cause if something does break then the bills can be huge especially on the engine.
The vehicles with big specs and individual colours are the most sought after but be prepared to pay for it.
I bought my 2018 M4 this summer, and I genuinely think that it's a long term keeper.
It's just the best daily driver for me. I don't agree with hard suspension settings, it's adaptive and soft is actually very compliant, but turn the dials up to 10, it's a monster.
Mine's a CP but I may be in the minority but i hate the wheels. I'm about to put on the regular M4 19's and put the CP 20's into storage, but genuinely it's only from a looks perspective.
In terms of must have options, there's was only one that was a must for me. I don't know what it's called. Surround view? It's the one where there's cameras in the front bumper which allow you to stick the nose of the car out and peek out a little. I drive a lot in London, and this comes in handy.
My car is under AUC warranty, i negotiated an extra year so will have peace of mind until summer '23 and then will make a decision on whether to extend. So far, it's not put a foot wrong and as someone else mentioned, still makes me smile when I get in. Right now, the only thing I'll be tempted into changing it for is the new M4 convertible, but that's a few years away
It's just the best daily driver for me. I don't agree with hard suspension settings, it's adaptive and soft is actually very compliant, but turn the dials up to 10, it's a monster.
Mine's a CP but I may be in the minority but i hate the wheels. I'm about to put on the regular M4 19's and put the CP 20's into storage, but genuinely it's only from a looks perspective.
In terms of must have options, there's was only one that was a must for me. I don't know what it's called. Surround view? It's the one where there's cameras in the front bumper which allow you to stick the nose of the car out and peek out a little. I drive a lot in London, and this comes in handy.
My car is under AUC warranty, i negotiated an extra year so will have peace of mind until summer '23 and then will make a decision on whether to extend. So far, it's not put a foot wrong and as someone else mentioned, still makes me smile when I get in. Right now, the only thing I'll be tempted into changing it for is the new M4 convertible, but that's a few years away
Fas1975 said:
I bought my 2018 M4 this summer, and I genuinely think that it's a long term keeper.
It's just the best daily driver for me. I don't agree with hard suspension settings, it's adaptive and soft is actually very compliant, but turn the dials up to 10, it's a monster.
I think the reason that I'm hard(excuse the pun!) on the suspension in the M4...is because from memory the E92 M3 I had with EDC was a lovely thing to ride in-in its comfort setting. The M4 is far more harsh to me in the comfort setting in comparison. It's just the best daily driver for me. I don't agree with hard suspension settings, it's adaptive and soft is actually very compliant, but turn the dials up to 10, it's a monster.
Fas1975 said:
Mine's a CP but I may be in the minority but i hate the wheels. I'm about to put on the regular M4 19's and put the CP 20's into storage, but genuinely it's only from a looks perspective.
The wheels were pretty much the only reason why I didn't go for the CP as well(I didn't realise at the time of buying mine that you could get the CP with the 19" wheels though). I just don't like the design of the 20" wheels, and I think that I'm scarred from seeing them being painted orange on the GTS model to be fair! 
cerb4.5lee said:
Fas1975 said:
Mine's a CP but I may be in the minority but i hate the wheels. I'm about to put on the regular M4 19's and put the CP 20's into storage, but genuinely it's only from a looks perspective.
The wheels were pretty much the only reason why I didn't go for the CP as well(I didn't realise at the time of buying mine that you could get the CP with the 19" wheels though). I just don't like the design of the 20" wheels, and I think that I'm scarred from seeing them being painted orange on the GTS model to be fair! Am picking up the TPMS valves for the new wheels tonight and will then have all of the pieces to get the 19's on and then it'll be perfect
Two years and 11,000 into my (standard) 2019 M4 Comp.
Good bits
Nothing has gone wrong.
Servicing has been cheap so far.
Still on my original rear tyres.
Love the other of mine - San Marino Blue
HUD - first car I've had with one and love it. Same goes for the 360 camera and Icon headlights.
Infotainment is decent but I came from 2012 C63.
Bad bits
Sounds meh thanks to the filters post-2018.
Road noise is bad so not good on the motorway.
4th year service is expensive and it's from the date of manufacture. If you're buying a three year old car, you might be due the big service sooner than you think.
Lack of front camber adjustment and several track days has meant I'm about to buy my third set of front tyres due to outer shoulder wear.
Also not a fan of my wheels. Bit blingy and ride is firm with 30 section tyres.
If you're wanting to add BMW warranty, make sure you know the car's history as they can now detect remaps. Buying an AUC makes this easier. They can easily confirm the ECU history on site.
Do you need a Comp? Not driven a non-comp. People seem to want them more so if buying a non-comp, make sure it's cheaper.
Common issues - turbo seals sound expensive and seem much more common than the crank hub failure.
Good bits
Nothing has gone wrong.
Servicing has been cheap so far.
Still on my original rear tyres.
Love the other of mine - San Marino Blue
HUD - first car I've had with one and love it. Same goes for the 360 camera and Icon headlights.
Infotainment is decent but I came from 2012 C63.
Bad bits
Sounds meh thanks to the filters post-2018.
Road noise is bad so not good on the motorway.
4th year service is expensive and it's from the date of manufacture. If you're buying a three year old car, you might be due the big service sooner than you think.
Lack of front camber adjustment and several track days has meant I'm about to buy my third set of front tyres due to outer shoulder wear.
Also not a fan of my wheels. Bit blingy and ride is firm with 30 section tyres.
If you're wanting to add BMW warranty, make sure you know the car's history as they can now detect remaps. Buying an AUC makes this easier. They can easily confirm the ECU history on site.
Do you need a Comp? Not driven a non-comp. People seem to want them more so if buying a non-comp, make sure it's cheaper.
Common issues - turbo seals sound expensive and seem much more common than the crank hub failure.
Edited by Mark83 on Thursday 21st October 20:14
Mark83 said:
4th year service is expensive and it's from the date of manufacture. If you're buying a three year old car, you might be due the big service sooner than you think.
Not sure there's anything specific to 4 years in the service schedule - assuming fairly low mileage/normal use, the second oil change would fall at around year 4 and that requires the spark plug, air filter and microfilter change which I think weighs in at around £800 from BMW.I went from a 330d to a new M4 CP 4 years ago, so pretty much exactly what you're proposing.
The M4 is in a completely different league to the 330d, as good as that is.
Can't think of anything specific to look out for with the M4. They're great cars and if you're confident enough to lean on the handling with the stability control disabled (or MDM) then they're a lot of fun.
The main reason I'd probably go for the warranty is turbo seals, as mentioned, and the waste gate rattle issue which can emerge, both of which are turbo replacement jobs.
Anyway, whatever way you go, I can't see you finding an M4 disappointing.
The M4 is in a completely different league to the 330d, as good as that is.
Can't think of anything specific to look out for with the M4. They're great cars and if you're confident enough to lean on the handling with the stability control disabled (or MDM) then they're a lot of fun.
The main reason I'd probably go for the warranty is turbo seals, as mentioned, and the waste gate rattle issue which can emerge, both of which are turbo replacement jobs.
Anyway, whatever way you go, I can't see you finding an M4 disappointing.
Edited by PorkInsider on Sunday 24th October 16:18
Kuroblack350 said:
Hi all,
I’m looking at replacing my 330d with an M4 - probably three years old, competition pack. Just wondering if any owners would have a view of the good, the bad and the potentially horrendous bits!
Am I nuts entertaining a three year old M4?
Dont think so. Had in 80.000km only one extra stop in the garage and that was after intensive track day use and probably my fault.
Apart from that the car holds pretty fine and i m not worried at all to up to 150.000, maybe more, before wear will show up and extra cost coming up.
Only opinion..
Is the extended warranty a must?
No.
Any options that are essential?
I took nearly non as the weight is anyway too high and most of the aids make me crazy(opinion ;-)
Does it have any known weak points?
My brake dics were melted on all 4 wheels after 5 stints on a track day. Should have stoped in the 4th when it started to soften,
but couldnt resist to give it another full go... :-( the brakes itself are fine i d say, but if you plan track day, go for the ceramics!
On this one, big credit to bmw being nice to me, when replacing the pads and the disks on that occasion!
But they told me this is a one of and wont happen again.
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
Didnt drive one without, so cant say from experience, but all the cp features make sense for me.
So i d go for it again.jw
Thankfully I don’t need to worry about it resulting in a divorce as that’s already happened
Thanks..!
Hello kuroblack, put my comments at the spots in your post where i think they belong.I’m looking at replacing my 330d with an M4 - probably three years old, competition pack. Just wondering if any owners would have a view of the good, the bad and the potentially horrendous bits!
Am I nuts entertaining a three year old M4?
Dont think so. Had in 80.000km only one extra stop in the garage and that was after intensive track day use and probably my fault.
Apart from that the car holds pretty fine and i m not worried at all to up to 150.000, maybe more, before wear will show up and extra cost coming up.
Only opinion..
Is the extended warranty a must?
No.
Any options that are essential?
I took nearly non as the weight is anyway too high and most of the aids make me crazy(opinion ;-)
Does it have any known weak points?
My brake dics were melted on all 4 wheels after 5 stints on a track day. Should have stoped in the 4th when it started to soften,
but couldnt resist to give it another full go... :-( the brakes itself are fine i d say, but if you plan track day, go for the ceramics!
On this one, big credit to bmw being nice to me, when replacing the pads and the disks on that occasion!
But they told me this is a one of and wont happen again.
Is the Comp Pack essential - my reading of the reviews and forums is that it makes a slightly more predictable experience and an arguably better daily?
Didnt drive one without, so cant say from experience, but all the cp features make sense for me.
So i d go for it again.jw
Thankfully I don’t need to worry about it resulting in a divorce as that’s already happened
Thanks..!
Just my opinions! Did exactly the move you think about, 330d(tourning) to M4 CP manual.
Which i have now for 34 month and 80.000 km.
And have to say, the car looks so much better inside(round and classic speedo etc)
and outside(grill, but also from the back), that replacing with the new model is a clear no for me.
Will keep it, or maybe move to a different brand, not knowing where that would be, as i m still scared with the divorce....
The mrs doesnt like any of the stuff that temps me(neighbours talk and so on....) :-(
So good chance that i try if my own prediction about being reliable after 3 years gets true or not
Just saw i forgot one important thing!
Anybody who i talked to, who knows more about the car and remapping, than i do,
said to do the crank hub fix first! The higher power might do damage to the engine if that s not done up front.
Had a bit trouble to get the parts for it, bmw couldnt get them, but lightweight was happy to send it to me within one day
and the price was bit more than 100plus tax. Cost to put it on depends a lot who does the job...
Edited by jjdw33 on Monday 1st November 16:44
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