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

[Chestrockwell]

cerb4.5lee said:

SELON said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've mixed feelings with this. The 330d I had the traction light was always lighting up like a Christmas, yet I never saw it light up once in the 640d I had(more torque than the M4). Whereas for me the M4 is moving around all of the time in MDM mode even in the dry if you use the throttle with any intention. I think if it is raining then the M4 will definitely be left at home!

Efficient mode, in comfort suspension and lazy gearbox and you’re fine.

I agree with the cold tyres point, need to go easy in low temps. But the car is very very capable, even when you think it’s losing traction it sorts itself out.

I've got my M1 button set up with what you've mentioned thanks. M2 is set up with everything sport plus apart from dampers in sport, MDM for traction and the gearbox in the second setting. M2 is great fun but it has surprised me with how much it moves around(in a good way to be fair). I will definitely be taking it easy in the wet for sure though(but then I always have in any car that I've had).

I'm really enjoying the car(I love how punchy the engine feels/although noise wise it probably is a bit on the flat side being fair), but there are certainly times of frustration because you don't get many opportunities to stretch it's legs in normal day to day driving(my Mini was better In that regard because it wasn't all that quick so you didn't feel frustrated if you couldn't open it up).

Both of my M1 and M2 modes have suspension in comfort mode, I’m surprised you have it in sport as it’s just too stiff otherwise

Both have the engine in S+ and the only thing separating them is the steering, I press M2 for the comfort steering for parking/maneuvering only. I feel like the steering moves around too much in comfort mode. That’s one thing I feel like could be better in the M4 but I have nothing decent to compare it to.

Joe Achilles, seems to think the steering is too heavy in comfort mode which confuses me as I feel like I’m comfort mode, it’s too light and moves around too much while you’re driving, I don’t feel like I’m in control!

[Chestrockwell]

cerb4.5lee said:

but there are certainly times of frustration because you don't get many opportunities to stretch it's legs in normal day to day driving(my Mini was better In that regard because it wasn't all that quick so you didn't feel frustrated if you couldn't open it up).

That’s one thing that drives me crazy, my previous car was relatively quick, C300d, 240 bhp, load of torque and my commute home every night is completely different even though it’s the same route, the road just shrinks so much quicker and what you thought was a long straight, turns out to be a very short one because of how much ground the car covers!

Sometimes, when the conditions are right, the tyres are warm and the roads are clear, I really push the car in the bends and the front end is so precise and satisfying, I feel like the car shrinks it just sticks to the ground so well.

I wish I had the time for track days as that’s where the car belongs, I crave the buzz of pushing it however it isn’t an option for me at the moment.

Driving a Porsche GT3 on the road really must be really frustrating!

[SELON]

Chestrockwell said:

Both of my M1 and M2 modes have suspension in comfort mode, I’m surprised you have it in sport as it’s just too stiff otherwise

Both have the engine in S+ and the only thing separating them is the steering, I press M2 for the comfort steering for parking/maneuvering only. I feel like the steering moves around too much in comfort mode. That’s one thing I feel like could be better in the M4 but I have nothing decent to compare it to.

Joe Achilles, seems to think the steering is too heavy in comfort mode which confuses me as I feel like I’m comfort mode, it’s too light and moves around too much while you’re driving, I don’t feel like I’m in control!

I agree with you on the steering. I find comfort too light, so have it in sport mostly. But on bumpy roads will shift it to sport+. Sounds like the suspension setup on the coupe is firmer than the convertible. I drive mostly in sport. When my wife is in the car it goes on comfort. On bumpy roads will stick it into sport+ if I’m doing a spirited drive as it feels more tied down (with the steering on sport+ as well).

[cerb4.5lee]

Chestrockwell said:

cerb4.5lee said:

but there are certainly times of frustration because you don't get many opportunities to stretch it's legs in normal day to day driving(my Mini was better In that regard because it wasn't all that quick so you didn't feel frustrated if you couldn't open it up).

That’s one thing that drives me crazy, my previous car was relatively quick, C300d, 240 bhp, load of torque and my commute home every night is completely different even though it’s the same route, the road just shrinks so much quicker and what you thought was a long straight, turns out to be a very short one because of how much ground the car covers!

This is definitely one of my main criticisms of the M4, and I agree with you that even a long straight soon becomes a short straight because you catch another car up really quickly. I feel like I'm down on the brakes as soon as I open the car up, which is a touch annoying.

I genuinely don't know how people get on with cars with 600bhp, because I'd be tearing my hair out because you surely can hardly ever use that power on the road. You are almost better off just sitting back and relaxing...but that defeats the object of a performance car though I reckon.

This brings the argument back to...are you better having a car that you can use all it's power for most of the time, versus having a car that you can hardly ever use it's power on the road. I guess that it is nice to know the power is there if you need it though.

[nickfrog]

cerb4.5lee said:

This brings the argument back to...are you better having a car that you can use all it's power for most of the time, versus having a car that you can hardly ever use it's power on the road. I guess that it is nice to know the power is there if you need it though.

Really interesting dichotomy indeed. The benefit of big power on the road is for overtaking indeed (it becomes a safety feature as it reduces the time exposed to danger) but having said that, there is also an element of "comfort" associated with power where the more you have the easier it seems to be to access it, it's quasi effortless.

And of course, it does come handy on track

[cerb4.5lee]

nickfrog said:

And of course, it does come handy on track

I actually thought of you when I was out earlier Nick, because as much as I love the M4(and I really do) I am finding it a touch frustrating. So I can definitely understand why you would really enjoy cars like the M2/M4 on a track. Not only does it help you get to know the car really well, but you can also enjoy the performance of them a hell of a lot more than you ever would on the road I imagine.

[nickfrog]

cerb4.5lee said:

Not only does it help you get to know the car really well, but you can also enjoy the performance of them a hell of a lot more than you ever would on the road I imagine.

Yep but only up to the point where I run out of talent

[cerb4.5lee]

nickfrog said:

Yep but only up to the point where I run out of talent

[Chestrockwell]

cerb4.5lee said:

This is definitely one of my main criticisms of the M4, and I agree with you that even a long straight soon becomes a short straight because you catch another car up really quickly. I feel like I'm down on the brakes as soon as I open the car up, which is a touch annoying.

I genuinely don't know how people get on with cars with 600bhp, because I'd be tearing my hair out because you surely can hardly ever use that power on the road. You are almost better off just sitting back and relaxing...but that defeats the object of a performance car though I reckon.

This brings the argument back to...are you better having a car that you can use all it's power for most of the time, versus having a car that you can hardly ever use it's power on the road. I guess that it is nice to know the power is there if you need it though.

After the weather, warm roads and hot tyres, the performance is becoming more accessible and the way it pulls so hard to the redline is intoxicating, yes you’re on the brakes immediately but that power and torque on offer is immense, the car is a fking weapon, I can’t get over how much better it is when the roads are warm

Initially I complained and said the car was too powerful for the road but only because it’s been so cold all the time, the car would be squirming around through the rev range and would only hook up to the road past 60 mph and even then it was sketchy but now it’s a different story.

It is too quick for the road but those short bursts of acceleration are exhilarating.

The attention I get also is crazy, a true head turner, probably down to the colour but it’s a huge amount of car for 34,000, it has the lot!

There is still an extra amount of performance I haven’t unlocked yet but that means turning DSC off which I still won’t do. In first gear MDM mode it hooks up well with minimal wheel spin until you’re past 5k rpm and you can feel TC kicking in but by the time you’re into second, it feels like a bullet.

My brother picks up his new mk8 Golf R tomorrow and I can’t wait to see how that compares

[Pioneer]

nickfrog said:

cerb4.5lee said:

This brings the argument back to...are you better having a car that you can use all it's power for most of the time, versus having a car that you can hardly ever use it's power on the road. I guess that it is nice to know the power is there if you need it though.

Really interesting dichotomy indeed. The benefit of big power on the road is for overtaking indeed (it becomes a safety feature as it reduces the time exposed to danger) but having said that, there is also an element of "comfort" associated with power where the more you have the easier it seems to be to access it, it's quasi effortless.

And of course, it does come handy on track

I used to run a 2017 M4CP alongside a 2013 LP560-4 and in real-world terms, there wasn't a huge amount of difference. On an empty straight the M4 would get left behind but through the lanes and twistys they were pretty much on par. We have a McLaren now which is a different ball game completely but yes, you're looking at a ban going into 3rd if you're driving these types of cars in anger. Track days are the answer. I noticed that a lot of chaps used to challenge my wife in her i8/M4 and even when she drives the McL now. Not so much me. Gender-based I guess

[cerb4.5lee]

Chestrockwell said:

After the weather, warm roads and hot tyres, the performance is becoming more accessible and the way it pulls so hard to the redline is intoxicating, yes you’re on the brakes immediately but that power and torque on offer is immense, the car is a fking weapon, I can’t get over how much better it is when the roads are warm

I said exactly the same to my Mrs yesterday and it was great to be able to stamp on the throttle with confidence because it was so warm and dry. I'm enjoying having a car again that in the right gear and at the right time makes me actually laugh out loud.

Another good thing in some ways with the M4 is how ordinary it can feel when you are going steady(I did criticise my E92 M3 for that though). It is like 2 cars in 1, while going steady it is fairly quiet/economical/comfortable...but then press the M2 button(with everything set to exciting) and it turns into a fun flying machine!

Pleased you're enjoying yours and a great pic too.

[Chestrockwell]

Struggling to find a pair of pilot super sports for the M4, nobody seems to stock them!

I’d get a full set of 4s’s however the 2 front tyres are nearly new!

Any suggestions? I’m based in Surrey

[Mrkevuk]

If it was me I would get 2 ps4s for the rear and leave the fronts. That seems a popular set up on M3 cutters

[Chestrockwell]

Mrkevuk said:

If it was me I would get 2 ps4s for the rear and leave the fronts. That seems a popular set up on M3 cutters

I managed to find some! 30£ more expensive a pair. I would have gotten the ps4s however I’m weary of mixing and matching, the car is a handful as it is, it might be proven but I’m more of a play it safe kind of man, thanks for the advice though

[Nearlyretired]

Just buy it cash in one payment.

[GregK2]

Nearlyretired said:

Just buy it cash in one payment.

[DonRustone]

GregK2 said:

Nearlyretired said:

Just buy it cash in one payment.

I think Grandad just woke up, heard 'PCP' and got triggered...

[nickfrog]

DonRustone said:

I think Grandad just woke up, heard 'PCP' and got triggered...

[Chestrockwell]

Every car I’ve had with a reversing cam I’ve had or driven (including a 2009 Honda CRV), they’ve had night vision or whatever it is where everything goes grey and visible.

Not sure how this doesn’t have it!

Anyways, small update.

after driving my brothers MK8 Golf R, it’s made me wonder and think about the M4, how hard it is to go really fast and how edgy it is, the Golf R is the faster car full stop and it does it without breaking a sweat. Yes it’s muted but it’s so effective at the same time!

They are completely different cars of course and shouldn’t be compared but it did make me think about joining the AWD side however after a joining a sliproad with my brother in his Golf behind me, it really opened my eyes to how hard the M4 pulls and how powerful it is, I really did leave him behind despite me being convinced the Golf is just as quick in a straight.

The Golf is miles quicker in the bends as it’s so much more easy to control

It felt nice not having to worry about the back end or traction when flooring the Golf and I did explore the classifieds, the only AWD I thought of that I would replace the M4 with was a Nissan GTR and 09 plates with 70k miles are going for 35-40. They have really good residuals, 2017+ models all 50k plus.

I love my M4 but every now and then I do consider changing it, usually when the weather is cold or wet but then the sun would come out, the stance, the engine and the Yas Marina blue makes me want to keep it forever

The new M3/M4 x drive are going to be unbelievably quick, I don’t ever see them getting anywhere near 30k for a long long time.

[cerb4.5lee]

Chestrockwell said:

It felt nice not having to worry about the back end or traction when flooring the Golf and I did explore the classifieds, the only AWD I thought of that I would replace the M4 with was a Nissan GTR and 09 plates with 70k miles are going for 35-40. They have really good residuals, 2017+ models all 50k plus.

I love my M4 but every now and then I do consider changing it, usually when the weather is cold or wet but then the sun would come out, the stance, the engine and the Yas Marina blue makes me want to keep it forever

The new M3/M4 x drive are going to be unbelievably quick, I don’t ever see them getting anywhere near 30k for a long long time.

The Nissan GTR has always been a dream car for me(I know that it is big/heavy/auto etc though).

If I'm ever in a position to afford the current M4 I'd definitely go for the M4 xDrive for sure. I think the switchable mode from 4WD to RWD is too hard to resist, and for me it offers the best of both worlds(grip or fun at the flick of a switch).