M4 vs db9 - daily driver
Discussion
So it seems like an odd comparison, but I'm after an automatic comfortable daily driver that can also be fun to drive - including "spirited" driving and cruising etc. My budge it about £45k, max 50 for the right car.
I've ruled out a gran turismo (my first choice, but didn't find the seats comfortable - I'm 6ft 4)
Bentley gt - too old for me
F type - great car, but only the 3.0 in budget
And many other great car such as The xkr 5.0, new mustang 5.0, c63 etc ...
But I've essentially narrowed it down to the db9 for everyday driving and being a great cruiser, the v12 should make it fun on side roads/road trips etc
The m4 would have new technology, power/torque etc and with a hard top folding roof, should really be a great driving experience.
I haven't driven either of the two cars - only thing I know is a friend and keen car guy had the m4 for about 1 month then sold it, off putting in a way, even though I respect the new m4 for what it is.
I've ruled out a gran turismo (my first choice, but didn't find the seats comfortable - I'm 6ft 4)
Bentley gt - too old for me
F type - great car, but only the 3.0 in budget
And many other great car such as The xkr 5.0, new mustang 5.0, c63 etc ...
But I've essentially narrowed it down to the db9 for everyday driving and being a great cruiser, the v12 should make it fun on side roads/road trips etc
The m4 would have new technology, power/torque etc and with a hard top folding roof, should really be a great driving experience.
I haven't driven either of the two cars - only thing I know is a friend and keen car guy had the m4 for about 1 month then sold it, off putting in a way, even though I respect the new m4 for what it is.
I was in a similar position about 8 months ago. Needed a daily driver for a 90mile round trip, something unusual and my daugthers insisted on a soft top. And needed to be a 4 seater. My budget was up to 40K so a little lower than yours
Also considered Bentley, DB9, 911 and eventually settled for the M6 (previous generation with the V10). Was really tempted by the DB9, lovely drive and great presence, but short service intervals and cost of services put me off.
Haven't driven a M4, but quite impressed by their power. Couple I've come across seem to perform at a similar level to my M6 (wink wink) Not sure if they have the drama of a V10 or V12, but potent nevertheless
If you're worried about fuel consumption the M4 is the logical choice.
Also considered Bentley, DB9, 911 and eventually settled for the M6 (previous generation with the V10). Was really tempted by the DB9, lovely drive and great presence, but short service intervals and cost of services put me off.
Haven't driven a M4, but quite impressed by their power. Couple I've come across seem to perform at a similar level to my M6 (wink wink) Not sure if they have the drama of a V10 or V12, but potent nevertheless
If you're worried about fuel consumption the M4 is the logical choice.
M4 any day. I made a mistake of buying a DB9 as a daily driver and regretted every min of it. The car is too heavy and not comfortable enough IMHO. My car was an early model though so not sure how the newer cars compare comfort wise as I know they were every evolving the tech under these cars every year or so....
I have not driven either car, but I would expect the M4 to be considerably faster and more fun. The DB9 will be a lot to service (that's the first feedback I get from owners), however to offset it the cheaper examples are unlikely to depreciate much - something the M4 definitely will do.
|http://thumbsnap.com/2WxL75WX[/url]Hi I picked up my BMW m4 just before christmas and can honestly say this is the best value for money when it comes to a car that is a great daily driver as well as having insane performance. Extremely high quality interior, great sound system and navigation for daily use and with a 0-60 time of 4 seconds it is extremely quick to pick up speed and looks great in my opinion. Highly recommend you test drive one. I do love aston martins though and hope to get one some day, starting to really like the new V12 Vanquish!
Edited by adilahmed1 on Friday 15th January 21:39
Some great replies, exactly what I was looking for - thanks 
I agree something like a m6 is a great car, I see it as the better GT'er and daily driver, yet on that rare sunny day cruising on a motorway or blasting down some country roads, I'd always wish I was in the m4 'vert :P. I sold a sl63 and really missed the hard top folding roof.
Im test driving the db9 on Monday. Hoping it's a comfy daily driver and fun sports car. I'm liking the m4 more every day so the AM has a lot to live up to.
I agree something like a m6 is a great car, I see it as the better GT'er and daily driver, yet on that rare sunny day cruising on a motorway or blasting down some country roads, I'd always wish I was in the m4 'vert :P. I sold a sl63 and really missed the hard top folding roof.
Im test driving the db9 on Monday. Hoping it's a comfy daily driver and fun sports car. I'm liking the m4 more every day so the AM has a lot to live up to.
Interesting topic as I'm in an almost exactly similar position. My company car ( C350 Coupe - full spec) goes back in May. I am very lucky and privileged to have a healthy budget and I'm looking at a new M4, C63 Coupe (new one looks great) or a used Aston, M6, 911 etc. and has to be a Coupe, must have 4 useable seats. 911 may not pass muster here unfortunately.
We'll test drive the M4 in a few weeks when the snow has gone but we'll have to wait a few months until the C63 is first available. Let me know how you get on comparing the M4 and DB9 as our criteria, fun at weekends but also nice for cruising is the same.
We'll test drive the M4 in a few weeks when the snow has gone but we'll have to wait a few months until the C63 is first available. Let me know how you get on comparing the M4 and DB9 as our criteria, fun at weekends but also nice for cruising is the same.
I can't recall but I think the DB9 may fail the "usable back seats" test too. It also has a pitifully small boot given the fact it is supposed to be a "GT" car. My 6 series (E63) was much better in both seats and boot, although the rear seats were not suited for anyone over about 5'9" for long periods
The DB9 at that price would be an 8-9 year old car if bought from an Aston dealer? Perhaps a newer circa 2011 V8V would be a better daily as a comparison to the M4?
The older DB9 are pretty much dead on with an e92 M3 in terms of performance the m4 will quicker and have much more modern tech that might be better as a daily.
Then again it's not an Aston..
The older DB9 are pretty much dead on with an e92 M3 in terms of performance the m4 will quicker and have much more modern tech that might be better as a daily.
Then again it's not an Aston..
Carmo99 said:
Interesting topic as I'm in an almost exactly similar position. My company car ( C350 Coupe - full spec) goes back in May. I am very lucky and privileged to have a healthy budget and I'm looking at a new M4, C63 Coupe (new one looks great) or a used Aston, M6, 911 etc. and has to be a Coupe, must have 4 useable seats. 911 may not pass muster here unfortunately.
We'll test drive the M4 in a few weeks when the snow has gone but we'll have to wait a few months until the C63 is first available. Let me know how you get on comparing the M4 and DB9 as our criteria, fun at weekends but also nice for cruising is the same.
There's a nice m6 gran coupe at bmw hungerford (I was seriously tempted when I bought my 640 GC) 20 months old, 9 k miles, £52k, I think we worked out that the first owner had suffered depreciation at £5/mile!We'll test drive the M4 in a few weeks when the snow has gone but we'll have to wait a few months until the C63 is first available. Let me know how you get on comparing the M4 and DB9 as our criteria, fun at weekends but also nice for cruising is the same.
So I test drove the m4 today. My main concern was the noise. It's implemented very well and without knowing it was artificially done, I'm not sure you would really be able to tell. Even so, I found it too loud and yet contradictory to everything I just said, it still sounds too fake - I'm still not 100% on this - suppose it's something you need to learn to live with.
I heard a rumour you can get an app and change the note to any volume/sounds you want, is this true?
I also found the steering modes useless, sport+ and comfort didn't do anything for me, although comfort could be good in traffic jams ..?
Otherwise I really enjoyed my short drive in the car. It's more than happy moving slowly in traffic (good daily) and fun to drive when the road cleared up.
I think I'm sold on the M, I'll let you know Monday what I think of the db9 and what I decide to get.
I heard a rumour you can get an app and change the note to any volume/sounds you want, is this true?
I also found the steering modes useless, sport+ and comfort didn't do anything for me, although comfort could be good in traffic jams ..?
Otherwise I really enjoyed my short drive in the car. It's more than happy moving slowly in traffic (good daily) and fun to drive when the road cleared up.
I think I'm sold on the M, I'll let you know Monday what I think of the db9 and what I decide to get.
gareth h said:
Carmo99 said:
Interesting topic as I'm in an almost exactly similar position. My company car ( C350 Coupe - full spec) goes back in May. I am very lucky and privileged to have a healthy budget and I'm looking at a new M4, C63 Coupe (new one looks great) or a used Aston, M6, 911 etc. and has to be a Coupe, must have 4 useable seats. 911 may not pass muster here unfortunately.
We'll test drive the M4 in a few weeks when the snow has gone but we'll have to wait a few months until the C63 is first available. Let me know how you get on comparing the M4 and DB9 as our criteria, fun at weekends but also nice for cruising is the same.
There's a nice m6 gran coupe at bmw hungerford (I was seriously tempted when I bought my 640 GC) 20 months old, 9 k miles, £52k, I think we worked out that the first owner had suffered depreciation at £5/mile!We'll test drive the M4 in a few weeks when the snow has gone but we'll have to wait a few months until the C63 is first available. Let me know how you get on comparing the M4 and DB9 as our criteria, fun at weekends but also nice for cruising is the same.
stef1808 said:
Carmo99 said:
I'm looking at these also. A 1 year old one in in my budget and they look great but then I should also consider an i8.. Choices, choices.
If a i8 was in my budget and space wasn't an issue, I wouldn't second guess it.They really are chalk and cheese. The DB is a Grand Tourer in the proper sense of the word, certainly not a sports car. The V8V is more comparable.
The DB can be eye wateringly expensive to service, the rear seats are slightly worse than the ones in a 911 and it takes 2 salesmen to prise a 'very late 30 something'
wife out of the back of one. They aren't particularly comfortable, and we found the salesman was a bit of an arse as when we asked about service costs he replied "most of our customers don't worry about that sort of thing". The car itslef is physically large, difficult to park, and expensive to repair that hand built bodywork.
The BMW OTOH is a cutting edge high performance luxury coupe. It will run rings around the Aston in every respect except one.
The DB can be eye wateringly expensive to service, the rear seats are slightly worse than the ones in a 911 and it takes 2 salesmen to prise a 'very late 30 something'
wife out of the back of one. They aren't particularly comfortable, and we found the salesman was a bit of an arse as when we asked about service costs he replied "most of our customers don't worry about that sort of thing". The car itslef is physically large, difficult to park, and expensive to repair that hand built bodywork.The BMW OTOH is a cutting edge high performance luxury coupe. It will run rings around the Aston in every respect except one.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff