M3 or M4

[Magrah]

Hi All

I used to have an M3 many years ago but had to chop it in for a MPV when the family started getting bigger. The kids are older now and we do have family holidays but as you can imagine with Covid these have not happened. Rather than days out they prefer to socialise with their friends on social media so getting them out is hard work. Most of the time when using the car it's my wife and I. We have been rolling lease hire on a VW Touran for the past 12 years and I think it may be time for a change. VW called me today and said I can hand back my 2020 Touran for free which was a bit of a shock! So think about the above two cars or maybe an M5 (that may be too big for the occasional family trip). I have not seen inside either so was wondering if anyone has any experience of either car i.e. could 4 adults get in comfortably etc? Also any issues that I should look out for? Are they the same size car bit one has 4 doors the other 2?

I remember with my M3 there was the famous Vanos!

Any early pointers would be gleefully appreciated.

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

IMO it has to be the M3 it looks much better more muscular, the M4 could be mistaken for a 440i from some angles.

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

IMO it has to be the M3 it looks much better more muscular, the M4 could be mistaken for a 440i from some angles.

The M4 is lower in height than the M3, and it is a touch lighter as well....so I will run with that!

The rear arches are sexy on the M3 though for sure.

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

The M4 is lower in height than the M3, and it is a touch lighter as well....so I will run with that!

The rear arches are sexy on the M3 though for sure.

You run with that lol I think the extra height is the thing that makes the M3 standout.

[cerb4.5lee]

Magrah said:

I have not seen inside either so was wondering if anyone has any experience of either car i.e. could 4 adults get in comfortably etc? Also any issues that I should look out for? Are they the same size car bit one has 4 doors the other 2?

Top lurking by the way.

The M4 is a 2+2, but it is comfortable for adults in the back seats though. However the M3 is more practical overall because of the rear doors, plus it can sit three people in the rear seats too.

[iphonedyou]

To my eyes the M3 is the very significantly better looking car, particularly the rear 3/4.

The rear 3/4 of the M4 looks ungainly by comparison.

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

cerb4.5lee said:

The M4 is lower in height than the M3, and it is a touch lighter as well....so I will run with that!

The rear arches are sexy on the M3 though for sure.

You run with that lol I think the extra height is the thing that makes the M3 standout.

I really like both for sure, I just prefer the 2 door look(and the frameless windows) of the coupe that's all.

[cerb4.5lee]

iphonedyou said:

The rear 3/4 of the M4 looks ungainly by comparison.

Yes and I'd agree with that, I do like the ducktail look to the boot on the M4 in comparison to the M3 though.

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

ZX10R NIN said:

cerb4.5lee said:

The M4 is lower in height than the M3, and it is a touch lighter as well....so I will run with that!

The rear arches are sexy on the M3 though for sure.

You run with that lol I think the extra height is the thing that makes the M3 standout.

I really like both for sure, I just prefer the 2 door look(and the frameless windows) of the coupe that's all.

In most cases I'd agree with you but for me there's no point in having frameless windows when the rear windows (this is something of a pet hate of mine & the reason the C Coupe/A5/4 series don't get a look in) don't drop away.

[GregK2]

Top lurking OP! New record!?
And M3 for me.

[Wills2]

If it's an F8* version then the M3 for me over the M4, the S55 is a strong engine did nearly 100k in mine didn't miss a beat.

[flying-banana]

If we're talking new, then an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio for me

[iphonedyou]

flying-banana said:

If we're talking new, then an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio for me

In a choice between the M3 and M4?

[Magrah]

Thanks all, I was 70/30 for the M4 but you've really made me unsure now! Perhaps the M3 is a more practical option. . .

[flying-banana]

iphonedyou said:

flying-banana said:

If we're talking new, then an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio for me

In a choice between the M3 and M4?

...some people appreciate an alternative suggestion, that's all

[Gary C]

flying-banana said:

iphonedyou said:

flying-banana said:

If we're talking new, then an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio for me

In a choice between the M3 and M4?

...some people appreciate an alternative suggestion, that's all

some people dont appreciate a derailed thread too

Anyway, M4 anyday over the M3. Will always prefer a 2 door over a 4 door.

[Magrah]

That's a nice car, but it's got to be a M for me I think over any others including AMG's.

[cerb4.5lee]

Gary C said:

Anyway, M4 anyday over the M3. Will always prefer a 2 door over a 4 door.

I'm exactly the same. I do curse everytime I have to climb into the back of the M4 to plug the seatbelt in for my youngest daughter, but I'd still rather do that than have the 4 door M3 though.

I see 4 door cars as being boring and practical(I have a 4 door SUV), whereas I see 2 door cars as being more sporty and that bit more sexy for me.

I think that my 370Z Roadster would look ste with 4 doors instead of 2 doors to be fair!

[Cogito Ergo Sum]

I’ve had 3 F82’s, 1 F80, 2 F83’s and 2 G82’s, all Comps. For me has to be M4, whether F or G series as I always found it drove better.

[ZX10R NIN]

Gary C said:

some people dont appreciate a derailed thread too

Anyway, M4 anyday over the M3. Will always prefer a 2 door over a 4 door.

I would normally always agree with this apart from the M3/M4 when I had the choice & was looking at both in the showroom the M3 for me was the head & shoulders better/more muscular looking car both were the same colour.

So the M3 got the nod.