Changing from M4 competition
Discussion
I’m contemplating changing my BMW M4 Competition (2018) for a 2018 Aston Martin Vantage, has anyone had a similar experience. I’ve owned the M4 for 4 years and love it but I’m being drawn to the Vantage as it’s 1 owner and covered 9000 miles only. The M4 has a stage 1 map and has 520 BHP. It’s quite a hike in price between the M4 and vantage.
I’m always a bit scared of first year models. I know some updates were done in MY21 which improved various things.
I traded my F87 M2CS (best M car ever) for my 21 Vantage Roadster. No regrets at all.
The Vantage is a better handling, better riding, faster car than the F82 you have and feels much more special. More dual purpose as well as it can be a cruiser or a sports car.
It’s more like the G series M4 in performance. The G series M4 is a bit dull to drive though as you don’t feel anything (I prefer the F). The Vantage is quite a bit more engaging. And did I mention that it feels more special.
I traded my F87 M2CS (best M car ever) for my 21 Vantage Roadster. No regrets at all.
The Vantage is a better handling, better riding, faster car than the F82 you have and feels much more special. More dual purpose as well as it can be a cruiser or a sports car.
It’s more like the G series M4 in performance. The G series M4 is a bit dull to drive though as you don’t feel anything (I prefer the F). The Vantage is quite a bit more engaging. And did I mention that it feels more special.

Mick4271 said:
Thanks all, I can imagine owning an Aston Martin is special especially as I’ve got D3 AML as a personal number plate on the M4. I think I’ll have have a test drive and make a decision.
That is basically God's way of telling you to buy an Aston 
So to sum up...
Mick4271 said:
Thanks all, I can imagine owning an Aston Martin is special especially as I’ve got D3 AML as a personal number plate on the M4. I think I’ll have have a test drive and buy one.
Mick4271 said:
Thanks all, I can imagine owning an Aston Martin is special especially as I’ve got D3 AML as a personal number plate on the M4. I think I’ll have have a test drive and make a decision.
I've had a 2019 Vantage from new, and have a close friend with a 2016 M4 (non comp) that I've done road trips and trackdays with. Key points between the two:- The tech in the Vantage is naff. iDrive has always been brilliant and the Vantage will be a big step backwards
- M4's are fast. The Vantage might edge it in a straight line but on track or fast road driving the M4 has the edge. The Vantage lacks mechanical grip when driven hard. Upgrading to Michelin PS4's helps but it's a far more lively car than an M4. Note you can't get PS4S in the right size for the Vantage
- The Vantage sounds far better. A 2018/19 car won't have GFP's, the noise is amazing
- This is a bit subjective, but for feelgood factor and the way it looks, the Vantage beats it hands down. If it's your thing, people stare at/comment on my Vantage all the time (partly because it's bright blue) and next to the M4 it does look like a real 'supercar'
- The Vantage eats tyres when used properly. I've previously done a set of rears in under 3k miles (without a trackday!) - the standard Bridgestone's mine came on wore far too quickly and the Michelin's have been far better
I can't comment on running costs as I've never owned an M4, my Vantage has been (relatively) cheap for the first 5 years of its life due to factory warranty and 5 year complimentary service plan. With both of these now over, I've purchased 2 years extended warranty and 2 year service plan from the dealer. I think the cost of this was about £6k but you can do interest free monthly payments over 10 months.
AMV93 said:
I've had a 2019 Vantage from new, and have a close friend with a 2016 M4 (non comp) that I've done road trips and trackdays with. Key points between the two:
- The tech in the Vantage is naff. iDrive has always been brilliant and the Vantage will be a big step backwards
- M4's are fast. The Vantage might edge it in a straight line but on track or fast road driving the M4 has the edge. The Vantage lacks mechanical grip when driven hard. Upgrading to Michelin PS4's helps but it's a far more lively car than an M4. Note you can't get PS4S in the right size for the Vantage
Just get CarPlay in the Vantage. Just as good as F series BMW once you have done that as Mercedes copied BMW’s iDrive wheel. The surround parking thing is good in the Vantage though. - The tech in the Vantage is naff. iDrive has always been brilliant and the Vantage will be a big step backwards
- M4's are fast. The Vantage might edge it in a straight line but on track or fast road driving the M4 has the edge. The Vantage lacks mechanical grip when driven hard. Upgrading to Michelin PS4's helps but it's a far more lively car than an M4. Note you can't get PS4S in the right size for the Vantage
The 2016 F82 was the one that wanted to kill you - fixed in later years. I suspect your friend is a very good driver.
AMV93 said:
- M4's are fast. The Vantage might edge it in a straight line but on track or fast road driving the M4 has the edge. The Vantage lacks mechanical grip when driven hard. Upgrading to Michelin PS4's helps but it's a far more lively car than an M4. Note you can't get PS4S in the right size for the Vantage
As this take was so completely different to my experience I thought I’d check if I was going mad. Anglesey
Vantage: 1:18.40. M4: 1:19.20
Autocar Dry Handling
Vantage: 1:11.40. M4: 1:12.50
Hochenheim GP
Vantage 1:55.70 M4: 1:59.80
Nurburgring
Vantage 7:43.92 M4: 7:52.00
Sachsenring
Vantage 1:35.85 M4: 1:37.22
Vantage is in no way set up to be a track car either, but it has a very good chassis.
(Note PS4 is more a daily driver luxury sedan tyre so may explain some of it for you, but it may be your friend’s skill. The nut behind the wheel is the biggest factor).
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