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BMW M4 manual 2014 review

EXPERT RATING
9
Alistair Kennedy road tests and reviews the BMW M4, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Last week we reviewed the latest BMW M3 sedan that we tested on both road and track in New Zealand. This time it’s the turn of its two-door hardtop sibling, the M4 coupe, launched alongside the sedan and replacing the previous M3 coupe.

As the ‘M’ prefix suggests the M4 is the high-performance version of the new 4 Series which arrived in Australia in late 2013 and which extended BMW’s even-number naming format where the sportier two-door variants of the 1, 3 and 5 Series cars were renamed as the 2, 4 and 6 Series.

Name changes can be risky but performance car buyers know their stuff and will be well aware that the M4 is the latest evolution of the M3 coupe with its reputation as one of the world’s great driving cars and are unlikely to be put off by the new badge. 

STYLING

Our American cousins got the first look at the M4 coupe, initially in concept form at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with the production model being unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. 

Apart from the obvious difference of the doors the M4 coupe is all-but identical to the M3 sedan. The two cars share the same length and wheelbase measurements with the coupe being fractionally narrower and 41 mm lower to provide a lower-slung look than the sedan. The coupe’s doors are longer to provide easier access to the two rear seats (the sedan has three) and the rear spoiler is integrated into the boot lid rather than fitted as in the sedan.

The characteristic BMW long, nicely sculpted, bonnet is broken by the usual power dome in the rear-centre. At the rear of the bonnet are twin heat exhausts.

As with the previous M3 coupe the standard roof on the M4 is made from lightweight carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and comes in black providing an eye-catching contrast to the various body colours. A glass sunroof is available as a no-cost option but negates some of the CFRP weight saving.

INTERIOR

Access to the M4’s rear seats through the front doors is reasonably easy although those looking for a weekday family commuter / weekend fun car are far more likely to choose the M3 with its extra doors and larger rear seat. 

Rear legroom with the front seats fully extended is negligible while headroom, although 40 mm less than in the sedan, will be acceptable for passengers under about 1.9 metres.

The sports seats are firm but comfortable and adjustable side bolsters that can make a major difference to the driving enjoyment of the ample-buttocked.

The M4 loses 35 litres of boot space compared to the M3 although, at 445 litres, there’s enough space for a decent amount of holiday luggage.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

After experimenting with V8 power in the previous (fourth) generation M3, BMW has reverted to a straight-six engine for the new M3 and M4. This time however it comes with a pair of turbochargers that help it generate 317 kW of power and 550 Nm of torque from the 3.0-litre engine. That’s well above the output from both the 3.2-litre six of the third generation M3 coupe as well as the 4.0-litre V8 of the just superseded model (309 kW and 400 Nm). 

Through the wonders of turbocharging these higher outputs are reached with less fuel – the new M4 uses just 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, compared to the 10.5 L/100 km of the previous six and the 11.9 of the V8. 

Transmission options are seven-speed M double-clutch automatic or an upgraded six-speed manual, the latter available only on special order and at the same price as the automatic. 

SAFETY

As expected from a car of this quality, the BMW M4 comes with the latest standard safety equipment including six airbags, enhanced braking systems and dynamic stability control. 

However with an rrp of $166,900 there are still many features within a longish option list including Lane Change and Blind Spot Warning ($1000), Head-Up Display ($1700), Tyre Pressure Warning ($550) and Parking Assistant ($675).

The BMW Connected Drive includes Intelligent Emergency Call which transmits vehicle crash information to a BMW Call Centre from where emergency service are alerted if required. Similarly, TeleServices which transmit breakdown information. 

INFOTAINMENT

BMW M4 comes with all of the latest features based around a high-resolution 8.8-inch colour display including satellite navigation; 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound; digital radio; DVD drive; on-board computer with 20 Gb hard drive; USB and Auxiliary sockets; and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming. 

DRIVING

The Australasian launch of the M4 was held in New Zealand alongside the M3 with the ability to switch back and forwards between the cars both on the two racetracks (Hampton Downs and Taupo) and on the 250 kilometres of delightful road between the two tracks.

The M4 is 23 kg lighter than the M3 and around 60 kg less than the previous M3 coupe. 

With the assistance of launch control the zero to 100 km/h acceleration from both M3 and M4 is 4.1 seconds with the automatic transmission and 4.3 seconds with the manual. Acceleration is almost instant with the twin turbos combining to eliminate any sign of turbo lag.

The steering (now electro-mechanical), suspension and engine each have a choice of three settings which really add to the driving enjoyment.

The brain says the sound of an engine shouldn’t matter but the heart says it does and that may be one factor that could influence potential buyers. During its seven years on the local market M3 owners came to love the V8 burble from under the bonnet. While the new twin-turbo does have its own distinctive sound there’s something artificial about it. Time will tell whether this affects sales.

Verdict

Some BMW purists will no doubt be muttering at the company for bringing in the new naming (numbering) format which has taken away the iconic M3 name from the coupe which started it all and given exclusive rights to the Johnny-come-lately sedan. Others will no doubt bemoan the loss of the V8 engine. 

One test drive and they’ll get over it because, with the most power and torque to date and the lowest fuel consumption and emissions, the new M4 is quite simply the best M3 yet.

Pricing guides

$64,460
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$27,720
Highest Price
$101,200

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
M3 Pure 4.0L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $39,160 – 46,090 2014 BMW M Models 2014 M3 Pure Pricing and Specs
M3 Frozen Silver L.e. 4.0L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $53,460 – 61,490 2014 BMW M Models 2014 M3 Frozen Silver L.e. Pricing and Specs
M3 4.0L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $49,720 – 57,200 2014 BMW M Models 2014 M3 Pricing and Specs
M6 4.4L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $88,000 – 101,200 2014 BMW M Models 2014 M6 Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
9
Alistair Kennedy
Contributing Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$35,090

Lowest price, based on third party pricing data

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