Christmas M4, first impressions

[Hawaii i8]

Moderator Edit: Pictures thread is here -> http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1075007

As a proud new owner I wanted to share with you guys my initial impressions of my new baby, and maybe dispel some of the concern’s that I struggled with as I waited for delivery.

I’m a huge sports car fan. This is my 7th M3 (M4), its my “goto” sports car. The one I most often want to drive because its just awesome, M cars generally are.

My Car is an Austin Yellow “The Yellow blur” M4 convertible, black interior, black 19” wheels with all the options except Carbon brakes and the driver assistance plus package. I ordered the car without having ever seen one in real life so it was a bit of a “I will trust BMW on this one” rather then “I’ve test driven and decided its that right car for me”. Once I ordered the car OF COURSE immediately started seeing reviews that declared the Steering was dead, the exhaust sounds like a “wet fart” and most worrying of all, my chosen color Austin Yellow was hideous! Great I just ordered the worst sports car in the worst color, Merry Christmas idiot.

So the day after Christmas, after a four month wait, the “yellow blur” arrives at the dealer. I badger my salesman to let me see the car the instant its unloaded, he wants to make her pretty for the dance, I want to see her from across the room just in case I need to beat a hasty exit if you know what I mean. Well I turn the corner and there she sits alongside a YMB M3. WOW she's really gorgeous, mind you… need to keep my sun glasses on to prevent my retina been scorched, subtle she ain’t….

Austin Yellow is just a incredibly complex and ever changing color. Different light sources, every shadow cast causes the paint, much like a chameleon, to appear to change color. I have taken to parking the car during the day outside my garages so I can watch the color alter as the day draws on.. I’m not sure I have ever seen anything to compare on a car. Its amazing, not for everyone but really emphasizes the exotic credentials of the car.

The car is very fun to drive, it has so much pulling power, very linear delivery that seems almost never-ending.. Of course its way to early for me to really judge, but initial impressions have blown me away.

What about the dreaded electric steering? Well I needn’t have worried, its really nicely weighted. I have everything in Sport plus mode all the time so steering is as heavy as I can make it and it feels really good. It points so precisely that I can forgive it for been maybe a little less communicative then my old E92. If I had one quibble it would be that at very low speeds, say maneuvering in a car park it feels a little vague and betrays its synthetic roots, but again its a minor criticism.

lastly the sound - Oh the consternation about the effect this inline 6 twin turbo engine has had on the sound… I guess the sound is best described as “different”. Its got its own personality thats rather complex and entertaining. When you press the go fast peddle you get the most amazing growl from the exhaust coupled with head snapping gear shifts that brings a huge smile to my face every time! .. Its seriously addictive. Downshifts, while perfectly executed, do lack the old V8’s roar that could startle unsuspecting bystanders. The exception seems to be third down to second gear change which seems to deliver a satisfying throttle blip! Whats most disconcerting is when you pull up to say a stop light - The exhaust makes a valiant but unconvincing attempt at a “burble” as you role to a stop and then things are really quiet… And I mean quiet, church mouse quiet…Now I can hear you all thinking “the fool has got that stupid auto engine shutoff thingy engaged” (Why on an M car BMW?).. but no, its just a really quiet engine when at idle. Not a big issue, just different from the E92.

So in summary so far so good! My night sweats, desperate google searches, endless seeking reassurances from my wife and friends (All of whom wanted to kill me or divorce me or both) appear to have been a waste of nervous energy. This is an amazing car that punches way over its weight for the money. As Ferris Bueller once famously said “ If you have the means I highly recommend picking one up” :-)

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and "M badged" New Year

[Colinv6]

Where's the pics man??!!! We need pics!!

[Doctor///M]

Awesome! Can't judge AY until you've seen it yourself

Yea, and pics!!

[Hawaii i8]

Pic's are on their way guys! :-)

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by BigIslandM4

As Ferris Bueller once famously said “ If you have the means I highly recommend picking one up” :-)

congrats. lol. ferris bueller quote quite revealing of your age !

[Tyrolean]

Very nicely written - I guess it describes how many feel in the wait, especially the hassle around colour and sound... 😉mine is tanzanite and I have always wondered if the car will be too light, too dark, too dull, too bright... 😜 once seen it's just great 😎.
Enjoy the ride and happy new year!

[dmk08]

Good review. I always leave my steering in comfort like Clarkson suggested in his article. Seems more stable.

[MaynardZed]

Dude, you just picked an AY M4 'vert and no pics? Don't tease us, must have pics!

[luvmybluesbb]

Congrats! Entertaining review

[JustChris]

Pics or it didn't happen?

Congrats OP a very balanced initial feedback, sounds like a great holiday season for you.

[italy3541]

Nice write up, I am with you on the worried part. I have been going back and forth about a M4 or GTR. I don't want to make the wrong choice, but the more I read of others impressions of the M4 the more I want to just go get one..

[idocm4]

Just kidding! Congrats! Nice review.

[Powerslide]

Congrats on the new present! I can't wait to see the pics - color and options wise I have the exact same configuration as you except the F80 Sedan form (CF roof - no sunroof). I've always wondered what the F83 would look like with AY, black interior and black wheels...especially with the top down.

I had E93 convertible - so an M convertible is an awesome combination - but my kids were waaaaay smaller back in 2008 than they are now)!

[Hawaii i8]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

congrats. lol. ferris bueller quote quite revealing of your age !

Yep, one of the best Car movies as long as you don't mind the car getting destroyed at the end :-)

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by BigIslandM4

Yep, one of the best Car movies as long as you don't mind the car getting destroyed at the end :-)

wait a second, u in Hawai'i!

now you have to send us PICS.

[JTO24]

Haha wet fart he said. Congrats, OP! Austin yellow is agreat color so I'm with everyone else post some pics!

[Hawaii i8]

Originally Posted by italy3541

Nice write up, I am with you on the worried part. I have been going back and forth about a M4 or GTR. I don't want to make the wrong choice, but the more I read of others impressions of the M4 the more I want to just go get one..

I've never owned or driven a GTR so I'm not a lot of use to provide a comparison, I have however owned most other high end sports cars Ferraris, Lamborghini, GMC Yukon etc (Ok the Yukon maybe no so much).... so I think I have have a feel for what makes a good sports car and the M3/M4 certainly fits that bill. It's really good at a lot of things, maybe not amazing like a 458 but then a 458 comes with a whole host of other "living with it" issues that the M cars do not (Believe me I know from experience), obviously get a few test drives first if you can.

The other point that should not be ignored is the 4 year maintenance that comes with these cars... I just love not having to think about the cost of any service. The last "service" I had on a more exotic car cost me nearly $10k and that hurts!

[Hawaii i8]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

wait a second, u in Hawai'i!

now you have to send us PICS.

I'm taking one for the team :-) Its not all palm trees and beaches you know!

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by BigIslandM4

I'm taking one for the team :-) Its not all palm trees and beaches you know!

...just waterfalls, rainforest and volcanoes. No biggie

[Hawaii i8]

Originally Posted by Powerslide

Congrats on the new present! I can't wait to see the pics - color and options wise I have the exact same configuration as you except the F80 Sedan form (CF roof - no sunroof). I've always wondered what the F83 would look like with AY, black interior and black wheels...especially with the top down.

I had E93 convertible - so an M convertible is an awesome combination - but my kids were waaaaay smaller back in 2008 than they are now)!

Congratulations on a really great sounding car! - I hear you on the kids, I have a 12 year old daughter who still fits in the rear seats but my boys are all over 6 feet so they are a bit more reluctant (Although the new car does seem to have more space back there)

[Hawaii i8]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

...just waterfalls, rainforest and volcanoes. No biggie

LOL, our house is at 1200 feet on one of those volcano's, I like to live dangerous

[bigdog1250]

Great write-up, do enjoy! Can't wait until mine comes... whenever that is. Damn thing is stuck in production.