[Sublime00]

Drove an manual m3 today, walked around the M4. I'll add my 2 cents as a buyer and not a car reviewer.

Exterior Impressions: much better looking in person, even the M4 looks better in person. I thought it would look like an M8 (which I don't like), but in fact looks significantly better. Car I saw was an Alpine white, not the best color in pics, but looked pretty good in person, even w/ the black grill being very pronounced with the white paint. Rear tails aren't the best on the M4, it does look like Japanese taillight design.

The M3 was a Toronto red/black. TR looks like an Orange Red, NOT a bright Red as pics would lead you to believe. Shadow line pack contrasts really well with the TR.

Driving impressions:
M3 was nice. Obviously I didn't beat on it, but very easy to drive in comfort mode, personality did change in the Sportiest of modes, but it's not a hardcore car. It's pretty supple ride, quiet cabin, very liveable as a daily.
Shifter did NOT feel like my M2 comp. It was "notchier" and felt like the throws were slightly shorter but still long, like a typical BMW. Clutch was just as springy as the M2C. The stick fell to my hand pretty well, but The arm rest felt awkward.
I did not like the digital gauge cluster at all, but I'm more of an analog guy. Gauges were much better in the Sport mode but still, I wasn't feeling it.
I hated the steering wheel design in pics, but it looks much better in person.
Back seats were really roomy, comfy for 4 adults.

Advice to those ordering sight unseen:
Go look at the colors in person !! TR is not a traditional Red. I'm not going to order one until I see the colors esp IOMG.
I hear aluminum trim gets scratched very easily, opt for the CF.
Shadowline is a very color dependent option, I'd opt not to get it in some colors like the IOMG, where the body color mirrors and spoiler will look better, but it did look good on the Red and white cars. But I might lean away from ordering it.
Regular seats were great, I didn't try the CF ones, but I'm not feeling those especially w/ the CF penis holder.
Exec pack is useless, I would like to see the regular lights in person before ordering.
I hated the 360 camera. It was really awkward to use. Maybe need to get used to it.

Overall: this is a comfy cruiser. Those looking for a hardcore car, will be disappointed; It really is like a better m340. If you're between the M4 and the M3, go for M3, assuming they drive the same. It just looks better and is a more cohesive design.
Props to BMW for trying to save the manuals.

[KevinGS]

Interesting eval of the 360 camera. What made it awkward?

Totally agree on the shadowline...I think body-colored mirrors and spoiler will look good with quite a few colors.

And I'm TOTALLY OK with a comfy cruiser coming from the factory, though with real road-hugging potential in the sportiest settings....because once I lower it a bit, it's sure not going to be so comfy any more. So, best to start out feeling a bit comfy, for me anyway.

[EXE46]

Al Tetragon doesn't get scratched easily, I have that trim in my M340i and in over 18 plus months zero scratches, it's a tough material.

[admranger]

Appreciate the review. Glad to hear it is a livelier version of the M340.

I want to see a base model and compare. Probably get Tanzanite. Wish it came in Carbon Blk to match our X3 (but I'm not paying $5k for that via individual -- I'd get Imola instead).

[solstice]

If by comfy cruiser you mean spacious with smooth transmission, refined interior, quality suspension that is both compliant and well sorted providing comfort and agility while being wickedly fast on and off the track I’m in.

If you mean Buick boat cruise ship with slow steering and excessive body roll and cumbersome unwillingness to change direction I’m out

Which one is it?

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by solstice

If by comfy cruiser you mean spacious with smooth transmission, refined interior, quality suspension that is both compliant and well sorted providing comfort and agility while being wickedly fast on and off the track I'm in.

If you mean Buick boat cruise ship with slow steering and excessive body roll and cumbersome unwillingness to change direction I'm out

Which one is it?

Definitely the former lol. I can't comment on the track prowess but it felt supple, compliant and easy to drive.

Def a great car to daily.

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Interesting eval of the 360 camera. What made it awkward?

Totally agree on the shadowline...I think body-colored mirrors and spoiler will look good with quite a few colors.

And I'm TOTALLY OK with a comfy cruiser coming from the factory, though with real road-hugging potential in the sportiest settings....because once I lower it a bit, it's sure not going to be so comfy any more. So, best to start out feeling a bit comfy, for me anyway.

The 360 camera made it seem like I was parking really close to the two cars beside me when I was pulling in.

It gave a very skewed awkward perspective.

1/4 of the way into parking it. I just gave up and went old school with the head turn + side view mirrors.

I know I'd get annoyed by that feature.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by admranger

Appreciate the review. Glad to hear it is a livelier version of the M340.

I think many including Chris Harris use this as an insult. It isn’t to me or you it seems. If BMW has engineered an M3 with the track speed and engine/chassis/suspension robustness and precision that we expect from an M3 without the loss of refinement and comfort of a 340 how it’s not really a bad thing.

[Sublime00]

I'll reiterate that these colors should be seen in person. I was really thrown off by how much Orange is in the TR.

I felt the same when ordering my M2C in that I was set on HS until I physically saw the LBB which looks significantly better in person and doesn't photograph nearly as well.

I went w/ LBB.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by solstice

I think many including Chris Harris use this as an insult. It isn’t to me or you it seems. If BMW has engineered an M3 with the track speed and engine/chassis/suspension robustness and precision that we expect from an M3 without the loss of refinement and comfort of a 340 how it’s not really a bad thing.

I'm old so my days of diving hours and hours in a fully caged car to get to the track are over.

Doesn't mean I don't like to drive the car; I just want my fillings and hearing intact afterwards.

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by solstice

I think many including Chris Harris use this as an insult. It isn't to me or you it seems. If BMW has engineered an M3 with the track speed and engine/chassis/suspension robustness and precision that we expect from an M3 without the loss of refinement and comfort of a 340 how it's not really a bad thing.

Definitely not an insult.

[Wheelwright]

1) Is the gearbox more precise and "mechanical feeling" than previous BMWs ? How is it compared to benchmarks such as Cayman, S2000, Miata ?
2) Is the steering wheel noticeably quicker (I mean lock-to-lock) in its sportiest setting ?
3) Can you make the steering quick and not too heavy at the same time or the two are coupled together ?
4) Can you order cooled seats ? (lifesaver for me)

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by Wheelwright

1) Is the gearbox more precise and "mechanical feeling" than previous BMWs ? How is it compared to benchmarks such as Cayman, S2000, Miata ?
2) Is the steering wheel noticeably quicker (I mean lock-to-lock) in its sportiest setting ?
3) Can you make the steering quick and not too heavy at the same time or the two are coupled together ?
4) Can you order cooled seats ? (lifesaver for me)

1) gearbox is slightly notchier, slightly more precise and slightly less rubbery than the m2c. I'd give it a 6 to 7 out of 10 in terms of precision. It's not mechanical and does feel disconnected like most newer cars. I have an S2000, that's a 10/10; it's precise and mechanical.

2) steering wasnt noticeably fast and didn't feel overly heavy. I like my steering in comfort, throttle in sport, but quickness of steering is more noticeable on a track.

3) I didn't get to play with steering settings too much.

4) I didnt notice a heated/cooled seat option in the car, I just assumed you can get it on the non carbon seats.

[Zirenz2006]

Exec pack is useless???

[Rick955]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

Regular seats were great, I didn't try the CF ones, but I'm not feeling those especially w/ the CF penis holder.
Exec pack is useless, I would like to see the regular lights in person before ordering.
I hated the 360 camera. It was really awkward to use. Maybe need to get used to it.

I wouldn't say that. Some of it may be more desirable depending on where you live. The HUD is great, really a must have. Laser headlights good. The heated wheel and remote engine start good here in new England with cold winter, perhaps not in warmer areas. The gesture control and wireless charging are not important to me. But it's a definite check on my build... for resale as well. Just things you cannot add later.

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Exec pack is useless???

I find it pointless.
Not into gesture control, tailgate, wireless charging, or heated steering. Meh about HUD and I want to see stock Non laser lights.

I prob wouldn't option it, but I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't.

I've always heard the resale argument, in my experience it won't matter 5 yrs down the line. Just my opinion. Not saying this to start some back and forth about how exec pack is going to dramatically affect resale/trade in. Different strokes for different folks.

[pcai]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

I find it pointless.
Not into gesture control, tailgate, wireless charging, or heated steering. Meh about HUD and I want to see stock Non laser lights.

I prob wouldn't option it, but I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't.

I've always heard the resale argument, in my experience it won't matter 5 yrs down the line. Just my opinion. Not saying this to start some back and forth about how exec pack is going to dramatically affect resale/trade in. Different strokes for different folks.

There's some thread in the photo/video section that shows non-laser headlights and the daytime running lights look really odd. It gives off a strong poverty spec vibe to the car, like you bought a base 330i with no options.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by solstice

I think many including Chris Harris use this as an insult. It isn’t to me or you it seems. If BMW has engineered an M3 with the track speed and engine/chassis/suspension robustness and precision that we expect from an M3 without the loss of refinement and comfort of a 340 how it’s not really a bad thing.

Completely agree that "better 340" is a good thing and exactly what overwhelming majority of M3 buyers want. These cars will outperform all previous M3s AND be more refined daily drivers....major props to BMW's engineering achievement. For those wanting something smaller, edgier, etc., BMW has the M2.

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by pcai

There's some thread in the photo/video section that shows non-laser headlights and the daytime running lights look really odd. It gives off a strong poverty spec vibe to the car, like you bought a base 330i with no options.

Lol. I could give 2 shits what other people think of my "poverty spec" $73,000 car.

That's like saying people will frown on my iPhone XS bc I don't have 3 stupid camera lenses on the back. Or is it 4 now? Lol.

I've well outgrown this type of thinking my friend.

[vampire81]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

I hated the 360 camera. It was really awkward to use. Maybe need to get used to it.

i use the overhead view and find it very useful.

[pcai]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

Lol. I could give 2 shits what other people think of my "poverty spec" $73,000 car.

That's like saying people will frown on my iPhone XS bc I don't have 3 stupid camera lenses on the back. Or is it 4 now? Lol.

I've well outgrown this type of thinking my friend.

When did I say other people will frown on your car? Take a look at it first. I'm only saying that the design looks very out of place, and if I were to get this car, I, me, and myself would not be able to stand the design of these headlights.

[Rick955]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

Lol. I could give 2 shits what other people think of my "poverty spec" $73,000 car.

That's like saying people will frown on my iPhone XS bc I don't have 3 stupid camera lenses on the back. Or is it 4 now? Lol.

I've well outgrown this type of thinking my friend.

I don't think he meant anything by that, or especially directed at you. I said the $4700 CF Package was a waste... got a few "responses" for that. LOL In the end it doesn't matter one bit... too many opinions. I am not the one paying for you car. You're not paying for mine. So ignore everyone. I like seeing everyone's personal comments when they drive the car... and appreciated your thoughts either way.