BMW M4 Coupe

BMW M4 Coupe – Overview

The first M car dates back to 1978, and the letter has since become synonymous with power, fun, and driving enjoyment. As for the car underneath; the BMW 4 Series was first introduced in 2013 when BMW wanted to differentiate the coupe from its 4-door sedan 3 Series, and a year later (predictably), the M4 followed. 

The BMW M4 is now it its second generation and is given the codename G82 for the coupe hardtop body, while the G83 is for the convertible soft top. The convertible can only be had in Competition guise, while the coupe variant also has a standard option.

Just like the previous generation, the new M4 has a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-6 engine, and it can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. However, gone is the DCT and in its place is a familiar 8-speed automatic ZF transmission that powers cars with the Competition pack. M4s with this pack also have an option for an AWD system, called the M xDrive.

BMW M4 Coupe – Exterior

The full-height front grille is the most obvious change to the second-gen M4. In standard form, it is finished in high-gloss black, and this colour also finds itself on the lower edge of the bumper, side sills, side mirror covers, rear spoiler, and the rear diffuser. The super coupe also has a CRF roof, and its mouldings are similarly in high-gloss black.

The standard car is also equipped with LED headlights, black tailpipes, and it rides on 19-inch wheels in front and 20-inch wheels at the rear. In Malaysia, the M4 can be specified with an Innovation Package, which adds to the exterior a BMW Laserlight system and also an electrically-operated glass roof. The rims also feature a different design with this pack, although they are of the same size.

BMW M4 Coupe – Interior

The BMW M4 coupe at its base level is clad in black Merino leather upholstery. Its front seats are M sport units that features an illuminated inscription. Trim finishers replicate the high-gloss black from the exterior, while the headliner is finished in anthracite. Just like the seats, the steering and pedals are M-specific items too.

There’s no mistaking this space for a regular 4 Series either. Carbon fibre is everywhere, along with plenty of M badges too. While the standard sport seats are excellent, owners who plan to track the M4 can opt for a set of carbon fibre buckets that look superb.

Innovation Package also adds Merino upholstery and door card relief panels in a choice of three colours: Kyalami Orange, Yas Marina Blue, or Silverstone, which will also be replicated on the seats. Piano black trim and M seat belts also differentiate M4s with IP from those without.

BMW M4 Coupe – Features

Coming standard on the M4 Coupe is an Adaptive M suspension system, M Sport differential, and M Drive Professional system. The last one adds a new M traction control that provides, wait for it, 10 different levels of intervention, along with a lap timer (which we think is great) and a drift analyser (which is less great).

On the comfort end of things, the super coupe gets a HiFi loudspeaker audio system, three-zone automatic AC, and Comfort Access. There is a BMW Live Cockpit Professional 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch Navigation Professional touchscreen display.

Competition models with Innovation Package will receive extra toys. They are a head-up display, a sound system from Harman Kardon, and wireless phone charging. A Connected Package Professional is also part of the pack, which has intelligent emergency call, concierge, remote services, and an intelligent personal assistant feature.

In addition to that, IP models also adds Parking Assistant, tyre pressure monitor, and a Driving Assistant pack. This brings lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, and rear collision prevention. Strangely, there is no adaptive cruise control.

BMW M4 Coupe – Powertrain

The S58 3.0-litre twin turbo straight six makes 480 PS at 6,250 rpm, and 550 Nm from 2,650 to 6,130 rpm. That’s an increase of 50 PS but no extra torque, althought peak torque range has moved up. 

Standard on the M4 is a 6-speed manual transmission, but buyers can also the M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic, which is an 8-speed ZF unit, which powers the rear wheels only.

Competition bumps power up to 510 PS at 6,250 rpm, and 650 Nm from 2,750 rpm and 5,500 rpm. It can only have the ZF 8, and there is an option for an AWD system, which the Bavarians call M xDrive AWD.

BMW M4 Coupe – Driving Performance

The standard M4 Coupe, with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, hits the century mark in 4.2 seconds, and will go on to a limited 250 km/h. In Competition spec, 0.3 seconds are shaved off, though it is limited to the same top speed. There’s an additional M Driver’s Package, that lifts the limiter, with or without the Competition pack, to 290 km/h.

Some fans may be put out by the exterior, or less than wowed by the figures they read of a brochure, but BMW M4 Coupe reviews all agree that time behind the wheel is all it takes to find the ‘M’agic.The rigidity of the chassis is apparent on the first corner. As are the precision of the steering and the agility of the coupe, even in Comfort setting. 

The engine is an eager accomplice, with a linear power delivery that pulls cleanly through the rev range. There is no howl of natural aspiration, or the growl of another German rival’s V8, but it is an extremely effective powerplant.

BMW wouldn’t pair such an enthusiastic engine to a sluggish transmission. It’s not the instantaneous response you’ll find from the best dual-clutch transmissions out there, but it is smoother than the old DCTs. The speed of the shifts can be selected, while steering and braking response can be altered to either Comfort and Sport. 

BMW M4 Coupe – Ride Comfort

Reviews also found the new M4 to be more comfortable in everyday use, even with Competition spec. At the stiffest setting, Sport Plus, bumps on the road are still smoothed over well surprisingly well. With equipment that comes from the Innovation Pack, like the Parking Assistant and AEB, the M4 becomes almost like any other coupe out there.

BMW M4 Coupe – Fuel Economy

BMW M4 Coupe – Conclusion

Cars that have transcended time and space like BMW’s M models will always carry the weight of that pressure. Will the newer ones lose what made them so special? This question is especially pertinent for daring revisions like this new BMW G82 M4. The Bavarian coupe has always been the best driver’s car, a title many believe this new generation successfully retains, but it has also received an extra helping of drama, which is essential in cars like these today.