In the class of super-performance sports coupes, the price is placed strongly in the background, but in these times it is also more and more important. For 84,000 euros, you can't get so much sportiness, such excellent driving mechanics and numbers from any competitor: 317 kW or 431 hp, 250 km/h, 4.1 seconds from 0-100 km/h from a twin turbo inline six-cylinder engine.
The M4 is a new model in BMW's model range, and logically it means the most powerful version of the 4 Series, which replaced the coupé version of the 3 Series at the beginning of the year. The M4 is thus technological twin of the M3, which is united by many components and in the spirit of downsizing, a new 3-liter twinturbo in-line six-cylinder engine, which has the difficult task of stepping into the big shoes of the previous 4.0 liter V8 engine, which is highly regarded by BMW enthusiasts.
Thanks to the many spoilers and the aggressiveness of the nose and rear, you recognize the M4 very quickly, although it is true that you can M sport package and accessories from the performance family, even with the 420i you conjure up almost the same dynamic image. That you are standing in front of an M4 coupe is basically only proven by the additional gills on the side of the vehicle with the version inscription, the carbon fiber roof, special aerodynamic side mirrors, brake calipers dressed in blue (or gold) and four exhaust pipes on the rear.
3.0-liter twinturbo the petrol engine immediately starts up with a characteristic deep bass, which is also helped by the sports exhaust system, which only reinforces the six-cylinder melody when accelerating. The sound is so good that we didn't miss the sound of the eight-cylinder that graced the predecessor, although it is true that the scenery is impressive, and in no mode of operation can it make that huron sound and crackle when the gas pedal is released.
However, the engine stands out much more, which reacts at the start of the hypo and, thanks to two turbo chargers, accelerates very steadily and quickly, so that the turbo hole is practically no longer felt, and the image is further improved by the lightning-fast shifting seven-speed automatic with double clutch, which changes gears faster than you can blink. There is almost no time to breathe during acceleration, and every shift is accompanied by the aforementioned thunderous sound of the engine and exhaust system. The M4 coupe goes through winding mountain serpentines like on rails, if only the tires are fresh enough and the road is dry enough. The excellent steering mechanism dictates exactly where the car will go, and also communicates this to the driver.
In practice, in normal driving mode, the M4 is a concrete athlete, and in comfort mode, it is also a comfortable highway cruiser with which you can easily jump to Dalmatia for a well-deserved break. But when the driver wants sportiness, he can play with many sports settings and adjusts the stiffness and responsiveness of the steering mechanism, shock absorbers, the responsiveness of the gas pedal and transmission, and more. Or you can simply turn it on by pressing one of the two buttons on the steering wheel M mode (M1 or M2) where it turns on MDM mode (M driving mode) and turn off ESP and other electronic aids, which means that the M4 requires a skilled driver behind the wheel.
There is very little understeer, which is taken care of by the serial ones M chassis and active M differential, but when you exaggerate in a corner despite everything, the "invisible little men" in its guts get to work and put the rear back on the marked rails. The operation of the ESP system and others helped him so concretely and one could even say aggressively, but in a car of this quality it is right that it is so.
To summarize, the M4 is definitely worth the letter M in its name, and the fact that it no longer has an eight-cylinder engine in the nose will quickly get used to and absorbed by fans, as the twin turbo in-line six-cylinder engine and powerful exhaust system will quickly convince them. There are also us, although we would, given the greater usability and last but not least 5,500 euros lower price, almost drove into the garage M3.
