2017 BMW M4 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What’s New for 2017
The 2017 BMW M4 sees a slight increase in base MSRP in large part due to the inclusion of the once-optional Adaptive M Suspension as standard. This suspension allows the driver to adjust the dynamics of the car towards a sporty or a comfortable feel. The 2017 M4 starts at $68,190 and includes many features which are options on lower-priced 4-series BMW cars including adaptive cruise control, heated seats, leather sport steering wheel, carbon-fiber trim, and the latest BMW iDrive system with Harmon Kardon premium audio.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2017 BMW M4 – The Pros
1. The Highest-Performance M4 Yet
With its twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine producing 425-hp (or 444-hp for those who opt for the $4,750 Performance Pack), the M4 packs a punch that few other cars on the road do. Good for a 0-60 time of 3.9s with its quick dual-clutch automatic transmission, the M4 has the type of straight-line quickness once seen only in super cars.
2. Weight Savings
The 2017 BMW M4 leaves no stone un-turned when it comes to achieving the highest performance possible. To exemplify this, BMW has gone through the painstaking process of crafting the M4's engine brace, roof panel, trunk lid, and driveshaft from Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). The weight savings don't stop there, however. The M4 features lightweight alloy wheels, optional carbon-ceramic disc breaks, and unique sport seats with cut-outs to shave unneeded pounds from the structure.
3. Aggressive Styling
Like other cars from BMW's prestigious "M" division, the 2017 BMW M4 features a "wide-body" design which is nearly two inches wider than a standard 4-series coupe. This design touch is accompanied by larger 18" or 19" wheels, exclusive "M" front and rear spoilers and side skirts, and interior appointments reminding the driver of the performance that lies beneath.
4. High-Tech
When not setting lap times at the local track, M4 owners can sit back and enjoy a plethora of standard and optional technology available on the vehicle. The included iDrive system can inform the driver of vehicle parameters as well as providing high-definition navigation maps, weather, and traffic information. To better see the road ahead and behind, the M4 has an optional rear-view camera and LED headlight system with swiveling function to see around corners.
5. Safety and Security
In the unfortunate circumstance of an accident, M4 owners can rest assured that their vehicle is looking out for them. BMW Assist (standard) detects when an accident occurs and notifies emergency response teams. Parking sensors let the driver know when he or she is nearing objects when moving at slow speed and vehicles equipped with the Driver Assistance Plus Package offer blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and crash mitigation technology.
6. Available Dual-Clutch Transmission
The 2017 BMW M4 is available with a lightning-fast dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Included with the transmission is launch-control software which allows the driver to quickly and consistently accelerate from a standstill without having to worry about a clutch pedal. In addition to shaving several tenths of a second off the M4's 0-6o time, the dual-clutch transmission offers enhanced fuel economy and a smoother driving experience when compared to the standard manual transmission.
7. Revolutionary M Adaptive Suspension
The once-optional M Adaptive Suspension system now comes equipped on all 2017 BMW M4 models. This unique technology allows the driver to make "on-the-fly" suspension adjustments depending on the type of driving feel he or she demands. Suspension settings range from "comfort" to "sport +", the latter of which increases stiffness and responsiveness of the vehicle's shocks for dynamic driving.
8. Luxury Appointments
Drivers and passengers alike will be delighted at the material selection in the 2017 BMW M4. Even though base model M4s feature leather surfaces throughout the cabin, available extended Merino leather packages cover almost all of the M4's interior contact points in supple, genuine leather in a number of colors. Accompanying the luxurious leather are specially-designed "M" sport seats that hug the driver and passenger in comfort while providing lateral support during hard cornering.
9. Heads-Up Display
A unique heads-up display system available in the 2017 BMW M4 places vital information conveniently in the line-of-sight of the driver. From current speed and cruise-control information to a performance-oriented tachometer, the M4 makes it easier than ever to stay safe while keeping an eye on vital driving data.
10. Unique Paint Options
A special color palate further separates the BMW M4 from its more pedestrian 4-series siblings. The bold Austin Yellow Metallic, Sakhir Orange II Metallic and Yaz Marina Blue Metallic colors provide a unique look to the M4 models that adorn them and emphasize the sporty lines of the vehicle.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2017 BMW M4 – The Cons
1. Limited Passenger and Storage Space
The sportiness and curvaceous lines of the M4 come at a cost: The vehicle has limited space for passengers and cargo. The two-door coupe style limits the ease of ingress and egress for rear seat passengers and the sloping rear roof line reduces valuable headroom. The trunk of the M4 is adequate in size for a coupe but lacks the larger opening and depth of the bigger BMW models.
2. Cost
Base model 4-series BMW models start at just under $43,000 which is more than $20,000 less than a base model M4. With a similar look and many of the same interior and exterior features of the M4, a base-model 4-series may seem like a better value proposition to prospective coupe buyers.
3. Fuel Efficiency
The extreme performance of the 2017 BMW M4 comes at the cost of its fuel economy numbers. Achieving an unimpressive EPA rating of 17 city / 26 highway mpg, other less performance-oriented options may be preferable if fuel economy is a high priority for the buyer.
4. Exhaust Note
Although the BMW M4 has a notably throaty and unique exhaust note, numerous automotive journalists have remarked that V8-equipped rivals emit a more appealing sound.
How it stacks up to the competition:
The 2017 BMW M4 faces stiffer segment competition than ever before. Competent rivals such as the Cadillac ATS-V Coupe, Lexus RC-F, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio share or rival many of the BMW's features and performance figures. Unlike other rivals however, the BMW M4 has the storied history of BMW's "M" division behind it. The E30 BMW M3 was originally released in 1982 and begun the tradition that has led to the development of the BMW M4. No other vehicle in its segment has the legendary pedigree of the BMW and buyers can rest assured that their purchase will continue in the "M" tradition of extreme performance, daily livability, comfort, and reliability.
Conclusion
The 2017 BMW M4 is the perfect vehicle for those driving enthusiasts who demand only the very best in terms of performance, reliability, comfort, safety, and value. Carrying the torch in a long line of BMW "M" performance vehicles, the M4 is the proverbial face of the segment and a consistent track performer for the discerning enthusiast.
