Yes, we will not cut it: we are going to talk about these nostrils of the Series 4, which seem even more open on the M4. Rarely has automotive design been more polarizing. There are pros and frankly against. However, during our few days of testing, while we live in town, where there is no shortage of neighbor-commentators, not a single "for". Not even among a group of 10 year old kids coming home from school. After screaming with enthusiasm, like every time an ostensibly sporty car is parked in front of the house, they agreed: it's ugly. The truth comes out of the mouths of children ... But in short, let's not procrastinate more.
For the rest, we must recognize that the M4 is racy.
According to the good habits of the house, aggressiveness is well balanced, without exaggeration.
The M4 is muscular, it announces the color, but it is not in the theatrical.
There is absolutely nothing left over on the car.
Let's simplify!
The same can be said on board. The typical BMW interior receives the right sporty flavor. We also welcome the ergonomics, thanks to the always numerous "physical" buttons, infinitely better, we cannot say it enough, than this mania for tactile surfaces and "everything on the screen". However, there is one thing too many in the M4: too many settings (steering, brakes, engine, chassis, driving aids) possible in the different modes. And do we really need two preset buttons on the steering wheel? Moreover, between the settings accessible by these buttons, and the "M Mode" button on the console, we have not yet understood which one is used for exactly what. In short, let's simplify! A comfort mode for everyday life, a Sport mode that radicalizes everything for moments of recreation,and basta.
With one exception ... We would not ignore the adjustable ESP.
Between full operation and outright deactivation, its degree of intervention can be modulated, which allows, for example, to leave a little leeway for the rear axle before the electronics come to recover the situation.
It's great, because the margin left is real, and the takeover of the system is very natural, not at all brutal.
That, therefore, we would keep it.
By hand
But let's come to the detail that changes everything. Note that there are two M4s, equipped with the same 3.0-liter 6-cylinder in-line. In the "classic", it delivers 480 hp, against 510 for the M4 Competition, with a slightly more radical definition. If you are a true enthusiast, this is the 480 hp you want. First because this "reasonable" power by current standards is more than enough to have fun, and fits better with the soul of the original M3 Coupé (of which "M4" is only the new name). But above all, it is the only one of the two to receive a… manual gearbox!
There we bow down to BMW. Because in this category, neither Mercedes nor Audi make this choice of purity. The only other brand to do so is Porsche. So thank you Béhemme. Let's say, to kill lap times on the track, the excellent 8 auto gearbox is more efficient. But for the real pleasure, that which one feels when one is face to face with the car, without trying to impress anyone, nothing beats a manual.
Especially since it has this "old-fashioned" BMW flavor.
The shape of the pommel, the travel of the lever, the feeling of locking the gears… Fans of the brand know what we're talking about.
With that and the engine as angry as it is sound, we forgive everything: the unsightly look, the front axle maybe a little lazy for some, the steering certainly precise but without much feeling (a matter of taste, it's true), etc. .
All.
Do you know what is unforgivable?
That BMW France did not deem it necessary to market this version.
Unlike the Belgian importer, who was kind enough to show us the car, and is offering it at € 86,300 base.
It's almost € 20,000 less than the Competition version with us, for a much purer pleasure.
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The BMW M4 in a few figures
Engine: 6 cyl.
in-line, petrol, turbo, 2.993cc;
480hp at 6,250 rpm;
550Nm from 2,650 to 6,130 rpm
Transmission: to the rear wheels.
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
L / l / h (mm): 4.794 / 1.887 / 1.393
Empty weight (kg): 1.775
Boot space (l): 440
Tank (l): 59
0 to 100 km / h (sec.): 4.2
Max speed (km / h): 250
Conso.
Combined (l / 100km): 10.3
CO2 (g / km): 236
Price (€): 86.300 (Belgium)
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Sports cars
Bmw
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