BMW M3 / M4 Reviews Compilation

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

I appreciate your perspective. I think I may have a different definition of frenetic. The S65 is basically a classic N/A race engine and totally acts like one. From the deep rumbling cold start, the engine's revs bob up and down on idle. Sometimes when you get going cold, the engine stutters a bit and you have to tap the throttle just to keep it from sputtering out. Then you disengage the clutch at the first stop sign (at least with the MT), tons of clacking as the clutch is depressed. You get on your way again, takes ~10 minutes for the oil to warm up to operating temperature as you slowly wait for the "all clear" on red limiter for the full 8600 rpm. Then you take the car in the twistys, hitting 6k-8.6k RPM, WOT, you brake into the turn and the engine and driveline help slow and "coil" the car up like a spring compressing, you throttle blip, downshift, then hit the throttle, instant response, the car springs out of its coil in a frenetic endless rush to redline. The howling intake noise dominating all sound gobbling up air rushing through the airbox and engine. Then you ease off the throttle and get back on, the car lurches in a hypersensitive fashion, trying to decide if you want to gun it again or pull back. You decide to pull back and you can hear the distinctive "whirring" of the valves working, the sound bouncing off the wall you're driving by with the windows rolled down.

That is the sound and feel of a race car, and that's what I call frenetic and fantastic!

I don't think we have different definitions on this, though yours was certainly motor focused and my example was more suspension focused.

Yours really was an excellent example of a frenetic/raw engine/drivetrain - and quite frankly beyond what I expect in a road-going car. The idea that clutch-in while cold could cause it to sputter out unless you give is a bit of throttle? That's a bit of carburetor era I don't miss and don't expect in a highly advanced engine in a street car.

It's funny, some of the stuff you described sounds familiar and grandiose and enjoyable. While other stuff, such as the clutch clacking and some mechanical noises I've found I no longer enjoy.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

It's funny, some of the stuff you described sounds familiar and grandiose and enjoyable. While other stuff, such as the clutch clacking and some mechanical noises I've found I no longer enjoy.

Have you driven a GTR? I think you would absolutely hate it. Tons of mechanical albeit badass noise, but it's what convinced me that the M4 was a better choice for my needs.

[Ka0tiK]

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by Ka0tiK

video

Cool watch, thanks for posting it!

[acey81]

Richard Hammond is quite thrilled.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/mo...anages-3725985" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.mirror.co...es-3725985</a>

[gthal]

Originally Posted by acey81

Richard Hammond is quite thrilled.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/mo...anages-3725985" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.mirror.co...es-3725985</a>

Link didn't work... try this... Richard Hammond reviews the M4

A couple of interesting quotes from Richard...

BMW’s engineers have also fiddled with the induction system to create one of the best-sounding cars in ages.

A lot of money but then this is one of the best sports saloons in the world at any price – and considerably better than its predecessor.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by gthal

Link didn't work... try this... Richard Hammond reviews the M4

A couple of interesting quotes from Richard...

Nice find.

[ss134]

Looking forward to seeing it on Top Gear although I'm not sure it'll make it in time for the new series.

[myzmak]

And for those who missed it, clarkson seems to like the new M4 as well.

[Damasconian]

Originally Posted by myzmak

And for those who missed it, clarkson seems to like the new M4 as well.

This is great! Where did you find it?

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by Damasconian

This is great! Where did you find it?

Top Gear mag. iPad edition. End part of his article. Weird bimmerpost image size requirements made it too much of a pain to post the whole 2 pages, but, as always with JC, he goes on a tangent (this time about an album his gramps bought him when he was 12), diverts into middle (loves car things, it finding fewer cars he likes, with discussion if car shows he has attended) and ends by saying as he gets older, he likes fewer and fewer actual cars, but WOULD take the M4

Interesting both he and RC like the new car.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by myzmak

Top Gear mag. iPad edition. End part of his article. Weird bimmerpost image size requirements made it too much of a pain to post the whole 2 pages, but, as always with JC, he goes on a tangent (this time about an album his gramps bought him when he was 12), diverts into middle (loves car things, it finding fewer cars he likes, with discussion if car shows he has attended) and ends by saying as he gets older, he likes fewer and fewer actual cars, but WOULD take the M4

Interesting both he and RC like the new car.

What is weird is that in the July 2014 issue of Top Gear, they compare the M4 to a bunch of other cars (C7 is one) and they really didn't like the M4. So Richard and Jeremy's independent reviews complete contradict what was written in the comparison... really, really strange!! Because they did not love the M4 in that comparison... probably the only REALLY negative review yet where they comment on the rear end being too hard to manage and the car being disappointing. The only professional review to suggest this really... yet they then both post how much they like it? Makes no sense.

[FogCityM3]

The mag and the show have different opinions on several cars.. different reviewers for the mag/website. Also varies by market (eg like Top Gear South Africa review)

Originally Posted by gthal

What is weird is that in the July 2014 issue of Top Gear, they compare the M4 to a bunch of other cars (C7 is one) and they really didn't like the M4. So Richard and Jeremy's independent reviews complete contradict what was written in the comparison... really, really strange!! Because they did not love the M4 in that comparison... probably the only REALLY negative review yet where they comment on the rear end being too hard to manage and the car being disappointing. The only professional review to suggest this really... yet they then both post how much they like it? Makes no sense.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

The mag and the show have different opinions on several cars.. different reviewers for the mag/website. Also varies by market (eg like Top Gear South Africa review)

Which also highlights how differently two people can view a given car. Every good car will not, necessarily, resonate the same with each person.

I actually found the M3 to be very close in performance to the C7 and essentially as planted... but those guys didn't seem to.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by gthal

What is weird is that in the July 2014 issue of Top Gear, they compare the M4 to a bunch of other cars (C7 is one) and they really didn't like the M4. So Richard and Jeremy's independent reviews complete contradict what was written in the comparison... really, really strange!! Because they did not love the M4 in that comparison... probably the only REALLY negative review yet where they comment on the rear end being too hard to manage and the car being disappointing. The only professional review to suggest this really... yet they then both post how much they like it? Makes no sense.

In fact the clarkson article is from the same issue.

Anyway, still reviewing at least as well as e90 was at outset. As I've said before, with modern realities and new tech, some folks will have a tough time letting go of the past.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by gthal

So Richard and Jeremy's independent reviews complete contradict what was written in the comparison

Kick-back checks hadn't cleared yet so they had to hedge. Clarkson is such a douche i've only ever watched that show once years ago.

[SBe92N54]

Not sure if this got posted yet, but F82 compared to the e92 and 1M: http://www.bimmerfile.com/2014/06/23.../#!prettyPhoto

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Kick-back checks hadn't cleared yet so they had to hedge. Clarkson is such a douche i've only ever watched that show once years ago.

I've watched it a little more than that cos it is entertaining, but yes he is a douche. I don't really take their reviews seriously....neither do they I think.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by SBe92N54

Not sure if this got posted yet, but F82 compared to the e92 and 1M: http://www.bimmerfile.com/2014/06/23.../#!prettyPhoto

Nice article, thanks for posting!

[JoeFromPA]

Nice bimmerfile article.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by paddy335

I've watched it a little more than that cos it is entertaining, but yes he is a douche. I don't really take their reviews seriously....neither do they I think.

Yeah, its a show that's over my head I guess - i can't see watching that when I can watch Tiff of Chris Harris review a car. I also really like Carlos Lago and the R&T bunch ... their Targa Florio and Mille Miglia travel videos were awesome.

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Nice bimmerfile article.

Indeed. That was one of the better written articles so far. Very good comparison of the three.