M4 vs 440xi with M Power and M Sport

[Davesnums]

About to pull the trigger and order 2018 M4 or 2017 440xi with M Power and M Sport options. Difference is about 10k and big difference when leasing. Wanted to see what thoughts people had. I am coming from an Audi S5.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by Davesnums

About to pull the trigger and order 2018 M4 or 2017 440xi with M Power and M Sport options. Difference is about 10k and big difference when leasing. Wanted to see what thoughts people had. I am coming from an Audi S5.

No comparison. If you can afford it M4 is the better choice. Once I make up my mind I won't settle for anything less since I know it will bother me in the long run. If u can't afford the difference now then save up more money and get it later on.

[nicknaz]

buy and resell the M4

[CanAutM3]

Two different cars for two different market segments. If you need to ask, the 440i is the better choice for you .

[mmmmQuattro]

The 440xi might be a better choice if you need AWD.
Traction can be a real issue in the M4.
Also, it can be a bit harsh.
Have you driven both?

[F80Dreamer]

If you don't plan to track your car, I think the 440i is a great choice...

[shockin330i]

Apples and oranges. If you were ok with your S5 stick with the 440xi For the most part they are on the same level.

[visi107]

Originally Posted by Davesnums

About to pull the trigger and order 2018 M4 or 2017 440xi with M Power and M Sport options. Difference is about 10k and big difference when leasing. Wanted to see what thoughts people had. I am coming from an Audi S5.

So first of all a couple of things. You are asking the question on an M3/4 sub section so our opinions are almost all going to be biased. It's gonna be hard for people to advise you on this bc no one knows your financial situation, driving habits, and the type of cars you have had. With that being said, I will share my story. (especially in regards to the comments that say if you don't plan to track your car then get the 440)

I leased a 328 for three years then last year got an M3. I always wanted the M3 so didn't spend much time deciding b/t that and another 3 series. In case you don't plan to track your future car, I also thought that I would not track mine and had never been to the track before. We did euro delivery and drove on the nurburgring. It was a great experience. Then I did a HPDE weekend last fall and loved it and now am waiting for my track wheels, tires, and brakes to come in.
In the end I think you are most likely to regret not getting the M4 than getting it (unless it makes you bankrupt of course). Good luck!

[Need4spd28]

I love my M3, I really do. It's a head turner and has what I would call "presence." I'll be honest, ego and status make a difference to me in decisions like this. I feel like I can hang out in the cool crowd when I go to Cars & Coffee for example. People actually take pictures of my car and stuff. It's a cool feeling. I know that sounds a little pompous and self serving but deep down inside we all have similar feelings on some level.

That being said, I had a 335i before the M3. Like many I've already begun thinking about what I'll do in another two years. I personally like the 4-Series a lot, particularly the 435/440 Grand Coupe. When the time comes I will probably feel compelled to at least look at a loaded 440i GC with an M Sport package (which my 335i did not have). For me the difference is more than $10K because of how it would be optioned out. That's light years away for me though so a lot could change between now and then.

This is an M3/M4 forum so you're not likely to get much in terms of objectivity, but I think you pose a really good question here. The person who said if you have to ask to just get the 440i may actually be onto something.

[Ian1973]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Two different cars for two different market segments. If you need to ask, the 440i is the better choice for you .

This!!

Especially because you want the AWD 440. Just get the 440.

[Habber]

Money aside, I just spent winter in the M3 and couldn't be happier (tires are the most important purchase for winter).

If you can afford it, M3

[zer0cool]

You need to drive both cars. The 440 will feel more similar to the S5. In real life, I actually think the 440xi will feel just as fast if not faster than the M4 due to traction issues. However the M4 will feel very noticeably louder and stiffer and more "sports car" like. I have driven both back to back and have driven the S4. The M is definitely a pretty big step in rawness/sportiness.

Basically I would say the 440 feels like a premium sedan that's pretty sporty, while the M4 feels closer to a sports car (e.g., 911) that has a bit more practicality (with corresponding added weight).

You really need to know if you are OK with something like that before buying one... Don't want you to feel "shit it's too damn loud and stiff" after spending just a few hours in the car after delivery. Whether something is too damn loud and stiff is a matter of personal opinion... Problem is that it's kind of hard to get a feel with just a short test drive... Maybe go do a BMW driving class at Greenville? Get a really good feel if you like the car or not. You are in WS NC so it's pretty close.

[AG23]

Drive both before deciding, but I would say M4.

[Xtabi]

Don't test drive the M4 and you will be fine with the 440.

Test drive the M4 and you will not even consider the 440.

Good luck!

[Agamemnon]

Well, I had a 335 M-sport xdrive for 3 years before getting an M3. The 335 had an Akrapovic exhaust and the M performance tune. It was a nice ride and a great touring car. However, the first time I had it on my favourite twisty road, it left me feeling flat. It just didn't dance. Part of the problem was the run flat tires and the x drive dials in weight and understeer albeit it enhances traction. The M3 is a different car altogether. It is a car for the enthusiast driver and makes every occasion feel special. If it is wet out, some care with the throttle is required and I don't turn off the electronic nannies. The M3 does ride stiffly but, given its mission, totally acceptable to me. Really depends what you are looking for. The M3 was right for me.

[PodDoc]

I always wanted an M3. I started with an E90 328 which i loved, then went to a F30 335 and thought it would be good enough. I was happy for a while but after a couple years, I got the nagging itch to get an M3. The 440 is a great car but the M4 is a completely different car. In comfort mode, it will feel very similar on regular streets just a bit stiffer. But put it in sport/sport+, and the car transforms.

There is a bit of a traction issue, but I dont think its anywhere near as bad as some on this forum makes it sound. The M4 is definitely faster than the 440 on regular roads despite the slight traction issue.

In terms of Xdrive. It is not a substitute for winter tires if you live in an area that gets snow. I'm in chicago, my M3 with michelin xice xi3 tires is better than my 328 xdrive with all seasons. If you get the msport pack, they come with summer tires (unless you opt for all seasons) so you may have to change them out anyways.

You really need to test drive both and decide what you are looking for based on how you drive. Also you may want to consider cost of ownership since you mentioned that money is a consideration. If buying and planning on keeping these cars, the M4 will be more expensive out of warranty. Regardless of how you drive, if you've always wanted an M4, that itch will likely remain if you get the 440, I would just save up a little longer and get the M4.

One more thing, I liked the new S5 more than the 440 xdrive.

[Jaymax85]

I have a 340 and and an m4... zero comparison on the performance front.. like zero. The m4 is light years ahead. The 340 is a great daily though

[wzj519]

Had a chance to drive a M440 equipped with everything possible last week. Yes, it's fast and the exhaust sounds deeper and louder than regular M3/M4.
However, the driving feeling just doesn't on par with m3/m4.
As you had s5 past, just pull the trigger, upgrade to an M.

[lukej]

I had the 440xi for a loaner car,,, it's apple and oranges ... I drove it a week.. if you want a M4 save for it..

[Kung Fu English]

In NC you should not need Xdrive for snow. I'm driving the M3 in northern indiana and its no problem on winter tires. I had an e92 M3 in SW michigan which got even more snow and on snow tires I never got stuck.

I'm not having traction issues on my smaller winter tires daily driving. We will see in the summer I'm sure there will be some traction issues racing but that's part of the fun.

Get a RWD 440 or an M4 imo. It's probably what $100/mo to lease the M4 over the 440? That's $3/day. I think it's worth it. but I can also afford it. It really depends on your financial situation.

But if you want more daily comfort you're going to like the 440 better. But in that case a used M5 for 50-60k is probably better anyway lol.

[M6-Coupe]

That's the difference between BMW and M-Car

[ghost34]

leasing? I don't have concrete numbers to back this but resale on the 3/4 series seem horrid these days compared to prev generations. I'd look into that before buying