Why does the M4 cost more than the M3?

[USA-RET]

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So, I recently purchased an M240i. Tossed around getting an M2, but M240i deal was too good to pass up (and I'm not a track guy - but loved the M2 look).

While having a Dinan Stage 1 installed at dealership, was roaming the showroom floor and saw an M4. Love at first sight. Sat in the car and was even more enamored.

So I decided that next trade will be for an M4.

Decided to do some reading on the M4 and found out (to my surprise) that it is a M3 Coupe (for all intents). Which begs to question why a $2500 price hike to the base M4, when it should be more costly to make a 4 door car than a coupe. Price spread gets worse as you add options.

Not a 4 door guy, so M3 is out of the running. Anyone have a good reason why we pay more for a car with less doors and mechanicals ? Other than the fact car having a higher number (#4) in the BMW line up and corporate figures guys wanting a coupe will pay more for the sportier look.

[RobC2]

I don't think there is a good reason to charge more, other than they can. The M3 is without a doubt more practical and many even think it looks better too.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Anyone have a good reason why we pay more for a car with less doors and mechanicals ? Other than the fact car having a higher number (#4) in the BMW line up and corporate figures guys wanting a coupe will pay more for the sportier look.

Because the M4 looks way better IMO. I hate 4 door sports cars. I'd never look at an M3 personally and many are like me. Yet many are also the total opposite as they need more practicality.


They're the same car, one with 2 doors and the other with 4, choose your poison

[Prakash]

I totally agree M4 looks way better IMO. When I hear a sport car I automatically image with 2 doors. Sports car with 4 doors is still be considered as a luxury family car but not called a sports car again its my opinion any way.
Even though M5 has more horses than M4 , when you compare M4 VS M5, M4 still looks pretty if all the configurations are kept aside.

I am not gonna put M6 into picture ofcourse

Again thats my 2 cents.

[Ghetto2315]

What!?!?! The M3 Coupe is the M4?

After all this time...

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

What!?!?! The M3 Coupe is the M4?

After all this time...

yeah I know......I preferred the old M3 name with E90, E92, E93 to differentiate the coupes from sedans/convertibles...... oh well.....it is what it is....

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Decided to so some reading on the M4 and found out (to my surprise) that it is a M3 Coupe (for all intents). Which begs to question why a $2500 price hike to the base M4, when it should be more costly to make a 4 door car than a coupe.

the coupes were always more expensive than the sedan counterparts. same thing for the E9x M3. the E92 coupe was more expensive.

and yes, the 4er and the 3er are basically the same. BMW simply changed the name of the 3 series coupe/convertible to the 4 series. i don't know why people are so surprised by this. the naming convention makes sense and people shouldn't be shocked by this unless they were living under a rock.

[Doctor///M]

[aX3Man]

IMO the added cost may be because the tradition started with 2 doors with some sedans sprinkled in over the years. When you think of the M3's history you most likely picture the coupe, not the sedan.

I don't have my 1985 to 2016 M3/M4 sales figures handy but I'm sure 2 doors sells more than 4. BMW knows this so if you want the traditional and iconic M3 (M4 nowadays) you're going to pay for it.

[elitex]

Let's be honest. M4 is NOT a sports car, it's a sports coupe and M3 is a sports sedan. Like the earlier poster said, choose your poison. They are pretty much the same car.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Which begs to question why a $2500 price hike to the base M4, when it should be more costly to make a 4 door car than a coupe. Price spread gets worse as you add options.

BMW can charge more because people are willing to pay more. I am also not so sure it is less costly to make a 2-door than a 4-door that is the same size overall.

[JibSTir13]

Originally Posted by elitex

Let's be honest. M4 is NOT a sports car, it's a sports coupe and M3 is a sports sedan. Like the earlier poster said, choose your poison. They are pretty much the same car.

Agree.

[RobC2]

Originally Posted by elitex

Let's be honest. M4 is NOT a sports car, it's a sports coupe and M3 is a sports sedan. Like the earlier poster said, choose your poison. They are pretty much the same car.

Yeah, I think this is funny how two doors makes the M4 a sports car and four doors makes the M3 a family sedan. They are almost exactly the same. If I didn't want or need an easily accessible back seat, I would have gone for a real sports car like a C7 Z06 or perhaps a Porsche.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Decided to so some reading on the M4 and found out (to my surprise) that it is a M3 Coupe (for all intents). Which begs to question why a $2500 price hike to the base M4, when it should be more costly to make a 4 door car than a coupe. Price spread gets worse as you add options.

If you just found this out, then you're several years late to the party and missed all of the original explanations. Years ago (2011), when the F30 was introduced, BMW split the E9x 3 Series into the F3x 3 Series and the 4 Series (2012). There were several reasons for doing this, one was to achieve numerical parity across the entire product line. Odd series would be sedans and touring, even series would be coupes and convertibles (5 Series sedan, 6 Series Coupe, 7 Series Sedan, 8 Series Coupe, etc.). (Ignore the 4 Series Grand Coupe and 6 Series Grand Coupe in this logic!) Another was to match Audi model-by-model, although Audi uses the opposite convention (even model numbers are sedans, odd model numbers are coupes, etc.) BMW also used this opportunity to try and separate the 3 Series and 4 Series into more of a base model and an upscale model, although this is debatable. (Although this is where the 4 Series Grand Coupe makes more sense!)

Anyway, you'd have to search for some press releases and reviews of the first year F30 and F32 to see how this was written up originally. You can even just look at the Wikipedia article on the BMW 4 Series which talks about this.

Does this distinction really make any difference for the F80 M3 and the F82 M4? No, not really, it's mostly a choice of whether you want four doors or two doors, or less practically, whether you like the look of the sedan or the coupe more.

[Iowa 73]

You should have driven an M4 before you bought the m240. I was considering an m240 until I drove the M4 and it was an easy choice.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by RobC2

Yeah, I think this is funny how two doors makes the M4 a sports car and four doors makes the M3 a family sedan. They are almost exactly the same. If I didn't want or need an easily accessible back seat, I would have gone for a real sports car like a C7 Z06 or perhaps a Porsche.

Just to be clear, again, the M4 is a sports coupe, not a sports car and the M3 is a sports sedan, not a family sedan. The F30 is a family sedan.

"Sports cars" by tradition and original definition, were two-seater, two-door cars, with higher output engines and "sporty" handling:

from Wikipedia:
A sports car (or sportscar) is a small, usually two seater, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling.

My Z4 M Roadster is a true, proper sports car, as are the Corvette and certain Porsches (not the Panamera or Macan). My M4 is not.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Decided to so some reading on the M4 and found out (to my surprise) that it is a M3 Coupe (for all intents). Which begs to question why a $2500 price hike to the base M4, when it should be more costly to make a 4 door car than a coupe. Price spread gets worse as you add options.

Not a 4 door guy, so M3 is out of the running. Anyone have a good reason why we pay more for a car with less doors and mechanicals ?

For the same reason an identical 4-series car (e.g.: 440) costs +$3.4K over the same 3-series car (e.g.: 340).

That is - because the market will bear it!

It's always been this way, even in the days of 2-door and 4-door M3s.
Same badge, but 2-doors were priced higher. And the people have been willing to pay premium for fewer doors!

If I am BMW, I will keep increasing the 2-door premium towards $5-6K, or until people wise up.
As long as 2-door buyers continue to subsidize R&D cost for the same 2-/4-door chassis and drive-train, I say, milk Dem Suckaz!


a

[lukej]

Originally Posted by elitex

Let's be honest. M4 is NOT a sports car, it's a sports coupe and M3 is a sports sedan. Like the earlier poster said, choose your poison. They are pretty much the same car.

You guys are so funny !,! I'm a M4 owner.. let me get that in writing, I'll tell my insurance company......

This Ohta be a soap opera and should to be called (As The BMW Turns)

That's why I love this forum,, it makes me laugh....

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by elitex

Let's be honest. M4 is NOT a sports car

Originally Posted by RobC2

Yeah, I think this is funny how two doors makes the M4 a sports car and four doors makes the M3 a family sedan.

If you use your car for commuting and taking your kids for ice cream, it's a family sedan, no matter how many doors it has. A "sports car" is a car used for sport. 90% of BMW and Porsche owners don't use their car for sport. At best these are hobby cars.

So let's all be honest about that.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

If you use your car for commuting and taking your kids for ice cream, it's a family sedan, no matter how many doors it has. A "sports car" is a car used for sport. 90% of BMW and Porsche owners don't use their car for sport. At best these are hobby cars.

So let's all be honest about that.

Those are "alternative" definitions. Call your car what you want, but the dictionary usually trumps personal "definitions". I have a neighbor who bought a base model Mercedes C-Class convertible. She thinks its a "sports car".

[mkoesel]

As already mentioned above, the reason an M4 costs more than an M3 is that all BMW coupes cost more than the sedan (or other passenger car) they share a chassis and other parts with. In fact this is true not just for BMW but for most coupes on the market. And the reason for that, as already mentioned is that it is what the market will bear.

Did you know BMW sells a 1 Series in some markets? Check prices of the M140i against your M240i in markets where both are sold and I'll bet you find the 2 Series has the higher price in those places as well.

Originally Posted by USA-RET

Price spread gets worse as you add options.

Does it? Can you give an example of an M4 option that costs more than the equivalent M3 option?

Here's the most recent ordering guide that includes both:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1465663997

The word "equivalent" is key, BTW. Be careful not to compare packages with the same code that do not have identical equipment across both cars.

[mike@x-ph.com]

In terms of actual cost, i highly doubt the M4 costs more than an M3.
BMW charge more because they can