Just drove an M4

Milban · 06-25-2014, 05:50 PM

So, as I've previously posted, I had a great drive in a 6 speed Cayman GTS, and ordered one, leaving two M4's that I had on order (one DCT, and one 6spd).
The DCT arrived at the dealer today, and they offered me a drive, still nicely offering me first refusal. Here are some impressions from a neophyte.
The black metallic looks every bit as good as solid black, my fave.
The car does not appear big, in person, still has the previous generation's nice, small car look.
The leather has that quality, soft semi-gloss look, not too shiney.
Although the DCT did not give as much pleasure, for me, as the manual, it works very, very well. It shifts down when u expect it, even multiple shifts! I read that you could get some hard feeling shifts in the upper rpm's possibly while reducing throttle. I couldn't make it do that, all the shifts were perfect. I've got a lifetime in car repairs and troubleshooting problems, it's a good, smart, transmission.
On light acceleration from a stop, on an up hill grade, I experienced a single mild surge, in first. Could have been my throttle application wavering, I'm not sure.
The SA didn't think it had an "automatic" mode, I pushed the shifter to the right, it did the auto mode just fine. Nice guy, giving me a test drive, doing his best.
Acceleration- Holy Crap! In second or third, a full application of the throttle from a 2500-3000 rpm roll, gives strong acceleration for maybe a second,,,, then, a true a Warp Speed experience! Very controllable with good handling, but you definitely have got to make some plans as to where you're going to go with all that speed! I can easily see how the youngish driver ended up at the tree.
I still wonder about the Porsche, but I've got a feeling that when the 6 speed M4 arrives, I'll be in love.

RickMonet · 06-25-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milban

.... but I've got a feeling that when the 6 speed M4 arrives, I'll be in love.

Dealerships in CA are telling me no chance of a 6MT test drive - only way to see 6MT is to order and commit.

I am hoping they are wrong and a 6MT demo car will show up in the next month or so.

jeff4598 · 06-25-2014, 06:53 PM

Order- you don't have to buy it! If they wanna be jerks...

Ex_Stig · 06-25-2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickMonet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milban

.... but I've got a feeling that when the 6 speed M4 arrives, I'll be in love.

Dealerships in CA are telling me no chance of a 6MT test drive - only way to see 6MT is to order and commit.

I am hoping they are wrong and a 6MT demo car will show up in the next month or so.

Finding any manual BMW sitting on a dealer lot is pretty rare. Fact is, they just don't sell as well as the autos or DCT (this isn't a comment on which one is better).

Dealers just don't want a car that is going to sit on the lot. They want one that will sell fast.

My guess is that there won't be many, if any at all, dealer ordered cars with a MT.

Sparco · 06-25-2014, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milban

So, as I've previously posted, I had a great drive in a 6 speed Cayman GTS, and ordered one, leaving two M4's that I had on order (one DCT, and one 6spd).
The DCT arrived at the dealer today, and they offered me a drive, still nicely offering me first refusal. Here are some impressions from a neophyte.
The black metallic looks every bit as good as solid black, my fave.
The car does not appear big, in person, still has the previous generation's nice, small car look.
The leather has that quality, soft semi-gloss look, not too shiney.
Although the DCT did not give as much pleasure, for me, as the manual, it works very, very well. It shifts down when u expect it, even multiple shifts! I read that you could get some hard feeling shifts in the upper rpm's possibly while reducing throttle. I couldn't make it do that, all the shifts were perfect. I've got a lifetime in car repairs and troubleshooting problems, it's a good, smart, transmission.
On light acceleration from a stop, on an up hill grade, I experienced a single mild surge, in first. Could have been my throttle application wavering, I'm not sure.
The SA didn't think it had an "automatic" mode, I pushed the shifter to the right, it did the auto mode just fine. Nice guy, giving me a test drive, doing his best.
Acceleration- Holy Crap! In second or third, a full application of the throttle from a 2500-3000 rpm roll, gives strong acceleration for maybe a second,,,, then, a true a Warp Speed experience! Very controllable with good handling, but you definitely have got to make some plans as to where you're going to go with all that speed! I can easily see how the youngish driver ended up at the tree.
I still wonder about the Porsche, but I've got a feeling that when the 6 speed M4 arrives, I'll be in love.

You drove a Cayman GTS?? Where??

Milban · 06-25-2014, 10:07 PM

My error, sorry, drove an S, ordered a GTS.

IMrMark · 06-25-2014, 10:10 PM

warp speed for sure!!

WonderWagon · 06-25-2014, 10:23 PM

I have a Cayman GTS on order as well, but all these M reviews are making me think twice. Definitely gonna have to go for a test drive.

RickMonet · 06-25-2014, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WonderWagon

I have a Cayman GTS on order as well, but all these M reviews are making me think twice. Definitely gonna have to go for a test drive.

What does a new Cayman GTS price out at?

WonderWagon · 06-25-2014, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickMonet

What does a new Cayman GTS price out at?

Starts at around 76, but with dealer discount you can get out the door around 80 if you dont go too crazy with options. So around the same as M3/4 depending on your build.

aus · 06-25-2014, 11:46 PM

I thought it looked pretty big next to my E92.

My buddy said it feels bigger too and he went from an E90 M3 to an F80.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WonderWagon

Starts at around 76, but with dealer discount you can get out the door around 80 if you dont go too crazy with options. So around the same as M3/4 depending on your build.

They're discounting the GTS already??

.

visualguy · 06-26-2014, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

I thought it looked pretty big next to my E92.

My buddy said it feels bigger too and he went from an E90 M3 to an F80.

Yes, that's the first thing that struck me when I saw the M4 - it looked bigger than I expected. Kind of too big for a sport coupe, actually...

WonderWagon · 06-26-2014, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

They're discounting the GTS already??

.

I know some people have gotten up to 6% off. I got 4%. I guess it pays to shop around!

06-25-2014, 05:50 PM	#1
Milban Private 9 Rep 68 Posts Drives: Porsche GT3 ordered Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	Just drove an M4 So, as I've previously posted, I had a great drive in a 6 speed Cayman GTS, and ordered one, leaving two M4's that I had on order (one DCT, and one 6spd). The DCT arrived at the dealer today, and they offered me a drive, still nicely offering me first refusal. Here are some impressions from a neophyte. The black metallic looks every bit as good as solid black, my fave. The car does not appear big, in person, still has the previous generation's nice, small car look. The leather has that quality, soft semi-gloss look, not too shiney. Although the DCT did not give as much pleasure, for me, as the manual, it works very, very well. It shifts down when u expect it, even multiple shifts! I read that you could get some hard feeling shifts in the upper rpm's possibly while reducing throttle. I couldn't make it do that, all the shifts were perfect. I've got a lifetime in car repairs and troubleshooting problems, it's a good, smart, transmission. On light acceleration from a stop, on an up hill grade, I experienced a single mild surge, in first. Could have been my throttle application wavering, I'm not sure. The SA didn't think it had an "automatic" mode, I pushed the shifter to the right, it did the auto mode just fine. Nice guy, giving me a test drive, doing his best. Acceleration- Holy Crap! In second or third, a full application of the throttle from a 2500-3000 rpm roll, gives strong acceleration for maybe a second,,,, then, a true a Warp Speed experience! Very controllable with good handling, but you definitely have got to make some plans as to where you're going to go with all that speed! I can easily see how the youngish driver ended up at the tree. I still wonder about the Porsche, but I've got a feeling that when the 6 speed M4 arrives, I'll be in love.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-25-2014, 06:53 PM	#3
jeff4598 Captain 172 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2019 M2C HS, DCT, much Dinan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	Order- you don't have to buy it! If they wanna be jerks...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2014, 10:07 PM	#6
Milban Private 9 Rep 68 Posts Drives: Porsche GT3 ordered Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	My error, sorry, drove an S, ordered a GTS.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2014, 10:10 PM	#7
IMrMark Captain 75 Rep 991 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [9.66]	warp speed for sure!! __________________ 2015 ///M4 F82 [ Mineral Grey \| SO Ext \| 19" Black \| 6MT \| CFRP Interior \| LED \| Executive \| Side/Top Cameras \| Adaptive M Suspension \| HK Surround ] :: will code locally for rum, beer, or chicken; PM as desired :: Instagram: IMrMark
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2014, 10:23 PM	#8
WonderWagon aka NateDogg elsewhere... 2 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCali iTrader: (0)	I have a Cayman GTS on order as well, but all these M reviews are making me think twice. Definitely gonna have to go for a test drive.
	Appreciate 0 Quote