M4 personality - is it more like the E46 or more like the E92?

[WestRace]

I plan to purchase a used M4 but after reading all the reviews, it seems like people admire it more than loving it. One reviewer said that the car is more easily admired but hard to love.

I currently drive an E46 M3 and really like the car. I also bought an E90 M3 awhile back but after a few months I just couldn't warm up to it so I ended up selling it. I also consider the M2 but it looks somewhat dimunitive and has an odd apperance.
I guess my perfect car would be the E46 M3 but with more power, with updated electronics and maybe a well tuned multilink suspension. That seems like a description of the M2 but its size is a no go for me.

So my question is the new M4 more like the E9X M3 or more like the E46 M3?

Also is there much difference between the 2015 and the latest M4 revision?

Also besides the suspensions, what are other performance and handling differences between the CS vs. a regular version?

Thanks.

[R-M4]

Originally Posted by WestRace

I plan to purchase a used M4 but after reading all the reviews, it seems like people admire it more than loving it. One reviewer said that the car is more easily admired but hard to love.
I currently drive an E46 M3 and really like the car. I also bought an E90 M3 awhile back but after a few months I just couldn't warm up to it so I ended up selling it. I also consider the M2 but it looks somewhat dimunitive and has an odd apperance.
I guess my perfect car would be the E46 M3 but with more power, with updated electronics and maybe a well tuned multilink suspension. That seems like a description of the M2 but its size is a no go for me.
So my question is the new M4 more like the E9X M3 or more like the E46 M3? Also is there much difference between the 2015 and the latest M4 revision?

Thanks.

Hard to love??? I truly doubt it. Lol...
This is my first M car. My first BMW was a 2013 335i, which now my wife has it. I loved driving the 335i every single day. No joke...
Once I got the M4, same feeling but MUCH stronger!!! Lol...
The M4 is my DD and I love driving it every day. (I'm dead serious!)

[WestRace]

Originally Posted by R-M4

Hard to love??? I truly doubt it. Lol...
This is my first M car.

Well I don't know since I am just quoting their reviews. I mean those guys probably drive Ferrari and Lambo so their opinions are sort of relative since the M4 is pretty damn good compared to 99% of cars on the roads.

[RickFLM4]

Why not go drive one or find someone near you who has one and is willing to spend some time going over the car with you in person? There is plenty of information in this forum that compare M generations and CP vs. non-CP, but basing an opinion on articles or biased forum posts really can’t substitute for your own impressions.

[doug_999]

Lets see... I've had a 1995 325i, 2000 540ia, 2003 GS430, 2006 550, 2008 M5, 2011 X6 50i, 2014 650GC, 2017 M2, and a 2018 M3

In order of preference...
#1 2006 550
#2 2018 M3
#3 (tie) 540ia, 650GC, M2, 325i
#4 (tie) 2008 M5, X6 50i
#17 GS430

I'd say that the M3 is just about perfect - for me.... just wish I had one in Tanzanite with a sunroof!

[Encanto]

Too tired to search and test drive on your own?

Originally Posted by WestRace

I plan to purchase a used M4 but after reading all the reviews, it seems like people admire it more than loving it. One reviewer said that the car is more easily admired but hard to love.
I currently drive an E46 M3 and really like the car. I also bought an E90 M3 awhile back but after a few months I just couldn't warm up to it so I ended up selling it. I also consider the M2 but it looks somewhat dimunitive and has an odd apperance.
I guess my perfect car would be the E46 M3 but with more power, with updated electronics and maybe a well tuned multilink suspension. That seems like a description of the M2 but its size is a no go for me.
So my question is the new M4 more like the E9X M3 or more like the E46 M3? Also is there much difference between the 2015 and the latest M4 revision? Also besides the suspensions, what are other performance and handling differences between the CS vs. a regular version?

Thanks.

[nene]

Look at reviews to be informed, but let it not fully influence you decision making process. Go and test drive and see for yourself how you will feel.
I had an E9x M3 which I really loved. I only gave it up because I found a great home for the car with a good friend.
Good luck.

[KevinM]

If you are looking for an E46 M3 with more power, you are likely to be disappointed with the M4. It's significantly larger and of course the power delivery is much different. It's an enjoyable platform in it's own right, but it is not an E46.

IMO, the only way to have an E46 M3 with more power is to supercharge it. In terms of new BMWs, the M2 comes the closest in terms of size and spirit.

Agree with above - take one for a test drive.

[fun2drv]

I had an E46 M3 and now I drive a '15 M4 and '17 M2. As far as which one is closer to the E46 M3, I have to say that the M2 is much closer than the M4. The M4 is in a whole different dimension when it comes to performance. The M2 in Sport mode behaves more like the old E46 M3 did.

[WestRace]

What would be a realistic price for a CPO 2015 with about 35K miles?

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by WestRace

I plan to purchase a used M4 but after reading all the reviews, it seems like people admire it more than loving it. One reviewer said that the car is more easily admired but hard to love.

I currently drive an E46 M3 and really like the car. I also bought an E90 M3 awhile back but after a few months I just couldn't warm up to it so I ended up selling it. I also consider the M2 but it looks somewhat dimunitive and has an odd apperance.
I guess my perfect car would be the E46 M3 but with more power, with updated electronics and maybe a well tuned multilink suspension. That seems like a description of the M2 but its size is a no go for me.

So my question is the new M4 more like the E9X M3 or more like the E46 M3?

Also is there much difference between the 2015 and the latest M4 revision?

Also besides the suspensions, what are other performance and handling differences between the CS vs. a regular version?

Thanks.

The closest to the M3 E46 right now is the M2, to spice things up, the new M2 Competition is where I'd put my money as it has a real M engine (S55) and M buttons on the steering wheel like a real M car not like a suped up 235i which the M2 is.

With that said, the M2's smaller size will make you feel more at home compared to your E46. The M4/M3 are larger and you may or not like them.

You really can't get the full picture with these kinda questions on a forum. you wanna test drive both and see which one you like more.

[nicknaz]

OP, If your e46m is a coupe 6mt no sunroof please Pm me

The m3/m4 is changed more by the power than the size, in my opinion

[Funf6cyl]

I’ll offer up my experience. Owned each M3 since the e46 M3.
I started with an f80 M3 with all the M performance parts and exhaust. After a couple months I was bored beyond expectation with the car. I prefer coupes, so I then picked up an M4. While I enjoyed the nuances of the M4 more, I found the car very hard to love. The car is good objectively. Good handling, fast when you can get traction. I found the rest and the subjective areas to be severely lacking. I cannot drive a car I can’t appreciate the engine and exhaust note so those were some of the bigger items for me. The gearbox, both of mine were manuals as I prefer manual and DCT felt almost archaic after owning PDK. The steering was pretty bad and even in the newer cars (M4 GTS and Competition) it’s still pretty bad (to be honest the steering in the e46 and e9x Ms wasn’t all that great either). My other big gripe is the awfully damped suspension and general lack of sophistication. I can drive my 911 on 20” wheels and tires that rides FAR better and more comfortable than the M3 & 4 did on 19s (while also being much faster than better handling than anything M makes).

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

I’ll offer up my experience. Owned each M3 since the e46 M3.
I started with an f80 M3 with all the M performance parts and exhaust. After a couple months I was bored beyond expectation with the car. I prefer coupes, so I then picked up an M4. While I enjoyed the nuances of the M4 more, I found the car very hard to love. The car is good objectively. Good handling, fast when you can get traction. I found the rest and the subjective areas to be severely lacking. I cannot drive a car I can’t appreciate the engine and exhaust note so those were some of the bigger items for me. The gearbox, both of mine were manuals as I prefer manual and DCT felt almost archaic after owning PDK. The steering was pretty bad and even in the newer cars (M4 GTS and Competition) it’s still pretty bad (to be honest the steering in the e46 and e9x Ms wasn’t all that great either). My other big gripe is the awfully damped suspension and general lack of sophistication. I can drive my 911 on 20” wheels and tires that rides FAR better and more comfortable than the M3 & 4 did on 19s.

Obviously, people's expectations and experiences are different. I had a 2006 M3 with all the Dinan goodies. Loved that car. I got rid of it when I got my M4 in 2014. I love my M4 too. The E46 M3 and the M4 are two very different cars, but to me, both are great. As far as the M4 goes, I have no problem with the steering, the engine, the suspension, or the exhaust. My M4 is totally stock on passive suspension, 19" wheels, with 6MT and I have thoroughly enjoyed driving it for the last 4 years. In fact, I have no plans to get rid of it.

[REDEV217342]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

I’ll offer up my experience. Owned each M3 since the e46 M3.
I started with an f80 M3 with all the M performance parts and exhaust. After a couple months I was bored beyond expectation with the car. I prefer coupes, so I then picked up an M4. While I enjoyed the nuances of the M4 more, I found the car very hard to love. The car is good objectively. Good handling, fast when you can get traction. I found the rest and the subjective areas to be severely lacking. I cannot drive a car I can’t appreciate the engine and exhaust note so those were some of the bigger items for me. The gearbox, both of mine were manuals as I prefer manual and DCT felt almost archaic after owning PDK. The steering was pretty bad and even in the newer cars (M4 GTS and Competition) it’s still pretty bad (to be honest the steering in the e46 and e9x Ms wasn’t all that great either). My other big gripe is the awfully damped suspension and general lack of sophistication. I can drive my 911 on 20” wheels and tires that rides FAR better and more comfortable than the M3 & 4 did on 19s.

Can you post anything without mentioning what you think is God's chariot....ie. the 911? Every damn one of your posts has to do with Porsche.

Why do you even come to this site? 6speed and Rennlist don't have enough mental masturbation for you?

Who else thinks this is Wolfinwolfsclothing/Motorsportenterpise and the countless other profiles this clown has had?

Edit: I will guarantee you this is the same dbag. Last name "Motorsportenterpise" got banned from here in Oct 2017 and then this name comes on line at the same time.

[BzsBimmer]

I’ve had two E46 M3’s, an E90 M3, and now this F80 M3.
Hard to simply make a comparison but the F8X will feel closer to the E9X M3 in terms of interior and tech. Two totally different engine platforms so can’t compare those. The E9X suffered from a lack of low end torque but was fairly balanced overall.

The E46 is just raw due to smaller chassis and a well balanced engine but the interior and tech is old now.

There are days when I miss my E46 M3 but tbh I don’t miss my E90 as much because the F80 has taken its place.

[nicknaz]

^ seriously.

The best line is "when I could get traction" as if it's the car's fault it is RWD and has over 420whp/420tq with only 275 wide PSS.

User needs to modulate throttle and a tire upgrade helps a lot

[WestRace]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

OP, If your e46m is a coupe 6mt no sunroof please Pm me

The m3/m4 is changed more by the power than the size, in my opinion

Mine is SMG with sunroof. I actually like the SMG with emphasis on the .M. I think it's the best of both world - no shifting but with the feel of the manual.

[WestRace]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

I’ll offer up my experience. Owned each M3 since the e46 M3.
I started with an f80 M3 with all the M performance parts and exhaust. After a couple months I was bored beyond expectation with the car. I prefer coupes, so I then picked up an M4. While I enjoyed the nuances of the M4 more, I found the car very hard to love. The car is good objectively. Good handling, fast when you can get traction. I found the rest and the subjective areas to be severely lacking. I cannot drive a car I can’t appreciate the engine and exhaust note so those were some of the bigger items for me. The gearbox, both of mine were manuals as I prefer manual and DCT felt almost archaic after owning PDK. The steering was pretty bad and even in the newer cars (M4 GTS and Competition) it’s still pretty bad (to be honest the steering in the e46 and e9x Ms wasn’t all that great either). My other big gripe is the awfully damped suspension and general lack of sophistication. I can drive my 911 on 20” wheels and tires that rides FAR better and more comfortable than the M3 & 4 did on 19s (while also being much faster than better handling than anything M makes).

I don't think it's fair to compare the M3/M4 to the 911. The 911 is rear engine so inherently it should have a more rigid chassis due to rear mounted engine and with a more rigid chassis translates to able to ride on bigger wheel without compromising on the ride and having a lot more option in term of suspension tuning. But the M3/M4 is a lot more practical. I thought about getting a used 911 but at the end it's just not practical enough for me.

[jc05e46m3]

I've had all three. It's most similar to a 335 to be honest. Just much better looking, worse sounding, and much more nimble.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

.....(to be honest the steering in the e46 and e9x Ms wasn’t all that great either).

and all of your credibility goes out the window...

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by doug_999

and all of your credibility goes out the window...

LOL. No, the only one losing their credibity would be you - and you’ve just done it. And clearly you’ve not driven a 996/997 911 which was the gold standard and nothing beats the GT3s of the 997 gen. Hell, even the EPS Porsche now has is better than any hydraulic I’ve driven other than their own.

https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/road/t...on-the-bmw-m3/

Straight from Chris Harris who seems to agree with me.
“Yes, the (f80) steering is lifeless but then so was the E92’s. And for that matter the E46’s. And the E36’s. In fact the only M3 to ever steer particularly pleasantly was the E30.”