Honest Opinions - M4 Comp

[4u2nv]

Awaiting final prep of my M4 Comp (2017) and wanted to know how easy the M4 Comp is to drive?

The reason for the question is that some insurance companies I’ve rung have asked what my experience is with driving powerful cars.

I currently drive a 340i and I thought that had some power however from what I’ve read the M4 is a completely different beast.

So how easy is it to drive and live with as an everyday car?

Thanks for taking to time.

[Jbrown7403]

I have a ‘16 F82 Competition and I find it to be a great daily driver! I was really concerned that the 20” wheels were going to be uncomfortable on everyday city roads but they’re not that bad at all (especially with great Michelin 4Ss). Don’t skimp on tires. Very comfortable cross country highway car as well.

I’ve really loved the Jekyll & Hyde nature of the car! Very sedate in Comfort mode and at the press of a button, you’ve got a monster! :-)

Honestly, it’s the first car that I’ve owned that ticks all the boxes. Cheers and Enjoy!

[Chris_340i]

I've come from a 340i to my 69 plate M4 Comp.

2 very different beasts. Both very comfortable and both very quick. The M4 is just the next level when it comes to handling, top end performance and it feels very special. You have to respect it as well as enjoy it.

You will get used to the difference but the 340i is a better all rounder but the M4 has massive smile values. It's a piece of kit.

[4u2nv]

The 340i puts a smile on my face. It’s a really nice car but the M4 was just too good an offer to pass up.

My 340i didn’t have the xDrive so on odd occasions used to feel the backend slip slightly. I’m expecting the M4 to be much the same or have I got this all wrong?

[RugbyBro]

F8X is very different from F30/1/2 - you'll immediately notice how much stiffer and tight things are. You'll quickly get used to it which will make standard BMWs feel boat-like in comparison. That said, it is a great daily driver and very easy to drive - I have no issues with anyone driving my car because of how tame it can be with everything in the softest settings. I'd worry more about people not knowing how to drive a lowered car than being overwhelmed by the power. Also, while the M4 is very fast, the 340i is no slouch - it's a very evolutionary step up in power and not revolutionary, so no doubt you'll be able to adjust very quickly. My only advice for a dailied Comp pack is consider switching to 19in or even 18in wheels if the ride is too uncomfortable - wheel (and resulting tirewall) size has a massive impact on ride comfort.

[lethbridge]

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

The 340i puts a smile on my face. It’s a really nice car but the M4 was just too good an offer to pass up.

My 340i didn’t have the xDrive so on odd occasions used to feel the backend slip slightly. I’m expecting the M4 to be much the same or have I got this all wrong?

The M4 (shame you couldn't get a car with the proper complement of doors), can be as poorly behaved as you want it to be - for sure it will bite you if you don't appreciate it for what it is but you can equally drive it safely at much higher speeds than a 3/4 series due its completely sorted handling. A lot of it is down to the choice of tyres if you drive in wet/cold conditions. The stock MPSS are far edgier than MPS4Ss and demand more respect in the cold/wet - bigger rewards if you know what you are doing but bigger risks if you don't - I would view them as a snappier tyre. The DCT box is probably one of the bigger differences you will notice it is lightning fast but it is not an automatic and certainly when cold is not as smooth as an auto - it has paddles you want to use where on an auto you wonder what the point is.

It is 100% a daily driver if you want it to be (stick everything in comfort/eco and it is well behaved and just a bit firmer) but crank up the volume and it becomes a serious bit of kit - keep in mind that if you are one to compare 0-62 times that really doesn't tell the story at all - a front engined RWD car really can't put 450hp down - in other words it is far quicker than the difference between 0-62 times suggest.

In short it is an M car which basically means you can't really compare it to a 3/4 series...

[4u2nv]

Thanks all for your input. Think I'm have it in eco/comfort when the wife and kids are around. Have it in sports when I'm riding solo 😄

[Chris_340i]

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

Thanks all for your input. Think I'm have it in eco/comfort when the wife and kids are around. Have it in sports when I'm riding solo 😄

Haha there isn't an eco pro or an comfort mode.

The lowest setting is efficiency mode. Similar to comfort mode.

[lethbridge]

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

Thanks all for your input. Think I'm have it in eco/comfort when the wife and kids are around. Have it in sports when I'm riding solo 😄

Best plan is to set M1 to Efficient (engine), Comfort (steering), Comfort (suspension), 1 (gearbox), DSC on and standard (HUD). M2 to Sport or Sport+ for Engine, other settings up to you but on UK roads I'm quite happy with Comfort suspension, anything other than Comfort steering just makes it artificially heavy - doesn't improve feel in my view, increase gearbox aggression to what suits you but wouldn't recommend you alter DSC to MDM or off in the damp unless you know what you are doing - MDM can't defy physics... Enjoy... First mod should be to put an MPE on - it transforms the car

[SteveChester]

I went from 330d to M4 (non comp).

Totally different animal. Can be a daily driver in comfort mode but in Sport+ it comes alives....

Even better now with MPE and Bilstein coilovers - stock suspension is much better than F3x platform but still not really up to the job if pushing on.

I'm still on MPSS and will be moving over to 4S as tyres wear out ( which given my mileage this year will be a while off!!! ).

[t5pilot]

I can only echo all the above, says all really.
The one thing I'd do immediately (If I were you - and I did), is to have the GTS/CS suite of goodies flashed/coded.
It makes a great & noticeable improvement.
It comprises of:
GTS DCT
GTS T/C
GTS LSD
GTS Steering
CS EDC

The likes of Zed coding will do the whole package for about £125 iirc.

[4u2nv]

Hi all, thanks for all you comments/feedback/advise. I picked up my M4 Comp today and couldn’t be happier, its definitely a different beast to the 340i, no waiting for the power to kick in when you plant your foot its there and ready to move. Only done a few miles from dealership home but such powerful car and that’s all in default mode ☺.

Currently having a ceramic coat put on and then will look at GTS mods probably after xmas/lockdown.

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

Hi all, thanks for all you comments/feedback/advise. I picked up my M4 Comp today and couldn’t be happier, its definitely a different beast to the 340i, no waiting for the power to kick in when you plant your foot its there and ready to move. Only done a few miles from dealership home but such powerful car and that’s all in default mode ☺.

Currently having a ceramic coat put on and then will look at GTS mods probably after xmas/lockdown.

Excellent news, ENJOY.......