M4 Limits

[M4NJ83]

Hi All...I just picked up my 2020 M4 a couple weeks ago but haven't had many opportunities to drive it yet due to the snowy weather. 6-speed manual. My last car was an '03 Corolla (I've been saving up for this car for awhile). Curious about others' driving experiences with the manual transmission compared to the DCT. How hard have you pushed your M4's (safely)?

[jpy1980]

Sport plus doesn’t turn off traction control unless you set it to be like that via the m1/2 buttons.

Just break the car in properly and just keep driving the car within your limits till you gain confidence. It’s not as scary as you think as long as you get used to it. Enjoy it. It’sa monster but it’s not scary unless you’re doing silly things.

This car actually has a very rewarding chassis and engine

[M4NJ83]

Thanks...where can I learn more about the m1/m2 buttons and other features of operating the car? Appreciate the feedback.

[RugbyBro]

What jpy1980 said ^^ power is very easy to live with as long as you aren’t doing stupid stuff with it. Stupid games = stupid prizes

If you push the throttle to the floor in any mode you will get the full beans until TC kicks in. In situations where I need the best throttle modulation like cold & wet NorCal days under 40f (yes we get those), efficient is great.

FWIW I personally don’t like sport plus on the street - I ran it for a while and found I wasn’t enjoying the car as much as the throttle is so sensitive and you’re basically breathing on it in most street situations. It’s like a constant reminder that the car can do way more than you’re allowed to. I’ve found that sport throttle has adapted to my driving style nicely and is the perfect “sporty” setting for the street/canyons.

[Mazen189]

Since you're new to this car. Did they not offer you the M driving school ? I thought all dealers offer this when you buy an M car

[joooiiiiii]

Whoa, careful there! Beautiful car, congrats. Going to turn this into an echo chamber and say that you should definitely break her in properly and as long as you're not doing some crazy shit, you're fine. It definitely has a lot of power to send you into the next realm if you don't respect that power, but once you get used to it it'll be fine.

[M4NJ83]

Thanks; I bought the car used with 2750 miles; the prior owner suffered an injury and could no longer work the third pedal. I think the M one-day driving school is offered only as part of the M Driver's package which this car does not have (and not worth it IMO).

[lukej]

Originally Posted by M4NJ83

Thanks; I bought the car used with 2750 miles; the prior owner suffered an injury and could no longer work the third pedal. I think the M one-day driving school is offered only as part of the M Driver's package which this car does not have (and not worth it IMO).

Go do a driver school,, if you are new to these high performance cars..

I’ve been to BMW and AMG and going back to BMW when this stupid COVID thing is over..

Well worth it,, I learned something new every time I’ve been.. it’s a beautiful car go get some school on some of the potential of the car.

Unless your a pro driver..

[TideMD]

Originally Posted by lukej

Go do a driver school,, if you are new to these high performance cars..

I’ve been to BMW and AMG and going back to BMW when this stupid COVID thing is over..

Well worth it,, I learned something new every time I’ve been.. it’s a beautiful car go get some school on some of the potential of the car.

Unless your a pro driver..

Yeah, what all the other guys said. You're asking a lot of questions that frankly would make me nervous for anyone getting behind the wheel. Definitely learn the car's characteristics and features before trying to see what flooring it for a max 0-60 run feels like.

[f80fan]

As yours is a CP you won't have any issues with power delivery catching you out. The torque curve is much smoother than the earlier non CP cars where they certainly had much more torque lower down the rev range... which i much preferred at the time after getting used to it but demanded respectful application of the throttle

[SMGCFP]

I don't know how much driving experience you have. The guys who posted before me are correct. These cars have a lot of power. If you leave the DSC on, it's hard to get into too much trouble as the car will cut the power if the wheels slip. If you're looking to drive this car with the DSC off, understand that the back of the car will kick out if the physics dictate it, and the only thing that will save you from spinning will be your inputs. I bought my first M car when I was 39 years old which meant I had 23 years of driving experience. With that said, it did not properly prepare me to drive that car with the DSC off on the street or the track. I now have 7 more years of experience, have attended M track days a few times, and think I am at least an average driver. I still will not turn the DSC off (but will do the MDM) on the street, and will not turn it off on the track, as I am not confident enough in my ability, and I'm not being paid to turn laps at the track.

Wait until the weather gets above 50 degrees, take your car out and do a few pulls on an empty street with the DSC on. You'll get a feel for it.

[deeldoo]

I have owned the car over 2 years, haven't launched it or floored it even once in first gear.

Unless you have a lot of driving experience i would take it easy, last thing you want to do is end up in a wall.

As others said go to school

[DDD31]

Originally Posted by M4NJ83

Thanks...where can I learn more about the m1/m2 buttons and other features of operating the car? Appreciate the feedback.

Beautiful car but I hate to be that guy but

[NickyC]

That’s a pretty nice upgrade from an 03 Corolla lol.

Congrats!

[Humdizzle]

if you're coming from a corolla this is a different ballgame. i'd do a driving school. when those turbos come online you gotta be ready for it. the power hits in a large spike rather than progressively building.

but honestly its pretty hard to get into trouble if you leave DSC of MDM on.

Both the manual and DCT are good. manual is definitely more involving though.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by NickyC

That's a pretty nice upgrade from an 03 Corolla lol.

Congrats!

Wait everyone thinks this a real post...

[AlterZgo]

My 6MT M3 has been very fun. As others indicated, with traction control on, the car is relatively safe to drive. However, it does intervene quite a bit b/c the car is very powerful. I would suggest trying the car out w/ TC fully off to get a real feel for how fast these cars are. Just make sure you are on a level, straight road w/ steering wheel pointed straight as it can definitely fishtail a bit. Oh and wait until winter is over and snow is gone before you try these shenanigans.

I've only test driven a couple of DCT M3s. They definitely feel quicker, but 6MT is still much more enjoyable for me. Enjoy your beautiful M4 safely and in good health! Is it San Marino Blue? Color is outstanding!

[zamboni]

Congrat she's beauty.

[M4NJ83]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

Wait everyone thinks this a real post...

Post is real...I still have the Corolla

[M4NJ83]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

My 6MT M3 has been very fun. As others indicated, with traction control on, the car is relatively safe to drive. However, it does intervene quite a bit b/c the car is very powerful. I would suggest trying the car out w/ TC fully off to get a real feel for how fast these cars are. Just make sure you are on a level, straight road w/ steering wheel pointed straight as it can definitely fishtail a bit. Oh and wait until winter is over and snow is gone before you try these shenanigans.

I've only test driven a couple of DCT M3s. They definitely feel quicker, but 6MT is still much more enjoyable for me. Enjoy your beautiful M4 safely and in good health! Is it San Marino Blue? Color is outstanding!

Thanks for the feedback. San Marino Blue with silverstone interior.

[M4NJ83]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

if you're coming from a corolla this is a different ballgame. i'd do a driving school. when those turbos come online you gotta be ready for it. the power hits in a large spike rather than progressively building.

but honestly its pretty hard to get into trouble if you leave DSC of MDM on.

Both the manual and DCT are good. manual is definitely more involving though.

Yea, I'm not sure how the DCT drives, but I'm definitely happy with the manual (even if it's not quite as fast; plenty fast for me).

[amancuso]

Congrats on your purchase! I'm in Jersey too. I went from M2 DCT to M4 6MT. It's more "fun" to drive, even though the DCT is def. faster. I never "race" my cars, so it's more about the whole driving experience.