Help me decide - Upgrade my M4 or get a competitor?

[AlterZgo]

He bought some ice packs for his lumbar support.

[jailonacs99]

I decided to "Stay Calm and Carry On". I came very close to pulling the trigger on a C63S, but then moved to a climate where AWD would be essential. I considered the X3M or X4M, but struggled ever thinking "time to go for a Sunday drive in the twisties with my....SAV...that also gets less than 20 mpg highway...."

Then once the early intel started saying the new G82 M4 would have both AWD and ventilated seats, I decided to wait and see. Now they're out, I'm over the grill. As long as the pricing for the AWD come next summer isn't too crazy, I plan to place an order.

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by BimmerMan33

OP, so what did you end up getting?

[dms-01]

What climate requires AWD? Certainly not the Mid-Atlantic if that is where you live.

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by dms-01

What climate requires AWD? Certainly not the Mid-Atlantic if that is where you live.

I'm out in the country, so not just snow and ice, but hilly, country road snow and ice. The way this handles AWD on winters vs how my F82 did on winters is like night and day for me. Ironically enough the power in the F82 was also a big liability with that RWD in low traction conditions. Not just snow, but also gravel, loose surface dirt, or grass, etc.

[M4SammyB]

Originally Posted by jailonacs99

So this may sound petty, but I really, really hate that my M4 does not have ventilated seats. I have wanted ventilated seats in my cars for years, never had one with them. I suffer from chronic sweaty back. Especially on hot days when I'd like to drive with my windows down and keep the AC off but then it's just patently uncomfortable.

After 3 years, I'm at the point where I'm thinking of pouring several grand into performance mods. When I sold my 335is to get the M4, I likewise was thinking of mods but ultimately upgraded to the M4.

The lack of ventilated seats is really gnawing at me. I've ruled out any competitors that don't have them (e.g. I really like the RS5, but apparently only the S5 has them and not the RS5). This car is both my Daily Driver and Grand Tourer and I go on a lot of weekend trips, so daily comfort matters.

If I pour a few grand into mods, it'll be because I'm keeping my M4 for several more years. But I feel at my age I want to have a car I'm totally happy with and that is the one feature that's really lacking and I hate that.

What would you do in my situation?

Suck it up and upgrade the M4? Enjoy everything else about this amazing car for a few more years?

Sell the M4, get a competitor for a few years and revisit the G8X a couple of model years in if they have ventilated seats? If so, what would you recommend (I'm sticking with a coupe)? I was surprised the feature set relative to cost on the AMG C63 S. The Lexus RS F looks amazing from the outside, the dash looks like it came out of the 1990s. Even the Ford Mustang GT has ventilated seats, although I've read the M4 is a better DD.

I'm with you. I really like ventilated seats.... but ultimately (for me) the M4's performance outweighed the discomfort of my sweaty back in the summer time. xD

[jmg]

Originally Posted by jailonacs99

We've had a hot week here and the ventilated seats of my G82 gels reaaaaaal nice! Congrats!

[CMcG M4]

Get a ventilated shirt. And strap ice packs to your back before you get into the car. That will be much more effective than ventilated seats. I have had two cars with them. Worthless. Seriously. A waste of money. A lot of noise, not much effect, and completely ineffective with your sweaty back issue.

Might also suggest a daily exercise regime.

[Theruleslawyer]

If you have competition seats you could just throw a box fan in the back seat.