M4 vs modified 440i

[SwiftDawg]

Hello, I know this has been touched on before but not quite in the same way so I'm after some advice for my situation.

I'm soon to be in the market for my first BMW, had a bunch of performance hatches in the past but now fancy something RWD. Pretty much settled on the F gen 4 series as I like the overall design and size.

I've narrowed it down to either an M4 or a 440i. Will need to ideally be 2017 onwards and have under 50k miles. Budget will be around £30k. This will be my only vehicle so needs to be used for daily duties as well as fun. Occasional track day is also possible.

The M4 might seem like the obvious choice and there are some about that fit the budget however, a decent 440i seems to be going for around 5k less which would leave some budget for mods. As mentioned RWD is very appealing and therefore I would want an LSD to truly utilise it at some point. Light tuning and some suspension work could also be on the cards but I wouldn't go crazy. If I were to go down the M4 route I think I would leave it relatively stock.

My commute is short so fuel costs won't be a major issue (if there is much difference?) but I have been somewhat scared off by the "M tax" that many mention, mostly when it comes it servicing. I'm a keen DIY'er so happy to do some work myself but the main service items would need to be done at a garage in order to maintain value.

What are your thoughts?

Cheers,

[cobra2814]

I owned a 2018 440i before my 2018 M4. The cars are really quite different - not just in power but overall driving dynamics. The M4 is a much more serious machine - harder suspension, louder exhaust, harder shifting DCT, and a lot more top end power.

The 440 is a great car, and the B58 is powerful, especially off the line. It's a bit more comfortable as a daily driver as well and does get better fuel economy.

In the end, you have to decide if the extra power and performance out of the M4 is worth the extra money for you. For me, it absolutely was. Note, for $500-$600, you can put a Stage 1 or 2 BM3 tune on the M4, and it'll be seriously fast. Much faster than the 440 even after putting $5k into it.

Both are great cars - I'd suggest test driving both to get a feel for them to help you decide.

[MJBO]

Another vote for M4 with BM3 Stage 1, it’s a riot.

[Pauldunlop13]

since you are already planning to mod a 440i, then I say go for the M4 directly - especially for only a $5k premium

[SwiftDawg]

Thanks for the responses, seems like M4 is the way to go!

[AlterZgo]

For only $5K more, it's a no brainer. M4 all the way. You cannot mod a 440i to be a M4 with $5K or even $10K or $20K in mods (yes, I know you're talking about pounds but I can't find the symbol LOL).

These are totally different cars. They drive and feel different at every level even beyond the acceleration.

[snakes1021]

I just bought both, actually enjoy both for different reasons, the 440I is a gran coupe , M4 is a CS. Totally different animals. Still playing with all the different setting on the M4.

If I could only have 1 Id take the M4 hands down.

[HHH]

Not sure where you live but the difference is more than $5k like for like 440 to M4. I’d say probably $10k. Money being no object M4 all day every day. But if you’re looking for a certain budget stick with what can buy you a clean well maitained car. The only M4 around here around the $30k are high mileage, bad history and at most 2016. Both very nice cars though.

[TractionControlDelete]

If you were leaving both stock then 440i. But you’re planning on heavily modding yhr car so the M4 is the easy and only intelligent choice. Moreover, the M4 will have better resale value on the backend

[Bigsurprise]

Did you end up getting the M4? That would definitely be my choice.

I've had a F30 335i, F80 6spd, F80 DCT, and my dad had a 440i GC. The 335i and 440i were softer and smoother, really great daily drivers. Very comfortable and honestly, fast enough.

The M3 was so much more of a unique car. The DCT is fantastic. The engine is amazing. It's really stout, responds well to tunes, and it's surprisingly efficient! I was averaging 24mpg but if you reset your mpg while cruising on the freeway, 30mpg is attainable!

Also if you just look underneath the car, all of the reinforcements to the chassis is just incredible. And check out how strong that rear subframe is!

A large complaint i've read about the M3/4 is the suspension is too stiff for some. I've had the "civic" M3 and ZCP M3 and I always thought the suspension was great. It's definitely not "racecar" firm. I live in the Bay Area and we have some torn up freeways and the M3 always handled it well. Even my fiance who gave me so much sh!t for driving a BMW(She hates BMW drivers) ended up driving my M3 to work every other day lol.

[SwiftDawg]

Originally Posted by Bigsurprise

Did you end up getting the M4? That would definitely be my choice.

I've had a F30 335i, F80 6spd, F80 DCT, and my dad had a 440i GC. The 335i and 440i were softer and smoother, really great daily drivers. Very comfortable and honestly, fast enough.

The M3 was so much more of a unique car. The DCT is fantastic. The engine is amazing. It's really stout, responds well to tunes, and it's surprisingly efficient! I was averaging 24mpg but if you reset your mpg while cruising on the freeway, 30mpg is attainable!

Also if you just look underneath the car, all of the reinforcements to the chassis is just incredible. And check out how strong that rear subframe is!

A large complaint i've read about the M3/4 is the suspension is too stiff for some. I've had the "civic" M3 and ZCP M3 and I always thought the suspension was great. It's definitely not "racecar" firm. I live in the Bay Area and we have some torn up freeways and the M3 always handled it well. Even my fiance who gave me so much sh!t for driving a BMW(She hates BMW drivers) ended up driving my M3 to work every other day lol.

No unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) I got a 2020 440i (late F32 gen). The were many reason for my final choice but I plan on keeping this for a couple of years and then look at getting an M4 and something else to daily. The main reason was that I use this car for business travel (with colleagues) and I think the M4 would have been a bit too hardcode for that.

With that said I have already done a few mods to the 440i as I agree it is very "soft" as standard. I might have mentioned this in the original post but I've owned a few fast Golf's (Gti/R's) which I have to say felt more direct and planted from a ride perspective than the 40i out of the box (although not as comfortable). I have since installed H&R springs which have helped to introduce some more feedback while still keeping things somewhat comfortable. Looking at a MHD and xHp tune next to unlock some more power but as you said, it is still fast enough from stock.