2017 BMW M4 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What’s new

　　The 2017 BMW M4 hasn't changed much, but it does get a few upgrades. The adaptive suspension dampers are now standard, and a new Competition package is available, which boosts the M4's output from 425 horsepower up to 444 hp.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　A top choice among luxury two-doors, the 2017 BMW M4 boasts an ideal combination of sports-car-beating performance and everyday livability. With the turbocharged six-cylinder engine pumping out up to 444 horsepower, it comes as no surprise that the M4 is fast. The M4 also tenaciously grips the tarmac and has more powerful brakes than the standard 4 Series on which it's based. But despite all this stout performance, the M4 isn't an uncomfortable car.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$224/mo  for M4 Base

　　M4 Base

　　2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) (Most Popular) - $66,200 MSRP2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) - $74,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The ride quality is firm but still totally livable. The seats are excellent for holding you in place, but they won't numb your backside, even on long road trips. The M4 has just two doors, but cargo space is still admirable, and there's plenty of room in the front of the cabin for tall drivers. What's more, the interior quality is excellent thanks to high-end materials and a logically laid-out cabin.

　　If you're looking for the grunt of a powerful sports car with the outward personality of a low-key coupe or convertible for your daily commute, we think you'll love the 2017 BMW M4.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

4.5 / 5

　　Based on the standard 4 Series and powered by a potent turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, the 2017 BMW M4 is one of the most capable luxury two-door vehicles on the market. You'll love how it provides sports-car-worthy performance but is still comfortable enough to drive on a daily basis.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 BMW M4 Coupe (turbo 3.0L inline-6 | 6-speed manual | RWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current BMW M4 has received some revisions, including the addition of the adaptive suspension as standard and an optional Competition package, which increases horsepower. Despite those changes, our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's BMW M4.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	4.5 / 5
Driving	5.0
Comfort	4.5
Interior	4.0

　　

Driving

5.0

　　The M4 drives a lot like a sports car. It accelerates with potency, turns sharply and stops quickly. There's little reason to crave more performance, though the steering doesn't communicate much road feel to the driver. Still, this is a car that does an impressive number of things very well.

　　

Acceleration

5.0

　　The turbo 3.0-liter inline-six feels eager, alert and powerful. Sharp at low revs, has a strong midrange and is willing to rev with great throttle response at any speed. In zzdcar testing, a manual transmission M4 hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and did the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 116 mph.

　　

Braking

4.5

　　The M4's brake pedal is firm. The powerful (optional) carbon-ceramic brakes on our test car have excellent modulation and great stopping power. There are some groans at low speeds but that's expected. In a simulated-panic stop from 60 mph to zero, the M4 took just 106 feet, an excellent result.

　　

Steering

3.5

　　Steering on the M4 is well-weighted and precise, but it's lacking the feel we expect from cars in this class. That lack of feel becomes even more pronounced when you get closer to the car's elevated handling limits, but in-town steering should be sufficient for most drivers.

　　

Handling

4.5

　　No surprises here: The M4 has lots of grip and excellent agility. The car's immense handling capabilities inspire plenty of confidence while you're driving fast. This is especially rewarding for drivers who are attentive in managing weight transfer. We measured an impressive 0.98g around our skidpad.

　　

Drivability

5.0

　　This car is a great example of cohesive integration of the primary driving controls. The manual gearbox in our test car had slick, bright and fast shifts. Drive this car every day and you'll be able to tell that its nuances were fussed over.

　　

Comfort

4.5

　　Everyday use is no problem for this car. It's properly sporting but totally user-friendly. The ride is supple enough for your commute, and noise will never wear you down. Its seats in particular stand out for their ability to do it all.

　　

Seat comfort

5.0

　　Outstanding front-seat comfort no matter whether you are exploring a mountain road or just cruising. The combination of leather and cloth is unusual but effective. The backseat has reasonable comfort for adults.

　　

Ride comfort

4.0

　　This is a firm-riding car, no doubt, but there's a suppleness to the dampers that rounds off the edges. Nobody will mistake its ride quality for a Bentley, but for a sporting vehicle it is quite good.

　　

Noise & vibration

3.5

　　Some road noise is evident from the low-profile tires on optional 20-inch wheels, but there is very little engine noise at a cruise. Prod the throttle and the engine perks up nicely, augmented by the stereo. Wind noise is not an issue.

　　

Interior

4.0

　　The M4 has a practical driving position and intuitive cabin. Rear seat access and rear visibility are acceptable considering this is a two-door. The interior is easy to live with on a daily basis.

　　

Ease of use

4.5

　　Logical and well-laid-out cabin controls make the M4's interior easy to use. The iDrive screen is large, bright and crisp, as are the simple gauges. Climate controls consist of temperature knobs and buttons for the rest. Limited brightwork prevents distracting reflections.

　　

Getting in/getting out

4.0

　　Being based on a sedan has its benefits. The door openings are easy to navigate gracefully. The stepover height is low, and the seat is higher than in a sports car. Backseat access is a bit more awkward, of course, but not bad as coupes go.

　　

Roominess

4.0

　　This is a larger car than you might guess. Ample width allows plenty of shoulder and elbow room in front, and space in back is reasonable for limited trips. Headroom is no problem for 6-footers in our no-sunroof test car.

　　

Visibility

3.0

　　Forward and side visibility are good, thanks to the relatively upright seating position and greenhouse. Like most modern cars there are large blind spots at the rear roof pillars, and the deck is high-ish. At this price point, it's hard to believe a rearview camera is optional.

　　

Quality

5.0

　　Excellent fit and finish defines the M4's cabin. Cabin controls and features move smoothly and with precision. Materials are rich and appear to have been chosen to minimize distraction. The mixed-material seats are unusual but very effective.

　　

Utility

　　There's enough space inside this coupe for four passengers, but cabin storage isn't very impressive. There are a few large door pockets, but the center console is shallow and the glovebox tiny. The split-folding backseat is nice, though, and should help with loading a set of golf clubs or skis.

　　

Technology

　　BMW's iDrive interface is one of the best in the business. There's an above-average learning curve but eventually the straightforward menus, crisp graphics and fast processing times shine through. We recommend you opt for the available head-up display as well.

　　

Which M4 does zzdcar recommend?

　　The 2017 BMW M4 comes in just one trim level. But you do have to choose between the coupe or convertible and either the manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission (M-DCT). The manual makes driving an M4 engaging, but the automatic is no performance slouch and is certainly easier to live with. Beyond that, our top picks for options packages are the Executive package (parking sensors, head-up display, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel and rearview camera) and the Driver Assistance Plus package (blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, a side- and top-view camera system, and forward collision warning/mitigation).

　　

2017 BMW M4 models

　　The 2017 BMW M4 is a two-door, four-passenger high-performance car that's based on the company's 4 Series and offered as a coupe or a convertible. Thanks to an excellent balance of performance and comfort, we're big fans of the M4. There are a few optional extras we'd recommend buying, but regardless of how you equip an M4, it's going to be a joy to drive every day.

　　As you'd probably expect with a high-end two-door such as the M4, there is a lot of standard equipment. For starters, you get the excellent turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (425 hp, 406 lb-ft); a crisp six-speed manual transmission (a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic is optional); integrated launch control; automatic rev-matching on downshifts; 18-inch alloy wheels with summer tires; an adaptive sport-tuned suspension (a standard, non-adaptive suspension is a no-cost option); an active locking differential; adaptive xenon headlights; a performance exhaust system with quad tailpipes; exclusive exterior body panels (including a "powerdome" hood and wider rear fenders); power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors; keyless entry and ignition; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather upholstery; power front sport seats with heating; driver-seat memory settings and fold-down rear seatbacks.

　　In addition to the performance and cabin basics, the M4 has a decent amount of standard tech equipment, including an 8.8-inch touchscreen with BMW's iDrive infotainment interface, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, Bluetooth, navigation, a suite of smartphone and online applications under the BMW ConnectedDrive banner, HD radio and satellite radio, a USB audio input and a CD player.

　　A few key optional packages are available for the M4 as well. New for 2017 is the Competition package, which ups the M4's power rating to 444 hp, adds 20-inch wheels, revised settings for the adaptive suspension, sport exhaust and some interior trim upgrades such as "M" stripes on the seat belts. Separately, the Executive package adds headlight washers, front and rear parking sensors, a head-up display, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a rearview camera, wireless charging of mobile devices and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Lighting package adds adaptive LED headlights and automatic high-beam control. If you want some additional safety equipment, opt for the Driver Assistance Plus package, which gets you blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, a side- and top-view camera system, speed limit info, forward collision warning and automatic braking for collision mitigation.

　　Other options include 19-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, automated parallel-parking assist, a power rear sunshade (coupe only) and enhanced smartphone connectivity.

　　On the coupe, you get your choice of either a visible carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) roof or a traditional steel roof that includes a sunroof. The M4 convertible has a power-retractable hardtop with a wind blocker, as well as extended leather upholstery and door trim incorporating sun-reflective technology. When equipped with the Executive package, the convertible also includes front-seat neck warmers.

　　

2017 M4 Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleConvertible

　　

Base MSRP	$74,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$234/month
Seating	4 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles