2024 BMW M4

Starting at $79,095.

Overview

The The BMW M4 is a fire-breathing dragon capable of flying high. It’s a two-door analogue of the M3 super sedan, similarly pumped up for driving thrills by the automaker’s M Performance division. It carries the M3’s mighty 473-hp twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, and we appreciate BMW making the six-speed manual gearbox[https://caressay.com/understanding-automatic-cars-simplifying-the-basics-of-automatic-transmissions/] and rear-drive standard. The fiercest competition trim pushes power to 503 horsepower and requires an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is optional. The M4’s firm-riding suspension and sharp steering turn twisty roads into memorable encounters, but there’s plenty of luxury on board in addition to a reasonably spacious cabin.

We have our reservations about the M4’s stiff ride, crisp steering feel, and overly complex configurable drive modes, though—key features we think rival rivals like the Cadillac CT4-V Black Wing, Mercedes-AMG C63, and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. But that didn’t stop us from awarding the M4 a 2024 Editors’ Choice Award.

What’s new for 2024?

For the 2024 model year, BMW[https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-series/bmw-4-series-m-models/bmw-m4-coupe.html] has endowed the M4 with the same 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch displays seen in other BMW models. The sports coupe also gets the latest iDrive 8 software, with updated graphics and menu structure and an upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant voice command function.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance:

The BMW M4 comes in two versions: the standard M4 with 473 horsepower, 406 pound-feet of torque, and rear-wheel drive, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, completing the quarter mile in 12.0 seconds at 121 mph. The M4 Competition boosts power to 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, but only offers an eight-speed automatic transmission. It compensates with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, allowing it to hit 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Both models feature adaptive dampers, adjustable brake pedal feel, and an electronically controlled exhaust that gets louder in sportier drive modes. While the M4 Competition lacks a manual option, its added power and AWD make it significantly faster.

Thankfully, our time behind the thick-rimmed wheel of the M4 Competition demonstrated its strong acceleration, incredible cornering grip, and determined stability. The regular M4 rides on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inchers in the rear, while the M4 Competition rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear seats. The M4 has a carbon fiber roof that lowers its center of gravity and can be equipped with a set of fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes.

Fuel Economy:

The M4 is rated at up to 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. During our 75-mph fuel economy route, the six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive M4 achieved 21 mpg, just short of its EPA estimate.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo:

While the M4’s interior layout and passenger space are the same as the regular 4-Series coupe, it boasts a variety of unique materials and some race-inspired options. Its thick-rimmed steering wheel has a pair of red buttons for custom M-drive modes. The cabin can also be enhanced with a liberal amount of carbon fiber trim pieces and tall paddle shifters mounted on the steering column.

The standard M sports seats are fairly firm, feature an illuminated logo, an integrated headrest, and can be positioned with ventilation. The optional carbon fiber front seats not only look very cool, but they’re also lighter than the standard seats and can be lowered even further. The back seat is obviously not as spacious as the M3 sedan, but the space is far from a torture chamber. Choosing a convertible body style opens up unlimited headroom. Just fold the retractable fabric top down.

Infotainment and Connectivity:

Every M4 gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a slick-looking infotainment system with a large 14.9-inch touchscreen. It has a number of control options that allow the user to adjust settings and navigate menus via voice commands, buttons on the steering wheel, a large rotary controller, and buttons on the center console. The M4’s system comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon audio system. Those who want even fancier features can choose from popular options like gesture control, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features:

Despite driver engagement being its primary mission, the M4 has a roster of standard and optional driver assistance technologies. For more information on the M4’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for High Safety’s (IIHS) websites. Important safety features include:

• Standard Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Standard lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance
• Available adaptive cruise control

Specifications