I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread here or not, but a few people said they were interested in my thoughts after I managed to get a weekend in a brand new M4 from BMW so I decided to just do it... For reference it was a 68 plate M4 Competition with the 7 speed DCT that turned up with 60 miles on the clock!
Before I start my waffle, just bear in mind that I am far from an expert car journalist, these are just my honest views after my weekend with the BM. I'm also rating the cars based on cars I have driven in my life and not comparing them to the Lambos of the world...
I had always wanted an M sport car, I however had no intention of changing my RS3 for at least another year or so, but this opportunity came about, and I couldn't say no to seeing what I think!
Exterior Styling
With them sat on my drive side by side, there is no doubt that they are both very pretty cars, but the M4 is absolutely stunning to look at, It is a real head turner. Particularly from the front, it looks more mean with it's hunkered down stance, massive air ducts and flared arches. I also love the concave bonnet that gives the impression of a huge beast sitting underneath!
The side view also does it for me, the 20 inch rims on the competition pack are superb to look at and really make the car pop, I dread to think how much the tyres on the thing cost!
The rear for me is where the RS3 claws some points back, I'm a sucker for that rear end and those 2 huge exhaust pipes as opposed to 4 smaller ones, I also don't like the fact the M4 has them so central rather than the traditional corners of the car and that so much of the diffuser is exposed.
RS3 = 7/10
M4 = 9/10
Interior Styling & Equipment
I have to say, getting into the M4, I was disappointed, Here I am sat in the flagship 4 series, and it feels no different to any other... I start my RS3 up and you get the RS3 logo flash in front of you before you hear the cold start raw, yet the BMW still had what looked like the programmable radio pre-sets! I found myself looking for the tape deck! I must say the seats in the M4 were a million times better than the RS, you can adjust the side cushions as well which I thought was a great touch.
Like in the RS, you can also set up an individual mode, however in the M4 you could set 2 profiles with different settings (for each key) and change settings for suspension, throttle, steering, traction and gearbox, you could then change between the 2 with a single click of the 'M1' or 'M2' button on the steering wheel, I loved this!!
I did really really miss my VC, going back to the standard dials was rather disappointing, and I don't know where to start with the BMW MMI system, but that's an Apple vs Android type argument, I personally despised it but I appreciate many will disagree with me here.
The phonebox charge point was also not large enough to take a plus sized iPhone which is a little irritating.
I did find myself driving around in manual mode using the flappy paddles, and I must say, the M4's ones felt 10times better than that in the Audi, I don't know how a little thing could feel so different, but it did.
Overall, the M4 just didn't feel the special place to be that I thought it would!
RS3 = 9/10
M4 = 7/10
Performance
This is where it is incredibly close, we all know the RS3 is an absolute weapon, well the M4 is no different, the power delivery is insane, and it just pulls and pulls, it doesn't actually feel faster than my RS if I'm honest, and looking at the figures, there is only 0.1s between them to 60mph anyway. That said once you get to the 'higher speeds' the pull on the BM does start to feel more significant compared to the RS.
Unlike the RS which is just insane regardless, The M4 is only this good on a 20 degree day with clear sunshine and dry roads! I was lucky enough to have a glorious day yesterday and rain today so I could experience the differences, In the rain this thing is almost pointless, You cannot even get close to flooring it in a straight line without having to fight to keep it straight! It just cannot put the power down. Given that we live in the UK this car would make a perfect second car for good weather days, but then I feel would just do your head in.
The gearbox in the M4 drove me insane, In auto mode it had a mind of it's own, and always seemed to change at the wrong moment. In manual mode, It seemed to take an age to actually change (I am being fussy here) But it just was not as fast and smooth as the RS and 2nd to 1st always felt very jolty. Given that I tend to drive my RS in manual mode and equally did so in this M4 and that the RS delivers the same performance whatever the conditions it takes it here for me, JUST!
RS3 = 9/10
M4 = 8/10
Handling
This is more than likely purely down to RWD vs Quattro but I feel confident in the RS at almost any cornering speed that the car will cope with little drama or need for correction (unless I completely c**k the entry line up)
The BMW on the sunny Saturday was no different, it was more engaging and required more, lets say respect but it was equally as enjoyable. It wasn't as tail happy as I thought it would be, but I could still get it sliding if I wanted too, which don't get me wrong, I really really enjoyed, but I just don't see a place for it on normal roads... I'd end up being banned from driving if I went everywhere sideways, I really struggle to see the benefits on RWD anywhere but a track or closed road...
In the rain however, wow, I mean you need to have your whits about you, and fight the car all the way cornering or jut burying the throttle in a straight line! It is incredibly engaging and joyful, but does throw up some hairy moments and stop you enjoying the car to it's full potential which completely goes against the point in owning one, Why have 450hp that you can only unleash 2 our of 12 months of the year!
RS3 = 8/10
M4 = 7/10
Noise
Right, I love the noise of the RS3 now it is run in and obviously after the irritating cold start rattle, the pops and bangs are epic and the occasional gunshot always seems to scare pedestrians, which I find hilarious (I may have a genuine problem with that)
The M4 is not as loud when on the move, even in sport plus mode, that said it is still very noisy when burying the loud pedal and does sound pretty good.
My gripe with it is that the noise is artificial, it just doesn't do it for me on the same level of the RS. It sounds very tinny by comparison and no matter how hard I tried I could not get a single gunshot or proper pop. It does seem to have a multitude of burbles as you let off the throttle when in sport plus mode, this I liked very very much!
I'm unsure if the M4 would get better or not after being run in more (This car had 60 miles on the clock) But given the fact the noise is artificial, I very much doubt it would.
RS3 = 9/10
M4 = 7/10
Verdict
Having had the pleasure (and it was) of experiencing this car for a weekend, I feel that the itch has been scratched and that I now have no desire to change to the M4, I thought that it would be a notable upgrade to the RS3, but for me at least, it turns out I already have the better machine in almost every department. I may change my mind once the new model BMW's come out with the redesigned interior and the M3 and M4 apparently coming with 4WD, But until then, the RS3 is the monster for me!
Rs3 = 42 / 50
M4 = 38 / 50
Before I start my waffle, just bear in mind that I am far from an expert car journalist, these are just my honest views after my weekend with the BM. I'm also rating the cars based on cars I have driven in my life and not comparing them to the Lambos of the world...
I had always wanted an M sport car, I however had no intention of changing my RS3 for at least another year or so, but this opportunity came about, and I couldn't say no to seeing what I think!
Exterior Styling
With them sat on my drive side by side, there is no doubt that they are both very pretty cars, but the M4 is absolutely stunning to look at, It is a real head turner. Particularly from the front, it looks more mean with it's hunkered down stance, massive air ducts and flared arches. I also love the concave bonnet that gives the impression of a huge beast sitting underneath!
The side view also does it for me, the 20 inch rims on the competition pack are superb to look at and really make the car pop, I dread to think how much the tyres on the thing cost!
The rear for me is where the RS3 claws some points back, I'm a sucker for that rear end and those 2 huge exhaust pipes as opposed to 4 smaller ones, I also don't like the fact the M4 has them so central rather than the traditional corners of the car and that so much of the diffuser is exposed.
RS3 = 7/10
M4 = 9/10
Interior Styling & Equipment
I have to say, getting into the M4, I was disappointed, Here I am sat in the flagship 4 series, and it feels no different to any other... I start my RS3 up and you get the RS3 logo flash in front of you before you hear the cold start raw, yet the BMW still had what looked like the programmable radio pre-sets! I found myself looking for the tape deck! I must say the seats in the M4 were a million times better than the RS, you can adjust the side cushions as well which I thought was a great touch.
Like in the RS, you can also set up an individual mode, however in the M4 you could set 2 profiles with different settings (for each key) and change settings for suspension, throttle, steering, traction and gearbox, you could then change between the 2 with a single click of the 'M1' or 'M2' button on the steering wheel, I loved this!!
I did really really miss my VC, going back to the standard dials was rather disappointing, and I don't know where to start with the BMW MMI system, but that's an Apple vs Android type argument, I personally despised it but I appreciate many will disagree with me here.
The phonebox charge point was also not large enough to take a plus sized iPhone which is a little irritating.
I did find myself driving around in manual mode using the flappy paddles, and I must say, the M4's ones felt 10times better than that in the Audi, I don't know how a little thing could feel so different, but it did.
Overall, the M4 just didn't feel the special place to be that I thought it would!
RS3 = 9/10
M4 = 7/10
Performance
This is where it is incredibly close, we all know the RS3 is an absolute weapon, well the M4 is no different, the power delivery is insane, and it just pulls and pulls, it doesn't actually feel faster than my RS if I'm honest, and looking at the figures, there is only 0.1s between them to 60mph anyway. That said once you get to the 'higher speeds' the pull on the BM does start to feel more significant compared to the RS.
Unlike the RS which is just insane regardless, The M4 is only this good on a 20 degree day with clear sunshine and dry roads! I was lucky enough to have a glorious day yesterday and rain today so I could experience the differences, In the rain this thing is almost pointless, You cannot even get close to flooring it in a straight line without having to fight to keep it straight! It just cannot put the power down. Given that we live in the UK this car would make a perfect second car for good weather days, but then I feel would just do your head in.
The gearbox in the M4 drove me insane, In auto mode it had a mind of it's own, and always seemed to change at the wrong moment. In manual mode, It seemed to take an age to actually change (I am being fussy here) But it just was not as fast and smooth as the RS and 2nd to 1st always felt very jolty. Given that I tend to drive my RS in manual mode and equally did so in this M4 and that the RS delivers the same performance whatever the conditions it takes it here for me, JUST!
RS3 = 9/10
M4 = 8/10
Handling
This is more than likely purely down to RWD vs Quattro but I feel confident in the RS at almost any cornering speed that the car will cope with little drama or need for correction (unless I completely c**k the entry line up)
The BMW on the sunny Saturday was no different, it was more engaging and required more, lets say respect but it was equally as enjoyable. It wasn't as tail happy as I thought it would be, but I could still get it sliding if I wanted too, which don't get me wrong, I really really enjoyed, but I just don't see a place for it on normal roads... I'd end up being banned from driving if I went everywhere sideways, I really struggle to see the benefits on RWD anywhere but a track or closed road...
In the rain however, wow, I mean you need to have your whits about you, and fight the car all the way cornering or jut burying the throttle in a straight line! It is incredibly engaging and joyful, but does throw up some hairy moments and stop you enjoying the car to it's full potential which completely goes against the point in owning one, Why have 450hp that you can only unleash 2 our of 12 months of the year!
RS3 = 8/10
M4 = 7/10
Noise
Right, I love the noise of the RS3 now it is run in and obviously after the irritating cold start rattle, the pops and bangs are epic and the occasional gunshot always seems to scare pedestrians, which I find hilarious (I may have a genuine problem with that)
The M4 is not as loud when on the move, even in sport plus mode, that said it is still very noisy when burying the loud pedal and does sound pretty good.
My gripe with it is that the noise is artificial, it just doesn't do it for me on the same level of the RS. It sounds very tinny by comparison and no matter how hard I tried I could not get a single gunshot or proper pop. It does seem to have a multitude of burbles as you let off the throttle when in sport plus mode, this I liked very very much!
I'm unsure if the M4 would get better or not after being run in more (This car had 60 miles on the clock) But given the fact the noise is artificial, I very much doubt it would.
RS3 = 9/10
M4 = 7/10
Verdict
Having had the pleasure (and it was) of experiencing this car for a weekend, I feel that the itch has been scratched and that I now have no desire to change to the M4, I thought that it would be a notable upgrade to the RS3, but for me at least, it turns out I already have the better machine in almost every department. I may change my mind once the new model BMW's come out with the redesigned interior and the M3 and M4 apparently coming with 4WD, But until then, the RS3 is the monster for me!
Rs3 = 42 / 50
M4 = 38 / 50
