2016 BMW M4 DCT Track Review
A BMW M4 and an open track. It should've been brilliant but somehow, I was disappointed.
Imagine a world where only two cars exist and have ever existed; the BMW M4 and the Toyota Corolla. Assuming cost isn't a factor, just about every car buyer who has even a remote interest in high performance driving would take the M4. There would be no complaints about how it well goes, stops, or turns, how it handles, or even how it sounds.
All those aspects are better in the M4; miles better, in fact. Next to a Corolla, an M4 is a super car, and a darn good one. But replace the Corolla with another car in this imaginary world, say a a Porsche 911 Turbo S for an instance, and all of a sudden, an M4 becomes pedestrian. Perspective could make or break a car, even a good one. And that, perhaps, is the biggest contributing factor in the impression that the M4 left on me.
BMW M4 at Atlantic Motorsport Park - Graham MacNeil ©
I haven't driven any 911 Turbo's, unfortunately. But on the same day I drove this BMW M4, I drove an E46 Dinan S1 (Stage 1) M3 and a Cayman GT4. Comparisons to the GT4 in my mind were inevitable but a bit unfair, so I will leave those locked up there (you can read my GT4 track review here). But Comparisons to the E46 M3? They aren't only fair, they are necessary.
After all, what is the point of redesigning and upgrading cars if the replacements are no better? Now, rest assured, the M4 beats that E46 M3 I drove in every measurable way and it does so with ease (you can read my track review of that M3 here). I couldn't find a test of a Dinan S1 M3 but I found a Car & Driver instrumented test of an E46 Dinan S2 (Stage 2) M3, a faster version than the one I drove. Here's how it stacks up to an M4 with the dual clutch gearbox like the one I drove. I also included a test of a manual M4 for an "apples to apples" comparison, all as tested by Car and Driver.
Both M4's tested by C/D had the competition package and the carbon brakes. The M4 I drove had neither, so I expect it to give up some ground in handling and braking compared to test numbers. But the E46 M3 I drove was on Hankook Ventus Evo V12 tires instead of the original Michelins, and it was an S1, not an S2 like the one tested, so it would likely also give up some braking and grip compared to the E46 test numbers as well. Point is, the M4 should outperform in every single category. From behind the wheel, the M4 certainly feels that way - more solid/rigid, higher grip limits, stronger brakes, stiffer, and, of course, it felt faster. A LOT faster.
The Power
Although there is a big gap in acceleration tests, the numbers alone don't even tell the complete story. The S55 engine in the M4 is a monster. Maybe I was intoxicated by the boost and torque hitting early, but I've driven cars with that kind of power and weight and they did not feel like this. From behind the wheel, the M4 feels a lot stronger than 425 hp and 406 lb-ft torque (317 kW and 550 Nm).
Saying you need to be careful with the throttle is a massive understatement. Full throttle out of turns right at the apex? No, not going to happen. Forget full throttle out of turns, going WOT in 3rd gear on the back straight, I had traction control light flashing almost the entire way until 4th gear. Nothing in this car, not one thing, leaves as strong an impression as the engine. And that was where things started to disappoint.
BMW S55 engine - BMW ©
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
An M4 where the most memorable aspect is overwhelming power? "M4" doesn't have quite the same ring to it... but that's an M3 as far the last four BMW 3-series generations are concerned. It's just not right. A friend of mine had a C7 Corvette with the Z51 package. He often needed to take his second car to work (which had back seats) instead of the Corvette so that he can take his kids to school in the morning. He rarely drove the Corvette as a result and ended up selling it and buying an M4.
On track, he found the Corvette to be more manageable and it was easier to modulate (and use more of) the throttle in it. We are talking about a Corvette here having a better power/chassis balance than an M3/M4. It's sacrilege. The way the car feels is also all wrong. Compared to the E46, there's such a big disconnect between what you feel and what is going on outside. It's an odd feeling (and a very impressive achievement), because the suspension feels stiffer, which is typically associated with more body movement and NVH, but the driving feels numb and isolated.
BMW M4 at Atlantic Motorsport Park - Graham MacNeil ©
Climb out of an E46 M3 after a track session and jump into an M4, you'll be blown away by the progress in performance, yet you'll wonder if you've just got into a driving simulator. I think I read that the F80/F82 M3/M4 have solid rear subframe mounts. That should transmit a whole lot of NVH and feedback to your seat of the pants, but it doesn't seem to. The rear axle should feel like it's glued to your butt. It doesn't.
It's Not Right...
The steering weight and feedback also feel 100% artificial compared to the E46. Steering feel has been a sore point for BMW's for a generation or two now across the range - 3-series and 5-series, for both M and non-M cars. Here's what I think is happening: BMW takes all the forces coming back from the front wheels through the steering rack and filters out what you don't want. Things like vibrations, kick-back, responses to bumps and dips, etc. Unfortunately, feedback gets filtered out as well in the process. BMW then adds weight back based on what the computer thinks the front tires are doing to substitute for feedback about tire loading, grip, etc.
In theory, it's great. You get rid of the stuff you don't want and get the information you do, but the end result is a very synthetic feel. It's almost like playing a video game with a really (really) good steering wheel controller. I read multiple articles/interviews with BMW engineers who said the way the steering is now is what their customers want. Pity.
There Is A Proper M Car Underneath
Fortunately, if you can get past the missing intangible essence that used to make an M3 what it is - the power/chassis balance and excellent feel - there is a really good car underneath. It is a lot of fun to drive, mainly as a result of the capability and speed. It's also very approachable for something so hugely capable. Responses are sharp. Point it where you want to go and it'll follow.
There is plenty of grip, especially considering it's on street friendly Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The brakes are very strong and never faded. It's very predictable and never feels like it's going to bite, the latter a magnificent feat given the overwhelming power (thanks to the traction control, more on that in a bit).
BMW M4 at Atlantic Motorsport Park - Graham MacNeil ©
Speaking of power, the engine isn't just a tower of power, it is also very flexible and there is power everywhere in the rev range. There is no discernible turbo lag on track, as long as you're in the right gear and at the right rpms. But even if you aren't paying attention and fall out of boost, it's quick to build boost back up.
Comments about the noise are generally left unsaid... it simply pales in comparison to the S65 V8 in the last M3 and the S54 straight 6 in the E46. But there is a narrow slice high in the rpm range that, at WOT, reminds you that there is an excellent BMW M straight six behind the turbos and the synthesized noise played through the speakers.
And unlike that E46 M3, the traction control system is very good. It doesn't feel reactive as it does in a lot of cars. You don't get the sense that you've overdone it and it is reining you back, it's just seamlessly working in the background to limit spinning, sometimes without even any discernible indication of wheel spin except the flashing dash light. It will make a hero out of you. If you're just getting used to this car and you're putting your foot down hard without drifting out of every corner, do NOT turn traction control off. It's likely the only thing saving you from facing the wrong way (or a tire/concrete barrier, also the wrong way).
Combine all of the above with a 4 door sedan/saloon body, and you get a very compelling package. The M3 would be extremely tempting if I were shopping in that price range. Not many sedans in that range that offer what it does and BMW seems to still do some things really well - combine practicality, usability, and performance in a really good package. But at the end of the day, it was very difficult for me to love it.
Dinan S1 BMW M3 at Atlantic Motorsport Park - Graham MacNeil ©
Would I buy one?
I was very impressed by the capability and I definitely enjoyed driving it. I would never dream of turning down another opportunity to drive one, especially on track. If you are looking for a practical, spacious, and well equipped car that happens to go like stink and handle properly, it's hard to turn down the M3.
But would I buy one, with my own money? No. There are many cars I'd rather drive than, including its ancestor; the E46 M3. Fortunately, a brand new BMW M3 and M4 are just around the corner based on the new 3-series. Hopefully, they will go back to basics and bring the BMW M magic back. If you're shopping for an M3 or an M4, I suggest waiting for the new one.
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Comments (7)
Loved the article and I will stick with my E46 as well! Good to know I can blame current consumers for the disconnected feel in all the new BMWs. Not surprised as it is happening in plenty of other cars too.
Thanks Chayce! I don't blame you at all, I'd hold on to it as well. After driving both, I wanted back into the E46. That's true, plenty of new cars are getting more and more isolated.
How does power sliding feel in the M3?
Didn't power slide as it was a student's car (I was instructing at an HPDE event at our track) but it felt so progressive up to and just beyond the limit and there is enough power to spin the tires endlessly. I think it would be a very easy car to...
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