BMW M4

BMW M4: which version to buy and why

If the question is which BMW M4 to buy, the data split the model into four generations and 29 versions, all Cabrio in this catalogue, all Gasoline, all Inline 6 with Turbo and 4 valves per cylinder.

If the question is which BMW M4 to buy, the data split the model into four generations and 29 versions, all Cabrio in this catalogue, all Gasoline, all Inline 6 with Turbo and 4 valves per cylinder. The practical fork is not “M4 or not M4”: it is 431–460 hp on 2979 cm³ (1 generation and 1 generation, restyling) versus 480–550 hp on 2993 cm³ (2 generation and 2 generation, restyling 1); Manual 6 / Robotic 7 and RWD versus Automatic 8 and, on several later cars, AWD. The lightest car in the file is the 1 generation 3.0 MT 431 hp at 1497 kg; the heaviest is the 2 generation, restyling 1 3.0 Steptronic 530 hp AWD at 1925 kg. The shortest 0–100 km/h is 3.4 s on CS 3.0 Steptronic 550 hp; the longest is 4.6 s on the heavy Cabrio 3.0 MT 431 hp. Top speed is 250 km/h on almost every row, 280 km/h on one restyle 3.0 DCT 460 hp, 305 km/h on the 1 generation 3.0 DCT 500 hp, and 302 km/h on CS 3.0 Steptronic. Prices are not measured.

Generations compared: what actually changed

1 generation (2014-03-01 to 2016-10-31) and 1 generation, restyling (2017-01-01 to 2020-06-30) share the same 2979 cm³ Gasoline Inline 6, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, Direct injection (direct), compression 10.2, 98 fuel, Euro 6, 60 l tank. Peak outputs in the file are 431 hp (317 kW), 450 hp (331 kW), 460 hp (338 kW, restyling only) and 500 hp (368 kW, 1 generation only). Torque is 550 Nm on the 431/450 cars and 600 Nm on the 460 and 500 cars. Gearboxes are Manual 6 or Robotic 7; drive is RWD on every row. Ground clearance is 121 mm where measured on 1 generation (108 mm on the 500 hp car); on 1 generation, restyling it is 121 mm on the 460 hp 3.0 DCT and not measured on the other eight.

The restyling did not raise the 431/450 hp peaks. What moved is mass and, on one car, the 460 hp / 280 km/h package. The heavy Cabrio 3.0 MT 431 hp goes from 1750 kg (1 generation) to 1840 kg (restyling): +90 kg. The heavy 3.0 DCT 431 hp goes from 1790 kg to 1865 kg: +75 kg. The light 3.0 MT 431 hp goes from 1497 kg to 1590 kg: +93 kg. The light 3.0 DCT 450 hp goes from 1540 kg to 1615 kg: +75 kg. 0–100 km/h on matching 431/450 labels stays the same (4.6 / 4.5 / 4.3 / 4.2 / 4.1 / 4.0 s depending on gearbox and mass band). Combined consumption on the light 3.0 DCT 450 hp stays 8.3 l/100 km; on the heavy restyle 3.0 MT 450 hp it rises from 9.1 to 10.2 l/100 km.

2 generation (2020-07-01 to 2024-01-31) and 2 generation, restyling 1 (from 2024-02-01, stop not measured) move to 2993 cm³, compression 9.3, 95 fuel, 59 l tank, Automatic 8 on every Steptronic and CS row. AWD appears. Manual 6 survives only as 2 generation 3.0 MT 480 hp. Peak power steps to 480, 510, 530 and 550 hp. Torque is 550 Nm on the 480 hp cars and 650 Nm on everything from 510 hp up.

Specs: engines, gearboxes, drive

Every version is Gasoline, Inline, 6 cylinders, Turbo, Front, longitudinal, Direct injection (direct). Distinguish same names by hp, mass, 0–100, wheels and generation.

On 1 generation, restyling there are two 3.0 MT 431 hp rows (1840 kg / 4.6 s versus 1590 kg / 4.3 s), two 3.0 MT 450 hp (1865 kg / 4.5 s versus 1590 kg / 4.2 s), two 3.0 DCT 450 hp (1890 kg / 4.3 s versus 1615 kg / 4.0 s) and two 3.0 DCT 431 hp (1865 kg / 4.3 s versus 1615 kg / 4.1 s). On 2 generation there are two 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic 510 hp rows (1920 kg / 3.7 s versus 1775 kg / 3.5 s). On 2 generation, restyling 1 two 3.0 Steptronic 510 hp RWD rows share 1725 kg and 3.9 s; two 3.0 Steptronic 530 hp AWD rows split 1925 kg / 3.7 s versus 1775 kg / 3.5 s.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 431 hp → 144.7 hp/l; 450 → 151.1; 460 → 154.4; 500 → 167.8; 480 on 2993 cm³ → 160.4; 510 → 170.4; 530 → 177.1; 550 → 183.8. The 1 generation 3.0 DCT 500 hp already out-specifics the later 3.0 MT 480 hp (167.8 versus 160.4 hp/l). The 2 generation 3.0 M Steptronic 550 hp and CS 3.0 Steptronic share the top 183.8 hp/l.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h, lightest first among each peak:

• 3.4 s: CS 3.0 Steptronic 550 hp (2 generation, restyling 1).
• 3.5 s: 2 generation 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic 510 hp at 1775 kg; restyling 3.0 Steptronic 530 hp at 1775 kg.
• 3.7 s: 2 generation 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic 510 hp at 1920 kg; 3.0 M Steptronic 550 hp; restyling 3.0 Steptronic 530 hp at 1925 kg.
• 3.8 s: 1 generation 3.0 DCT 500 hp.
• 3.9 s: 2 generation and restyling 3.0 Steptronic 510 hp RWD; restyling 460 hp 3.0 DCT.
• 4.0–4.6 s: remaining 431/450/480 Manual and DCT/Steptronic rows.

The 19 hp step from 431 to 450 on the restyle light 3.0 MT cuts 0.1 s (4.3 → 4.2). The same 19 hp on the heavy Cabrio 3.0 MT also cuts 0.1 s (4.6 → 4.5). Switching the restyle light 450 hp from Manual to Robotic cuts 0.2 s (4.2 → 4.0) at +25 kg (1590 → 1615). On 2 generation, AWD on 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic 510 hp versus RWD 3.0 Steptronic 510 hp is 3.5 s versus 3.9 s at 1775 versus 1725 kg: 0.4 s quicker for +50 kg. 3.0 M Steptronic 550 hp at 1625 kg matches the heavy AWD 510 hp at 3.7 s while weighing 295 kg less than the 1920 kg AWD 510.

Top speed is 250 km/h except 3.0 DCT 460 hp (280), 3.0 DCT 500 hp (305) and CS 3.0 Steptronic (302). If the buy criterion is a limiter above 250, only those three rows in the file qualify.

Combined consumption (l/100 km): lowest measured 8.3 on several 1 generation / restyling light 3.0 DCT 431/450/500 hp cars; 8.4 on restyle 3.0 DCT 460 hp; 8.7–10.2 on heavier first-gen rows; 9.8 on 3.0 M Steptronic 550 hp; 10.0–10.8 on 2 generation; 10.1–10.3 on restyling 1. City and highway are not measured on 2 generation 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic (both masses), 3.0 M Steptronic, and on restyling 3.0 Steptronic 480, both 530 hp cars, and CS 3.0 Steptronic. CO₂: 194 g/km on the efficient first-gen DCT rows; up to 235 g/km on 2 generation 3.0 MT 480 hp. 2 generation cars run 95 fuel; first-generation cars run 98.

Dimensions and weight

Tank: 60 l (1 generation and restyling) versus 59 l (2 generation and restyling 1). Ground clearance: 121 mm on measured 1 generation cars except 108 mm on 3.0 DCT 500 hp; 121 mm on restyle 3.0 DCT 460 hp, not measured on other restyle rows; 120 mm on 2 generation except 121 mm on the 1920 kg 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic. Wheel sizes: 255/40 R18 with 275/40 R18 on 431 hp first-gen cars; 265/30 R20 with 285/30 R20 on 450 hp; 265/35 R19 with 285/30 R20 on 460 and 500 hp. 2 generation wheel sizes are not measured except restyling 530 hp and CS: 275/35 R19 with 285/30 R20. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear; brakes Ventilated disc front, Disc ventilated rear. Kerb weights 1497–1925 kg; gross 1900–2345 kg (3.0 DCT 500 hp 1900 kg gross; 1920 kg AWD 510 hp 2345 kg).

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp), selected:

• 1 generation light 3.0 MT 431: 1497/431 = 3.47 kg/hp.
• 1 generation 3.0 DCT 500: 1510/500 = 3.02 kg/hp.
• restyle 3.0 DCT 460: 1580/460 = 3.43 kg/hp.
• 2 generation 3.0 M Steptronic 550: 1625/550 = 2.95 kg/hp (lowest in the file).
• 2 generation 3.0 MT 480: 1700/480 = 3.54 kg/hp.
• 2 generation 3.0 Steptronic 510 RWD: 1725/510 = 3.38 kg/hp.
• light AWD 510 / restyle 530 / CS: 1775/510 = 3.48; 1775/530 = 3.35; 1775/550 = 3.23 kg/hp.
• heavy Cabrio restyle 3.0 MT 431: 1840/431 = 4.27 kg/hp (worst).
• restyle 1 heavy 3.0 Steptronic 530: 1925/530 = 3.63 kg/hp.

Which version to choose

Want the lowest mass and a Manual 6. Buy 1 generation 3.0 MT 431 hp at 1497 kg (3.47 kg/hp, 4.3 s, 8.8 l/100 km combined, 121 mm, 255/40 R18 and 275/40 R18). The 450 hp twin is 1515 kg and 4.2 s: +18 kg, +19 hp, −0.1 s, same 8.8 combined. Restyling copies the same names 93 kg heavier (1590 kg).

Want Manual without going back to 2014–2016. 2 generation 3.0 MT 480 hp: 1700 kg, 4.2 s, 10.8 combined, 16.0 city / 7.8 highway, 235 g/km CO₂. Versus first-gen light 3.0 MT 450 hp: +49 hp, +185 kg, same 4.2 s, +2.0 l/100 km combined. The extra 49 hp is spent on mass; 0–100 does not improve.

Want Robotic 7 and the first engine. Light 1 generation 3.0 DCT 450 hp: 1540 kg, 4.0 s, 8.3 combined, 194 g/km. Light 3.0 DCT 431 hp: 1537 kg, 4.1 s, same 8.3. The 19 hp costs 3 kg and buys 0.1 s. Heavy Cabrio DCT rows are 250–253 kg more and 0.3 s slower at the same peaks.

Want the first-generation peak that later cars still do not match on top speed. 1 generation 3.0 DCT 500 hp: 500 hp, 600 Nm, 3.8 s, 305 km/h, 1510 kg, 3.02 kg/hp, 8.3 combined, 108 mm clearance, 1900 kg gross. Versus restyle 3.0 DCT 460 hp: +40 hp, +25 km/h, −0.1 s, −70 kg, −13 mm clearance. Versus 2 generation 3.0 M Steptronic 550 hp: −50 hp, +55 km/h top speed, +0.1 s, −115 kg. The 500 hp car is the top-speed pick in the whole file.

Want Automatic 8 and RWD on the current engine. 2 generation / restyling 3.0 Steptronic 510 hp: 1725 kg, 3.9 s, 10.2 combined, 14.6 / 7.6 where measured. Restyling 3.0 Steptronic 480 hp: 1700 kg, 4.2 s, 10.1 combined (city/highway not measured): −30 hp, −25 kg, +0.3 s. The 30 hp is the cheaper-to-run arithmetic only if you accept 0.3 s.

Want AWD. Only 2 generation 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic 510 hp (3.5 s at 1775 kg or 3.7 s at 1920 kg; combined 10.0 or 10.2; city/highway not measured) and restyling 3.0 Steptronic 530 hp (3.5 s / 1775 kg or 3.7 s / 1925 kg) plus CS 3.0 Steptronic. Light AWD 510 versus RWD 510: +50 kg, −0.4 s, AWD instead of RWD, mixed 10.0 versus 10.2. Light 530 versus light 510 AWD: +20 hp, same 1775 kg, same 3.5 s — the 20 hp does not show in 0–100. Heavy 530 at 1925 kg is the mass penalty of the restyle AWD pair: +150 kg versus the light 530, +0.2 s.

Want the lowest kg/hp and a 550 hp peak. 2 generation 3.0 M Steptronic 550 hp: 1625 kg, 2.95 kg/hp, 3.7 s, 9.8 combined, 222 g/km, RWD, 1921 kg gross. CS 3.0 Steptronic 550 hp: same 550 hp / 650 Nm, AWD, 1775 kg (+150 kg), 3.4 s (−0.3 s), 302 km/h (+52 versus 250), 10.1 combined, 232 g/km. CS buys 0.3 s, AWD and 302 km/h for 150 kg and +0.3 l/100 km combined versus the RWD 550.

Avoid if the criterion is consumption. 2 generation 3.0 MT 480 hp at 10.8 combined is 2.5 l/100 km above the first-gen light DCT 8.3. Heavy restyle 3.0 MT 450 hp at 10.2 combined is the thirstiest first-gen Manual.

Problems and reliability are not measured in this dataset; do not treat silence as a clean bill.

Short map. Pedal and open top with least mass: 1 generation light 3.0 MT 431 or 450. Pedal on the new engine: only 3.0 MT 480. Fastest first-gen number: 3.0 DCT 500. Fastest 0–100 in the file: CS 3.0 Steptronic. Best kg/hp: 3.0 M Steptronic 550. AWD without CS: light 3.0 M xDrive Steptronic 510 or light 3.0 Steptronic 530 — they share 3.5 s and 1775 kg. Daily Automatic RWD: 3.0 Steptronic 510 at 1725 kg. Restyling 1 does not add a new 0–100 class except CS at 3.4 s; the 530 hp badge is a 20 hp label on the same 3.5 s as the lighter 510 AWD.