BMW M4 Buyers’ Guide – What to Look For?

In late 2013, BMW announced its decision to separate the 3-series models into their own series’ based on body styles. The coupé and convertible models would now be called the 4-series, while the corresponding M Division specimen received the BMW M4 moniker. Similarly, the sedan, essentially the same car, would go on sale as the M3. 

BMW M4 – Available Versions

Currently, the BMW M4 is in its second generation. The first was on sale from the model’s inception in 2014 up until 2020. Let’s take a look at what both generations had to offer:

BMW M4 F82/F83

Launched alongside the fifth-generation M3 sedan, the new M4 was essentially the same car in a coupe and convertible body style; the internal name for the Coupe was F82, while the latter was called the F83.

BMW M4 F82/F83 Powertrain

The first generation of the BMW M4 was powered by the S55B30 engine, a 3.0L inline-six that was designed and developed by the M Division, specifically for the new M3/M4. This engine was smaller than the naturally-aspirated V8 on the previous-gen M3 but featured a twin-turbo that resulted in some rather impressive peak output figures. Interestingly, it put out a maximum power of 425hp that was produced across the upper end of the rev band from 5,500rpm all the way to 7,300rpm. 

Peak torque was rated at 406 lb-ft, again, produced from as low as 1,850rpm to 5,500rpm. This availability of performance throughout made the M4 a spectacularly impressive machine. 

You had the choice of two gearbox options – a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed M-DCT. The 6-speed manual could propel the car from 0-100kph (62mph) in a claimed 4.3s, while the 7-speed M-DCT could do the same in 4.1s. 

BMW M4 F82/F83 Chassis and Interiors

The M4, like every M car, is based on its standard counterpart – in this case, the 4-series. About half of the cars’ components are shared. 

Karim Habib designed the car, then Head of Design at BMW Automobiles, focusing on creating a low-slung, long-bonnet machine that exemplified the performance and handling of an M car. This was evident with the mirror design, wide wheel arches, and air ducts on the car’s front. 

The F82 Coupe features a carbon-fiber roof, boot lid, and engine brace. The lighter components result in a car that weighs 3,466lbs (1,572 kg) with the manual transmission, while the M-DCT brings about an additional 88lbs (40 kg). This is still a good 176lbs (80 kg) lighter than the previous generation E92 M3.

The convertible, meanwhile, is a heavier car owing to its folding roof and the added components that it requires.

The first-gen M4 was available with either 18- or 19-inch wheels, which came with lightweight forged alloy wheels. You could also spec the car with carbon-ceramic brakes.

BMW M4 F82/F83 Special Editions

As is tradition, the M badge brought a number of unique packages to the table. Those who wanted something more from their M4 could choose one of the following options for their car.

M4 Competition Package

A couple of years after the M4 made its debut, BMW announced the M4 Competition Package. This variant brought more power – 444 hp – and better hardware components, like a revised suspension system with better springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. 

The Competition Package also gets an improved differential and Dynamic Stability Control to compensate for the added performance. Things are essentially the same on the inside, barring lighter seats. 

The M4 Coupe Competition Package is capable of a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.0 seconds, while the convertible achieved the feat 0.2s later.

M4 GTS

The M4 GTS was first showcased in 2015 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It went on sale a year later and was essentially a track-oriented iteration of the M4 coupé. Limited to 700 units, the M4 GTS featured the same 3.0L inline-six as the standard car, buy BMW bumped up power to 493hp at 6,250rpm and 443lb-ft of torque at 5,500rpm. The added performance came largely thanks to a nozzle water injection system.  

The GTS was also lighter than the standard Coupe by 60lb (27 kg), resulting in a slightly quicker 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds.

During its production run, the M4 was also available in a DTM Champion Edition iteration – limited to just 23 units – as well as an M4 CS – 3,000 units. 

BMW M4 G82/G83

The second generation of the BMW M4 is the one that’s on sale right now, and it’s based on the latest generation of the 4-series, the G22 generation. 

BMW M4 G82/G83 Powertrain

This generation of the M4 continues to be powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo, inline-six engine, however, power output has increased to a substantial 473 hp at 6,250rpm, and peak torque is now 403 lb-ft that is available from 2,650 to 6,130rpm. The standard car is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission that sends the power to the rear wheels. These figures are good enough to propel the car to 62mph, from a standstill, in 4.2s.

The new engine, dubbed the S58, also features BMW’s Valvetronic VVT system and Double VANOS variable valve lifting.

BMW M4 G82/G83 Chassis and Interiors

The new M4 marks the start of a new design language for the model – one that not too many people were fond of. While the car’s overall design is sharp and stays true to the M ideology, the prominent vertical front grills were not to everyone’s liking. However, the rear of the car is quite appealing with its L-shaped taillights, rear diffusers, and quad-tip exhaust. 

On the inside, too, the car draws a lot of inspiration from the standard G22 4-series, albeit with the added elements that an M car brings. This includes M Sport seats, more premium materials, and a lot of M badging. 

BMW also made some notable tweaks to the dynamics of the M4 with this new generation. The chassis and suspension were re-engineered with a focus on improving torsional rigidity for improved handling. 

The DSC system also featured a wheel-slip function that allowed some extent of “slip” from the differential for the first time.

BMW M4 G82/G83 Special Editions

The special editions for this generation of M4 follow the same pattern we’ve already seen before. 

M4 Competition Package

The new M4 Competition Coupe brought an additional 30 hp over the standard model taking peak power to 503 hp at 6,250 rpm. Meanwhile, peak torque is rated at 479 lb-ft between 2,750 and 5,500rpm. This allowed the car to achieve a 0-62mph time of 3.9s.

The M4 Competition Coupe comes equipped with the 7-speed M Steptronic gearbox and can be operated in automatic or manual modes. BMW also recently announced that the xDrive system would be available with the M4, giving it the added function of 4WD.

What to Look For When Buying a BMW M4?

Considering that the new M4 has only been out for a few months now, there aren’t too many stand-out issues that have been reported. However, the first-generation model did cause owners some trouble, and the new model could throw up similar problems. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

Crank Hub Issues

One of the more severe but rarely reported issues with the M4 is the crank hub. This is a concern amongst potential buyers because the S55 and S56 engines on the M4 share some parts with the N54 and N55 engines. And the latter two, very rarely, did have problems resulting in a spun crank hub. 

However, this is a very uncommon problem and is unlikely to happen on a car that’s just a few years old; unless, of course, you have terrible luck. There’s also the fact that this is an issue that you can spot before things go south drastically – when the crank hub spins, it will affect engine timing, send your M4 into limp mode, and most definitely light up the malfunction light. You should be able to sort it out without too much trouble.

Valve Cover and Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leaks

This issue, too, stems from similar problems faced by the N54 and N55 engines and most other modern BMW engines. The valve cover and gasket are prone to leaking oil. However, this issue happens after time, once the rubber valve gasket has worn out, causing it to crack. 

The plastic valve covers, too, are prone to cracking over time from the high temperatures it is subject to. An easy way to avoid this issue is to get the parts changed at regular intervals. Some owners report leaks as early as 60,000 miles, but proper maintenance should get you close to 100,000 miles before a change is due.

An excellent way to spot an oil leak on an M4 is to check for the smell of burning oil or to keep an eye out for smoke from the valve cover area. 

The M4 is still a relatively new car and, as you can see, hasn’t thrown up any serious causes for concern in the few years that it’s been around.

Which BMW M4 Should You Buy?

The M4 is a spectacularly capable machine. While you aren’t spoiled for choice, you can’t go wrong with either generation. The second-gen car has been around for just a few months, and if you aren’t looking to spend the new money on a new one, a used M4 is still going to cost you a fair bit. 

Getting your hands on an example from a few years ago will save you quite a lot, and you won’t be compromising too much on performance or features. The special editions are pretty uncommon in the USA, so you only have to decide on whether you want a manual or an automatic gearbox, and you’re all set to enjoy the best that BMW currently has to offer.