AMS testdrives an MT M4

[BMW M3 CRT]

In the latest issue of the german car magazine Auto Motor und Sport (AMS) is now also a detailed test of the new M4 and indeed an car with a manual transmission.

Conclusion (5 od 5 stars):

Was changing to an touring car (Tourenwagen) with long-distance comfort from the previous Radikalo - and a twin-turbo six-cylinder, which pushes brute. Here, the M4 can move very fast very easy

.

• The gearbox increases the drama, but a bit jerky when engaging!
• The quality of interior materials is not always convincing!
• The turbo engine has at low speeds the characteristic as a 3.0ltr.TDI, but makes also at higher speeds further pressure ... turbo lag exists due to the concept, but relatively flat, from 3.000U/min in Sport Plus, the response further improved !

Overall, the review shows very excited about the new M4 ... only real criticism - between the lines - as in other tests, the performance characteristics of the turbocharged engine !

Greetings BMW M3 CRT

[BlackCobra08]

That's the first time I've heard someone complain about the interior quality on the M3/M4, I am guessing it didn't have full leather. Also complaining about the MT being jerky? What were they doing...100% - 0% - 100% throttle in first?

[Just_me]

Acceleration numbers?

[Txipi84]

First review that says turbo lag exists..... i dont believe it

[ASAP]

I agree w the interior materials comment...

[gthal]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I agree w the interior materials comment...

I don't... I have spent about an hour just sitting in the full Merino leather M3 and inspecting it. IMO, it is very well put together, very good quality materials and possibly better... IMO only... than the MB C63 or Lexus. I can't compare to Audi as I haven't spent time in one.

Maybe an M3 without full leather gives a different feel? But all of the material, buttons, switches, stitching, gaps and plastic were very high quality in my experience.

[BMW M3 CRT]

Originally Posted by Just_me

Acceleration numbers?

0 - 100km/h 4.2sec
0 - 130km/h 6.3sec
0 - 160km/h 8.8sec
0 - 180km/h 11.2sec
0 - 200km/h 13.6sec

400m 12.3sec (191km/h)

Car is SB wit CCBs, Black wheels and nice cloth seats.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

0 - 100km/h 4.2sec
0 - 130km/h 6.3sec
0 - 160km/h 8.8sec
0 - 180km/h 11.2sec
0 - 200km/h 13.6sec

400m 12.3sec (191km/h)

Car is SB wit CCBs, Black wheels and nice cloth seats.

12.3@118 sounds spot on to me. It sounds at least somewhat congruent to my predicted power which i believe will have to be at minimum 400 whp (dynojet) to achieve those numbers.

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

0 - 100km/h 4.2sec
0 - 130km/h 6.3sec
0 - 160km/h 8.8sec
0 - 180km/h 11.2sec
0 - 200km/h 13.6sec

400m 12.3sec (191km/h)

Car is SB wit CCBs, Black wheels and nice cloth seats.

I forgot. AMus and Sportauto is working together. They use the same acceleration figures lately. Which mean the numbers are meassured with a M4 with DCT.

[BMW M3 CRT]

Originally Posted by Just_me

I forgot. AMus and Sportauto is working together. They use the same acceleration figures lately. Which mean the numbers are meassured with a M4 with DCT.

Yes ... AMS and SPORTAUTO are sister magazines and share many car journalists, but these test is about an different car than in the "Supertest" ... SB MT M4 vs. YMB DCT M4 and AMS quotes:

"4,2s benötigt der handgeschaltete M4 aus dem Stand auf Tempo 100. Sein V6-Vorgänger war hier drei Zehntel langsamer - als Doppelkuppler"

I think the main reason for the impressive numbers of the M4 are not the turboengine or the lower weight ... but is the massive improvement in traction !!!

[ASAP]

You're talking about 0-60 which is a near senseless performance metric. The trap speed which is the absolute most important is purely a function of the new engine, gearing and reduced weight.

[/// M sa]

Cloth seats and he complains about interior? What a douch

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by ASAP

12.3@118 sounds spot on to me. It sounds at least somewhat congruent to my predicted power which i believe will have to be at minimum 400 whp (dynojet) to achieve those numbers.

A 3555lbs car (1615kg as weighed by Sport Auto) that does 118MPH trap speed is right around 468hp.

Surprisingly close to the Sport Auto dyno numbers...

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Boss330

A 3555lbs car (1615kg as weighed by Sport Auto) that does 118MPH trap speed is right around 468hp.

Surprisingly close to the Sport Auto dyno numbers...

400 WHP on a dynojet assuming a 15% drivetrain loss is 460bhp

My 335i for comparo with a similar weight did 119.6 with 420 WHP. I don't think we are arguing here

[BMW M3 CRT]

Originally Posted by //M sa

Cloth seats and he complains about interior? What a douch

NO, that has nothing to do with the cloth seats, he is complaining about parts ...

"einfach wirkende Kunststoffe"

... that are the same in all cars, for example parts of the middle console.

And the testcars empty weight is 1.592kg !

[Damasconian]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I agree w the interior materials comment...

I sat in a 435 last month and my first thought was the interior wasnt nearly as nice (or big) as I had imagined. Hopefully the M4 ups the quality a bit, especially with the full leather dash.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Damasconian

I sat in a 435 last month and my first thought was the interior wasnt nearly as nice (or big) as I had imagined. Hopefully the M4 ups the quality a bit, especially with the full leather dash.

The M4 is way better than the regular 435i but still doesn't convey the solid brick like feeling an E92 did. It's hard to explain but the doors for example are a great instance where the lower weight, door handle and leather feel simply IMHO don't equate the previous gen. This is all highly subjective however.

[bimmerj]

Originally Posted by Damasconian

I sat in a 435 last month and my first thought was the interior wasnt nearly as nice (or big) as I had imagined. Hopefully the M4 ups the quality a bit, especially with the full leather dash.

The M4 is much better than the 435. What I found surprising, is the leather on the back seats feels completely different from the front. There is also a considerable void, on the sides, between the leather and the spongy surface underneath, feels like the leather was stretched to the limit in these places.

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

Yes ... AMS and SPORTAUTO are sister magazines and share many car journalists, but these test is about an different car than in the "Supertest" ... SB MT M4 vs. YMB DCT M4 and AMS quotes:


I think the main reason for the impressive numbers of the M4 are not the turboengine or the lower weight ... but is the massive improvement in traction !!!

But the numbers are identical, it's not a coincidence. Either it was measured with manual or dct. But they sure use the same numbers for both magazines.

[JustChris]

0-100mph 4.2 for the 6MT hopefull for 0.2-0.3 of that for DCT at least.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

... that are the same in all cars, for example parts of the middle console.

That middle console is my biggest gripe regarding the interior of the F8X. It is really flimsy especially on the passenger side. It feels as if it is made of cardboard when you knock on it.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Just_me

But the numbers are identical, it's not a coincidence. Either it was measured with manual or dct. But they sure use the same numbers for both magazines.

Not identical, but very close.

I have been suspecting that DCT will not have much advantage over 6MT on the F8X. See here.

I am eager for more data points.