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Thread: BMW M4 reliability and MPG

  1. #1
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    BMW M4 reliability and MPG

    Hi guys, I’m hoping we have a few M4 owners on here. I’ve just had an agreed settlement figure for my stolen SL350 and am thinking of an M4 as my next car, however I do about 300 miles a week so am interested in anyone who has a 3 or 4 year old one and has owned it for a while with any feedback on issues you may have had and MPG in the real world. Most of my journey is A roads and motorway so I’m hoping I can max my fuel return if I keep off the loud pedal as much as my self control allows!
    Many thanks in advance

  2. #2
    I had a 2018 CP, it returned 27-31 mpg, if I drove it like a complete dick 15mpg.
    Not my favourite car, had some serious mapping issues, stick it in sport plus and it will kangaroo all the way down the road unless you floor it.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    I had a 2018 CP, it returned 27-31 mpg, if I drove it like a complete dick 15mpg.
    Not my favourite car, had some serious mapping issues, stick it in sport plus and it will kangaroo all the way down the road unless you floor it.
    Thanks Adrian, that’s interesting but not good about the kangaroo business, never had that with m cars or amg Mercedes before

  4. #4
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    Had a M4 now a M3, never had that problem. If I was you I would ask the same question over on the M3 Cutters Forum as you will get a bigger audience of owners.

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    I got about 27mpg out of my M4. No mapping or fueling issues though.

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  6. #6
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    Thanks guys, I will have a look on the M3 cutters site too. Really appreciate your input.

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    Master mjrennie's Avatar
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    I had an M3 F80 for 3 years. Honestly? By far the best car I've had. Not a single issue, not one. MPG is entirely down to how you poke the beast. 33 is achievable on a long run. I'd expect late 20s most of the time.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bobdog View Post
    Had a M4 now a M3, never had that problem. If I was you I would ask the same question over on the M3 Cutters Forum as you will get a bigger audience of owners.
    I used Cutters. Very good forum.

  8. #8
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Why would you buy an M4 if you’re worried about the cost of fuel? Genuine question.

  9. #9
    I was thinking the same. It's like asking about the 0-60 on a Honda Jazz.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Why would you buy an M4 if you’re worried about the cost of fuel? Genuine question.
    Because I live 130 miles from my work and travel back and forth both ends of the week, however I currently have another car I use to do the local journey from where I stay in oxford and my workplace ( about 120 miles each week). I’m thinking of going down to just one car so an factoring in the running costs as opposed to buying a cheaper small car to do the local journey each week.

  11. #11
    Master Maysie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Holsterman View Post
    I was thinking the same. It's like asking about the 0-60 on a Honda Jazz.
    8.4 - 11.9seconds (model dependent, according to Parkers).
    https://www.parkers.co.uk/honda/jazz/specs/

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Why would you buy an M4 if you’re worried about the cost of fuel? Genuine question.
    Why wouldn't you? Genuine question.......

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Maysie View Post
    8.4 - 11.9seconds (model dependent, according to Parkers).
    https://www.parkers.co.uk/honda/jazz/specs/
    Remarkably nippy, and very good vfm.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    I had a 2018 CP, it returned 27-31 mpg, if I drove it like a complete dick 15mpg.
    Not my favourite car, had some serious mapping issues, stick it in sport plus and it will kangaroo all the way down the road unless you floor it.
    I’ve experience this in my m3,I find it’s better to get it rolling first before putting foot down


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    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    When MPG is an issue, why not a Diesel? BMW's diesels are very frugal.

    M

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    I've heard about issues with turbos and oil consumption on the FB group.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mk1974 View Post
    I’ve experience this in my m3,I find it’s better to get it rolling first before putting foot down


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    Same for me, once you are moving it’s fine but I’ve been caught out a few times at junctions/lights.

  18. #18
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    Must admit I always find the mpg questions funny on sports cars, especially a 3.0 straight 6, twin turbo with 425bhp. I guess it’s trying to justify the purchase when it’s not the best option maybe.

    I’ve always had performance cars though and people will often say to me “yeah I’d like one but the running costs & fuel” The thing with the right purchase is you could spend £12k on a performance car and sell it 3 years later for similar money (in fact my car is worth a lot more than I paid 6 years ago) your mate that thinks you’re throwing money away running it has spent £12k on a diesel Mondeo and loses £7k when he px’s it in after spending £1k on a set of injectors.

    My mate is a good one for the running cost thing. He’s loaded & loves cars yet when I used to try & get him into something sporty he’d always say about the running costs. He daily’s a van and only uses a car for pleasure stuff too. I was trying to get him in a GTR but he was concerned about the brakes etc yet the last car he owned cost him £15k and he sold it for £6k.
    Last edited by jameswrx; 11th October 2019 at 08:34.

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    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Sit down and do the maths. Let's say your car is doing 40 mpg. You can figure out the annual costs for that. Then do the maths again for a car that does -let's say- 30 mpg. The difference between that is what you're talking about. Compare the '40 minus 30 mpg' amount with the sum you're paying for an M4 and you'll become aware that the difference in fuel costs are pocket money compared with the purchase price of an M4.

    In short: mpg would not be something I'd worry about when I'm looking for an M4. Eighter you're willing to fork out money or not.

    On the other hand: doing a 120 miles trip in a small car as you suggested... Bigger cars provide more safety and are more comfortable. Especially the latter would be my first concern: 'How comfortable is the car of my choice!?' Anything with 'M' on the badge is not on top of my mind, comfort-wise. Ano comfortable 5-series 6-pot long-distance-cruiser or an Audi would be my car of preference.

    Menno
    Last edited by thieuster; 11th October 2019 at 13:13.

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by Enda View Post
    Same for me, once you are moving it’s fine but I’ve been caught out a few times at junctions/lights.
    It is appallingly poor mapping, BMW say it is a race setting, of course that is rubbish, it is a road car, if you research Bimmerfest or M3 cutters, people put the gearbox map out of the GTS in and it fixes it, you can get it for about £80. trouble was mine was new and BMW said it would invalidate the warranty, so I could fix it but they couldn't, answer was buy an Mercedes.

  21. #21
    I’d do an extended test drive in one first, it’s quite full on for long commutes. Not owned one, but not sure if the exhaust sound would grate over time too.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Matt8500 View Post
    I’d do an extended test drive in one first, it’s quite full on for long commutes. Not owned one, but not sure if the exhaust sound would grate over time too.
    It doesn't. If you leave the throttle response in default the cars pretty quiet. The road presence though can be waring as people you come up behind get fidgety and you can see with many people (men of course lol) that they feel the need to speed up or change their behaviour in some way.

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  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Shropshire Lad View Post
    It doesn't. If you leave the throttle response in default the cars pretty quiet. The road presence though can be waring as people you come up behind get fidgety and you can see with many people (men of course lol) that they feel the need to speed up or change their behaviour in some way.

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    Interesting you say that, I was chatting to the owner of the M specialist garage I use and he said the same thing. The m4 attracts the wrong sort of attention!


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  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shropshire Lad View Post
    It doesn't. If you leave the throttle response in default the cars pretty quiet. The road presence though can be waring as people you come up behind get fidgety and you can see with many people (men of course lol) that they feel the need to speed up or change their behaviour in some way.

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    I can picture this immediately.

    The general offender is probably driving a Corsa of Clio, with massive wheels, massive exhaust and the suspension lowered.
    Looking coooool.

  25. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by Maysie View Post
    I can picture this immediately.

    The general offender is probably driving a Corsa of Clio, with massive wheels, massive exhaust and the suspension lowered.
    Looking coooool.
    2.0 TDi VW Passat drivers I find are the most insecure with something to prove to you if you have a quick car

  26. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vanguard View Post
    2.0 TDi VW Passat drivers I find are the most insecure with something to prove to you if you have a quick car
    Wanted the A4 or 320d perhaps, but didn't make that grade of company car from the lease list?

  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Matt8500 View Post
    Interesting you say that, I was chatting to the owner of the M specialist garage I use and he said the same thing. The m4 attracts the wrong sort of attention!


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    That’s quite interesting, while I had the M4 I was propositioned twice by mid twenties girls, both saying they would do anything for a ride in the M4, one works in Euro car parts and says it is here all time favourite car, haven’t got a clue about the other. And I’m old

  28. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    That’s quite interesting, while I had the M4 I was propositioned twice by mid twenties girls, both saying they would do anything for a ride in the M4, one works in Euro car parts and says it is here all time favourite car, haven’t got a clue about the other. And I’m old
    That’s hilarious. I’ve never been propositioned in a car. I just seem to attract blokes who want you to rev, or race them, if you’re in something half decent. Think I’d prefer your situation!

  29. #29
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    That’s quite interesting, while I had the M4 I was propositioned twice by mid twenties girls, both saying they would do anything for a ride in the M4, one works in Euro car parts and says it is here all time favourite car, haven’t got a clue about the other. And I’m old
    I'm early 30s. Which euro car parts and does anyone have an M4 I can borrow? Full tank and valet on return

  30. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by wileeeeeey View Post
    I'm early 30s. Which euro car parts and does anyone have an M4 I can borrow? Full tank and valet on return
    I’d want to know what she looked like first!

  31. #31
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Matt8500 View Post
    I’d want to know what she looked like first!
    Beggars Vs choosers. I know which bucket I'm in. And if he tells which euro car parts I'll know the next bucket I'll be in too!

  32. #32
    Quote Originally Posted by Matt8500 View Post
    I’d want to know what she looked like first!
    She was fairly attractive and spoke proper, and gave me a decent discount, even matched Opie for my race oil.

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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    That’s quite interesting, while I had the M4 I was propositioned twice by mid twenties girls, both saying they would do anything for a ride in the M4, one works in Euro car parts and says it is here all time favourite car, haven’t got a clue about the other. And I’m old
    I must have chosen the wrong colour!

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  34. #34
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    Thanks to all of you who replied. I’ve test driven one this morning and it’s not the car for me sadly. I’m a big guy and just found it too uncomfortable both by way of the seats and what I perceived as a fairly unrefined ride compared to Mercedes or Audi performance cars. Think I’ve decided that at 47 im a Mercedes man now (last 6 cars have been Mercs) but will be trying an S5 cab before I try and track down another SL I think.
    PS- I’d still be interested to know which euro car parts that girl works in though!!

  35. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Glover View Post
    Thanks to all of you who replied. I’ve test driven one this morning and it’s not the car for me sadly. I’m a big guy and just found it too uncomfortable both by way of the seats and what I perceived as a fairly unrefined ride compared to Mercedes or Audi performance cars. Think I’ve decided that at 47 im a Mercedes man now (last 6 cars have been Mercs) but will be trying an S5 cab before I try and track down another SL I think.
    PS- I’d still be interested to know which euro car parts that girl works in though!!
    Might me worth trying a c coupe with the panoramic roof, not a convertible obviously but not far off the same experience.

  36. #36
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    I bought my M4 new in 2015 and still have it, mainly because i have struggled to find an alternative that ticks all the boxes the M4 does for me.

    Its now done just over 30k miles,, it came with a service pack, so other than tax, insurance and fuel my only other costs to date has been 1 full set of tyres about 2k miles ago. Thats because over winter it sits on winter tyres. Until 8 months ago, my daily commute was a short 10 miles each way with a mixture of town and A roads. This would return between 18- 32 mpg, depending on my driving - use to get a 300ish miles from a full tank. Now i travel 80 miles each way to work at the beginning and end of the week (stay over near work during the week) and mainly motorway driving returning between 32 - 36 mpg - yep i have been impressed for such a powerful car - approximately 350 - 370 miles for a full tank.

    Its been fairly reliable to date, other than some initial warranty issues at the beginning. the earlier software use to cause some kangarooing, but its resolved now, also the driving modes can make the accelerator more sensitive - which could explain the kangarooing once in a while..

    Otherwise a very usable daily.. I will likely keep this until the newer M4 is released..

  37. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by Matt8500 View Post
    Might me worth trying a c coupe with the panoramic roof, not a convertible obviously but not far off the same experience.
    The trouble with the C Class coupe is the E Class coupe. The E just looks much more muscular and better proportioned to my eyes which makes the C look a little anaemic by comparison. The E is also 'pillarless' and there's not an awful lot of difference in money when looking at 1-2 year old cars. The only downside for me is the additional size of the E Class.

  38. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Why would you buy an M4 if you’re worried about the cost of fuel? Genuine question.
    I disagree. Some cars just drink all of the time regardless of how you drive them and there are some performance cars which are actually pretty efficient on the daily commute - the M4 being one of them I think.

    Who wants 15mpg driving to the supermarket?

    I feel the same about VED. Most people say what's £500+ road tax per annum when you've spent £40k on a car but it grates on me as I feel I get very little for the money...

    Maybe it's just me.

  39. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by MarkJS View Post
    I disagree. Some cars just drink all of the time regardless of how you drive them and there are some performance cars which are actually pretty efficient on the daily commute - the M4 being one of them I think.

    Who wants 15mpg driving to the supermarket?

    I feel the same about VED. Most people say what's £500+ road tax per annum when you've spent £40k on a car but it grates on me as I feel I get very little for the money...

    Maybe it's just me.
    You don’t get anything for the money, it just goes into the government pot.

  40. #40
    Quote Originally Posted by MarkJS View Post
    The trouble with the C Class coupe is the E Class coupe. The E just looks much more muscular and better proportioned to my eyes which makes the C look a little anaemic by comparison. The E is also 'pillarless' and there's not an awful lot of difference in money when looking at 1-2 year old cars. The only downside for me is the additional size of the E Class.
    The E.class with premier plus and the extended dash is a stunning interior, makes the M4 look very dated and low rent, we looked at it before deciding to go electric.

  41. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw View Post
    You don’t get anything for the money, it just goes into the government pot.
    Absolutely! This is what I wanted to write but wasn't sure if there might be some VED sympathisers around ;)

  42. #42
    Quote Originally Posted by MarkJS View Post
    The trouble with the C Class coupe is the E Class coupe. The E just looks much more muscular and better proportioned to my eyes which makes the C look a little anaemic by comparison. The E is also 'pillarless' and there's not an awful lot of difference in money when looking at 1-2 year old cars. The only downside for me is the additional size of the E Class.
    Tend to agree on the looks, but they are very different cars. The sheer size put me off personally.

  43. #43
    Quote Originally Posted by MarkJS View Post
    The trouble with the C Class coupe is the E Class coupe. The E just looks much more muscular and better proportioned to my eyes which makes the C look a little anaemic by comparison. The E is also 'pillarless' and there's not an awful lot of difference in money when looking at 1-2 year old cars. The only downside for me is the additional size of the E Class.
    Tend to agree on the looks, but they are very different cars. The sheer size put me off personally.

  44. #44
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    I agree, which is why it is scrubbed off my replacement list. I don't want anything dimensionally bigger than I have currently unfortunately.

  45. #45
    Master endo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maysie View Post
    I can picture this immediately.

    The general offender is probably driving a Corsa of Clio, with massive wheels, massive exhaust and the suspension lowered.
    Looking coooool.

    Flip side to this M3/4, 911, AMG & Audi RS drivers get twitchy and obnoxious when they see a Skyline in their rear view, despite it being a 30 y/o bag of bolts.


    Back on topic
    OH has a Yas Marina M4, nice enough, dont like its inability to creeep at low speed (for parking) and the dimensions are ludicrous for a coupe, it makes the Range Rover look like a toy.

    MPG seems decent enough for the power, especially on a cruise from Scotland to Silverstone.

  46. #46
    I think that why the M240 is popular, similar speed (straight line) to a M2/M4 but with is much nicer as a daily driver and much cheaper to buy and run. The one downside is the handling which puts the M2/M4 miles ahead

  47. #47
    I'm sure sorting the suspension would bring a 240 close to the ultimate on limit handling, and a remap would more than equal the power of an M2
    It's just a matter of time...

  48. #48
    Quote Originally Posted by Omegamanic View Post
    I'm sure sorting the suspension would bring a 240 close to the ultimate on limit handling, and a remap would more than equal the power of an M2
    you wont get any of them even close to the limit on the road, its more about driving ability

  49. #49
    Quote Originally Posted by Omegamanic View Post
    I'm sure sorting the suspension would bring a 240 close to the ultimate on limit handling, and a remap would more than equal the power of an M2
    I think the cost to try get a 240 to handle like a m2/4 would not be worth it. The 240 handles very well anyway.

  50. #50
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    Quote Originally Posted by NikGixer750 View Post
    I think the cost to try get a 240 to handle like a m2/4 would not be worth it. The 240 handles very well anyway.
    Yep, ridiculous to even try and compare them especially when you start considering things like the carbon roof, lightweight panels, carbon propshaft(pre 2018), hollow driveshafts,stiffer chassis,uprated suspension,metal to metal connections, etc. etc.

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