Is The BMW M3 Better Than The M4?
Practicality vs style. The eternal question facing performance car fans when their favorite model is available both as a coupe and a sedan. The BMW M3 has been the benchmark performance car in its class for decades. It has been made available in several body styles over the years, but the practical sedan and sporty-looking coupe are the two that have tended to be the most popular.
The coupe was the original body style to be offered on the first-generation model, but back then, all models, regardless of body style, were referred to as an M3. The M4 name was introduced in 2014 for both coupe and convertible models. The current M3/M4 models are, as you might expect, the fastest and most powerful ever. However, the age-old question of which model is best remains. We examined both to find out the answer.
We compared these two (almost) identical M models to see which one is the better deal. We looked at pricing, practicality, performance, power, and a few other metrics that didn’t begin with a P.
What’s the Difference?
|
Specifications |
BMW M3 |
BMW M4 |
|---|---|---|
|
Doors |
4-door |
2-door |
|
Weight |
3,840 lbs (base trim) |
3,830 lbs (base trim) |
|
Power |
473-523 hp |
473-523 hp |
|
Cargo Space |
16.9 cubic feet |
15.5 cubic feet |
|
Performance |
3.4-4.1 Seconds |
3.4-4.1 Seconds |
|
Pricing |
$76,700 – $86,000 |
$79,700 – $89,000 |
Aside from the rather obvious visual difference, some minor differences exist between the M3 and M4. At the core of both models is the same impressive twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. Power outputs range between 473 and 523 hp, depending on trim level.
The table above reveals that both body styles weigh almost the same and have identical performance figures. The M3 offers a larger trunk, and comes in slightly cheaper than the M4. Both can be had with a manual transmission in base 473 hp trim, while opting for the Competition model ups the power to 503 hp, but the manual is replaced with a slick eight-speed automatic. The top Competition xDrive version adds another 20 hp and all-wheel-drive to give both the M3 and M4 a Porsche-rivalling 3.4-second 0-60 mph time.
When it comes to handling, some sources claim that the M4 is the more engaging drive, but from our experience with both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models, the differences are so slight as to be almost non-existent. The RWD versions of both the M3 and M4 certainly feel a bit more raw in full-bore starts and under power through the corners, but the door count has little effect on the driving experience.
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BMW M4: Pros
The original E30 BMW M3 was sold as a two-door. That’s because this style is synonymous with sportiness, and what better way to experience BMW’s core M product than as it was originally intended? The M4’s weight distribution is slightly closer to the ideal 50:50 that BMW aims for in all its models, and it is ever so slightly lighter than its four-door stablemate.
In truth, it would be almost impossible to discern these differences from behind the wheel. Still, the sleeker two-door styling of the M4 is certainly something that can be appreciated at any speed. It has a higher sticker price (more on that below), but you get a few extra standard features, such as an M Carbon roof and LED headlights with laser light tech. Whether this is worth the $3,000 price difference is up to the individual customer. We would happily do without both and pocket the cash.
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BMW M3: Pros
Practical performance cars are what BMW is all about, so why not experience its most iconic performance model in a family-friendly four-door body style? There is no performance penalty over the coupe, and if you regularly travel with more than one passenger, the extra doors make it far more usable. Passenger space in the second row is better, and trunk space is also slightly more generous.
There is also something to be said about the wide rear arches and purposeful four-door stance. But the biggest benefit is the not-insignificant $3,000 saving you get over the M4. There are minor specification differences between the two, but not enough to account for the total price difference.
That saving could be spent on the $1,400 Executive Package, including a head-up display, power tailgate, full LED headlights, and a heated steering wheel. Adding the $700 Parking Assistant Plus and $500 ventilated front seats will still see you come in $400 below the M4.
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Conclusion
Most comparisons tend to conclude with some sort of fence-sitting statement, like the one you prefer is the one to get. In this case, there really aren’t any losers, but there is a winner.
Is it the traditionally sportier two-door M4, with its sleek rear roofline and more purposeful design? Or does the practical and equally competent four-door M3 take the prize as the cheaper and more complete package? Neither does.
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The winner is, without a doubt, the recently released M3 Touring. A body style that is a first for a BMW on the M3 and one that looks better than the coupe while being even more practical than the sedan. Unfortunately, while the new BMW M5 is being sold here in wagon form, the M3 is not.
According to BMW, the current-generation M3 is too far along in its product lifecycle to justify the expense of getting it certified in the US with a new body style, especially since it will be a low-volume seller. However, if the M5 wagon sells well, the next-generation M3 may also be offered as a wagon. Until then, the BMW M3 sedan is the one we’d park in our driveway. With the manual shifter, of course.
Sources:
BMW
