Sharp and responsive handling doesn't sacrifice much comfort
Stout brakes and tires are capable and trustworthy
A well-finished interior fitted with many standard features
Cons
Steering is less connected than we'd expect from this class of vehicle
Engine and exhaust sounds are off-putting
Competitors offer more powerful and exciting engines
What’s new
Aside from a few changes in options and packages, the 2018 M4 carries over largely unchanged. It gains a standard rearview camera, an updated version of the brand's iDrive infotainment system, and restyled headlights and taillights.
Vehicle overview
The 2018 BMW M4 represents an ideal marriage of sporting capability and luxury in one car. Based on the brand's 4 Series, the M4 receives comprehensive upgrades that make it equally capable of flying along a mountain road, lapping a racetrack or just comfortably commuting to work.
Essentially, the M4 is the hot-rodded version of the 4 Series coupe and convertible. It gets the typical BMW M division treatment, including a significantly more powerful twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, stickier tires, bigger brakes and subtly more aggressive styling. The conversion to M status doesn't diminish the 4 Series' luxury quotient either. The ride is compliant enough to drive the M4 and enjoy it daily, the seats are comfortable for a road trip and the interior still boasts attractive materials and logically placed controls. And even though it's a two-door, the M4 has decently roomy rear seats and a useful trunk.
If you're looking for a sports car that's more livable day to day or you want something a little more exciting than the standard luxury coupe or convertible, you'd do well to pick the 2018 BMW M4.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.3 / 10
The 2018 BMW M4 represents an ideal marriage of sporting capability and luxury in one car. Based on the brand's 4 Series, the M4 receives comprehensive upgrades that make it equally capable of flying along a mountain road, lapping a racetrack or just comfortably commuting to work.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our Full Test of the 2015 BMW M4 Coupe (turbo 3.0L inline-6 | 6-speed manual | RWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current BMW M4 has received some revisions, including the addition of standard adaptive suspension and an optional Competition package, which increases horsepower. Despite those changes, our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's BMW M4.
Scorecard
Overall
7.3 / 10
Driving
8.0
Comfort
7.0
Interior
7.5
Utility
6.5
Driving
8.0
The M4 drives a lot like a sports car. It accelerates with potency, turns sharply and stops quickly. There's little reason to crave more performance, though the steering doesn't communicate much road feel to the driver. Still, this is a car that does an impressive number of things very well.
Acceleration
9.0
The turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder feels eager, alert and powerful. Sharp at low revs, has a strong midrange and is willing to rev with great throttle response at any speed. In Edmunds testing, an M4 with a manual transmission hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 116 mph.
Braking
9.0
The M4's brake pedal is firm. The powerful (optional) carbon-ceramic brakes on our test car have excellent modulation and great stopping power. There are some groans at low speeds but that's expected. In a simulated-panic stop from 60 mph to zero, the M4 took just 106 feet, an excellent result.
Steering
7.5
Steering on the M4 is well-weighted and precise, but it's lacking the feel we expect from cars in this class. That lack of feel becomes even more pronounced when you get closer to the car's elevated handling limits, but in-town steering should be sufficient for most drivers.
Handling
7.5
No surprises here: The M4 has lots of grip and excellent agility. The car's immense handling capabilities inspire lots of confidence while you're driving fast. This is especially rewarding for drivers who are attentive in managing weight transfer. We measured an impressive 0.98g around our skidpad.
Drivability
8.5
This car is a great example of cohesive integration of the primary driving controls. The manual gearbox in our test car had slick, bright and fast shifts. Drive this car every day and you'll be able to tell that its nuances were fussed over.
Comfort
7.0
Everyday use is no problem for this car. It's properly sporting but totally user-friendly. The ride is supple enough for your commute, and noise will never wear you down. Its seats in particular stand out for their ability to do it all.
Seat comfort
8.5
Outstanding front-seat comfort no matter whether you are exploring a mountain road or just cruising. The combination of leather and cloth is unusual but effective. The backseat is reasonably comfortable for adults.
Ride comfort
7.5
This is a firm-riding car, no doubt, but there's a suppleness to the dampers that rounds off the edges. Nobody will mistake its ride quality for that of a Bentley, but for a sporting vehicle it is quite good.
Noise & vibration
5.5
Some road noise is evident from the low-profile tires on optional 20-inch wheels, but there is very little engine noise at a cruise. Prod the throttle and the engine perks up nicely, augmented by the stereo. Wind noise is not an issue.
Interior
7.5
The M4 has a practical driving position and intuitive cabin. Rear-seat access and rear vision are acceptable considering this is a two-door. The interior is easy to live with on a daily basis.
Ease of use
7.0
Logical and well-laid-out cabin controls make the M4's interior easy to use. The iDrive screen is large, bright and crisp, as are the simple gauges. Climate controls consist of temperature knobs and buttons for the rest. Limited brightwork prevents distracting reflections.
Getting in/getting out
6.5
Being based on a sedan has its benefits. The door openings are easy to navigate gracefully. The stepover height is low, and the seat is higher than in a sports car. The backseat access is a bit more awkward, of course, but not bad as coupes go.
Roominess
8.0
This is a larger car than you might guess. The ample width allows plenty of shoulder and elbow room in front. Without the sunroof, headroom is no problem for 6-footers. In back, kids fit fine and adults will be OK on short trips.
Visibility
7.0
Forward and side visibility are good, thanks to the relatively upright seating position and greenhouse. As with most modern cars, there are large blind spots at the rear roof pillars, and the deck is high-ish.
Quality
7.5
Excellent fit and finish defines the M4's cabin. Cabin controls and features move smoothly and with precision. Materials are rich and appear to have been chosen to minimize distraction. The mixed-material seats are unusual but very effective.
Utility
6.5
There's enough space inside this coupe for four passengers, but cabin storage isn't very impressive. There are a few large door pockets, but the center console is shallow and the glovebox tiny. The split backseat, which folds, is nice, and should help with loading a set of golf clubs or skis.
Which M4 does Edmunds recommend?
The 2018 BMW M4 comes in one trim level, so your big choices are whether to choose coupe or convertible and manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission. The manual gives you a level of driver engagement that you don't get with the dual-clutch; the dual-clutch is quicker-shifting and much easier to live with in congested traffic. Beyond that, our top picks on the options list are the Competition package, if only for the amazing-looking 20-inch forged wheels, and the Executive package for its LED headlights and head-up display, among other upgrades.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2018 BMW M4 models
The 2018 BMW M4 is a two-door, four-passenger high-performance car that's based on the company's 4 Series and offered as a coupe or a convertible. We're big fans of the M4's excellent balance of performance and comfort. And while we'd recommend buying a few optional extras, the M4 is going to be a joy to drive every day regardless of how you equip it.
As you'd probably expect with a high-end two-door such as the M4, there's plenty of standard equipment. For starters, you get a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (425 hp, 406 lb-ft) and either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic. Also included is launch control, automatic rev-matching on downshifts, 18-inch wheels with summer tires, an adaptive sport-tuned suspension (a standard nonadaptive suspension is a no-cost option), an electronically controlled rear differential, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power front sport seats with heating, driver-seat memory settings and fold-down rear seatbacks.
In addition to the performance and cabin basics, the M4 has a decent amount of standard tech equipment, including an 8.8-inch display screen with BMW's iDrive infotainment interface, a rearview camera, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, Bluetooth, navigation, a suite of smartphone and online applications under the BMW ConnectedDrive banner, HD radio and satellite radio, a USB audio input and a CD player.
A few key optional packages are available for the M4 as well. The Competition package ups the M4's power rating to 444 hp and adds 20-inch wheels, revised settings for the adaptive suspension, an even sportier exhaust and some interior trim upgrades such as M stripes on the seat belts. The Executive package adds full LED headlights, automatic high beams, side- and top-view cameras, an automated parking system, head-up display, and speed limit information.
Other options include 19-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, a heated steering wheel, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, a power rear sunshade (coupe only), a head-up display, Apple CarPlay and wireless device charging.
On the coupe, you get your choice of either a roof made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic or a traditional steel roof with a sunroof. The M4 convertible has a power-retractable hardtop with a wind blocker, as well as extended leather upholstery and door trim incorporating sun-reflective technology. When equipped with the Executive package, the convertible also includes front-seat neck warmers.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Comparing this to my ‘17 911S Porsche May help.
The M4 is an awesome vehicle overall. The MDCT is not as smooth as the 911’s PDK however.
The engine is awesome but I find the width of the rear tires to be insufficient at 275 mm vs 305 mm for the 911S. So it spins way too easily—this is a known problem on the Bimmerfest forums too. I am running very good Michelin Pilot Super Sports as … well.
I will try going at least 295 mm wide with 10.5” or 11” with wheels at tire change time. This will cost around $2,500 extra to remediate this problem.
One annoying thing is that the BMW speedometer reads too fast by about 2 mph at 60 mph; so speedometer shows 62 when you are doing 60–again this is a well documented issue with BMW.
The interior and media interface are class leaders. The technology is superior with things like Apple Car Play, very smart bright lights, cruise control, fuel consumption, various programmed driving modes, excellent wet road handling, etc.
So awesome car that seriously need slightly wider tires on the rear.
After 1 year, still love the M4
5 out of 5 stars
Scott B, 08/30/2016
2015 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
First, the performance of the car is best experienced on a track. I've taken my M4 to a few tracks in the area, and it is unbelievable how well it performs. I have the DCT transmission, and I know most enthusiasts would frown upon that (eg not a manual gearbox), but it's amazing what the DCT does and how it performs especially on the track. I doubt you can truly appreciate it on … normal streets. No mechanical issues or problems with the car after the first year. Only performed the regularly scheduled maintenance. No interior issues (eg things breaking like handles/knobs). I did get a "wandering eye" as I was curious about the MB C63 AMG and Alfa Romeo Giulia. I struggle with reliability of MB and still waiting to hear more on the Giulia. The only thing that bothers me, a little, is that I wish the M4 had a better exhaust note. I will say that the one best piece advice I had heard was this: "if you don't plan to take the M4 to the track, consider purchasing the 4 series."
BMW M4 CONV
5 out of 5 stars
Jay Cornell, 05/29/2017
2016 BMW M4 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
I bought this car with 5 miles on the odometer so I might have been the 1st person to take a test drive. This was a little surprising as the car was on the lot for about 6 weeks. The new 2018s were being delivered starting April 1 and I got my car on April 7 with a huge discount. It runs perfectly, has great comfort, power, handling and overall smoothness you would expect in a car … listed at $90k. Most surprisingly is the good gas mileage around 21.5 mixed driving on premium gas.The top works flawlessly... with the provided rear wind screen when the top is down you do not have any in car turbulence. You can talk in a normal voice and listen to the radio w/o any extra volume (although it adjusts to your speed). Surprisingly the windscreen does away with any wind in the front 2 seats but does take away the back seat. The trunk as a unique loading system but if you are taking any long trips it can only hold 1 suitcase.
I Still Love My 2015 M4
5 out of 5 stars
Jeff, 02/17/2016
2015 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
Now over ten years old and I continue to absolutely love this car. My M4 also continues to be an exceptionally reliable vehicle with no mechanical issues experienced during the past several years. I purchased it new from our local BMW dealership and only ordered three options with the car: full leather seats, Silverstone metallic paint and the premium H&K sound system. I also highly … recommend the 6 speed manual transmission. Quite frankly, for the price I paid this is the best car I've ever owned. Several years ago, I drove the car on a 4,000+ mile road trip in the western U.S. and it performed absolutely magnificently, especially on two lane mountain roads in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. A subsequent 4,500+ mile road trip in the western U.S. was truly enjoyable as well with no issues noted with the car which continues to perform superbly and remains an absolute joy to drive, especially on long grand touring trips. I truly believe this car is well on its way to becoming a classic. And I also think my M4 is improving as it gets older.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 BMW M4, so we've included reviews for other years of the M4 since its last redesign.
Edmunds Senior Writer Carlos Lago tests the acceleration of the 2018 BMW M4 equipped with the Competition package. Though pricey, this option package comes with a bunch of worthwhile upgrades, including lighter forged wheels and revised steering, suspension, differential and stability control settings. The engine output rises to 444 horsepower, and BMW says this newfound… power helps shave 0.1 second off the M4's 0-60 mph acceleration time. Our test track is the perfect place to validate that claim.
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Scorecard
