[Lorcan]

Lovely. I do like the Shadow line (or whatever it's called) black lights etc., and even those wheels have grown on me.

It could be a teensy bit lower....

[Chrismac13]

Stunning

[TodmordenLad]

GORGEOUS.. that colour is made for an M car!

[M3anLantern]

Looks epic! I only wish they'd do an M4 GC! Can't wait for the review.

Curious to know what kind of payments are involved after a 21% discount, if you're happy to say so? Jus trying to plan my next car you know

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Lovely. I do like the Shadow line (or whatever it's called) black lights etc., and even those wheels have grown on me.

It could be a teensy bit lower....

Competition Pack adds the black bits - yes I agree, it does look good and the wheels are epic.

Lower? you kidding me? I'm clenching going over speed bumps as it is with that splitter

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by dk1894

Looks epic! I only wish they'd do an M4 GC! Can't wait for the review.

Curious to know what kind of payments are involved after a 21% discount, if you're happy to say so? Jus trying to plan my next car you know

PM'd

[Rukka]

Right - here goes. First ramblings..

It's not fair to compare an M car to a standard M Sport Coupe really but there are some comparisons/observations I DO need to make.

Ride - much sharper. More focussed. It just feels more planted. The 440 was always a bit wallowy and more so when pressing on. This actually seems more refined when driving at normal road speeds.

Steering - in another class altogether. Weighting is much better (and more adjustable) and loads more feedback. Direction changes are quicker even though I had VSS on the 440. It goes exactly where you point it.

Wheels - Now, I thought that 20 inch wheels with elastic bands for tyres was asking for a harsh ride. How wrong could I be! On my commute into work this-morning, same crappy pot hole ridden roads, the M4 just seems to be soaking it up better then the 440 did. No doubt helped by non run flat MPSS's but truly, a revelation. The better dampers probably help too no doubt.

Interior - The carbon dash is lovely - deep shiney lovely. The CP seats are really comfortable and hold you well. Leather and design is top quality as you would expect. I wish it had the extended leather (lower dash etc) but apart from that, I'm happy.
As it's LCI, it has the newer idrive and high gloss surround which is also a nice upgrade from previous. Still learning my way around that though.

Apple car play is fcuking awful!

I didn't know until last night that the M4 badges on the front seats light up when you open the doors - gimmick, but still cool

Gearbox - now this suprised me too. I'm a big fan of the ZF 8 speed box but it can be a bit jerky. Never driven a DTC until I got this and must say I'm impressed.
There is no creep when you lift off the brakes and take-up off the mark is very smooth. Similarly, when you come to a standstill, it waits a few seconds before turning off the engine (stop-start) so again, is uber smooth. That used to do my head in with the ZF box in that the engine was cut 1/2 second before the car actually came to rest making it feel choppy. Not with the DTC.
Gearchanges, as you would expect are sharp and quick.
I also learnt that if you are in D mode and use any of the paddles, you're on your own! It does not take over in full D mode again like the ZF does after a few minutes of non use. you need to move the stick again to cancel manual mode. I know... read the manual.....

Tech - loads of it - not played with half of it yet. HUD has a rev counter and gear display which to be frank, looks a bit Fisher Price. It might grow on me yet.

Performance - yep it has some, and then some more! The 440 was quick - this is a whole new level of madness. 444bhp and a tractor load more torque make this easy to drive lazily but press on and well, make sure you are well awake before hitting the kick down switch
I had one little play last night and I floored it from 30ish - it squirrelled down the road and was spinning the wheels at will - in 4th! (dry road)

The CP has the upgraded exhaust as standard (valved I assume like the MPPSK on the 440) and fcuk me it's loud when you cain it. I say cain it, although I did stay below 5500 rpm as per running in instructions.

Having never owned a full on M car before, I can tell the difference to a "normal" car.
It's an occasion driving it. It has presence. I looks bloody quick standing still!

I love it

Oh, for the mpg conscious - seems on par with the 440i so far. For an 18 mile commute in freezing weather, no stop start as minus 5, 20 minutes flowing motorway at 70 and 25 minutes stop start town driving = 26.9 - now lets not talk mpg again

[gr4z]

I want one. Please stop talking about it.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Rukka

Right - here goes. First ramblings..

It's not fair to compare an M car to a standard M Sport Coupe really but there are some comparisons/observations I DO need to make.

Ride - much sharper. More focussed. It just feels more planted. The 440 was always a bit wallowy and more so when pressing on. This actually seems more refined when driving at normal road speeds.

Steering - in another class altogether. Weighting is much better (and more adjustable) and loads more feedback. Direction changes are quicker even though I had VSS on the 440. It goes exactly where you point it.

Wheels - Now, I thought that 20 inch wheels with elastic bands for tyres was asking for a harsh ride. How wrong could I be! On my commute into work this-morning, same crappy pot hole ridden roads, the M4 just seems to be soaking it up better then the 440 did. No doubt helped by non run flat MPSS's but truly, a revelation. The better dampers probably help too no doubt.

Interior - The carbon dash is lovely - deep shiney lovely. The CP seats are really comfortable and hold you well. Leather and design is top quality as you would expect. I wish it had the extended leather (lower dash etc) but apart from that, I'm happy.
As it's LCI, it has the newer idrive and high gloss surround which is also a nice upgrade from previous. Still learning my way around that though.

Apple car play is fcuking awful!

I didn't know until last night that the M4 badges on the front seats light up when you open the doors - gimmick, but still cool

Gearbox - now this suprised me too. I'm a big fan of the ZF 8 speed box but it can be a bit jerky. Never driven a DTC until I got this and must say I'm impressed.
There is no creep when you lift off the brakes and take-up off the mark is very smooth. Similarly, when you come to a standstill, it waits a few seconds before turning off the engine (stop-start) so again, is uber smooth. That used to do my head in with the ZF box in that the engine was cut 1/2 second before the car actually came to rest making it feel choppy. Not with the DTC.
Gearchanges, as you would expect are sharp and quick.
I also learnt that if you are in D mode and use any of the paddles, you're on your own! It does not take over in full D mode again like the ZF does after a few minutes of non use. you need to move the stick again to cancel manual mode. I know... read the manual.....

Tech - loads of it - not played with half of it yet. HUD has a rev counter and gear display which to be frank, looks a bit Fisher Price. It might grow on me yet.

Performance - yep it has some, and then some more! The 440 was quick - this is a whole new level of madness. 444bhp and a tractor load more torque make this easy to drive lazily but press on and well, make sure you are well awake before hitting the kick down switch
I had one little play last night and I floored it from 30ish - it squirrelled down the road and was spinning the wheels at will - in 4th! (dry road)

The CP has the upgraded exhaust as standard (valved I assume like the MPPSK on the 440) and fcuk me it's loud when you cain it. I say cain it, although I did stay below 5500 rpm as per running in instructions.

Having never owned a full on M car before, I can tell the difference to a "normal" car.
It's an occasion driving it. It has presence. I looks bloody quick standing still!

I love it

Oh, for the mpg conscious - seems on par with the 440i so far. For an 18 mile commute in freezing weather, no stop start as minus 5, 20 minutes flowing motorway at 70 and 25 minutes stop start town driving = 26.9 - now lets not talk mpg again

Interesting reading your quotes back to back with dopper99 comments - just shows it is definitely a case of different things to different folks (or perhaps that the shine wears off...)

Lovely looking car - good luck with the current weather!

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Interesting reading your quotes back to back with dopper99 comments - just shows it is definitely a case of different things to different folks (or perhaps that the shine wears off...)

Lovely looking car - good luck with the current weather!

Suppose you're right - maybe the shine wears off but for now, it's a very shiny shiny thing and I'm more than happy with it.

Current weather is a bit challenging thats for sure but to be fair, for the last few weeks I hadn't been able to stop the TC light flashing on the 440 so this just takes little bit more finesse..

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by gr4z

I want one. Please stop talking about it.

You're a long time dead mate - thats always been my thoughts. If you can afford it, why not.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Rukka

Lower? you kidding me? I'm clenching going over speed bumps as it is with that splitter

You'll get used to it

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Rukka

Suppose you're right - maybe the shine wears off but for now, it's a very shiny shiny thing and I'm more than happy with it.

Current weather is a bit challenging thats for sure but to be fair, for the last few weeks I hadn't been able to stop the TC light flashing on the 440 so this just takes little bit more finesse..

I think it is a case of different things for different people - and sure the shine wont wear off for you....

I wont even be taking my SQ5 out in this weather - the station jalopy can be the risk taker for the next couple of days!

Look forward to the regular updates on mpg.... remembering that in the scheme of things 10mpg is next to nothing in the overall running costs!

[SportySpice]

Holy macaroni! That's beautiful - enjoy.

[gr4z]

Originally Posted by Rukka

You're a long time dead mate - thats always been my thoughts. If you can afford it, why not.

Oh I agree totally but my 440 isn't even 2 years old yet. The M4 is on the bucket list...

[CarbonMagnum]

Originally Posted by Rukka

PM'd

Hey, could I be cheeky and get in on that PM too?

Love the car, matey.

[robwils]

absolutely stunning

Enjoy !

I can see a few others following suit

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by robwils

absolutely stunning

Enjoy !

I can see a few others following suit

Never been a better time. Some good deals to be had out there

[wlightning]

Wow, that's a beauty! Love the colour. Congrats.

[robwils]

Originally Posted by Rukka

Never been a better time. Some good deals to be had out there

Please tell me more

[wlightning]

Originally Posted by Rukka

PM'd

Any chance you could PM as well me please?

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Rukka

Never been a better time. Some good deals to be had out there

From memory good discounts and 0% finance were being offered on stock/pre-reg cars just before Xmas so are current deals still matching that?