Credit to BMW for taking 90 lbs out of the last M3 – this new droptop M4 sheds the weight of a small adolescent human, though at 4,055 lbs, it’s no lightweight. The M4 coupe weighs in at just over 3,500 lbs.
The twin-turbo straight six puts out 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is available from just 1,850 lb-ft of torque. Yes, the V8 is gone, but in the real world, the new six should be crushingly quick, unlike the melodic but rev-hungry bent-eight. 60 mph comes up in 4.2 seconds if you opt for the dual-clutch gearbox, or 4.4 seconds with the six-speed manual.
It’s easy to rag on the M4 ragtop (err..hardtop) for its porkier, more leisurely approach to performance driving. The stereotypical droptop M4 driver is more concerned with catching rays than clipping apexes. But that’s why they make the M4 coupe – and the delicious M3 sedan.
Better bring 80 large to the table if you want to play.
4,000 lb convertibles are not on my “lust” list. An open top is light and airy, an open top car needs to be light and airy.
“The twin-turbo straight six puts out 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is available from just 1,850 lb-ft of torque.”
That’s a lot of torque. Must be the turbos.
I saw that too. He must have meant “…just 1,850rpm.”
“4,055 lbs, it’s no lightweight. The M4 coupe weighs in at just over 3,500 lbs.”
Another reason it is so hard to pull the trigger on a new performance car. The faster 0-60 times and great chassis just can’t make up for all that extra weight. Any weight above 3,000 pounds, begins to be really noticeable in the twisties. For a Grand touring car its okay, as long as it doesn’t get above 3,500 pd.
I think my 96′ 328is is a bit to heavy to be really sporty, and you can really tell it is, when you jump from it into my 91′ 318is, there being about an 600pd difference.
The new M4 is the track day car of tire companies’ dreams.
+1.
And brake pad makers….
I also got to say, that I don’t appreciate the gills on the front of the M4’s. Too much of the boy racer and poser look for my tastes, but I’m sure it will appeal to many, and these days, it seems everybody has to have gills.
Just for fun…
3,491 lbs – 1998 BMW M3 Cabrio
3,781 lbs – 2005 BMW M3 Cabrio
3,844 lbs – 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Convertible
4,055 lbs – 2015 BMW M4 Cabrio
4,211 lbs – 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan
4,277 lbs – 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4×4 Soft-Top
4,435 lbs – 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCab
Good data.
Who calls an M3 convertible a Cabrio?
I guess someone who would compare it to a Jeep Wrangler.
I’m not the one who made the M3 a driver and a tank of gas shy of a 4-door Jeep.
The guys who build it
http://www.bmw.de/de/neufahrzeuge/M/m4-cabrio/2014/auf-einen-blick.html
I doubt they’d be too keen on the Jeep comparo. Even if ditching the runflats on this one model, would let them show in a slightly better light than usual.
Interesting. Most of the previous-gen BMW models had a base steering wheel design, and then a nicer “Sport” steering wheel. The M-Sport steering wheel—if the car offered an M-Sport package—would be an all-black version of the Sport steering wheel, sometimes using the “M” colors for the leather stitching, ditto for the M version of the car. Now, every model still has its own base steering wheel (with different colors and trim for different packages), but all M and M-Sport designations seem to use the wheel pictured above, which I think looks pretty neat. BMW even went so far as to include it on facelifted models, like the 2014 5-Series.
I just drove a 2014 550xi with M Sport the other day, and the wheel was very similar, but with more of a solid “Y” of metal coming down. I actually like this one quite a bit better; I hope they include it on the 2015.
I must have been napping; when did BMW lay the ugly stick on their lineup?
Agree this car is NOT attractive, at least in pictures. But to answer your actual question: a long time ago. Some point to “flame surfacing,” but I think it started with the moustaches on the kidney grills. The worst sin to me is the oddly straight cutline of the hood across the front of most of their cars in the past few years, including this one. I somehow cannot get past it.
Mid-90s
I see what looks like a carbon fiber engine bay brace. Fair to assume this is not the only carbon part on the car. Imagine what it would have weighed with steel! And being a BMW I’m sure there is extensive use of aluminum and plastic in the sub-frames, engine and suspension.
On the other hand two main strategies for improving traction without stickier tires- aero downforce and curb weight. With all that torque at low rpm the weight may be an asset.
4,055 pounds? Really?
When we purchased our 2003 Corvette convertible, we found out that one of the “cross-shops” for folks who _weren’t_ locked into a specific marque was the M3 convertible. At that point the M3 was 3,781 pounds and the Corvette was 3,248 pounds – I figured 500 pounds was the cost of those two rear seats and the nicer interior.
Fast forward 12 model years and the Corvette convertible is 3,362 pounds (and Corvette folks think it is too heavy) and the M5 convertible is almost 700 pounds more – a two-ton sub-compact car.
I find it easier to beleieve that folks are cross shopping the M3 sedan and M4 coupe than either of those against the convertible. The differences between the 2 and 4 door versions are relativeley minor in comparison.
I doubt anyone out there with an itch to be seperated from their $$$ is surprised of heartbroken by the (likely) $10k premium and 400lb to 500lb weight penalty. Folks shopping seriously for a convertible are not cross shopping a fixed roof model because in most cases they already understand the compromises a convertible involves.
Living with one is a different matter – you can’t anticipate everything until you’ve lived it in the real world, but that’s an entirely different discussion.
I’d take a Miata Club PRHT over a soft top any day of the week. There’s an a$$ for every seat.
Wow- look at all the haters. Pathetic. I hope
Every one of you loves you car and I’m sure you picked the right car for you and your place in life. As a 42 year old doctor in a warm climate, this car is perfect for me. I have mine purchased for euro delivery at the end of September. This will replace my 6 year old e93 M3 cabrio which brought a smile to my face everyday. I want a sporty luxury hard top convertible- and I don’t like SLs. So what are choices? R8 is soft top. Porsche is soft top. And my new M4 fully optioned including ceramic brakes is half the price of a California. I just can’t explain how little it matters to me if the self-proclaimed purists approve of my car.