Well, I spent a long time debating whether or not to get a Nissan GTR or Audi R8 V8, and in the end decided to do neither! I've just put my order in for an M4 with BMW, which should be ready as a 17 reg on 1st March.

I've gone with an Alpine White with full black leather interior, 7 speed DCT gearbox and competition pack (which basically makes it stiff to the point that it rattles teeth and has a louder exhaust, oh and an extra 19bhp.. amongst other things). Also specced a fair list of other good extras like HUD, Harmon Kardon sound and so on. Really happy with my choice, I just fell in love with the idea of getting something brand new, and for either of the other two cars I considered I would've been buying second hand with my budget.

The deal was pretty good, too, I think. £1k deposit contribution from BMW was standard, I got another £6k knocked off the asking price (almost 10% discount), and then had a full service pack included on top (which basically means all services will be covered for the first 3 years). My word of advice if you're buying a BMW (any beemer) from new - regardless of how good a deal you think you've already negotiated with them, make sure you then also ask for a service pack including before you'll agree to the sale. I'm pretty sure they'll say yes, just like they did with me.

So.. the M4 itself. Took one out for a test drive on Sunday morning, not in ideal weather admittedly but all due respect to the salesman he was egging me on to put my foot down regardless so I duly obliged as much as I could within the limits. Grip in the wet wasn't great (though no worse than my M5) so I never really got chance to give it the full beans as such, certainly not in terms of cornering, but there were a few nice semi-dry straights where I almost got it down to full throttle, and the straight line performance was impressive enough. Didn't really feel any quicker than the M5 in truth, but then that's already a quick car anyway and how much performance do you actually need on UK roads? Official figures suggest 0-60 in just over 4 seconds, and from memory somewhere around 8.5ish from 0-100 mph, which is quick enough for most people.

My biggest problem with the M4 prior to the test drive was the reports I'd read about the synthesised (enhanced) exhaust sound they pipe in through the speaker system. I heard loads of reviews saying it sounded horrendously fake, ruined the experience etc, and that's on top of the fact the turbocharged in-line 6 was already at a disadvantage aurally speaking compared to the V10 I currently have, so I went in expecting to hate the noise and for that to put me off wanting one. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it actually sounded in the cabin. Not overly fake at all, really, and my missus (who has no clue about cars) just thought it was "bloody loud" - she didn't even realise half the noise she could hear was even coming in through the speakers at all. It definitely sounded much, much better than I was expecting. The one I took out on the test drive didn't have the competition pack exhaust, so the one I will end up with in March will be louder and will pop and bang all over the place which should be fun.

Space inside the car was also surprisingly good. One of the main things that put me off the other two cars I considered was the practicality. Although I do have another car for transporting >2 people, I spent a lot of time thinking about how I wouldn't be able to take friends out in the new car, which as I thought about it more and it become more of an issue with me, then ruled out the R8 altogether (2 seater) and, really, the GTR is hardly a Rolls Royce in the back either, so that eventually ended up being a no. That on top of the additional running costs of those other two cars, plus the fact I really decided I wanted something brand new.

The M4 is a good compromise between sports car and something a bit more practical. It's roomier in the back than a Coop, for example - and there's definitely more leg room that you get in the Fiat. I did have to duck down a little when testing out sitting in the back, but as I'll be spending my time driving the thing anyway who cares! Anyone under 6ft will fit perfectly well in there, and my missus at 5ft 1in was absolutely fine on the test drive (other than during the two times the back end slid a little on exiting roundabouts ).

Boot is also big (over 400 litres I believe) with a good shape boot for accessing it, the front seats are amazing, there's plenty of creature comforts and gadgets, and in my opinion (beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that) I think they're a cracking looking car. It does everything I want it to do, so now all I have to do is try and wait until 1st March without bursting in excitement

I'll post a better review next year after I've picked it up and spent some time with it

I imagine its quite a weapon on the road. I drove one at a Palmersport day (fully caged with sticky tyres) and it was a bit underwhelming - to be fair though, it was on a short, twisty track and the car never got a chance to get into its stride.

I'd suggest you leave the traction control on until you've got used to the power delivery - its pretty spiky and will kick the back end out very easily, wet or dry.

Can't really comment on the noise, as I had a helmet on and most of the time, the loudest noise was the tyres.....

I'm guessing when it is let loose on an open road where it can use more than 3rd gear, it'll be epic




I'd still have had an R8 V10 though....

Yes definitely - it felt slippy as hell even with TC on during the test drive, so I imagine it would be an unbelievable handful otherwise.

If I could've got the V10 R8 I probably would have, even despite the practicalities. Problem is it was out of my budget. I've bought the M4 on a PCP deal at a very reasonable APR, doing something similar on a used Audi would've been much more expensive than I'm paying on the beemer, and that's not even factoring in the running costs I've got included with the M4 deal (eg the service pack and 3 year fully comp warranty).

The R8 will probably be my next car!

They do sound good when they're flat-out beside you (and slowly creeping away...), that's for sure!!

I'd still have looked at the Alfa first...

What? You're letting the side down - more boost needed

Living with an M4 YouTube

Funnily enough, this popped up on my recommended.....

Wow I am sure you will love it

I did look at the 4 series this summer when seeking a car to replace my previous A5 Coupé. I just couldn't fall for the charms of the BMW though. The looks of the car never really worked form me and despite the A5 interior being well past it's best I still preferred it to that to the BMW.

I just can't wait to see this

I know, I know... I made sure I walked with my head hung low for three days and three nights, as is custom.

I blame those damn DCT gear change 'times'...

It looks like a fun car. I'm sure BMW will be doing good deals to try to keep Alfa from stealing any of their lunch. I'd expect Merc and Audi to be doing the same.

In the same way a pint of vodka is a compromise between lager and bitter?

The M4 I tested was completely mental, it is insanely quick with an on off torque delivery switch of an accelerator.
Love them, but I couldn't live with it as a daily driver in a country with slippery wet roads unless you leave all the automatics switched on.

My neighbours S-I-L has one and I love it. Its pretty loud - almost louder than my car with the exhaust valves open.