2018 BMW M4

The 2018 BMW M4 Coupe is a luxury sports compact coupe that is available in a single trim level. This trim is priced at $68,700 and comes with RWD as standard. The transmission is 6-speed manual as standard, with the DCT transmission available as an optional extra, costing $2,900. The interior is pretty, with a decent list of standard features and creature comforts. The optional packages offer a few more features and can help improve the cabin experience.

The M4 gets three optional packages and a few stand-alone options as well. The Competition Package, priced at $4,750 adds a few exterior and performance enhancements to the M4. The Executive Package is priced at $2,100 and adds some exterior features and exterior electronic features as well. The stand-alone options include a heated steering wheel, carbon-ceramic brakes, parking sensors, HUD, and a few safety assistance features.

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The 2018 BMW M4 Coupe comes in a single trim. Among the gearboxes, the DCT has better performance, but the manual has the feel of shifts. Among the packages, the Executive package is recommended. The Competition package depends on whether more power is required. Among stand-alone options, carbon-ceramic brakes parking sensors, infotainment upgrades, and safety assistance systems are recommended.

The 2018 BMW M4 RWD with the 6-speed manual transmission returns 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. The M4 with the DCT returns the same numbers, but the highway mileage is less by 1 mpg. The car has a fuel capacity of 15.9 gallons which gives it a city/highway range of 270.3 miles/397.5 miles with the RWD system and the 6-speed gearbox.

The Audi RS5 is the most efficient car, with a combined mileage of 21 mpg. The M4 is second on the list, at 20 mpg combined. The ATS-V and the C63 have the least mileage at 19 mpg. In terms of range, the C63 AMG gets the largest fuel tank despite being the heaviest car: which gives it the most range at 295 city miles and 400 highway miles. The RS5 and the M4 have a similar range. The ATS-V suffers from its least range of 256 city miles and 368 highway miles.

"Both the 2018 M4 coupe and convertible have seating for four, and like their more mainstream 4 Series siblings, space is tight in the rear. That likely won't matter much to buyers of the M4, as their primary concern will be behind the wheel."- Kelley Blue Book

2018 BMW M4 Seating and Comfort

The interiors on the 2018 BMW M4 are simple and premium. It's quite roomy as well, and the exterior will fool you into believing it's a tight car on the inside. As a daily driver, the interior of this car will come as pretty easy to live with, and natural with the BMW line-up. The fit and finish on the M4 are excellent, with no places to complain about. The controls and buttons are robust, and straightforward. Material quality in the M4 is top-notch and deserving of a compact sports luxury coupe. The driving position is upright, not engulfing as some sports cars do. Where we do have a problem is with the center console, which uses too much hard plastic which stands out in this exclusive interior. The usage of warm and bright colors over cool and dark colors brings out the interior even more.

In terms of seating, the M4 is a 2-door 4-seater car. The seats use a mixed material of cloth and leather, which is smooth to touch and feels like any other BMW seating. The M4 prides on its seating- sporty but comfortable for daily driving as well. The front seats are super comfortable, with thick cushioning and good enough support and bolstering. Getting into the rear can be a job, but once you are inside, the seats have decent legroom and are comfortable for adults. Getting in and out of the front row is just like any other car, with high seats and a wide door that make it easy to get in and out. Visibility is good in the front and on the sides, but there are blind spots towards the rear. The door trims use a sun-reflective technology that helps to keep the cabin cool.

All the cars seat 4 passengers. The BMW offers the most space in the front and the back. Individual proportions-wise, the ATS-V has the most legroom in the front and the RS5 has the most headroom in the rear. The BMW M4 has a long wheelbase that has helped it provide a roomy interior. The C63 boasts of a larger wheelbase, but the engine takes up some extra space. Some of the interior features on the BMW M4 are:

• Keyless ignition and entry
• Dual-zone automatic control
• Leather upholstery
• Power front sport seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Power rear sunshade

2018 BMW M4 Infotainment

The 2018 BMW M4 gets an 8.8-inch display screen with BMW's iDrive infotainment interface as standard. This screen is large, easy to see in bright light, and responsive to inputs. The controls are very logically placed, which makes navigating through the menu simple. The interface itself is clean and has a smooth flow to it.

Some features on this infotainment unit are: 

• Apple CarPlay
• Wireless charging
• HUD
• HD and satellite radio
• CD player
• Bluetooth
• Navigation

2018 BMW M4 Cargo Capacity

The cargo capacity in the 2018 BMW M4 stands at 11 cu-ft. The cargo capacity is not much, but will carry weekend getaway luggage. The split backseat is foldable, which can help with the loading of bigger items.

The Cadillac ATS-V offers the least cargo capacity at 10.4 cu-ft. This is followed by the Mercedes-Benz C63 at 10.5 cu-ft. The M4 comes in second place, whereas the RS5 offers the most at 16.4 cubic feet. 

"The M4 coupe and convertible look similar to those of the 4 Series, but their unique traits are easy to see if you know where to look."- Kelley Blue Book

2018 BMW M4 Coupe Dimensions and Weight

The 2018 BMW M4's exterior is similar to the 4-Series but gets a different front and rear styling. The M4's front features the signature kidney grille styling with the M badging stamped on it. The front bumper is more aggressively styled, with a mesh grille to direct cold air towards the engine for better cooling. The car's hood gets a power dome. Around the side, just behind the front wheel are slits that again function as air passageways for hot air to flow away from the engine. The roof rises from the hood curves towards the rear.

At the rear, the bumper also gets a more aggressive design with a lot more lines and creases. The rear also features a quad exhaust setup, which showcases the car's sporty nature. The hood on the Coupe has a choice- it can be the traditional steel roof with a sunroof, or a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic roof that helps with weight savings. Coming to dimensions, the 2018 BMW M4 weighs 3530 lbs, and has a length of 184.5 inches. It's 73.6 inches wide and sits 54.4 inches tall. The car has a wheelbase of 110.7 inches which is similar to that on the 4-Series. This wheelbase has helped provide a better interior space as well.

The four cars are quite similar to each other in terms of proportions and placed side by side, the differences are not easy to see. The RS5 is the longest car and has the tightest wheelbase of all. The C63 has the most width and is the heaviest of all, at 4074 lbs. The ATS-V sits the tallest from the ground, with a ground clearance of 4.9 inches. The wheelbase is the most on the M4 at 110.7 inches. It is also the lightest among these cars.

Some of the exterior features on the M4 are:

• Sunroof
• LED headlights and taillights
• 18-inch/20-inch wheels
• Adaptive sport-tuned suspension
• The electronically controlled rear differential
• Quad exhaust setup

The 2018 BMW M4 Coupe has not been safety rated by the NHTSA and the IIHS. The standard 4-Series has not been rated, but 4-Series is based on the 3-Series which got a Top Safety Pick award by the IIHS. In terms of standard equipment, the M4 is well-equipped but offers driver assistance features as an optional feature. This is disappointing, as some regular cars also get these features as standard now.

Some safety features on the M4 Coupe are:

• Airbags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring system
• Rearview camera
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control
• Active lane control.

The active safety features all together cost $2,200 which is quite expensive. 

2018 BMW M4 Coupe vs 2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

The M4 and the C63 are both performance variants of their standard cars. These two cars are similar in terms of their performance, but the C63 has better performance times. The braking on the C63 is better than that on the M4 as well. Also, the M4 has better fuel economy but the C63 has a better range. Both the cars come with RWD as standard. The BMW however benefits from better driving dynamics and more control in terms of handling and steering.

In the interior, the M4is better than the C63 in terms of layout and overall appeal. The BMW's interior feels more modern and clean. The cargo space on both these cars is similar, but the BMW's cargo is slightly larger. Both the cars have not been safety-rated. The BMW however costs $1,200 over the C63. 

2018 BMW M4 Coupe vs 2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe

The 2018 Audi RS5 is a great package. It's better in most departments than the BMW M4. The RS5 is much easier to live with daily. It offers better performance, with its more powerful engine and is much quicker off the line. The Quattro system offers even better handling and steering control, and lets you play around as well. The RS5 has a better fuel economy as well but is similar to the M4 in terms of range.

The interiors on the RS5 are a notch higher than those on the BMW M4. There are more standard features on offer, and the trunk can hold more luggage as well. The RS5 is the all-rounder to go for. It's better than the M4 with the Competition package as well. The M4 is affordable than the RS5 by $1,200. But the RS5 offers more value for money.

The 2018 BMW M4 is a great performance coupe to live with on a daily basis. It has the performance to get your adrenaline up, the handing to engage you but it all comes with a restriction, unlike the RS5. The BMW also has a decent fuel economy, for the performance it offers. The interiors are well-finished, with good equipment and easy tech. Where we find the BMW's limitations are at enhancing the interior and performance experience that the sports luxury coupe should manage to offer. The M4 is not a bad choice, but if you have the extra money we will suggest the RS5.