Spending every week with a brand new M automotive is at all times a deal with. Slightly than drawing conclusions substantiated by a couple of hours and even mere minutes of seat time, you get a glimpse of the possession expertise. Which means placing the automotive via the paces in a bigger number of conditions, however it additionally means seeing how the automotive exists in the actual world. No automotive is ideal, and regardless of being fairly the compelling driver, the 2025 BMW M4 Competitors isn’t any exception. There’s loads to speak about – and we’ll cowl it extra comprehensively in a full evaluate coming quickly. However for now, right here’s the 5 issues we love and 5 issues we aren’t as loopy about on the brand new 2025 BMW M4 Competitors.
Issues We Love: Carbon Bucket Seats
The G8X chassis isn’t the primary BMW to supply carbon-fiber bucket seats. However, it’s the primary time BMW has broadly provided them, beforehand reserving them for particular vehicles just like the M4 GTS (in Europe, that’s). When you’re in, these seats do precisely what they appear like they’re alleged to do: maintain on and don’t let go. The bolsters maintain you completely in place even throughout spirited driving, they usually look ridiculous – in a great way. Particularly in our take a look at automotive, which wears Yas Marina Blue/Yellow upholstery.
Engine Responsiveness
The S58 engine is sensible, a logical evolution of the equally pleasant twin-turbo S55 that you will discover beneath the hood of the F80 M3 and F82 M4. Within the G82 M4, it makes between 473 horsepower and 523 horsepower relying on the drivetrain you go for. Rear-wheel drive fashions like our take a look at automotive sport 503 horsepower, a contented medium that leaves nothing to be desired. Fast stabs of the throttle – so long as you’re within the acceptable gear – ship speedy response and a pleasing, aggressive soundtrack.
iDrive
BMW’s iDrive is mostly thought-about one of many higher infotainment techniques available on the market, and there isn’t an exception to be made right here. iDrive 8.5 is fast, snappy, and intuitive. One of many issues I used to be nervous about within the new automotive was that the display screen and tech overload would get in the best way of what issues most in an M automotive – the driving expertise. I’m blissful to report that that’s not the case right here, and the 2025 BMW M4 affords straightforward and unintrusive tech integration.
Rear Seat House
This one actually shocked me. I had a couple of rear-seat passengers in my time with the 2025 BMW M4, they usually all had nice issues to say. To cite one: “what are you speaking about? There’s a lot room again right here!” My sub-6-foot (182 cm) good friend even claimed the again seat had more room than his sedan, an Audi A3.
Braking and Grip
Admittedly our take a look at automotive got here geared up with heavy hitter brakes – optionally available M Carbon Ceramic models. However man, what distinctive brake really feel – and we don’t assume that’s restricted to the gold-painted calipers. Coupled with the grip the automotive’s staggered 19- and 20-inch wheel and tire package deal affords and also you’ve obtained a automotive that handles and stops delightfully nicely.
Issues We Don’t Like: Design
Polarizing is one of the best issues you’ll be able to name the brand new M4 and M3, and the 2025 facelift doesn’t do a lot to alter that. New headlights and laser taillights give the automotive slightly bit extra of a contemporary edge, however each do little to alter the not possible to disregard grilles. In the end, you’ll both love or hate how the automotive seems, and that every one comes right down to opinion.
Carbon Buckets
They need to be probably the most controversial seats ever fitted to a manufacturing automobile. Every little thing constructive I mentioned in regards to the seats is completely 100% true. However getting out and in – particularly in the event you’re doing it eight or ten occasions a day – may even change into painful after some time. I may even overlook that. However I merely don’t really feel the bolsters will maintain up a lot previous the guarantee interval. Significantly in the event you or your passenger depend on them to propel your self up and over the equally inconvenient aspect skirt protruding from the underside of the automobile.
Dimension
The BMW M4 is certainly agile, however all the facility on the earth can’t conceal that the automotive is the longest and widest M4 but. The automotive’s dimensions make it really feel huge on tight, twisty roads which are alleged to be the place the automotive excels. Admittedly, the facility and distinctive chassis tuning make the automotive really feel slightly smaller while you’re at velocity.
Value and Worth
Our take a look at automotive’s MSRP got here out to almost $109,000 – that’s some severe money. Whereas a base, manual-equipped M4 begins round $80,000, it’s all too straightforward to get heavy-handed with the choices and find yourself with a six-figure M3 or M4. Whereas that price really retains prices of a brand new M3 according to inflation, that’s nonetheless numerous scratch to half with. Particularly when you think about what exists on the used market at that worth level.
Engagement
The M4 is nearly too succesful, and we don’t actually imply that facetiously. The chassis and powertrain are so potent that the automotive asks little of the motive force, which interprets to a considerably much less partaking expertise. In comparison with one thing like a Miata or early M automotive, the 2025 M4 is sort of a genie: “you want to go?” Woosh, and also you’re there. In epic, slide-y vogue if desired. Sadly which means except you’re driving into deeply unlawful speeds the automotive feels a bit numb and uninteresting; like a geriatric German shepherd enjoying the identical sport of fetch it has performed time and time once more for the final 14 years.
