The 2018 BMW M4 is the BMW 4-Series on steroids. The BMW M4 for the year 2018 gets an updated infotainment system, and has refreshed front and rear-end styling. The M4 is packed with some serious mechanical equipment and tools to provide the necessary experience as a compact sports coupe. The M4 is based on the M3 in some ways, but it does a lot better than the M3 in most directions. The BMW M4 packs in a luxurious interior, with advanced but simple and easy-to-use tech.
2018 BMW M4 white
The BMW M4 comes in coupe and convertible body styles, and we are covering the M4 coupe in this article. The 2018 BMW M4 coupe is powered by a turbocharged I-6 engine that outputs 425 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The car comes in only one trim level. This I-6 engine comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive as standard and is priced at $68,700.
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The 2018 BMW M4 is the performance-oriented version of the standard BMW 4-Series. It comes equipped with a Turbo I-6 engine, mated to a 6-speed gearbox or an optional 7-speed DCT. The M4 uses an RWD system as standard. The M4 offers a decent fuel economy as well, at 20 mpg combined. The interiors on the M4 are what one would expect from a BMW, with premium on point, and a practical and easy-to-use layout.
2018 BMW M4
The M4 charms with its looks. It offers a balanced platter of luxury, looks, and performance. There are a few cars that offer a similar kind of package like the M4, and are a serious competition to the M4. These include the 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe, the Audi RS-5 Coupe, and the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe. All three rivals offer excellent performance, handling, and control. Comparatively, the ATS-V does not match the German cars in terms of interior, but it has excellent handling and steering capabilities.
Features
8.0/10
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.
Trims
M4 Coupe
MSRP
$68,700
Features
Launch control
Adaptive sport suspension
Summer tires
Leather upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Driver-seat memory settings
Fold-down rear seatbacks
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.
We Recommend
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.
Engine and Performance
9.1/10
"The M4 drives a lot like a sports car. It accelerates with potency, turns sharply and stops quickly." - Edmunds
2018 BMW M4 Coupe Engine and Transmission
The 2018 BMW M4 Coupe is powered by the turbocharged engine seen on the 2017 BMW M4 Coupe. This 3.0L I-6 engine outputs 425 hp @ 5500 rpm and 406 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm of torque. The standard gearbox is a 6-speed manual, with the option of a 7-speed DCT. The car gets an RWD drivetrain system. As standard, the car is equipped with launch control and automatic-rev matching on downshifts. The Competition package increases the car's total power output to 444 hp @ 7000 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque @ 2350 rpm.
2018 BMW M4 Engine
The 6-speed manual transmission is much more engaging and enriching the experience, with the benefit of the fault of human control. The DCT is otherwise; it is automated, quick with shifts, easier to use in city life, and has better performance on offer as well. The RWD with the DCT and launch control provides an enthralling experience.
Models
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2018 Audi RS5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
MSRP
$68,700
$63,795
$69,900
$67,500
Engine
Turbo 3.0L V6
Turbo 3.6L V6
Twin-turbo 2.9L V6
Twin-turbo 4.0L V8
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
6-Speed Manual
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed Automatic
Power
425 hp @ 5500 rpm
464 hp @ 5850 rpm
444 hp @ 5700 rpm
469 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
406 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm
445 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
443 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm
479 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
The four cars have similar pricing. The Cadillac, like the M4, gets a manual gearbox, whereas the other two get automatic transmissions. The Mercedes has the largest engine, a V8. The most power is produced by the C63 AMG, whereas the most torque is output by the C63 as well. in terms of torque, the low-end on the Merc is the strongest. All cars have a strong mid-range.
2018 BMW M4 Acceleration
The 2018 BMW M4 RWD with the manual gearbox takes 4.1 seconds to complete 0-60 mph, and 12.4 seconds for the quarter-mile run. The top speed is rated at 155 mph. With the DCT gearbox, the car takes 4 seconds to sprint from 0-60 mph, and 12.2 seconds for the quarter-mile. With the Competition Package, the car improves on the 0-60 mph time taking 3.8 seconds. Even the quarter-mile time comes down to 12 seconds.
Models
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
0-60 mph (sec)
4.1
3.8
3.7
3.9
Quarter-mile (sec)
12.4
12.2
12
12.2
Engine
3.0L
3.6L
2.9L
4.0L
Top Speed (mph)
155
180
155
155
The RS5 is the quickest car here, taking just 3.7 seconds to reach the 0-60 mph mark. The RS5's active aerodynamics and the powerful low-end and mid-range give this car the edge against its rivals. The C63 is 0.1 seconds slower, whereas the Cadillac is 0.2 seconds behind. The M4 is the slowest taking 4.1 seconds. In the quarter-mile, there is a similar pattern as well. The Cadillac has the most top speed at 180 mph.
2018 BMW M4 Coupe Steering and Handling
The 2018 BMW M4 Coupe has excellent driving dynamics. The handling on the M4 provides great levels of grip and control. The car's handling will inspire extreme levels of confidence, and corners will seem like a piece of cake in this car. It is super stable, with the RWD system taking control of preventing any sway.
2018 BMW M4 Competition blue color
The M4's steering is precise, and light. It is quick to turn and steer, but there is a slight lack of feedback. The adaptive sports suspension setup works well, and although there was a fear of the ride being too stiff, it is the exact opposite. The ride is quite supple, and comfort is not disturbed in any way.
2018 BMW M4 Braking
The BMW M4's standard braking set-up is excellent. The car uses a 15-inch front brake and a 14.6-inch rear brake. Both the brakes are ventilated disc brakes. The car has a curb weight of 3530 lbs and stops from 60-0 mph in a distance of 104 feet. This is not bad at all, but the rivals have better braking performance.
2018 BMW M4 Carbon brakes
The BMW M4 also gets optional carbon-ceramic brakes that help the car stops even quicker, reducing the distance from 104 feet to 99 feet.
Model
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Brake Front (in)
15.0
14.5
14.8
15.4
Brake Rear (in)
14.6
13.3
13.0
14.2
Curb Weight (lbs)
3530
3803
3990
4074
60-0 mph (ft.)
104
101
104
103
The ATS-V has the best stopping distance at 101 feet. The C63 comes next, with a stopping distance of 103 feet. The M4 and the RS5 have the same stopping distance of 104 feet, the least. In terms of brake sizes, the largest front brake rotor is on the C63, at 15.4-inches. The M4 coupe has the largest rear brake rotor at 14.6-inches.
Fuel Economy
7.1/10
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.
Model
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2108 Audi RS 5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
MPG (City)
17
16
18
17
MPG (Highway)
25
23
26
23
MPG (Combined)
20
19
21
19
Fuel Capacity (gallons)
15.9
16
15.3
17.4
Range (City/highway) (miles)
270.3/397.5
256/368
275.4/397.8
295.8/400.2
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.
Interior
7.7/10
"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.
2018 BMW M4 seating
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.
Model
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Passenger capacity
4
4
4
4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)
(In.)
39.8/55.3/42.2
37.6/54.1/42.3
39.6/55.3/41.3
38.8/54.8/42.0
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)
(In.)
36.1/51.7/33.7
35.1/51.1/33.5
36.2/50.7/32.7
35.6/51.7/32.0
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.
2018 BMW M4 dash and infotainment
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.
Model
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Volume (ft cube)
11.0
10.4
16.4
10.5
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.
Exterior
9.1/10
"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.
2018 BMW M4 Competition front three quarter view
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.
Model
2018 BMW M4 Coupe
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Curb weight(lbs)
3530
3803
3990
4074
Length(in)
184.5
184.7
186.0
184.0
Width(in)
73.6
72.5
73.3
73.6
Height(in)
54.4
54.5
53.5
55.1
Ground clearance(in)
4.8
4.9
4.5
4.4
Wheelbase(in)
110.7
109.3
108.9
111.8
Track width(in) F/R
62.2/63.1
60.5/61.4
62.9/62.5
64.4/62.7
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.
2018 BMW M4 Competition rear three quarter view
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
Safety
9.0/10
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.
2018 BMW M4 grey
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.
Competition
9.0/10
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.
2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe
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.
2018 Audi RS5 Coupe
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.
Final Verdict
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.
