Buying a M4 F83 Competition.

[Stevey101]

Hello everyone

So I’m looking at buying a 18/19 plate F83 M4 competition and think my minds set on getting one. So firstly just wanting a general opinion on them from someone that’s actually owned one?
Secondly I’ve seen one I really like but it’s convertible which I personally was looking for a convertible car as I’ve always wanted a convertible, I know a lot don’t like convertibles but from been a kid I’ve always wanted one and like them just a personal preference. Now I’ve read with the convertible M4 it lowers performance as the steel folding roof adds 200kg to the car unlike the coupe which is carbon fibre so it makes it slightly slower and harder to handle (not sure how true) so it has made me a bit sceptical. Would you get the coupe or convertible and why?

Thanks guys 👍🏼

[bobsavage789]

I’ve owned my F83 comp for nearly 3 months so far, and I’m very pleased with it, though the very good weather we’ve had until this week may have something to do with that!

If your heart is set on an M4, the only reason I personally would go for a coupé over a convertible is if you plan on doing track days etc. I didn’t drive a coupé before buying mine, and this may be confirmation bias, but I have noticed the weight when driving quickly with the roof up (not so much with the roof down). For reference, I’ve had a few brisk cars (including a Tuscan), which are what I’m comparing the M4 with.

The creaks/rattles are slightly annoying, but I’ve learned to live with them. Ditto the hard suspension. It is a great thing though, and every drive feels like an event.

If it has to be convertible, I’d also recommend looking at a C63: they’re a fantastic thing, and I was very close to buying one, but couldn’t find a nice example in budget.

Here’s mine (and yes, I love the Austin Yellow!):

[Jamescrs]

I own an F82 M4 coupe, personally when I was looking I discounted the F83 straight away but it is a personal preference. F83 tend to be slightly cheaper than the F82 like for like.

I haven’t driven an F83 so can’t comment on the performance difference but I do suspect that unless you are doing track days you probably won’t notice much.

I know from owners groups a key thing to check on convertibles is water ingress in the boot which can kill the amplifier and isn’t a cheap fix so check for that when looking, it is caused by blocked drains in the rear wings which is unique to the F83 M4, and I suspect other convertible 4 series.

I’d also say make sure you check insurance quotes before you buy because I’ve seen a lot of posts on owners groups from new owners that get very high quotes and are shocked by it.

Good luck with your search

[Snubs]

Quite a few of us on here own an M4 and everyone i see is very happy with it. Mine is a non-competition coupe. The competitions were a bit out of my price range at the time but i don't regret it as I prefer the wheel design mine comes with and the increase in power in fairly negligible from what i understand from those that have tried both.

As per the poster above I never considered the convertible. Partly because I suppose it's seen as a heavy compromise to a performance car, but as has been said i doubt you'd notice too much. To be at the sort of cornering speeds when you'd really notice the difference on public roads would be somewhat bonkers. In any event, comp or non-comp, F82 or F83 they're all seriously quick and one of the best looking BMWs of recent times. Insurance is pricey as has been mentioned and some major services (in particular spark plugs) are expensive too, but you don't buy these cars expecting the running costs of a Honda Jazz. There're loads of interior and exterior OEM bits of carbon you can add to taste; I've not change exterior on mine, but got merry with the carbon on the inside and added a BMW go-faster steering wheel complete with rally blue stripe at the top.

Go for it, I don't doubt you'll enjoy whichever one you end up with

[AB]

bobsavage789 said:

I’ve owned my F83 comp for nearly 3 months so far, and I’m very pleased with it, though the very good weather we’ve had until this week may have something to do with that!

If your heart is set on an M4, the only reason I personally would go for a coupé over a convertible is if you plan on doing track days etc. I didn’t drive a coupé before buying mine, and this may be confirmation bias, but I have noticed the weight when driving quickly with the roof up (not so much with the roof down). For reference, I’ve had a few brisk cars (including a Tuscan), which are what I’m comparing the M4 with.

The creaks/rattles are slightly annoying, but I’ve learned to live with them. Ditto the hard suspension. It is a great thing though, and every drive feels like an event.

If it has to be convertible, I’d also recommend looking at a C63: they’re a fantastic thing, and I was very close to buying one, but couldn’t find a nice example in budget.

Here’s mine (and yes, I love the Austin Yellow!):

Lovely colour!

[russy01]

I had one, it was OK.

200kg - fuel tank of petrol and a fat passenger? Can you notice on a track, yes - on the road being fairly sensible, no. Still plenty quick.

Boot is a bit crap with roof down.
Windy without deflector (manual job).
Brakes (steel) a bit weedy when really pushing on
Needs ps4s for any meaningful traction.

Had the car for a little over 12months, was my daily and sat with my wife’s x5 40d. After a year or so I got bored, it was fast and effective but it wasn’t exciting. Swapped it out for a 991.1 C2s which was on another level.

Here she was

[BlackTank]

Stevey101 said:

Hello everyone

So I m looking at buying a 18/19 plate F83 M4 competition and think my minds set on getting one. So firstly just wanting a general opinion on them from someone that s actually owned one?
Secondly I ve seen one I really like but it s convertible which I personally was looking for a convertible car as I ve always wanted a convertible, I know a lot don t like convertibles but from been a kid I ve always wanted one and like them just a personal preference. Now I ve read with the convertible M4 it lowers performance as the steel folding roof adds 200kg to the car unlike the coupe which is carbon fibre so it makes it slightly slower and harder to handle (not sure how true) so it has made me a bit sceptical. Would you get the coupe or convertible and why?

Thanks guys ????

I have a 2019 convertible and I've put a lot of miles on it and am very happy with it. During the rainy, colder months it's got a decent boot, functional backseats and that metal roof is solid, solid, solid. I end up using it a lot as a general run around and errand car and that's pretty fking awesome. Insurance and maintenance and fuel are all acceptable. Woould I get it again? Absolutely and every once in a while when I think about changing it out, I fail to find a more fun, reliable practical convertible.

[Jamescrs]

BlackTank said:

I have a 2019 convertible and I've put a lot of miles on it and am very happy with it. During the rainy, colder months it's got a decent boot, functional backseats and that metal roof is solid, solid, solid. I end up using it a lot as a general run around and errand car and that's pretty fking awesome. Insurance and maintenance and fuel are all acceptable. Woould I get it again? Absolutely and every once in a while when I think about changing it out, I fail to find a more fun, reliable practical convertible.

Feel the same way about my F82 Coupe, every so often I think about a change as i've had it coming upto 2 years now but there's nothing under 40k which really grabs me in the same way and if I was going to change at all I think i'd just end up buying a younger version of the same car but then as I know mine is sorted there's no point so i'll keep it for another 12 months and consider it again after.

[cerb4.5lee]

Jamescrs said:

Feel the same way about my F82 Coupe, every so often I think about a change as i've had it coming upto 2 years now but there's nothing under 40k which really grabs me in the same way and if I was going to change at all I think i'd just end up buying a younger version of the same car but then as I know mine is sorted there's no point so i'll keep it for another 12 months and consider it again after.

I feel that way about mine as well. Had it over 4 years now as my daily, and I'm still not bored of it either.