How did you like the M4? I"m thinking about buying one.

 

 

Did you have a cab or coupe?
The F type coupe is very rigid. I think that part of why it's such a solid GT car.

 

OP here. The F82 M4 gets very little love from the automotive press. Prior to my current 2015 M4 I had a W204 Mercedes C63, and before that I had an E90 M3. After driving all of those cars I can say with certainty that my current M4 is my favorite. It might not sound as good as the W204 C63 (or certainly an F Type R), but I think overall it's a very compelling, very livable package. I've kept mine just over 3 years which is longer than I've kept anything in the past so I guess that's saying something.

I will say this though - go for the Competition Pack if you don't mind the harsh ride of the recalibrated suspension and 20s.

Hope that helps...

 

 

We're getting off topic here, but the techs and customers at the shop where my M3 (E90) gets its service are tracking the F82's M4's extensively. Pre competition pack, many complained about the power level being higher than the suspension seemed to be able to handle. But with competition pack, they say most of the problems are solved, and they are now modifying the heck out of them - 600 wheel HP is common. And while many still have love for my E90 version, apparently the torque is so much higher on the F82's they are starting to have as much fun with the F82 now as with the older version cars.

 

I own both an M4 (2015, Yas Marina Blue) and an XE with the current most recent infotainment system offered by Jag.

I think the iDrive system is better than Jags in terms of use-ability and reliability overall. For instance, when going from D to R, back to D and then R again (a common parking maneuver) the rear camera in the Jag will often fail to engage. That said, the nav on the Jag is actually way ahead of the BMWs and is much easier to use, albeit the Jag's system is two years newer. The Jag's traffic functionality works well too. Where BMW excels is when the system has to be used during driving. It's just so much easier to move the dial around than to use a touch screen.

Sound quality in the Jag (top of the line Meridian 725W system) is way ahead of the BMW (Harman-Kardon).

I can't speak to the Alpha since I've never driven it, but perhaps the comparisons made here will help in your choice OP.

Since rigidity was brought up, I can't help but point this out - the F8x M3/M4 cars are amongst the most rigid cars produced at the consumer level (i.e. non-track cars), except for some of the hypercars out there.

"BMW claims the M3's torsional stiffness is over 40,000 Newton-meters per degree, approaching that of the 2004 BMW M3 GTR race car, which used a steel-tube
roll cage to reach 46,000 Nm/deg. The stiffness comes in part from the same strut-tower brace that also helps steering feel and response." source: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...ons-bmw-m3-m4/

For comparison, the F-type is around 33,000 Nm/deg (coupe) or 18,000 Nm/deg (convertible). source: Car Body Torsional Rigidity ? A Comprehensive List (Updated 05/14/2018) | YouWheel - Your Car Expert

 

Great data. Convertibles always seem looser to me. That little shudder in the mirror.

 

I thought the F-Type was complimented on how stiff the convertible was when it was first released. The coupe was the "after-thought" body style!

 

I've not driven an F Type vert. I have had some stinky cars that were flexible fliers. Two that jump off the page were a 308 ferrari and an Acura NSX. Both targas and both flexed so much with the tops they were barely drivable. The acura felt like it was going to fold in half. The best I've had was an SL550. It felt 80% as good with top down but god knows how much the thing weighed.

I have heard the FType is very stiff in the vert version.

 

You are going to like the F-Type vert then because it is MUCH stiffer than the SL550 as it was designed as a vert FIRST before the coupe was even introduced so it has additional rigidity that no other verts have

 

This is an easy choice for me since I don't purchase a car based on the infotainment or stereo. So, take a look at both. One is the finest looking coupe in the world and the other is a sedan. I understand you may want to assure you live near the Alfa dealer for convenience in dropping it off for warranty work.

 

If the Guila is as reliable as my Stelvio, there is no need to live close to an Alfa dealer. My Stelvio has been absolutely flawless.

 

It was and is. If you look at the data on that link, you'll find that the F type 'vert is one of the most rigid convertible cars out there, surpassing almost every other drop top - some by a wide margin. 911 'vert - 11,600, C7 'vette - 14,500, Viper - 11,400, TT - 10,000.....


Cheers,
Dave

 

I just test drove a DCT M4 for a while. Interesting compared to my 2015 type R.
Different cars to be sure. I found the M4 to be very solid and better balanced. More touch in the steering.
That said, not even remotely as tail happy as my R. I've read the stories about the power the M4 has but they must be much smaller horses than the R type. Also, the M4 has zip for sound. Kind of a tin can rattle at idle and then nothing that really tells you it's high power above that. Very, very different than the R.
I came away from the M4 thinking it's a very good car but a little underwhelmed.

I've owned a tracked a lot of cars. Lambo's, modded turbo PCars, Fcars and so on. There are only two I've had that felt like they made more power than advertised. A C6 Zo6 corvette which would output my 600HP Porsche Turbo and my R Type. I've had the R a year and it feels like it makes more power than when I got it.