[TheDrivenGarage]

Well after an amazing year, and 10k miles with my M850i Gran Coupe, I decided to make a jump to a M4 Vert yesterday. I loved the M850i, it wasn't my daily but my GT car. I used it for long road trips across the country, heading from Chicago to California, VA, Florida. We tackled miles and the car excelled. I loved the power and sound of the V8 (even if some of it was synthesized). And I honeslty just loved to look at the car. I thought I would keep it forever, so I did a full ppf and never had to worry about swirl marks on the BSM paint. I actually loved some of the tech gimmics and used the gestures and heads up and other features.

But with time I felt like I wasn't driving the car enough. I am a big tall guy, and I felt like it was a bit of a hassle getting in and out to run errands. So unless I had a big trip, the car sat in the garage and was eye candy.

Last week I was at the dealer getting the summer wheels put on and chatting with my CA. He of course wants to show me what he has on the lot and incoming. XM, no. I7, no. M8 Gran Coupe... maybe. Hmmmm M4 Vert incoming next week.... yes.

My first new car was a 2003 BMW Z4, and I loved that car, and through the years have gone in and out of tens of cars. But don't have a convertible now. Given the M850i wasn't a daily, I figured I could get even more impractical, so we did the deal.

Picked up the M4 yesterday. And first impressions are that I miss a lot of the 8! The interior isn't as nice, it's got hard plastics in it. There's no gestures! The V8 is gone. It's pretty but the 8 was gorgeous. I rarely think about previous cars I have owned when I get a new one, so this is a new feeling, no regret, just a small tinge of missing her haha. There are of course things I love immediately about the M4, but it's made me appreciate how good the 8 really is.

So enjoy your 8's, it's easy to have wandering eyes, but they are incredible machines.

[Mancunian101]

Nice write up.

I’m switching from the M8 GC to an X5 M60i, and do think I’ll miss the 8 too.

[Vic55]

hinckley

Hinckley went from an M8 to a G83 ...

I have a G80 and an M8- different brushes to paint a canvas for sure and I respect both for the intrinsic returns I get when I flip the cars.

I find the G80 more lively, better steering, and more aggressive to drive while the M8 is the luxo GT crusher that is faster and bigger and louder. The M8 has the better interior but my G80 has reasonable bits inside and I dont mind it being deficient to the 8. The S58 is ripper of an engine but sounds ehhhh while the S63tu is just a roaring beast.

BMW definitely did a great job with the G chassis M platform. Now I do understand the the G83 is about 300lbs heavier than my M3 and that will definitely be felt but the car still drives well under its weight in feel.

[Davesrb]

I can definitely see how you would miss the 8. I have only had my 840i GC for a few months, and I would have a hard time stepping down into anything else. I actually hadn't planned on getting it. I was pretty much sold on an M550 for my personal car, but once I drove the 8 I was sold. The car drives so well, I can honestly say I don't miss the V8 power. When I feel the need to go fast, I jump on my bike anyway.

[TheDrivenGarage]

Originally Posted by Vic55

I find the G80 more lively, better steering, and more aggressive to drive while the M8 is the luxo GT crusher that is faster and bigger and louder. The M8 has the better interior but my G80 has reasonable bits inside and I dont mind it being deficient to the 8. The S58 is ripper of an engine but sounds ehhhh while the S63tu is just a roaring beast.

My exact feelings thus far! I got to drop the top today and just tool around and it was great. It's going to fit the mission well. But there is something in the back of my head that makes me want to think about picking up a M8 GC before they are all hybrids and keep it alongside my TRX as a tribute to internal combustion.

[hinckley]

These are very personal decisions based on what's most important for any driver. I went from over 25 years of 911s (Targas and Cabs) to an M8 vert to a M4 vert. Essentially, I was looking for the best replacement of a 911 and there simply is no replacement for that car. So I had to chose where to compromise. What I learned was that I valued handling over luxury and straight line performance, and honestly, I had to go thru the M8 to figure that out. But in about three weeks of ownership, I've bonded with the M4 in a way I never bonded with the M8. But again, that's based on my driving priorities. YMMV.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Vic55

BMW definitely did a great job with the G chassis M platform. Now I do understand the the G83 is about 300lbs heavier than my M3 and that will definitely be felt but the car still drives well under its weight in feel.

That's it! The G8x chassis is the key. I've never liked big cars. I prefer small, tossable vehicles epitomized by the 911, and for me, everything about the M8 felt big . . . and HEAVY. But oddly, on paper the M4 vert's dimensions are not that different from the M8's - only 2.7" shorter, 2.2" narrower, 250 pounds lighter. But the car feels like it's a thousand pounds lighter and that's especially felt in the corners. Accelerating hard through a curve in the M8 is a white knuckle experience imo. But in the M4, it's 8/10ths of my old 911s. And dollar-for-dollar, it can't be beat.

[m3_08]

could of just get M8 conv and get the best of 2

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by hinckley

That's it! The G8x chassis is the key. I've never liked big cars. I prefer small, tossable vehicles epitomized by the 911, and for me, everything about the M8 felt big . . . and HEAVY. But oddly, on paper the M4 vert's dimensions are not that different from the M8's - only 2.7" shorter, 2.2" narrower, 250 pounds lighter. But the car feels like it's a thousand pounds lighter and that's especially felt in the corners. Accelerating hard through a curve in the M8 is a white knuckle experience imo. But in the M4, it's 8/10ths of my old 911s. And dollar-for-dollar, it can't be beat.

This is how a feel now with the 718 chassis compared to the 911.... The newer 911 feels more like the M8....

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Tenac

This is how a feel now with the 718 chassis compared to the 911.... The newer 911 feels more like the M8....

While I don't agree that the 911 and M8 are comparable, I do understand your sentiments in regards to the 718. Although the 911 is a better overall package for me, the 718 is arguably the better successor to the more traditional 911 handling characteristics with its better engine placement and its lower weight. In many respects, I think that Porsche unintentionally designed a 718 that is a better 911.