babypuppi: [14] Voss Bmw In Today Picture

The BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe share the same engine, transmission choices and basic dimensions. Obviously the number of doors differ, with the M4 Coupe sporting only two doors, while the M3 Sedan provides two additional doors. The curb weight is also different, with the sedan’s two additional doors weighing an extra 55 pounds.

STATSStarting Retail PriceAs Tested PriceHP / Lb-Ft2015 BMW M3 / M4$62,000 / $64,200$62,950 / $65,150 (without options)425 @ 5500-7300 rpm / 406 @1850-5500 rpmEPA RatingAs Tested MPGRating: BUY IT!TBANA

With the exception of the door count and the slight difference in the greenhouse contour or roof lines which feature different C pillar configurations, both the M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe also share the same design and overall styling cues. Both vehicles sit low over the wheels and tires, showcasing low sculpted, sloping hoods with a centered power dome and short front overhangs. Both cars display a forward rake in their stance, and both feature short rear decks.

Up front, the almost “cat-eye” headlamp assemblies wrap from the sides of the car and into the sleeker, yet familiar BMW twin-kidney grille, which is centered above the large horizontal center air intake, flanked by two sculpted outer openings. The vertical grille bars are now finished in black.

In profile, the shoulder line and side character line run in parallel laterally, continuing into the tail lamp lenses and slightly varying trunk cut lines. Aft, the lower fascias are identical on both vehicles with a lower, centered diffuser featuring split, twin dual exhaust tips.

Power for both the BMW M3 and BMW M4 marks a return to the inline 6 cylinder format made famous by BMW M but generated by an all-new 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve in line six featuring VANOS, Valvetronic, two single scroll turbochargers and high precision direct injection. The engine cranks out 425 horsepower in a range from 5500-7300 rpm, while developing 406 pound feet of torque from 1850-5500 rpm. Motive energy is routed from the longitudinally mounted front engine to the rear driving wheels through either a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed M-DCT automatic transmission with Drivelogic.

Weight was trimmed from the cars by incorporating the use of carbon fiber(CFRP) for the roof, inner hood, and inner trunk liner, as well as the driveshaft and front strut brace. Suspension links are now made of aluminum. The new cars now tip the scales at 40 percent less than their E 36 M3 predecessor. The suspension componentry for both cars consists of a double pivot spring strut front axle and anti-roll bar forward and a five-link independent rear axle.

The electric power steering is unique in that it provides three driver settings as standard fare at the touch of a button: Comfort, Sport and Sport +. There is also an optional Adaptive M suspension that serves up the same three variations in damping. Bringing the M3 and M4 to a halt are power-assisted four-wheel vented discs with ABS, DSC, ASC, DTC, DBC, CBC, Start-Off Assistant and electronic limited slip function for the Active M differential that employs an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip unit to optimize traction and directional stability.

The interior treatments showcase sensibly functional ergonomics, executed in a sporting setting that focuses on the driver. The list of traditional BMW M features includes: M door sill finishers, an M driver’s footrest, M gearshift lever, M-design circular instruments with white graphics, M leather steering wheel with chrome trim, color contrast stitching and electroplated-look shift paddles when the M-DCT gearbox is ordered.

The front seats also display a representation of BMW M’s motor sport DNA, taking inspiration from racing car bucket seats, and featuring a full-size single-piece back panel. The seat construction is very flat, with high, width-adjustable side bolsters and a low-set seat surface allowing for an optimum seating position that provides ideal support. Despite sporty design, the BMW M sports seats may be outfitted with comfort-enhancing features such as electric adjustment and heating. On the seat surface, the stitching, upholstery segmentation, and perforation give the seats a slim-fitting feel. Illuminated for the first time, the BMW M logo on the seat backrests adds a trick new and exclusive highlight.

Both the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe leave the factory with an extensive inventory of equipment and features on board, reflecting their character as performance-oriented vehicles that also offer practical, everyday usability. An extensive range of optional equipment is available to give the high-performance sports cars an enhanced and uncompromising sporting edge, pushing their comfort levels to the maximum.

BMW M3 and BMW M4 drivers pilot their cars from behind a double-spoke M leather steering wheel. The M logo, chrome trim and color contrast stitching are standard elements of the cockpit’s racing persona.

During the North American Press launch, journalists were given the opportunity to pilot all configurations (6-speed manual and 7-speed M-DCT automatic with Drivelogic) of the M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe on roads around Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and on the legendary Road America track. I drove both a BMW M4 coupe with an exterior sprayed Sakhur Orange metallic, and an M3 sedan with an exterior finished in Marina Blue metallic. Only the basic pricing was available, with no Monroneys to reflect unspecified options.

SUMMARY: Perhaps the headline suggesting “Simply chose your number of doors” is a bit overstated, as there are certainly several available options to enhance performance, comfort and convenience factors.

The return to an inline six-cylinder M-powered engine that pumps out the impressive levels of horsepower and torque served up by this high-revving 3.0-liter powerplant featuring VANOS, Valvetronic, two single scroll turbochargers and high precision direct injection makes a bold statement. Acceleration is stellar and the sound produced is musical through the twin dual exhaust.

The 6-speed manual gearbox is delightful, with its throttle blipping, but the results delivered by the 7-speed M Double Clutch automatic with Drive Logic and Launch Control are superior to any possible human input.

Handling properties are crisp, enhanced by the reconfigurable electric power steering. The new Adaptive M suspension enhancements deliver a flat, stable and controlled ride in the spirited driving scenarios provided by the legendary Road America circuit. The principles of physics can’t be overlooked or overcome by overly exuberant driving practices so it’s extremely important to operate within one’s level of expertise with cars the caliber of the M3 and M4. A couple of journalists found this out the hard way.

Despite the high performance capability of the M3 and M4, connectivity and entertainment are not forgotten, with a wide variety of driver assistance programs and mobility services introduced under the BMW ConnectedDrive feature, some of which will already be familiar from the regular BMW 3 Series and BMW 4 Series models. Included among the highlights are a new generation of the navigation system professional, offering extra capability, sharper graphics and 3D elements for the map display, Active Driving Assistant, which warns the driver of a looming collision with a pedestrian, and the adaptive full LED headlights. An optional head-up display in the BMW M3 and BMW M4 comes with additional, M-specific functions such as a gear display, rev counter and Optimum Shift Indicator.

In the final analysis, the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe both fall into BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra. They are equally capable in terms of performance and in their aesthetic appeal, and are definitely worthy of their M status. No combination of M&Ms is sweeter – plain or peanut.
On the TFLcar scale of:

Buy it!Lease it!Rent it!… or Forget it!

I give the both 2015 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe a Buy It! for being comfortable powerful performers. Just choose how many doors you want.

Watch our first drive review of the 2015 BMW M3 and BMW M4.

SPECIFICATIONS: 2015 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe
Base Price: $62,000 – M3 Sedan / $64,200 – M4 Coupe Price as Tested: $62,950 – M3 Sedan / $65,150– M4 Coupe No Monroneys were available so options are not included.

Engine Type and Size: 3.0-liter. DOHC, 24-valve in line six-cylinder with VANOS, Valvetronic, two single scroll turbochargers and high precision direct injection

Horsepower (bhp): 425 @ 5500-7300 rpm

Torque (ft./ lbs.): 406 @1850-5500 rpm

Transmission: Standard 6-speed manual or 7-speed M-DCT automatic with Drivelogic

Drive Train: Longitudinally mounted front engine / Rear-Wheel Drive

Suspension: Front – Double-joint spring strut front axle, with an aluminum stiffening plate, CFRP front strut brace and additional bolted joints between the axle subframe
Rear: – Five-link rear axle with forged aluminum control arms and wheel carriers, hollow lightweight output shafts for the Active M Differential.

Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel vented discs with ABS, DSC, ASC, DTC, DBC, CBC, Start-Off Assistant and electronic limited slip function for the rear differential.

Tires: Michelin Pilot Super Sport 255/40 ZR18 95Y front / 275/40 ZR 18 99Y rear mounted on 5-double-spoke alloy wheels (9”wide front / 10” wide rear)

Wheelbase: 110.7 inches

Length Overall: 184.5 inches Width: 73.9 inches Height: 56.1 inches

Curb Weight: 3,595 lbs -M3 / 3,540 lbs-M4

Turning Circle: 40 ft

Fuel Capacity: 15.8 gallons EPA Mileage Estimates: TBA

Drag Coefficient: 0.34

0 – 60 mph: 3.9 seconds M3 / 4.1 seconds M4

Top Speed: 155 mph

Review by Arv Voss

Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles as well.