The arrival of a new M3 is
always cause for celebration, but can this new pairing live up to expectations
and the lofty bar set by their E9x predecessor?
2015
BMW M3 Front Angle
2015
BMW M4 Front Angle
I know exactly where to start with the new
M3 and M4: the noise. Ever since the first videos of this pair began appearing
online, the noise, or rather lack of it, was a big issue that came up time and
time again in comments and on forums. But I can finally, and with some
confidence, lay that to rest because in my opinion the M3 and M4 sound
absolutely fantastic. You have to prod the throttle management setting button
until it’s in either Sport or Sport Plus mode to open up the flaps in the
exhaust but once you’ve done this, you will be treated to the sort of
soundtrack that an M car, and especially an M3 (and 4) truly deserve. It’s hard
to actually describe the sound itself – in high gears, at large throttle
openings, you can hear the faint whistle of turbos but, from inside the cabin
at least, they never come across as being particularly vocal. From the outside,
though, there’s all manner of chuffing and whistling that the public will be
treated to, though I’m quite pleased that it’s not a particularly big part of
the experience for the driver.
2015
BMW M4 - Emblem / Logo
It’s a complex, multi-cylinder soundtrack but you’d be hard pressed
to tell exactly how many of them are behind it; there is a hint of
six-cylinder, but the overall impression that you get from the engine is one of
anger. It has a real raw, rough edge to the sound it makes, an intense sort of
growling roar that really knocks you for six the first time you hear it. No
words on a page and no video on the internet can truly, accurately convey the
rage and ferocity that this soundtrack delivers. And the first time you come
across a tunnel and decide to wind your window down, drop a couple of gears and
nail it will be a moment that will stay with your forever and leave you
wide-eyed and slack- jawed; the all-enveloping wall of noise, this blaring
assault on your senses is just astonishing, really, really astonishing. That
noise, I want it, crave it, dream of it. I don’t care if it’s coming from the
engine, the exhaust, the speakers or a dwarf in the boot with a gramophone, I
love it. Cast aside your worries and fears because this M3 and M4 deliver on
the noise front, and then some.
So, what else? Well, obviously, they are both fast – really, really
fast. The on-paper figures are seriously impressive but what’s even more
impressive is just how effortless both cars feel. Three figure speeds are
achieved with consummate ease; drive either with even the slightest hint of
commitment or desire to go quickly and you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of
a reasonable pace very quickly indeed.
