A few pictures I took today from Shanghai International Auto Show. The M4 Competition wears full M performance parts including the exhaust.
Impression:
1. The car/grille do NOT look better in person. But, the car definately has the strong and authoritative presence with it, screaming special in an in-your-face fashion. I think those who think it does, do not hate the grille that much in the first place.
2. As opposed to the prevailing wisdom, KO Interior works very well with Toronto Red Exterior. Orange/Red (TR is quite orange) + Orange must be tacky or something. But turns out, the KO interior just has the correct amount of black part to work with the whole thing. I came to conclusion right away for the guys that want TR that the KO is the best interior option if you want something more than black in the cabin. The Silver Stone however from the M3 next to it is a bit pedestrain in comparison.
3. What's really tacky is the M Performance body parts. The lip is ok, but maybe I'm getting old already, the side skirt, rear bumper "cover" and rear wing are too much. The center mounted exhaust, I thought was ok from early pictures, but in real world Civic Type R is where it belongs. Maybe BMW is trying too hard to distract everyone from the grille.
4. The M3 in Brooklyn Grey is significantly taller, especially when sitting next to the M4. However, all the attentions instantly go to the face/grille, the rest of the car isn't all that noticeable.
5. For those with old Ms, make no mistake, the new M3/M4 is big, inside and out. It's the same wheelbase as the old M6 and similar length. I've already gotten used to big BMWs, commuting a 540Li (China Lengthened Version) for 3 years, and small cars (M2 for 5 years and F82/E90 M3s for even longer). I'm less frustrated in this regard.