I have been lurking in these forums since I started wanting to learn more about the 2022 M4 Convertible. When it was announced last summer, the shape really caught my eye. The more I learned about the car, the more I wanted one. I placed a deposit with BMW/Mini of Annapolis the first week of February of this year and took delivery of her on June 6th. Since then, I have driven about 650 miles and wanted to share my experience thus far.
A little about myself, only for the reader to understand my knowledge of fast cars and fast driving. We (family) have been fortunate to live in Germany for seven years while in the USAF. For about three of those years, we lived in Stuttgart. Our house was a mile away from the Porshe plant in Zuffenhausen. We were also fortunate enough to own a 1996 Corvette LT4 while living there for about 3 years. So all that back story is to say that I have been fortunate to drive fast (no speed limit sections of the Autobahn) in regular passenger and muscle cars.
I had actually been looking for a new car for a couple of years and looked at AMG (old looking C63), entertained owning a new Corvette (wait 3 years for Z06?); Audi RS class (no convertible); Cadillac (can't get over its a Cadillac). Ultimately, I decided on a four-seat convertible that my Grandkids could sit in comfortably and had enough fun factor (torque) to make me smile every time I put my foot down. What I got in the M4 has exceeded every expectation I dreamed of the last 5 months, reading bimmerpost 3 hours a day. Now granted, we are only about 650 miles into this adventure.
So, where to start? Now I have driven BMWs before; in fact, one of the best cars I owned was a 1986 525i, which I was able to pick up at the FSBO lot at an Army base in Germany. This was my first Autobahn car, and she easily cruised at 100-110 MPH, although it took forever to get there in hindsight. I also drove some later model BMWs while there via rentals. When you rented a car in Germany back then, the standard model was often an entry-model BMW or Mercedes. I say "back then" because I left about 15 years ago. The point I am trying to make is that, in my opinion, the stability the driver feels sets BMW cars apart from any other I have driven. The M4 Convertible, and I can only assume by extension that the rest of this model line is as sure-footed as anything I have ever driven.
I now understand what it means when you read forum posts about people not realizing how fast they are going. There are several windy little roads around my house. The corners have signs advising 15 or 25 MPH through them. I have driven through them at twice the recommended speeds, but the car gives you the feeling it can go through any corner with your foot on the floor. Now please don't misunderstand; I am not saying the car can do it, these are public roads, after all, but she sure feels like she could. I had not considered tracking this car when I decided to purchase it because, hello, it's a convertible. Still, I may consider an M-Day class now and drive one of the G8Xs around a track. I suspect that most who decide to purchase a convertible likely feel the way I do, but I will tell you the car wants to be on a track. I know some places allow convertibles with deployable roll bars. I have also read some places don't care either way and won't let a convertible on a track. Probably for the best in the big picture.
There are several engines, drivetrain, and shifting options I am still exploring. I can tell you that it is subdued and comfortable in default mode (the one it starts in). If you attempt to engage the pedal and get the transmission to kick down, you will find it lags in this mode, both from dropping a few gears plus time to spin up the turbos. Small to medium pedal movements are fine, though. As with all turbos getting them engaged is the key to driving them. Luckily with the M4, this lag in default mode can be solved by clicking the Drivelogic rocker switch on the gear shift. I find the second setting great for "Grandpa" mode. The third drivelogic shifts to high when driving gently. I have also engaged the M1 and M2 modes, and I caution that the transmissions default setting in M2 mode (factory settings) is manual shifting. Quick engagement into automatic with the shifter solves that problem, but it is an extra step. Not knowing that right away, I half-peddled my way to a high RPM in first gear, a little more than I would have liked, which is why I provided this group that insight. Of course, you can program each M button to your preferences. The car flashed RED at me in the HUD and Instrument cluster, letting me know in no uncertain terms that I had done something wrong. I have not engaged launch control yet and will wait until my break in service before seeing the acceleration limits.
The soft-top mechanism and ease of opening are terrific. Hold the button, and 20 seconds later, you are in the configuration you choose. The button is either below the shifter or the remote key (comfort access). If you have a blockage in the trunk, the car will not open the roof, and you will get a message explaining why if you are in the car. Wind noise and cabin disturbance are very tolerable for the front seats. Able to easily speak to my wife at 80 MPH on the highway with windows down. I have not tried the mesh windbreaker yet, although I have an order for a glass windbreaker from UR-Windschott in transit with DHL. The rear passengers get hair-whipped around pretty good currently.
The trunk space is better than I expected. I have been able to transport two school backpacks and a full cart golf bag in the back (with the top down). I must remove the longer clubs from the bag and lay them on top. There is still room to spare in the trunk and a small pass-through between the rear seats that can be used for long items to partially rest in the car's cabin. Really impressed with the trunk space on this car.
I have read about the radio and the issues people have experienced. I am not an audiophile, but we have the fantastic Bowers Wilken radio in our XC90. Using that as a reference, the radio in the M4 is, ..... wait for it, tolerable. Again not an audiophile, but when the top is down at 75 MPH, I have zero complaints with this radio. Or in other words, I do not foresee myself doing anything aftermarket on it.
I am still learning the IDrive system, but probably the biggest tip I can say I have learned is that areas of the IDrive system can be mapped to the programable buttons. For example, at first, I could not figure out how to get to the equalizer and sound options for the radio. I learned in another forum post that you can use the 1-8 buttons to bring up specific menus in the IDrive. So button 1 is mapped to the equalizer in the sound menu. Now it's one click away instead of 5 to 6. This is nice when you want to change the sound quickly, which helps quite a bit for this radio, in my opinion.
Lastly, from a delivery experience, I can't say enough about Annapolis BMW. From the moment I ordered till I signed my name on the paperwork, it was great. I was not pressured to buy anything and purchased at MSRP with my USAA discount applied to bring it under MSRP. The finance manager brought out their sales "slick" ( a one-page explination of different extras); PPF, ceramic, extended warranty etc., but also said that most M car purchases that are not being leased tend to skip the ceramics and PPF extras. It becomes part of the process of ownership, he said. Referring to washing and waxing the car. Maybe he read from body language and figured I would not be doing extras, but I was never pressured AT ALL. I did go with the Tire/Rim protection, but I had to inquire about it. I share because I have read other posts about some of the poor customer service others have experienced, especially with over MSRP.
Finally, some pictures. I can say that after months of looking at this car online, nothing does it justice until you see it in person. I went with Tanzanite Blue and Black Extended Interior. I also have the Drive Assist Pro, Park Assist Pro, ventilated seats, and neck warmers. Happy with all of them. The XC90 mentioned before has Level 2 cruise control, and the M4 is more refined but just as functional. The XC90 is a 2016 model, which was when it first debuted on the Volvo. I have not had the opportunity to do extended traffic jam assist yet as I don't have a daily commute (work from home).
I'm still learning about the M4, but it's worth waiting for all of you who are currently watching and waiting.
Just when you think I will end this post, I remember something else...; the sound of this car with the top down and the valves open is addictive! You have been warned. We call her LL, for Little Lunatic or Little Lady, depending on how she is being driven. She has multiple personalities, so we think it fits.