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G80 BMW M3 and M4 General Topics BMW M3 (G80), M4 (G82), CSL and 3.0 CSL General Forum

View Poll Results: M3 or M4?
M3 140 76.92%
M4 42 23.08%
Voters: 182. You may not vote on this poll

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      04-26-2021, 06:51 PM   #1
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M3 or M4, and why?

If choosing between G80 M3 and G82 M4 with same builds and no consideration for the small price difference, which one do you choose?

Vote and post your top three reasons for or against the M3 or M4.
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      04-26-2021, 07:40 PM   #2
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M3

1- For me M2 is a better M4. I have a hard time recognizing when I will want the M4 in my life, I wanted one until the M2 came out. And if I were older retired, the only reason to get one would be because I can't afford a 911..

2- If forcing myself to a 2 door might as well go for a true sports car (718-911-AMG GT-Vett etc.) The practicality gained in the M3 is considerable.

3- I always found the lines of the 4 door M3 better proportioned, it looks like a true sedan, it's not a sedan morphed into a coupe trying to look like a sports car. I also like the M2 shape more, it as always been a 2 door coupe.
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      04-26-2021, 07:41 PM   #3
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My lifestyle now requires a car with 4 doors. Watching my wife try to load an infant car seat into the back of my M2 was funny for a second until she glared at me. There is actually more room for the rear facing seat in the g80 than there is in our x5.
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      04-26-2021, 07:57 PM   #4
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I'm only getting the M4 this time because I want a convertible.

If I weren't getting the G83, I would get the M3. I don't think you gain anything with the M4, but you'd give up a lot of utility
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      04-26-2021, 08:08 PM   #5
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To me in comes down to lifestyle needs. Need the back seat for my dog's safety and hauling passenger's from time to time.
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      04-26-2021, 08:17 PM   #6
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I don't benefit from the 4 doors, but I definitely think the m3 is more attractive.
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      04-26-2021, 08:18 PM   #7
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1. For M3 - Shorter doors make it easier to share a garage with a 5 series and everything else about the convenience of a 4-door car, including that glorious future when I can drive more than one friend around again.
2. Against M3 - I have an instinctive preference for the appearance of 4 door cars that I have trouble overcoming. I do think the M3 looks 3.5% more distinctly BMW than the M4 this time...not a big margin. I don't actually have a preference, OVERALL, for the appearance of one vs the other on this pair of cars.
3. For M3 - I got lucky and it was available when I had failed to secure a 6MT allocation. If it had been an M4, I would have bought it just the same.

So, 2 for, 1 sort of against. Voted M3.
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      04-26-2021, 08:33 PM   #8
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1. For some reason I always gravitate towards sedans, only have had one BMW coupe. So it's a personal thing.
2. In the rare occasions I have rear passengers, a sedan is more versatile.
3. I also prefer the styling of the M3. Oh and because M3 lol, most non car people wouldn't know what the hell an M4 is. M3 name is an icon.
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      04-26-2021, 08:34 PM   #9
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Looks better
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I like it better
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      04-26-2021, 08:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbethesda View Post
I don't think you gain anything with the M4, but you'd give up a lot of utility
I hadn't thought of it that way but it's quite true. With the M4 I like the long window without a B-pillar at my ear and frameless window is nice too. I guess that's the main draw to M4 for me. I remain on the fence at the moment.
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      04-26-2021, 08:51 PM   #11
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I'm going M4 because the M3's rear wheel arches look horrific.
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      04-26-2021, 09:32 PM   #12
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With M4 you gain two things:
1) Frameless windows.
2) Bigger doors (maybe look better but are a pain to deal with in tight parking spots).

None of which are important to me. Voted M3.
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      04-26-2021, 09:46 PM   #13
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M4 cause I think it looks cooler and I hate tiny sedan doors.
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      04-26-2021, 10:00 PM   #14
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M3
1. Prefer a sedan
2. Looks better proportioned and more aggressive
3. Way easier with the kiddos
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      04-26-2021, 10:31 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbethesda View Post
I'm only getting the M4 this time because I want a convertible.

If I weren't getting the G83, I would get the M3. I don't think you gain anything with the M4, but you'd give up a lot of utility
You gain a sportier looking car, IMO. This thread obviously just comes down to each person's preference. I'm getting an M4. I have zero need or desire for a sedan and think that coupes are more sporty looking. I'm not getting the car for it's utility as I have a Jeep for that. In that same vein, I'm not getting a Corvette because there is NO utility in that car which at least the M4 has some utility ability.

Maybe I missed it somewhere - why is the M4 more expensive anyway?
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      04-26-2021, 10:31 PM   #16
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M3.

1. Kid #1
2. Kid #2
3. Looks way better IMHO.
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      04-26-2021, 10:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snareman View Post
Maybe I missed it somewhere - why is the M4 more expensive anyway?
BMW considers it more fashionable so they think they can charge more. At least that's my assumption. Look at X4, X6 and Grand Coupe models for more of the same. While the forums are not representative of normal desires and sales, sure seems like the M3 with an extra door is the more sought after design.

I have yet to vote because I don't know but here are my thoughts.

For M4
1. Larger and frameless window without B-pillar on your ear
2. Shorter overall height, better roof profile
3. Doesn't have the M3 rear bumper Jay Leno chin

For M3
1. Less fender gap than M4
2. Them hips don't lie
3. Can actually take passengers

Last edited by Transfer; 04-26-2021 at 11:01 PM..
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      04-26-2021, 11:18 PM   #18
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Probably an unpopular opinion, but I like the tail lights on the 4 better. Anyone else?
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      04-26-2021, 11:26 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Transfer View Post
BMW considers it more fashionable so they think they can charge more. At least that's my assumption. Look at X4, X6 and Grand Coupe models for more of the same. While the forums are not representative of normal desires and sales, sure seems like the M3 with an extra door is the more sought after design.
Perhaps that's the case, although (I'm assuming here) don't they sell more M3's? You'd think they might make car in higher demand more expensive.
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      04-26-2021, 11:29 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snareman View Post
Perhaps that's the case, although (I'm assuming here) don't they sell more M3's? You'd think they might make car in higher demand more expensive.
Can't speak for the G8x gen yet but BMW produced far less F80s then F82s as well as ending production 2 years earlier.
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      04-26-2021, 11:35 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by killhour View Post
Probably an unpopular opinion, but I like the tail lights on the 4 better. Anyone else?
I agree. I think the swoopy M4 lights are more interesting the hockey stick M3 lights.
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      04-26-2021, 11:39 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanuckM View Post
Can't speak for the G8x gen yet but BMW produced far less F80s then F82s as well as ending production 2 years earlier.
Ah, I guess that's what I get for assuming.
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