2017 BMW M4

15 Bids
8:45 PM, 11 May 2021Vehicle sold
Sold for

£32,250

Background

Who knows what went through the minds of BMW’s chiefs when they decided, after nearly 40 years of having a market-defining compact executive product line, that the 2-door coupé and convertible models no longer belonged and needed their own designation. Well that’s what happened in 2013 and voila - the BMW 4 Series was born the following year.

Just to confuse things further, BMW then introduced a 5-door hatchback, that they called the 4 Series Gran Coupé. If you like, it was a 5-door hatch variant of a 2-door coupé version of a 4-door saloon! Still with us?

So likewise from then for the high performance M editions, the new generation of M3 was offered only in 4-door saloon format and the other hotted-up body styles became the M4. Thankfully so far we’ve all been spared a 5-door M4.

So, the M4 Coupé and Convertible (and the equivalent M3) are powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six, with two scroll turbochargers, delivering 431PS and 550Nm of torque. If fitted with a 6-speed ZF manual gearbox, the hard-top will accelerate to 62mph in 4.3 seconds or if the 7-speed mechanical dual-clutch transmission is specified, it will get there two-tenths quicker. The drop-top, being heavier due to the folding metal roof, is three-tenths slower but is still well under 5 seconds.

In keeping with its lineage, carbon fibre and plastic composites are used for panels like the roof and the boot lid to lighten the car. It also had a carbon fibre driveshaft until 2019 when it was swapped out to make space for a particulate filter. Although stylistically based on the regular 4 Series, the M4 only shares half of its components.

  • WBS4Y9201AC60683
  • 6500
  • 2979
  • Auto
  • Grey

Background

Who knows what went through the minds of BMW’s chiefs when they decided, after nearly 40 years of having a market-defining compact executive product line, that the 2-door coupé and convertible models no longer belonged and needed their own designation. Well that’s what happened in 2013 and voila - the BMW 4 Series was born the following year.

Just to confuse things further, BMW then introduced a 5-door hatchback, that they called the 4 Series Gran Coupé. If you like, it was a 5-door hatch variant of a 2-door coupé version of a 4-door saloon! Still with us?

So likewise from then for the high performance M editions, the new generation of M3 was offered only in 4-door saloon format and the other hotted-up body styles became the M4. Thankfully so far we’ve all been spared a 5-door M4.

So, the M4 Coupé and Convertible (and the equivalent M3) are powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six, with two scroll turbochargers, delivering 431PS and 550Nm of torque. If fitted with a 6-speed ZF manual gearbox, the hard-top will accelerate to 62mph in 4.3 seconds or if the 7-speed mechanical dual-clutch transmission is specified, it will get there two-tenths quicker. The drop-top, being heavier due to the folding metal roof, is three-tenths slower but is still well under 5 seconds.

In keeping with its lineage, carbon fibre and plastic composites are used for panels like the roof and the boot lid to lighten the car. It also had a carbon fibre driveshaft until 2019 when it was swapped out to make space for a particulate filter. Although stylistically based on the regular 4 Series, the M4 only shares half of its components.

Video

Overview

This BMW M4 with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission was first registered in September 2017 and so is not yet 4 years old. The first owner was BMW Group themselves and it was then sold that November to its first private owner with just 11 miles on the clock.

Sadly the owner died last year and the executor of his estate - his brother - had to re-register the M4 in his name. Even though the new V5C when it comes may show 3 former keepers, it is to all intents and purposes a one owner car.

The late owner had a few other cars and used them all equally so this one has barely been driven, only reading 6,700 miles even now, so don’t expect the following sections of this description to hold many surprises.

Exterior

Needless to say the Mineral Grey Metallic finish across this nearly-new BMW is pretty immaculate; it has clearly been cherished and looked after well. The grey is complemented by the high gloss “shadow line” around the windows and most other fixtures and trims that might otherwise be chromed. The only flashes of silver are the thin kidney grille surrounds, the M badging on the side vents in the front wings and the wheels.

The car is beautifully proportioned in side profile and the styling is relatively understated compared to many high performance variants of regular cars. Although if you look closely, a quad exhaust sitting in the carbon-fibre rear diffuser and the exposed weave roof panel hint that this is something a bit tastier than your average Beemer.

The M4 sits on the larger option 19-inch LM-Raeder double-spoke lightweight forged alloy wheels, which all appear undamaged and are fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. Through the spokes, the large vented discs can be seen, bearing blue calipers, which denote the “standard” M compound brakes.

Interior

The interior is much the same unadulterated story as the outside, although there are a good deal more cues inside that this is something special.

For starters, the upholstery is a black Merino leather. Now if you are up on your BMW trim options, you will know that beyond the standard faux and base leathers you have Nappa, which is standard on luxury models and usually gets an “oooh” reaction. Beyond even that, you have Merino, an ultra-high-quality leather which is the most premium hide that BMW offers, with no artificial colours or coatings.

The next special touch you will notice is the abundance of carbon-fibre weave across most of the remaining control panels and other trim surfaces. Then when your hands grip the steering wheel, you’ll take in the feel of the soft leather and spot the contrasting BMW M-sport 3-colour hand stitching.

Equipment-wise, this car is well specified too and beyond what we might expect as normal these days. This car has a “heads up display”, is fully internet-connected with BMW remote services and wi-fi hotspot, has 4k Blackvue cameras front and rear providing the “surround view” when parking, adaptive LED headlamps and the entertainment comes through Harman/Kardon surround sound speakers.

The car’s setup can be almost infinitely adjusted and manipulated using the iDrive 4.0 system, which will entertain you for hours when you first get the car but then you’ll just store your favourite settings and toggle between them.

The grey carpets are protected by velour floor mats and the headlining up above is a matching anthracite colour.

Mechanical

Under the bonnet sits a large U-shaped carbon fibre strut brace and probably more engine and mechanicals on show than in most modern cars. That said, there’s still a lot of plastic around and the “idiot-proof” colour-coded caps for fluid top-ups. What is there to say, this is a pretty immaculate looking engine bay.

Underneath the car is one of the only places you’ll find any real-world dirt - and even then there’s not a lot of it. The plastic trays are doing their job to protect the underbody from surface water and road grime and even the more exposed suspension and steering linkages are in pretty good order. What looks like the factory sports exhaust system is in good condition too and consists of some very fat pipes.

In the boot, the carpets and linings are very clean and undamaged, with side stowage compartments in the wings. Under the floor board is another compartment containing the car’s original first aid kit, tyre inflation canister and loadspace cargo net, still in its wrapper. The warning triangle is mounted under the boot lid.

History

The car comes with a current MOT valid until October 2021, which it passed first time with no advisories. Well after all, it was its first ever test, it is a BMW and at that time it had only been driven 6,568 miles, so those claims are a tad less surprising than if it were a 50 year old MG.

The BMW book pack is present and despite the short history, there is a small handful of documentation from BMW main dealers.

Jun 2018 - service 1,357 miles - BMW Blackpool

May 2018 - trim panel and steering wheel - BMW Stockport

Feb 2019 - new tyre - BMW Stockport

Summary

The BMW M4 is not a classic, or even a modern classic by any accepted definition, but it is almost certainly a nailed-on future classic… if you can wait another decade or three!

Whatever you thought of the coupé M3s before it, this is more of the same but newer. Yes, there is perhaps a bit less feedback from the electric steering and yes the cabin is so well insulated that they pipe in the engine noise through the stereo but it is at least the actual sound picked up and amplified and not synthesized by computer.

With very low mileage, in a popular colour and highly specified, we think this example will sell for between £33,000 and £38,000. What you are therefore looking at is a nearly new M4 for less than half of what you’d have to pay for the recently launched model with the controversial front grille.

Given the mileage and the fact that this is a “normal” M4 and not the Competition or any of the other race-inspired special editions, the new owner should feel able to get out and make good use of the car and enjoy its stunning performance.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: james harvey


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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