2020 BMW M4 Review

BMW M4 Coupe Exterior. Competition Package Shown.

BMW M4 Coupe Exterior Exterior. Competition Package Shown.

+22

The M4 may no longer be the standout among sport coupes it once was, but it remains a fun car with a muscular engine, a slick transmission and a surprisingly usable interior. It delivers the M brand's traditional cachet, though its performance, sound and features falter against improved and similarly priced (or even less expensive) competitors.

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BMW M4 types

Coupe
Convertible

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2020 BMW M4 Review

byDan Frio^{Correspondent
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Sharp and responsive handling doesn't sacrifice much in comfort
Stout brakes and grippy tires are capable and trustworthy
Interior is well-finished with many standard features

Cons

Steering is less connected than we'd expect from this class of vehicle
Engine and exhaust sounds can be grating
Competitors offer more powerful and exciting engines

What's new

The BMW M4 is unchanged for 2020
Part of the first M4 generation introduced for 2015

Overview

The traditional magic behind BMW's vaunted M-car lineup lies in its balance of comfort and high performance. A prime example is the 2020 BMW M4. A strong six-cylinder engine, taut handling and powerful braking make the M4 a world-class sport coupe, but you don't need to drive it at world-class levels to enjoy it. Its cosseting seats, large trunk and user-friendly tech interface make it just as good on the daily commute or long drives out of town.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$230/mo

$159/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Sure, you can get those same qualities from BMW's regular 4 Series coupe. But what you won't get is the M4's brash alter ego, the one that grips the tarmac with tenacity and wildly accelerates with nearly 450 horsepower under the hood. It also looks more aggressive than the regular 4 Series thanks to subtle styling enhancements such as wider fenders and a domed hood.

One minor item of note is that the 4 Series and the M4 carry over unchanged for 2020, unlike the related 3 Series, which BMW redesigned for the 2019 model year. That means the M4 is getting a bit old, at least from a design and technology standpoint. You might also find that the M4's main rival, the Mercedes-AMG C 63, is more exhilarating to drive. Overall, though, the M4 continues to be a great sport coupe that maximizes both performance and daily livability.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the M4 drive? The M4 has quick acceleration, powerful brakes and a great manual transmission. In our testing, the M4 ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The engine maintains excellent throttle response, and its midrange packs a wallop that lasts until redline. The brakes offer excellent and consistent stopping power.

We're less impressed with the steering and handling. The steering is precise but doesn't get you much feel and is unnecessarily heavy in the sportier drive modes. Around turns, the sticky and large summer tires work with the car's manageable balance to return high-cornering speeds. Though a joy on smooth roads, the M4, at least in the stiffer-riding Competition spec, has trouble dealing with bumps and dips, which can trigger unnecessary stability control intervention.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the M4? Even with a firm ride and thickly bolstered seats, the M4 is comfortable enough to drive every day — as long as you remember that it's a sports car. The Competition package stiffens the M4's already firm ride, and you need to prepare to absorb big bumps in the road. However, the suspension's Comfort setting restores some daily livability.

More difficult to live with is the drone from the exhaust that comes with the Competition package. It sounds terrific at high rpm but turns annoying and ugly at the lower speeds where you'll spend most of your time. We're also not fans of the M4's climate control system. It's powerful but fiddly to set and operate.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The M4 offers more space than most two-door sports cars, including two usable rear seats. There's plenty of headroom, legroom and shoulder room up front and, remarkably, also in the rear seats where headroom is the only limitation. This interior is bigger than you might expect.

The M4's long doors can make for difficult entry and exit in tight spaces, and once you're in, front passengers have to reach unusually far behind to grab a seat belt. Releases on the front seatbacks, though, make for easy rear-seat access. Relatively upright seating, a tall ceiling and a big windshield make for great visibility and a sporty driving position.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? The easy-to-read and powerful entertainment interface is one of our favorites. It offers good phone integration provided you're using an Apple device. It also has excellent voice controls that recognize natural speech pretty well. A depth of features means there's a bit of a learning curve.

Most safety features — such as a top-view camera system, proximity sensors and blind-spot monitoring — are optional. The stability control system intervenes regularly and feels overwhelmed by bumps, especially under full power.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? The M4's sedan roots translate into a practical utility. The trunk is pretty big and can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. But interior storage is less impressive, with a shallow center bin and somewhat compromised door pockets your main go-to sources for storing stuff.

Though the rear seat space is large and the anchors are easily accessed, you wouldn't want to install or remove a car seat with any kind of frequency.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the manual-transmission M4 at 20 mpg combined (17 city/25 highway), which matches other sporty German coupes. Our test car achieved 23.3 mpg on our standardized road loop and averaged 17.7 mpg over the course of its test period, which is a decent result for this kind of vehicle.

Value

7.5/10

Is the M4 a good value? The M4 is assembled very well, with tight and uniform gaps and pleasingly tactile controls. Still, the interior doesn't relay the premium feel of newer German sport coupes that cost the same.

The M4 comes with strong ownership perks and plenty of standard equipment. The Competition Pack is a worthy upgrade for the wheels alone, but the optional brakes are exceedingly expensive. The M4's basic and powertrain warranties measure up against other German brands, while scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance exceed what you'll find from similarly priced sports cars and coupes.

Wildcard

7.5/10

Once a standout among sport coupes, the M4 is showing flaws as competitors improve. With its carbon-fiber roof and attractive LED headlights, it's a sharp-looking car that's exhilarating to drive in the right circumstances. But the unrefined engine sound at low speeds and the drone from the exhaust diminish the experience.

Which M4 does Edmunds recommend?

The 2020 BMW M4 Coupe comes in a single trim level, so tailoring one to your style involves options. The most significant choice is between the manual transmission or the dual-clutch automatic. You'll feel more engaged with the manual, but given the M4's all-purpose role, the automatic might be the better call. If you are the kind of driver who relishes shifting gears yourself, you might consider the Competition package for its larger wheels and advanced suspension and drivetrain components.

2020 BMW M4 models

The 2020 BMW M4 is based on the company's 4 Series and offered as a coupe or a convertible with a retractable hardtop. It comes with plenty of standard features, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (425 horsepower, 406 lb-ft of torque) and either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

An adaptive sport-tuned suspension, electronic rear differential, 18-inch wheels, and high-grip tires cover the performance spectrum. And for interior luxuries, there are leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable seats, and an infotainment system highlighted by an 8.8-inch display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and a 16-speaker surround-sound system.

A handful of driver aids come standard, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a rearview camera and parking sensors. Others, like blind-spot monitoring, are optional.

A few key optional packages are also available for the M4. The Competition package ups the M4's power rating to 444 hp and adds 20-inch wheels, revised settings for the adaptive suspension, an even sportier exhaust, and some interior trim upgrades such as M stripes on the seat belts. The Executive package offers adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, side- and top-view cameras, an automated parking system, a head-up display and speed limit information.

Other options include carbon-ceramic brakes, a non-adaptive suspension, blind-spot monitoring, and wireless device charging. You also get your choice of a roof made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic or a traditional steel roof with a sunroof.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#54 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW M4 from 2008-2022.}

$1,030/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.78x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

27.1%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 BMW M4.

5 (82%)

4 (11%)

3 (3%)

2 (4%)

1 (0%)

4.7

28 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 28 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

M4 after 16k miles of driving

Keith Sanders , 03/12/2018

2016 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Comparing this to my ‘17 911S Porsche May help. The M4 is an awesome vehicle overall. The MDCT is not as smooth as the 911’s PDK however. The engine is awesome but I find the width of the rear tires to be insufficient at 275 mm vs 305 mm for the 911S. So it spins way too easily—this is a known problem on the Bimmerfest forums too. I am running very good Michelin Pilot Super Sports as …

BMW M4 CONV

Jay Cornell, 05/29/2017

2016 BMW M4 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

I bought this car with 5 miles on the odometer so I might have been the 1st person to take a test drive. This was a little surprising as the car was on the lot for about 6 weeks. The new 2018s were being delivered starting April 1 and I got my car on April 7 with a huge discount. It runs perfectly, has great comfort, power, handling and overall smoothness you would expect in a car …

Best car I have owned

Bobby, 07/19/2019

2016 BMW M4 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

I am 50 years old. I am a car enthusiast. After 4 years of Driving, I can say this is the best car I have ever owned.

One sweet M4 convertible

Brian Anderson, 09/01/2016

2016 BMW M4 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

I have had my 2016 M4 convertible (with competition package) since the middle of May (it is now the end of August). I have 5000 miles on it now. It is a FANTASTIC car. It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. My daily car is a Lexus is350. My wife's is a G37s. Of course neither come close in any type of performance comparison but neither come close in comfort either. The first …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 BMW M4, so we've included reviews for other years of the M4 since its last redesign.

See all 28 reviews of the BMW M4

Write a vehicle review

2020 M4 Highlights

Type:

Coupe

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$69,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$230/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the M4 models:

BMW Assist: Protects car with stolen-vehicle recovery and provides collision notification services for post-accident safety. It's standard equipment.
Side and Top View Cameras: Gives you a 360-degree view around the car while you park so you can keep your M4 scratch-free.
Parking Assistant: Parks the car for you, whether the spot is parallel or perpendicular.

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2020 BMW M4 Review

2020 BMW M4 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which M4 does Edmunds recommend?

2020 BMW M4 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

M4 after 16k miles of driving

BMW M4 CONV

Best car I have owned

One sweet M4 convertible

2020 M4 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW M4 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}