[Phillymb75]

Stumbled across a well optioned 2016 M4 competition convertible in my ideal color combo with very low mileage.

Currently have an 2018 M240 xdrive convertible. I settled on color when I got it, so I've never been "enamored" with it.

This will be a second car driven 3-4k/year. When I bought the M240 my plan was to keep it long-term, and that is what I'm thinking with this M4.

Need a sanity check, anyone own both, which did you prefer?

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Phillymb75

Stumbled across a well optioned 2016 M4 competition convertible in my ideal color combo with very low mileage.

Currently have an 2018 M240 xdrive convertible. I settled on color when I got it, so I've never been "enamored" with it.

This will be a second car driven 3-4k/year. When I bought the M240 my plan was to keep it long-term, and that is what I'm thinking with this M4.

Need a sanity check, anyone own both, which did you prefer?

No sanity check needed. You bought/settled for a car that you never really fell in love with. Now you've found something that has you excited. Simple decision! You live once.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Phillymb75

Stumbled across a well optioned 2016 M4 competition convertible in my ideal color combo with very low mileage.

Currently have an 2018 M240 xdrive convertible. I settled on color when I got it, so I've never been "enamored" with it.

This will be a second car driven 3-4k/year. When I bought the M240 my plan was to keep it long-term, and that is what I'm thinking with this M4.

Need a sanity check, anyone own both, which did you prefer?

3-4 yrs is long term, so mission accomplished. Time to move on to something new (to you)..

[liebetrau88]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

3-4 yrs is long term, so mission accomplished. Time to move on to something new (to you)..

He's only had the car 18 months, not 3-4 years. Those numbers were in reference to the miles he plans on driving each year.

[p912guy]

As if often said, drive both in a variety of conditions and make your decision. It's the only way to know which one scratches the itch best.

[morphomeman]

OP: Are you asking for permission? From almost every sane point of view, the move is ridiculous. But neither sanity nor sensibility seem to be factors here, so go ahead and do whatever floats your boat. You are harming no one but yourself, unless you have a family to support, in which case you are being completely irresponsible.

[CP911]

I'd do it for RWD alone. Seriously though, I'd test drive it first and make sure you like the engine characteristics before taking the plunge. The S55 is a completely different sounding and feeling inline-6 compared to the newer B58. I'm not a fan of the S55 personally, but YMMV. Go test drive it and let us know what you think!

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by Phillymb75

Stumbled across a well optioned 2016 M4 competition convertible in my ideal color combo with very low mileage.

Currently have an 2018 M240 xdrive convertible. I settled on color when I got it, so I've never been "enamored" with it.

This will be a second car driven 3-4k/year. When I bought the M240 my plan was to keep it long-term, and that is what I'm thinking with this M4.

Need a sanity check, anyone own both, which did you prefer?

Hey OP, I was in a similar situation, and in June I ended up with a 2018 M240i xdrive convertible over an M4 convertible as well (got it for nearly 33% off MSRP since it was brand new, unsold). The internet will always tell you to get the M4, but I will tell you to wait for the AWD M4s to hit the market first, here is why:

- once you get used to AWD launches you can't go back to RWD (and if you aren't tracking, and just terrorizing suburbia in your BMW, then the addictive AWD launches are more than enough).

- your M240i is more capable than you think; get a tune, put in a downpipe, and you will be commanding more than 450-500 horses with 0-60 time in the mid-to-early 3s. Just throw some money at it More than enough to tide you over till the AWD M4 convertibles hit the markets. The fact that you currently have AWD in a convertible tells me you live in a place where you need AWD. I don't care what anyone says, even if this is your 2nd or 3rd car, when bad weather hits AWD > RWD. However you know your situation better.

- unlike you, I got the car exactly how I wanted; white exterior, red interior, fully loaded, brand new... so perhaps for me the decision to pick it over a "used M4" was an easy one however I understand if you aren't in love with the look of the car and the M4 is calling. I know that feeling from a previous car haha. I would still say though, wait for a year or so, and pick up an F-series M car for cheaper when the G-series is being sold.

- if you haven't done so, remove the rear headrests of your M240i convertible. Instant roadster haha

Anyway in short, do what makes you happy. If you can hold out for the AWD M cars, the pay off is awesome

Do let us know what you end up doing!

P.s. if you are set on an M4, then right now may be the best time to lease one since I have been seeing some decent mid-600s leases on Leasehackr (and that is for M4 Competition if I remember correctly). I recent saw a M4 convertible lease for mid 600s (but I think it was with MSDs). I would never buy a used M car, so if you are like me, look into leasing or buying a new one.

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

3-4 yrs is long term, so mission accomplished. Time to move on to something new (to you)..

18 months is long term

[Phillymb75]

[QUOTE=BimBimM2;25395733]

"- once you get used to AWD launches you can't go back to RWD "

This is more or less what I'm worried about. It's been a long time since I owned a rear wheel drive car (2006 Z4, much different power wise). I have an X5 for daily driving, so this car will most likely get a set of winter tires just in case but otherwise be a garage queen.

Still debating, I'm hoping to get to test drive it soon.

[MarkDemma]

I rented a M4 for a weekend (from Turo) before purchasing my M240i and I have to say I really did prefer the M240i over the M4. The M4 felt too big, too heavy, too ... MUCH. It was loud, ferocious and probably more power than you'd ever want or need unless you were on a track. Granted, I did prefer the instrument cluster of the M4 more, but not by much and not much else. I'd rented it because my E46 was needing a Vanos repair and was making a trip to Napa for a birthday dinner for my partner at this little local restaurant that was a bit fancy (French Laundry) and thought why the heck not show up in something "flashy". I probably actually drove slower in it as I felt VERY conspicuous / like a cop magnet. I have to say, I actually found I PREFERRED the driving feel of my E46 ZHP to the M4. Sure, the power was nice but again, way over the top unnecessary / just likely to get me in trouble.

[DanG]

I got an M2 after my M235i because I felt that the M4 was just too big. I am extremely happy with my decision.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by nvmaddog

18 months is long term

I'm on my 3rd 2er since 2015, so I would agree...

[Cabrio330]

I'm not one to give the OP advice on trading "up" as that is the exact rationale I have used for nearly every car purchase I have made. ;-)

That said, I compared the M240i and M4 convertibles closely when I was shopping around and I decided on the M240i. The main reason was I could not justify the cost difference for a comparable used M4 and I am learning to heed that criteria more now than I used to. But I honestly also enjoyed the M240i more in almost every other aspect. The only pro's for the M4 were the neck warmers (!) and the extra cool factor.

The only advice I can give you is to not harbor any regrets once you have made your choice. Because if you are like me, you'll be looking for something different in a year or two anyway!

[babaikram]

Originally Posted by Cabrio330

I'm not one to give the OP advice on trading "up" as that is the exact rationale I have used for nearly every car purchase I have made. ;-)

That said, I compared the M240i and M4 convertibles closely when I was shopping around and I decided on the M240i. The main reason was I could not justify the cost difference for a comparable used M4 and I am learning to heed that criteria more now than I used to. But I honestly also enjoyed the M240i more in almost every other aspect. The only pro's for the M4 were the neck warmers (!) and the extra cool factor.

The only advice I can give you is to not harbor any regrets once you have made your choice. Because if you are like me, you'll be looking for something different in a year or two anyway!

You need to test drive the M4. I was in the same boat when my m240i was like a year old and I was thinking of changing to a 2017 M4 non competition with all the options I like and not in my m240i such as adaptive light, HUD and surround cameras. The cost to change was huge though

Somehow I prefer the dashboard of m240i and the M4 was louder but sounded weird. It was faster but I did not really feel it

Overall, I didn't think I could justify the cost to change. I may change later though

If money is not an impediment, you could go for it. However if money is a factor, I would say you should wait 1-2 years allow the M4 prices to fall further

[XutvJet]

Look up "M3 and M4 spun crank hub". That may be enough to deter you from buying an S55 equipped M car. Spin the hub and you're out of warranty, you're likely looking at a $15k-30K bill.

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Look up "M3 and M4 spun crank hub". That may be enough to deter you from buying an S55 equipped M car. Spin the hub and you're out of warranty, you're likely looking at a $15k-30K bill.

This is absolutely a huge risk factor. My car was recently clear-wrapped at a local shop. The owner, who is now a friend, was going through the spun crank hub heartache at the time with his M4... at 44k miles. Yes, 44k miles. He was looking at $16k or something in cost (at some high end independent shop)

However I understand the OP. Aesthetics are a huge part of driving a convertible and of the OP doesn't love the interior/exterior color combo then no amount of persuasion can work haha. If I was the OP, I'd be feeling the same.

Buy the right car kids, no compromises.

[Sportstick]

Isn't the simplest, cheapest solution to cater to the color desire to just have the current car completely vinyl wrapped? So many choices!

[Cabrio330]

Originally Posted by babaikram

You need to test drive the M4.

I did...extensively.

[overcoil]

Is crank hub failure a driver downshifting error ?

Or is it a design flaw ?

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Is crank hub failure a driver downshifting error ?

Or is it a design flaw ?

It's a design flaw. It fails in stock and modded cars. You can spin it on a money shift in a 6MT, but is more prevalent in the quick shifting DCT cars.

You can spend around $2,000-4,000 and have a modified crank hub installed and significantly reduce the chances of the hub spinning. It's a dumb design, however, it's also used in the N54, N55, and B58 as well. For whatever reason, it fails in the S55.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

It's a design flaw. It fails in stock and modded cars. You can spin it on a money shift in a 6MT, but is more prevalent in the quick shifting DCT cars.

You can spend around $2,000-4,000 and have a modified crank hub installed and significantly reduce the chances of the hub spinning. It's a dumb design, however, it's also used in the N54, N55, and B58 as well. For whatever reason, it fails in the S55.

It's worth remembering that BMW has had significant design flaws in their cars since...forever. And that you as an owner will bear the brunt of paying for rectifying those flaws.

For example, in my E12 the heads typically had to be replaced around 60K due to their warping. I had this done to my 1978 530i at a cost of $2K, and that was not an inexpensive repair in 1982. In today's dollars, that was a $5,250 expense. Potential buyers should be aware that nothing has changed, nor is it likely to change.

That was the first of six BMWs I've owned. IOW, I understand that any BMW I own may jump up and bite me for major dollars at any moment. That is simply part of what we buy into when we join with this brand's products.

I'm not complaining - I'm simply trying to describe what I believe is the reality of owning this brand's products.

As always, YMMW.