Used BMW M4 Buying Guide
The BMW M4 is the two-door flagship of the compact M range: a twin-turbo straight-six coupe (and convertible) that mixes daily usability with genuine supercar-baiting pace. Used buyers choose between the F82 generation (2014-2020) with the S55 engine, and the G82 (2021 on) with the S58, bigger grilles and, for the first time, optional xDrive all-wheel drive. It suits committed drivers who want one car that can commute, tour and lap a circuit, with rear seats and a proper boot as the practical alibi. The Convertible versions (F83 and G83) extend the brief further still for those who want their performance with headroom unlimited.
Engines and trims
All F82s use the 3.0-litre S55 twin-turbo six, initially around 425bhp, rising through Competition Package (~444bhp) to the CS and track-focused GTS. Gearboxes are a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT; the DCT is faster, the manual increasingly sought after. The G82 moved to the S58 with around 473bhp standard or 503bhp+ in Competition form, paired with a manual (base cars) or an eight-speed automatic, with Competition xDrive the all-weather choice for UK roads. Desirable extras include adaptive dampers (standard on later cars), carbon-ceramic brakes, harman/kardon audio and the carbon bucket seats - though check the buckets suit you before paying extra for them. Convertibles of both generations carry a weight penalty but make superb year-round GTs, and the G83’s fabric roof is simpler than the F83’s folding hardtop.
What to check before buying
On F82s, the best-known worry is the S55 crank hub, which can slip on heavily tuned cars; a documented standard engine map, or evidence of a professionally fitted upgraded hub, is reassuring. Cold-start rattles, charge-pipe failures (a known plastic weak point) and coolant leaks are worth listening and looking for. Ask directly about remaps and track use, and match the story to tyre wear, brake condition and stone-chip patterns. Early cars had some recall work - confirm completion.
G82s have proved robust so far, but the same rules apply: complete digital service history, matching tyres of a proper brand, and no signs of crash repair on a car this powerful. On DCT cars, check for smooth low-speed creep without shunting; on manuals, watch for clutch slip. Convertibles need a full roof-operation test. Buy from long-term ownership with receipts rather than a car that’s changed hands rapidly - M4s that pass through many hands quickly usually do so for a reason.
Running costs
Expect real-world fuel economy in the twenties at best when driven gently, far less when enjoyed. Insurance sits in the top groups, servicing at M-specialist rates is worthwhile, and consumables are the real cost: premium tyres, big brakes and, on track-used cars, more frequent fluid changes. Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by an M specialist - it’s cheap relative to what it can save. Depreciation on well-kept Competitions has slowed, so a properly maintained car shouldn’t be ruinous to own beyond its consumables.
Verdict
The M4 is a genuinely fast, usable performance coupe, and the used market offers everything from sensible Competitions to collector-grade CSs. The F82 offers the rawest value, the G82 the most complete everyday experience, and both reward careful buying. Choose history and originality over price, and an unmolested example is one of the great modern performance bargains.
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