How to Distinguish Between M4 and 4 Series?

[LeAna]

BMW M4: Equipped with a V8 engine. BMW 4 Series: Equipped with 2.0T high and low power variants. BMW M4: 4678mm1870mm1398mm. BMW 4 Series: 4641mm1826mm1362mm. BMW M4: Adopts the front face design of the new 3 Series. BMW 4 Series: Polygonal LED headlights with a sharper design.

[VonCaden]

The most noticeable differences between the BMW M4 and the standard 4 Series are in their exterior design. Having studied the actual vehicles, the M4 features a wider and larger front grille with additional aerodynamic openings on both sides, while the standard 4 Series has a more conservative front fascia. From the side, the M4 comes standard with 19-inch wheels and high-performance brake calipers typically bearing the M logo, whereas the 4 Series mostly has 18-inch standard wheels. The rear end differences are particularly striking: the M4 boasts quad exhaust pipes and a diffuser, while the standard 4 Series comes with dual single-outlet exhausts. Under the hood, the contrast is even more pronounced—the M4’s S58 3.0T twin-turbo engine delivers over 500 horsepower, compared to the standard 4 Series’ top 3.0T configuration with 380 horsepower, and even a base 2.0T four-cylinder option. The M4 also comes standard with active suspension and a rear differential lock, making it corner like it’s on rails, whereas the standard 4 Series is tuned for much greater comfort.

[DiTyler]

Anyone who has driven these two cars knows they have completely different personalities. The M4 is like an athlete on steroids, with an extremely aggressive throttle response and exhaust note, delivering a noticeable kick in the back with every gear shift. The regular 4 Series drives much closer to a daily commuter, with smoother and quieter power delivery. The interior differences are also significant: the M4 features bucket seats with strong bolstering, a steering wheel with paddle shifters and M mode buttons, and a dashboard with track mode displays. The regular 4 Series has a conventional luxury seat layout. The price gap is quite substantial, with the M4 costing nearly double the regular 4 Series, and insurance and maintenance costs are calculated based on performance car standards. Additionally, the tire configurations differ, as the M4 uses wider and thinner performance tires.

[Shelley]

Simply put, it's the difference between the high-performance version and the base version. The M4 belongs to BMW's M Power series, featuring a specially tuned high-power engine, while the regular 4 Series is just a standard production line product. Externally, the M4 has air vents on the front fenders and sharper side mirror designs. In terms of the exhaust system, the M4 roars to life upon startup, whereas the 4 Series is much more subdued. Inside the cabin, the M4 features M badges on the door sills and carbon fiber trim on the center console. The suspension systems are also different in hardware, with the M4 using reinforced control arms and thicker anti-roll bars. The fuel consumption difference is significant—the M4 easily exceeds 15 liters in the city, while the 4 Series with a 2.0T engine only needs around 8 liters. The tire widths are noticeably different too, with rear wheels reaching 285 millimeters definitely indicating an M4.