If you’re after a performance car, not much can beat the pedigree of a BMW M model, with the M3 in particular dating back to the second-generation ‘E30’ model from the 1980s.
Today, there are a number of BMW M models to pick from, so understanding which is the right one for you requires careful thought and consideration.
Although the M3 and M4 share many of the same parts, there are a few key differences that could sway your decision on which one you buy.
Styling: BMW M3 vs M4
The M3 is based on the regular 3 Series but features a wealth of performance upgrades, so you can expect it to look a lot more aggressive than any other typical 3 Series.
It’s best recognised by the sporty touches like its large kidney-shaped grill, which extends from the end of the bonnet to the bumper, with the number plate running right through it.
From the front, the M3 and M4 look very similar, with the same grille design, headlights, and air intakes on the flanks of the front bumpers.
Besides the fact that the M3 has a pair of rear doors, both are the same length. The M4 Coupé, however, is slightly shorter and narrower than the M3 Saloon.
In 2023, BMW launched an estate version of the M3 for the first time, called the M3 Touring. This, and the M4 Convertible, make up the list of available M3 and M4 models.
Is the M3 or M4 better to drive?
Get into any M3 or M4 and you’ll notice the pinpoint-accurate steering and responsive accelerator control, but while many of the mechanical parts are the same across the four variants, including the engine, each feels different in the way it drives.
For the ultimate enthusiast, the M4 Coupé offers the closest to a 50:50 weight distribution and benefits from the lower centre of gravity, which is the result of its low-slung, coupé bodystyle.
The M4 Convertible is just as capable, but some tradeoffs have to be made by chopping off the roof, including the additional 145kg of weight added for extra strengthening, in turn knocking off 0.2 seconds from the 0-62mph time.
The M3 Saloon has identical acceleration times as the M4 Coupé and is only 5kg heavier, but because of its altered weight distribution, it’s not technically as engaging to drive.
The reality is that most drivers won’t be able to notice this and that it remains an immensely fun car to get behind the wheel of.
The M3 Touring is arguably the least typical BMW M car because of its estate format, but actually, it might just be the most fun estate car to drive.
M3 vs M4 BMW technical aspects
BMW started selling its latest models in 2021, and they share the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine as is found in the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M.
In the UK, only Competition models are sold, which means we get the higher-performance 510hp versions, each with 650Nm of torque.
They’re all electronically limited to 155mph, but this is far more than you would need on any British motorway anyway.
The M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé are the primary models, which are both capable of 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds with four-wheel drive.
They’re also available with rear-wheel drive, which makes them 0.4 seconds slower.
The M3 Touring and M4 Convertible are four-wheel-drive only and take 3.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds respectively to hit 62mph.
Both the latest generation and the previous one use turbocharged engines, which means that maximum power is available lower down the rev range compared with earlier models – including one that was sold with a V8 engine.
This helps them to feel quicker and can also improve fuel economy.
BMW M3 vs. M4: which has the biggest boot space?
There should be no surprise that the M3 Touring has the biggest boot of the M3 and M4 family, which, at 500 litres, is the same as the regular 3 Series Touring.
With the seats folded, it increases to 1,510 litres.
This means that the BMW M3 Touring has a bigger boot than its closest and much more expensive rival, the four-wheel-drive Mercedes-AMG C 63 S e.
This model has just 360 litres of space (or 1,375 litres with the seats folded).
While the M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé have smaller boots (480 litres and 440 litres respectively), they’re just as usable thanks to their wide openings.
The Convertible model does suffer, though, with the smallest boot, measuring 385 litres.
Is the BMW M4 or M3 more reliable?
Despite being incredibly popular among enthusiasts, the BMW M3 doesn’t have a history of incredible reliability.
Fortunately, newer models go some way to fixing this, and they’re generally a lot more reliable than earlier versions.
Because the M4 shares most of its mechanical parts with the M3, reliability for both models is pretty much on par.
Still, because this is a performance car with expensive parts, expect repairs and replacements to be more costly than their regular 3 Series and 4 Series counterparts.
Fuel consumption, insurance, and consumables like tyres will also cost you more in the long run.
M3 vs M4: which should you buy?
While they do have different names, they are, in essence, the same car.
Now that there are four bodystyles to choose from – saloon, estate, coupé, and convertible – there really should be something to appeal to most sports car drivers.
Even so, we think the M4 Coupé offers the best blend of sporty looks and practicality – you could get two adults in the back for a short trip but still enjoy the style of a coupé.
Learn more:
BMW X1 vs. BMW X2
BMW X3 vs. BMW X5
