BMW M4 CS: Performance Car of the Year 2018 7th Place

When you look at the numbers, it’s a bit hard to see how the M4 CS finished so far down the order.

I mean, its lap times are up there at the very sharp end, the standing-start stuff is epic and its brakes are nothing short of phenomenal – while they last, at least. But for all that, it never really wants to give you as much on the track as some of its peers. And while working for it is one thing, the BMW was just a bit too mute.

On the other hand, Reynolds loved the thing instantly, suggesting that his honed reactions and perceptions were simply better tuned to the subtle way the CS telegraphs its responses.

Either way, you’ve got to respect the thing for the instant torque it generates from just three litres, and the DCT transmission is urgent and no-nonsense.

My PCOTY started with me not really liking the CS’s Winton manners, moved through a growing admiration for its on-road purpose and finished with me taking the M4 back to Melbourne the back way, over the mountains and through the forest. It’s a route I use all the time and I must have driven it hundreds of times before.

Point is, I reckon the CS was as fast point-to-point as anything else I’ve ever punted over the same road. Part of that is the things that make it boogie from rest, but an equally important part is that it’s so good at maintaining velocity that you don’t have to drive it like a lunatic to maintain a good average pace.

Unfortunately, its road-car credentials are blunted somewhat by some truly bizarre fitments and omissions. Let’s start with the air-con.

Now, I know weight is critical but c’mon… is single-zone air going to make any discernible difference?

Then there’s the lack of anything remotely resembling a cup-holder. True, I know racecars don’t have cup-holders, but the CS remains a car for the road first and foremost and being able to drive to your track day without having to juggle a half-strength soy latte because there are no cup-holders would be nice.

And then there are those ridiculous door-pull straps instead of conventional door pulls. Okay, so they save 50 grams apiece (maybe), but they’re mounted right in near the door hinge, giving you sweet bugger-all leverage for slamming the door. And there’s still conventional handles!

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I also struggle with the material used for the door trims. Yes, it’s very lightweight, but it looks and feels like recycled Maccas trays. Nit picking? Not really – not when these odd packaging decisions compromise the whole car for so little gain.

So we’ll stand by the voting process that saw the fourth-quickest, fourth-fastest and fourth-trackiest car come home seventh.

2018 BMW M4 CS SPECS:
Body: 2-door, 4-seat coupe
Drive: rear-wheel 
Engine: 2979cc inline-6, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo
Bore/Stroke: 89.6 x 84.0mm
Compression ratio: 10.2:1
Power: 338kW @ 6250rpm
Torque: 600Nm @ 4000-5380rpm
Power/Weight: 214kW/tonne
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Suspension: struts, coil springs, adaptive dampers, coil spring (f); multi-links, coil springs, adaptive dampers, anti-roll bar (r)
Brakes: 380mm ventilated/drilled discs, 4-piston calipers (f); 370mm ventilated/drilled discs, 2-piston calipers (r)
Wheels: 19.0 x 9.0-inch (f); 20.0 x 10.0-inch (r)
Tyres Sizes: 265/35 ZR19 (f); 285/30 ZR20 (r)
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Price: $189,900

0-100km/h: 4.05sec (5th)
0-400m: 12.01sec @ 197.25km/h (4th)

JUDGES' RANK

Morley – 10th
I didn’t like the M4 CS at first, but it grew on me and that interior became an issue.

Campbell – 4th
Love it to bits on the road. Although would be a different car on different tyres.

Newman – 8th
Best M4 yet, but too expensive and interior is plain dumb.

Robson – 8th
Strong engine, magic tyre set, but that price? Needs a firm hand to get the best from it.

Reynolds – 7th
Hard to drive slowly. Enjoyed pushing it but odd steering feel.

JUDGES' SCOREBOARD