BMW M4i
Powered by a turbocharged 382-hp inline-six, this is an amazing sports car. Rear wheel drive provides an interesting dynamic for the initiated and may compel spontaneous break stands and excessive tire wear. Those of you familiar with muscle cars will understand the reference. The 8-speed, automatic transmission initially made me feel as though the car lacked a clutch pedal but, just as you would expect from a BMW, the shift points are perfect and really create a comfortably fast ride without the traffic hassle imposed by driving a stick. The paddle shifters and manual mode provide enough shift control to make this a fun back road driving machine.
Inside, the M4i offers a well appointed cabin, comfortable, bolstered seats, and a surprisingly roomy trunk for a drop top. The controls are perfectly placed and the audio envelopes you top up or top down. BMW has absolutely perfected their audio experience. When the top is up, the BMW's interior is impressively quiet, with so little wind or road noise it almost feels like a coupe. In seconds, the top folds and the coupe transforms into a cool roadster. The integrated wind blocker keeps buffeting manageable even at high speeds.
It’s hard to argue with the styling of the M4i. It’s an instant classic. If I were ordering this car, I would certainly include the Dynamic Handling package, which adds larger M Sport brakes, M Sport differential and some cool badging. Forward-collision warning and daytime pedestrian detection with city braking are standard, as is BMW's lane-departure warning system. I really enjoy the adaptive cruise control offered by BMW, particularly on long highway drives.
Overall, the BMW M4i gets high marks for styling, drivability and comfort. I would recommend this car if you’re looking to fill the third bay of the garage but, due to its rear wheel drive, it may not be a realistic daily driver for our New England winters.
Krbehn@MetroWest-Living.com
