Should you buy a MANUAL BMW M4?

[@Kram2525]

Just took delivery of my manual M4 (Brooklyn Gray) yesterday and love it. Traded a 2018 AMG E63s and really enjoy driving a manual gearbox again. It came down to this or a 2020 911s that was at the BMW dealer priced at $100k (had 41k miles on it). I'm happy with the M4!

[@TommyLGarage]

Of course you’re happy it’s a great car! Congratulations!

[@wszystkojedno696]

Manual all the way.

[@TommyLGarage]

Depends

[@kbtracklaps]

Great review. I daily and track my G82 6MT (now on 305 square setup). Miss your track videos!

[@TommyLGarage]

How is it at the track? Playful ?

[@kbtracklaps]

@@TommyLGarage it can easily oversteer out of corners as much you want. Otherwise very fast, stable, easy to control. Comfortable highway drive to the track.

[@kentao4]

Interesting. I keep thinking about doing this.

[@kbtracklaps]

@@kentao4 go for it, it's what the car is made for!

[@Respect_N55]

Thought I was the only one that thought the steering wheel was a bit too high. Even at its lowest setting, I cant really see the street name area anymore on the bottom of the dash. Awesome Video as always brother!

[@TommyLGarage]

It’s very strange! It’s even worse when you have bucket seats

[@number36420]

Looking happy and healthy 💪

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!

[@sheldads229]

I like them but do prefer the 4 doors though and yes the steering sits too high

[@TommyLGarage]

Does anyone offer steering lowering kits ?

[@djzaki]

Hey Tommy, I had a yas marina manual f80 m3 around the same time you did! I'm now in a manual g80 m3. In my perspective, handling and shifting feels the same. Torque feels more gradual and continuous compared to the f80. Interior also feels top notch. I need a sedan for the kids. But, if I didn't have to have a 4 door I'd definitely get a 911. What's your opinion though. I still have a e92 M3. Should I sell that for an older 911?

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes definitely worth it getting a 911. Consider a 997.2 and you’ll be very happy.

[@clubracer6]

Thanks, hopefully you dig a bit deeper into how it drives and feels when you do the G80. Really want a Blackwing, but the 4 is too small and the 5 too big... The reviews for them are off the chart though, especially compared to the G8X. Sadly, the last 3 manual RWD sedans left.

[@TommyLGarage]

I need to get my hands on the blackwing.

[@c6manny]

Hey Tommy, have you tried out the carbon buckets in the g8x platform? I’ve sat in one but haven’t driven a car that has them yet. They are really supportive and go lower than the base seats. Curious what you think of them and the comfort level while driving.

[@TommyLGarage]

Yes! Hated them. Insanely difficult to get out of the car

[@kentao4]

I can co-sign this. I’m also 6’2” 220. The worst part was getting in and out.

[@s.c.1972]

It’s nice, but I prefer your 911!!

[@TommyLGarage]

So do I! :)

[@drjk7565]

I remember reading a review of the G-series M cars and the title said something along the lines of "this manual is not worth saving". As much as enthusiasts decry "Save the Manuals", do you think some cars like the G8X M models should either step up their manual transmissions or just save R&D money and give it up altogether? Also, I've seen people install aftermarket transmission kits or monoball front bushings to improve the overall feel, but do you think it's wrong to leave it to the aftermarket to fix a car's shortcomings when rivals do it better from factory?

[@TommyLGarage]

I have to say even an f80 was not good with a manual transmission. Until a person drives a proper manual (aka Porsche or S2000 or Type R) they will never know what good means

[@drjk7565]

​@@TommyLGarage Porsche and Honda do have a reputation for making manual transmissions that are so good, it makes everyone else's efforts feel sub-par even if they're actually decent in isolation. For example, most people will say the MX-5 has one of the best manual transmissions in the affordable sports car category, but because its deceased rival (the S2000) borrowed the manual straight out of the legendary NSX, it simply cannot compete.

[@Gadfly2025]

I bought ///M4 CF seats , and Corvette C8 both less than 911 $. C8 has targa too too

[@TommyLGarage]

Did you invest in white New Balance sneakers too?? :)

[@Gadfly2025]

@@TommyLGarage nope But I do smile every morning I go to pick out what I drive today 😆 Porsche has become a religious cult car now . Too expensive to daily drive or leave in parking lots . Highest cost maintenance save the fact most sit in garage diaper wiped . The SUVs will soon replace the VW engines with batteries EV 😵 and even the Boxter Cayman ? Their managers must be DEI folks now

[@untitledlabel]

Glad to see you kicking Tommy!

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!!!

[@untitledlabel]

@@TommyLGarage No Doubt, been here since the start, give giving that motivation

[@YumboYack2521]

Meh, for $80k-90k i’d still take a well equipped 991.2 base or a 981 GTS.

[@TommyLGarage]

Totally agreed!

[@Bupkus68]

I own a ‘25 G82 manual, last car was a ‘14 991.1 PDK. While I love rowing my own, and the M is more practical as a daily (usable back seat in particular), the 911 was just more pure and special to drive. Regret my decision every day.

[@TurboGeeks]

Mine was just delivered

[@TommyLGarage]

Congratulations!

[@jmccarsnmore1025]

What about the G87 M2?? What do you think of it??

[@TommyLGarage]

Same lame manual transmission. I’d get it with an automatic

[@jmccarsnmore1025]

@@TommyLGarage Only automatic ///M’s for me are E92 M3 or X3 M!!

[@jameswatson7218]

M2 for the money

[@TommyLGarage]

Cayman!

[@Darkstrike0]

It’s funny subjective with the nose, I never liked the previous front profile and I mostly bought my M4 G82 because of the look

[@TommyLGarage]

How do you like this one ?

[@Darkstrike0]

@@TommyLGarage I love it!

[@AllenL2R]

Is it more engaging than your M5?

[@TommyLGarage]

Nope! Paddle shifters are more engaging

[@michaelmcgorty6469]

bro bought a porsche and turned into a snob : (

[@TommyLGarage]

For sure! A total snob. That’s why I don’t own a BMW…. Oh wait

[@dwaynebolan2583]

How does the g80 compare to a F80? Handling wise.

[@TommyLGarage]

Very similar to be honest although f80 felt lighter on its feet

[@scherpebocht]

Its funny u say that in eu bmw manuals are known for the 3rd gear

[@TommyLGarage]

Pretty fun!

[@フアン-f6e]

I love your videos

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!

[@philnleblanc6664]

Great vid Tommy. Love the content you put out.

[@TommyLGarage]

Thanks!! I appreciate it. Glad you’re here.

[@vincentbianchi3361]

Damn that's lowered :)

[@TommyLGarage]

Looks good!

[@ubers4]

The new M3/M4s are meant to be bought with an auto. The manuals have super long throws, lag, and spongy.

[@TommyLGarage]

Agreed!

[@TeamShiitakeRacing]

I don't know if a BMW is ever more fun than a 911 but I'd do one better and go with the smaller manual 2024 M2.

[@TommyLGarage]

Not one better. M2 is nice but transmission still feels the same

[@kentao4]

So after telling you about my g80 in forums last week, you post this…🙄🙄🙄😂😂😂. Ok now let me see what you have to say. Lol. Alright I agree with a lot of your points. Steering wheel is slightly high but I’m taller so it doesn’t matter as much. Having learned manual on a 911 I get what you’re saying about the manual. I just refuse to not have a 3rd pedal. There is definitely no feedback through the steering wheel. Lastly the front did grow on me. Just looks meaner to me. The mix of tech plus how “angry” the car can be on the road gives me those tinglies lol but I can’t compare it to a 911. A 4 door, high horsepower, manual sedan- there is no comparison in my book. People keep telling me I had the option of a black wing. Absolutely not. Now that is an ugly car. The tech is not the same either and it’s overpriced. American car quality is simply not there.

[@TommyLGarage]

Manual sedan is very rare I agree. But for this chassis I think automatic is the way to go. And if that’s the case, there are plenty of other sedans out there /)

[@kentao4]

@@TommyLGarage I am just partial to manual. If I’m not moving my left foot, all cars become similar to me. I also like that my wife doesn’t want to learn lol.

[@TommyLGarage]

@@kentao4 haha good point about the wife. Same here !

[@spritepapi]

Debating between this and a Carrerra 4S, sounds like you'd take the porsche?

[@TommyLGarage]

Not even a contender. 4S every single day!

[@Mechadondada]

As I opened this, it had exactly 911 views. Fate favors the Porsche I guess.

[@TommyLGarage]

Haha touché! Hoping this gets M4….I mean 4M views :)

[@Mechadondada]

@@TommyLGarage nice

[@Bupkus68]

First gear is way too short.

[@TommyLGarage]

I agree!

[@pcarobsessed9778]

M3 is way to go, m4 is just cheezy

[@nathanielbellard9481]

How would you compare it to the F82?

[@TommyLGarage]

They feel very similar to be honest. But F8x I felt more connected with.