2016 vs 2017 BMW M4
Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
2016
Nothing that 2017 lacks.
2017
Nothing that 2016 lacks.
Both years
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Rod bearing wear All years One source so far
What to check: Ask whether the rod bearings have been replaced, and when.
Euro Premium Parts calls it the S55's most serious known issue, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles and sooner on hard-driven cars, and says many owners replace the bearings at around 50,000 miles.
A seller's guide (unofficial)
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Cracked turbo oil feed lines All years One source so far
What to check: Look for oil around the turbocharger housings.
Euro Premium Parts says the lines can crack or leak between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, starving the turbos of oil.
A seller's guide (unofficial)
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Cracked charge pipe All years One source so far
What to check: Listen for a hiss and feel for lost power under boost, and ask whether the plastic charge pipes were replaced with metal or silicone ones.
Euro Premium Parts says the factory plastic pipes commonly crack between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, especially on tuned cars.
A seller's guide (unofficial)
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Electric water pump and thermostat All years One source so far
What to check: Watch the temperature gauge, and ask whether the water pump has been replaced.
Euro Premium Parts says the electric water pump can fail without warning between 50,000 and 80,000 miles and overheat the engine.
A seller's guide (unofficial)
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Driveshaft recalls All years
What to check: Make sure the driveshaft recalls were done.
NHTSA lists a recall for driveshaft slip joints left without grease on some 2015 and 2016 cars, and one for the driveshaft-to-flange joint, which can fail and lose drive, on 2016 and 2017 cars including the GTS.
NHTSA
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Worn front control arm bushings All years One source so far
What to check: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for vague steering.
Euro Premium Parts says the bushings and ball joints wear faster than expected, between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.
A seller's guide (unofficial)
Rare catches
2016
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Rare
M4 GTS Trim
A limited run CarGurus, a published reference
700 built A published reference
Good or bad: CarGurus describes it as track-focused, with chassis and cosmetic changes to match. CarGurus
2017
Nothing that 2016 lacks.
Both years
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Rare
M4 CS Trim
A limited run, a third of it for the US CarGurus, a published reference
1,000 built for United States, 33% of built worldwide A published reference
Good or bad: CarGurus says it has a slightly less aggressive makeover than the GTS. CarGurus
Recalls
2016
- 15V782000 2015–2016
The driveshaft's slip joint may not have been filled with grease and can fail over time. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it if needed. NHTSA
- 16V653000 2015–2016
During earlier rear differential service the rear subframe bolts may have been reused rather than replaced, and can loosen. Dealers fit new bolts. NHTSA
2017
- 16V914000 2017
The initiators of the seat-mounted side airbags may fail to fire in a crash. Dealers replace the airbag modules. NHTSA
- 17V115000 2017
The initiators of the seat-mounted side airbags may fail to fire in a crash. Dealers replace the airbag modules. NHTSA
Both years
- 18V713000 2016–2017
The joint between the driveshaft and its flange can fail, losing drive. Dealers replace the driveshaft. NHTSA
What changed between
After 2016, up to and including 2017.
- 2017Adaptive dampers become standard, and a new Competition Package raises output to 444 hp. Edmunds
What it came with
2016
2017
Both years
Colors
2016
- Sakhir Orange Metallic 2016 Edmunds
- Silverstone Metallic 2016 Edmunds
2017
Nothing that 2016 lacks.
Both years
- Champagne Quartz Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Smoked Topaz Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Tanzanite Blue Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Yas Marina Blue Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Mineral Grey Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Mineral White Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Austin Yellow Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Alpine White 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Black Sapphire Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Azurite Black Metallic 2016–2019 Edmunds
Interiors
2016
- Black with Silverstone Stitching Leather (Full Merino), 2016 Edmunds
2017
Nothing that 2016 lacks.
Both years
- Nutmeg (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Golden Brown (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Sonoma Beige Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Black Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Opal White (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Amaro Brown (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Cohiba Brown and Black (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Silverstone Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Sonoma Beige Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Carbonstructure Anthracite and Black Leather and cloth, 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Black Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Sakhir Orange and Black Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Sakhir Orange and Black Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
- Silverstone Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2019 Edmunds
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2016
Nothing that 2017 lacks.
2017
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Sought after: A car with the Competition Package 2017–2020 One source so far
Euro Premium Parts calls the Competition Package version the most desirable for most buyers, with more power and better suspension tuning at no great cost in reliability. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Both years
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Watch for: A car past 70,000 miles without records of the big jobs All years Less sought after One source so far
Euro Premium Parts advises avoiding cars over 70,000 miles that cannot show recent rod bearing, water pump or charge pipe work, and being wary of track use, hard tuning or irregular oil changes at any mileage. A seller's guide (unofficial)