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BMW M4 Coupe vs Subaru BRZ

BMW M4 Coupe

BMW M4 Coupe

Competition xDrive

Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ

Verdict

The BMW M4 Coupe costs RM878,800 to the Subaru BRZ’s RM249,245, a RM629,555 divide that buys vastly different pace: 530 hp, 650 Nm and 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 234 hp, 250 Nm and 6.3 seconds. Its all-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic and 440-litre boot also make the BMW the more capable long-distance proposition. But at 1,800 kg and 4,794 mm long, it is far larger than the 1,289-kg, 4,265-mm BRZ. The Subaru’s six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive suit buyers seeking a simpler, lighter coupe, while its five-year warranty is longer than BMW’s two years.

M4 Coupe

Pick the BMW M4 Coupe if 530 hp, 650 Nm, all-wheel-drive traction, a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a 440-litre boot justify the RM629,555 premium.

BRZ

Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a 1,289-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual, seven airbags and a five-year warranty for RM249,245.

Key differences

  • Price: BMW M4 Coupe RM878,800; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
  • Power and torque: BMW M4 Coupe 530 hp and 650 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
  • 0-100 km/h: BMW M4 Coupe 3.5 seconds; Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds.
  • Driveline and transmission: BMW M4 Coupe all-wheel drive with eight-speed automatic; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
  • Kerb weight: BMW M4 Coupe 1,800 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg.
  • Boot space: BMW M4 Coupe 440 litres; Subaru BRZ 226 litres.

M4 Coupe

  • 530 hp and 650 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
  • All-wheel drive and an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic.
  • 440-litre boot, 360-degree camera and autonomous braking with pedestrian detection.
  • RM629,555 more expensive than the Subaru BRZ.
  • 511 kg heavier than the Subaru BRZ.
  • Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the BRZ’s five years.

BRZ

  • 1,289-kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
  • Seven airbags, blind spot information system and rear cross traffic alert.
  • Five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
  • 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the BMW’s 530 hp and 650 Nm.
  • 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.8 seconds slower than the BMW.
  • 226-litre boot is 214 litres smaller, and it has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
Price & overview
PriceRM878,800RM249,245✓
Body typeCoupeCoupe
SegmentCompact ExecutiveSports Car
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM2,113RM767✓
Powertrain
Engine Tech24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing
Capacity2,993 cc2,387 cc
Horsepower530 hp at 6,250 rpm✓234 hp at 7,000 rpm
Torque650 Nm at 2,750 rpm✓250 Nm at 3,700 rpm
Cylinder ArrangementInline 6Boxer 4
FuelPetrolPetrol
Bore × Stroke—94 mm × 86 mm
Compression Ratio—12.5
Drivetrain
TransmissionConventional AutomaticManual
Transmission Name8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic—
Gears86
Transmission ManufacturerZFAisin
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h3.5 seconds✓6.3 seconds
Top Speed250 km/h✓226 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,794 mm4,265 mm
Width1,887 mm1,775 mm
Height1,393 mm1,310 mm
Wheelbase2,857 mm2,575 mm
Weight1,800 kg1,289 kg
Fuel Tank59 litres50 litres
Doors22
Seats44
Boot Space440 litres✓226 litres
Front Tyre275/35R19215/40R18
Rear Tyre285/35R20215/40R18
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair KitTyre Repair Kit
Factory TyresPirelli P ZeroMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Chassis
AssemblyGermany (CBU)Japan (CBU)
Front SuspensionDouble WishbonesMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkDouble Wishbones
Front Wheels19" M Forged Alloys18" Alloys
Rear Wheels20" M Forged Alloys18" Alloys
SteeringRack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesM Adaptive Suspension—
Safety
Airbags6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain)7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain)
ABS/EBD✓✓
Stability Control✓✓
Alarm✓✓
Immobilizer✓✓
Airbag Disable Function✓✓
Child Safety LockManual for Front Passenger Door—
Seat Belts4 Three-point4 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System—✓
ISOFIXAvailable for 2 Outer Rear SeatsAvailable for Two Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h)—
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionNo
Collision Warning✓—
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsFront Seats
Safety Notes—Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Lighting
HeadlampsLED ProjectorLED Projector
TaillampsLaserlightLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓—
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front SeatsManual Adjustable
Rear Seats40:20:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control—
Power Sockets1 Front, 2 USB-C Front1 Front
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightingMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front2 Front
Audio14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchTwo Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Start/Stop✓—
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓—
Cruise ControlPassive Cruise ControlPassive Cruise Control
Tiptronic✓—
Paddle Shift✓—
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Boot OperationRemote Control ActivationRemote Control Activation
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, 360-degree View MonitorYes
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓—
Head-up Display✓—
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicHandbrake
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited✓100,000 km
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited—
Warranty Manufacturer2 years5 years✓
Warranty Extended3 years—

Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.

M4 Coupe vs BRZ FAQ

Is the BMW M4 Coupe or Subaru BRZ better?

The BMW M4 Coupe is better for outright performance, automatic all-wheel-drive usability and luggage space. The Subaru BRZ is the better fit for buyers who specifically want a much lighter rear-wheel-drive coupe with a manual gearbox, stronger warranty cover and far lower purchase cost.

What is the price difference?

The BMW M4 Coupe costs RM629,555 more than the Subaru BRZ.

Which has the better safety equipment?

The BMW has autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping steering correction, collision warning and a 360-degree camera. The BRZ counters with seven airbags, blind spot information and rear cross traffic alert, but lacks autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.

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