The M4 is a powerful car with a huge horsepower advantage.
There are a few options for the current BMW 4 Series. The M4 competition with its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, inline-six engine is the range-topper. The M-kissed M440i, which also has a boosted six but is much less powerful, is a step down. The M440i produces 382 horsepower (285 Kilowatts) in U.S. specification, compared to 503 HP (375 kW), for the M4 Competition.
This is the drag race challenge for the M440i. Video by Joe Achilles on YouTube. The two Bimmers are taken to a runway near London, which has been converted into a handling track. Performance comparisons were made. Each car was tested on a small, autocross-like handling course before the straight-line speed contest. The M440i finished three seconds faster. The problem wasn’t limited to power; the car was also more susceptible to understeer and didn’t have as much front-end grip than the M4.
There were two reasons this was possible. The first was tires. The M4 was graced by Sticky Michelin Pilot Sports, while the M440i had a set Bridgestone Turanzas. The M440i’s xDrive all wheel-drive system was perhaps more interesting, especially for drag racing. The car felt heavier on the track because of it. The M4 was free to turn the corners as it pleased, while the M4 was gliding along on its rear wheels.
It was different after the corners were removed. The M440i performed admirably at speeds below 100 mph. It had a large starting line advantage and held it over the line to beat the M4 in the first two races. Although the M4 was pushing hard at the track’s other end, it wasn’t enough to win. The action in the other races was close. However, we’ll let you see the video to find out which car won the best two of the three.
We will tell you one thing: don’t be too proud to drive an M4 beside an M440i at a red light.