In relation to one of the best bang-for-your-buck efficiency, Chevy’s Corvette has lengthy occupied the throne. However when the time got here for me to lastly take a spin within the newest era, the C8 Corvette, I couldn’t assist serious about the way it pertains to the G82 M4. Regardless of plenty of actually essential variations, these two will quickly occupy an analogous area of interest within the used efficiency automobile market—in each value (after a couple of years of depreciation) and anticipated efficiency. It gained’t be the primary event a Vette has been cross-shopped with a BMW M automobile, however it is likely to be probably the most attention-grabbing.
Styling
The C8 Corvette is lauded (or derided) because the “low cost supercar,” and that’s partially due to the way it appears to be like. Whereas appears to be like are fully subjective, I can say this: the C8 Corvette acquired me extra constructive consideration than another automobile I’ve ever borrowed. Individuals (a minimum of within the US) love seeing a Corvette, and it’s immediately identifiable. The M4’s polarizing appears to be like are well-documented right here and elsewhere on the net, and I gained’t belabor the purpose.
C8 Corvette vs BMW M4 Efficiency
The C8 Corvette and G82 M4 ship energy in extraordinarily alternative ways. The C8 gives a 6.2-liter V8 engine, mid-mounted, creating 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The M4 Competitors depends on a twin-turbo inline-six creating 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Each solely energy the rear wheels and depend on automated transmissions—an eight-speed auto within the M4, an eight-speed dual-clutch within the Vette.
It needs to be mentioned that the M4 is obtainable with all-wheel drive if you would like it, and can also be obtainable with a guide. Whereas these two factors are mutually unique, they might alone be sufficient purpose to go along with the M4 over the C8.
In case you aren’t in want of xDrive and aren’t attempting to row your personal gears, the C8 Corvette gives some distinct benefits. The steering is extra exact and gives a lot better suggestions. It’s round 300 kilos (159 kg) lighter, bettering total agility, and most of its weight sits over the rear wheels, enabling much less dramatic (learn: quicker) launches. The C8 measures six inches shorter in size and peak, additional including to the nimbleness. Whereas ingress and egress is tougher within the Vette (except your M4 has carbon buckets), the experience high quality is superior.
There are only a few events that the M4 Competitors feels quicker than the C8. One is at excessive speeds; touring at quicker-than-legal speeds, the M4 feels function constructed for Autobahn pulls, relentlessly constructing pace. I additionally assume the M4 feels faster once you aren’t wringing the automobile out. Regardless of the 2 vehicles’ very totally different powertrains, peak horsepower is inside 200 rpm of one another (6450 rpm for the Vette, 6250 rpm for the M4). Think about peak torque, which happens at simply 2750 rpm within the M4 and at 5150 rpm for the C8, and also you’ll see why the M4 felt faster round city accelerating at 4/10ths or so.
C8 Corvette vs BMW M4 Options, Consolation, and Expertise
The C8 Corvette touts a really driver-oriented cockpit, a lot in order that your passenger will really feel like they’re trespassing simply to make the most of the middle cupholders. A bit overkill in my eyes, particularly should you wish to share the driving expertise. The Vette I drove had snug GT seats, akin to the bottom seats within the M4. I believe the Vette’s are barely higher balanced for avenue/observe use. An eight-inch middle display screen is greater than sufficient for me, and the gauge cluster is uncluttered and straightforward to learn.
The closest, appearance-wise, you may get to this configuration in an M4 is by shopping for a pre-LCI mannequin with iDrive 7. Each iDrive 7 and iDrive 8 are extra responsive than the system within the Chevy. The M4 has higher supplies, and total match and end. Notably, the steering wheel, which legitimately feels and appears worse than the one I had in a 2025 Altima press automobile a couple of weeks in the past.
Value
The C8 I examined out stickered for $74,985. The M4 I drove was tremendous expensive, however you may get one thing with much less choices for round $80,000. On the secondhand market, as we speak, comparable Vettes fetch $62,000. Used, post-LCI M4 Competitions are nonetheless expensive, since they’re nonetheless recent, however costs will fall nearer because the vehicles age. I believe each provide significantly sturdy worth as we speak on the $65,000-$70,000 mark.
So, Used C8 or Used M4?
The C8’s sturdy factors are its distinctive dealing with and always-exciting dynamics. It’s additionally a little bit of an extrovert; be ready for random waves and exclamations of pleasure from passers-by. The M4 feels extra premium—although not essentially extra particular—on a regular basis and can also be arguably higher as a each day driver. I’ll cite the backseat, obtainable xDrive, and stable trunk area as causes sufficient.
The M4 may take itself a bit too severely, and the C8’s cabin may really feel just a little low cost and claustrophobic. However each vehicles are a exceptional worth on the used market and I can’t advocate both one sufficient.
