In the case of the perfect 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 desirous about the way it pertains to the G82 M4. Regardless of a variety of actually necessary variations, these two will quickly occupy the same area of interest within the used efficiency automotive market—in each worth (after a number 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, nevertheless it could 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. Whereas appears are completely subjective, I can say this: the C8 Corvette bought me extra optimistic consideration than another automotive I’ve ever borrowed. Folks (at the very least within the US) love seeing a Corvette, and it’s immediately identifiable. The M4’s polarizing appears are well-documented right here and elsewhere on the internet, and I gained’t belabor the purpose.
C8 Corvette vs BMW M4 Efficiency
The C8 Corvette and G82 M4 ship energy in extraordinarily other ways. The C8 provides a 6.2-liter V8 engine, mid-mounted, growing 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The M4 Competitors depends on a twin-turbo inline-six growing 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 ought to be stated that the M4 is out there with all-wheel drive if you need it, and can also be accessible with a handbook. Whereas these two factors are mutually unique, they might alone be sufficient cause to go along with the M4 over the C8.
Should you aren’t in want of xDrive and aren’t attempting to row your individual gears, the C8 Corvette provides some distinct benefits. The steering is extra exact and provides significantly 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 top, additional including to the nimbleness. Whereas ingress and egress is harder 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 suppose the M4 feels faster once you aren’t wringing the automotive out. Regardless of the 2 automobiles’ very totally different powertrains, peak horsepower is inside 200 rpm of one another (6450 rpm for the Vette, 6250 rpm for the M4). Contemplate 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 prefer to share the driving expertise. The Vette I drove had comfy GT seats, similar to the bottom seats within the M4. I believe the Vette’s are barely higher balanced for road/observe use. An eight-inch middle display screen is greater than sufficient for me, and the gauge cluster is uncluttered and simple to learn.
The closest, appearance-wise, you can 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 automotive a number of weeks in the past.
Worth
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 automobiles age. I believe each provide notably 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, accessible xDrive, and stable trunk house as causes sufficient.
The M4 would possibly take itself a bit too significantly, and the C8’s cabin would possibly really feel a bit of low cost and claustrophobic. However each automobiles are a outstanding worth on the used market and I can’t advocate both one sufficient.
