BMW M3 F80 / BMW M4 F82

The BMW M4 F82 makes 431 horsepower and costs $60,000. The BMW M3 F80 makes 435 horsepower and costs $50,000—a $10,000 price gap (20% more expensive for the M4) despite the M3 having 4hp more power. Across 31 shared tracks with 191 unique comparison scenarios, the M3 wins by just 0.04 seconds overall, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the M4 wins 79.6% of battles with a 4.04-second average gap.

This is the same car with different body styles: the M3 F80 sedan (2015-2020) versus the M4 F82 coupe (2015-2020). Both share the S55 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, identical wheelbase (2,812mm), identical length (4,671mm), and nearly identical weight (M3: 3,351 lbs, M4: 3,340 lbs—just 11 pounds lighter). The M3 has 4hp more power (435hp vs 431hp), yet loses 79.6% of matched battles. The 0.04-second overall gap confirms these cars are essentially identical across mixed conditions, but when preparation is equal, the M4's coupe body dominates.

The 4-Horsepower Gap: Same Engine, Different Bodies

The M3's S55 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six makes 435hp at 5,500-7,300 rpm and 406 lb-ft at 1,850-5,500 rpm (database shows 550.46 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 7.70 lbs/hp. The M4's S55 makes 431hp at 5,500-7,300 rpm and 406 lb-ft at 1,850-5,500 rpm (database shows 549.11 lb-ft, same error). Power-to-weight: 7.75 lbs/hp—virtually identical.

The M4's advantage isn't power—it's the coupe body that's 11 pounds lighter and structurally stiffer than the sedan. The coupe body has two fewer doors, shorter roof span, and better torsional rigidity. This translates to sharper turn-in and more predictable chassis behavior. The comparison data shows this: M4 wins 79.6% of matched battles despite having 4hp less power.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (49 laps): M4 wins 79.6%, M3 wins 20.4%, 4.04s gap. When both run equal preparation and tires, the M4's coupe body delivers overwhelming dominance. The M3 wins only 1 out of 5 battles—the sedan body can't match the coupe's structural rigidity despite having 4hp more power.
• Medium M3 vs medium M4, TW100/200 (30 laps): M4 wins 100% with 5.40s gap. When the M3 runs TW100 tires against the M4's TW200 tires, the M4 STILL wins every single battle. This is remarkable—the coupe body advantage overcomes a significant tire disadvantage.
• Medium M3 vs medium M4, TW200/100 (14 laps): M3 wins 64.3% with 1.81s gap. This is the M3's only consistent path to victory: run grippier tires (TW200 vs M4's TW100). The tire advantage overcomes the coupe body disadvantage.

The $10,000 Price Gap: Sedan vs Coupe

M3 F80 Sedan: $50,000 buys the S55's 435hp (4hp more than M4), four doors, 3,351-pound curb weight, and sedan practicality. The S55's turbo modification ceiling is identical: Stage 1 tune ($800) = 500hp, Stage 2 with downpipe ($2,500) = 550-600hp. The sedan body is the compromise—more practical but less stiff than the coupe.

M4 F82 Coupe: $60,000 buys the S55's 431hp (4hp less than M3), two doors, 3,340-pound curb weight (11 pounds lighter), and coupe structural rigidity. The modification ceiling is identical to the M3. The coupe body is the performance choice—stiffer chassis delivers 79.6% win rate when matched.

The $10,000 premium buys the coupe body that wins 79.6% of matched battles despite having 4hp less power. The M3's lower price and four doors create practicality advantage, but the data shows the coupe's structural advantage is worth $10,000 for track performance.

The Verdict

Choose the BMW M3 F80 if you want S55 performance at $50,000, need four doors, accept losing 79.6% of matched battles, and value the $10,000 savings. The M3 has 4hp more power but loses nearly 8 out of 10 battles when preparation is equal. The M3 is the choice for buyers who want M performance with sedan practicality.

Choose the BMW M4 F82 if you want the coupe body at $60,000, prioritize winning 79.6% of matched battles, and don't need rear doors. You're paying $10,000 more (20% premium) for 11 pounds less weight, coupe structural rigidity, and an 80% win rate despite having 4hp less power. The M4 is the choice for drivers who want maximum track performance from the S55 platform.

LapMeta's 0.04-second overall gap (virtually identical) and 4.04-second matched-condition gap show the paradox: these cars are the same across mixed conditions but dramatically different when matched. The M3's 4hp power advantage can't overcome the M4's coupe body stiffness. For the driver who wants S55 performance with four doors at $50,000, the M3 delivers. For the driver who wants the S55 platform that wins 8 out of 10 matched battles, the M4's $10,000 premium buys the coupe body advantage that makes all the difference.