IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2018 BMW M4

We've identified 4 known issues that can affect the 2018 BMW M4. 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

4
Known Issues
1
Serious
3
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Crank Hub Slip / Engine Timing Issues

SeriousEngine

The same S55 crank-hub concern that affects F80 M3s also hangs over the F82/F83 M4, especially on tuned cars making repeated hard launches.

Est. Repair Cost: £2,000–£8,000
Warning Signs:

Sudden misfire after full boost, Loss of power with timing-related fault codes

What to Inspect:
  • Ask about any crank-hub capture or pinned-hub modification
  • Be suspicious of cars with drag-strip style launch abuse
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Adaptive Damper / Top Mount Wear

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

Stiff suspension, large wheels, and poor UK roads can leave M4s with worn dampers, noisy top mounts, or poor wheel alignment that chews through tyres.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£1,800
Warning Signs:

Front-end knock over sharp ridges, Uneven tyre wear or fidgety motorway tracking

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect inside shoulders of all four tyres
  • Check that the steering sits straight and the car does not wander
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Convertible Roof Water Ingress / Module Risk

ModerateBodywork & Rust

The folding-roof M4 Convertible can suffer from blocked drains, wet boot electronics, or roof-cycle faults if the mechanism has been neglected.

Est. Repair Cost: £150–£2,000
Warning Signs:

Musty smell in the boot, Roof warning lights or hesitant operation

What to Inspect:
  • Lift the boot floor and look for dampness
  • Run the full roof cycle more than once
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Coolant / Charge-Cooling Leaks

ModerateCooling System

Turbocharged M4s can lose coolant from expansion tanks, front coolers, or hoses. It is a common nuisance fault on hard-driven examples and should not be ignored.

Est. Repair Cost: £120–£900
Warning Signs:

Sweet coolant smell, Low coolant warnings after a hard drive

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect the tank cap and seam
  • Look for dried coolant around the nose and undertray
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2018 BMW M4

  • ✓Check for signs of aftermarket tuning (bootmod3, piggyback ECUs); tuned cars place immense stress on the infamous S55 crank hub.
  • ✓Inspect the carbon-ceramic brakes (if optioned; indicated by gold calipers) for chipping on the rotor edges; replacement discs cost roughly £4,000 per axle.
  • ✓Verify the front radiators and oil coolers for stone damage; the large grilles leave them exposed to debris on UK motorways.
  • ✓Look closely at the panel gaps and paint finish; M4s are frequently involved in accidents, so check for hidden crash damage.
  • ✓Test the 7-speed DCT gearbox; it should shift with brutal speed in the highest setting, but check for leaks from the transmission pan.
  • ✓Ensure the differential bushes aren't completely worn out, which causes a heavy clunk from the rear end when accelerating hard.
Check a 2018 BMW M4 by Registration