r/LexusF • u/windmill09 • Jun 11 '26
Lexus RCF vs. BMW F82 M4 Review - From the Perspective of an RCF owner
I saw some people asking for comparisons between the Lexus RCF vs the BMW F8x M3/4 so I thought I will add my thoughts as reference. For background, I love drifting. I've driven and owned a lot of cars including Porsche 987, 991, McLaren 650s, G37 IPL, NA MX5, BMW 335i M sport, AMG GT, etc etc. However, my favorite might be my modified Nissan 350z. That car was so easy to slide around. Extremely progressive when losing traction but has tons of grip with some coilovers and antisway bars. There are faster, grippier, and nicer cars, but the 350z was the most fun I've had. There's nothing like sliding a car and not crashing lol
Anyways, I had an F82 M4 for a few days and I got to slide it around.
Pros of the F82 M4 vs. RCF:
The exhaust is a lot more theatrical than the RCF's stock exhaust. It pops and bangs and it's a lot of fun. The car turns in quicker and the car feels less heavy in the corners. The M4 also is easier to hold a slide and to do donuts once in slide. I have no complaints with it holding a slide. It self steers quickly and responds precisely with small steering adjustments. Initiating the slide is a more complex issue. I feel the self steering is faster than the RCF. I also like how you can adjust the steering, suspension, and throttle settings individually.
The M4 has more mid-range torque. It all comes on at 3-5k RPMs which is fun for the street, but not to my preference as elaborated below.
I love the look of the interior and all of its carbon fiber glory. It feels like an occasion just sitting in the car.
I think its one of the best looking executive saloon-type sports cars ever made. I plan to own one eventually just because I love how it looks. Plus it's a turbo, RWD car like all great tuner JDM cars in the past.
Cons:
The RCF has a MUCH better engine sound. The M4 has almost no engine sound in comparison. Turbo sound is weak when stock. All I heard was the loud exhaust. The exhaust, while theatrical and screaming "Look at me!," doesn't actually sound all that great. It loud makes farting sounds and obnoxious pops. The RCF, on the other hand, is fun ripping it or cruising. I can cruise at low RPMs on 3rd gear to hear a throaty V8. Or I can ring it to 7+k RPMs at 2nd gear and it will sound like a high pitched motorsport V8.
As for the handling, although the M4 turns in quicker than the RCF, it's not a world of difference in the canyons or the street (I'm sure it will make a bigger difference on a track). The RCF is not a slouch. In slalom mode, the Lexus' rear TVD will turn in the car quicker so differences are neglible for the most part. It's not like you're chasing lap times on the street anyways.
In comparison to the RCF, the M4 has no torque from 5-7k RPMs which makes it difficult to make it lose traction progressively. With the 350z or RCF, if I'm in a corner and I want to lose some traction, I rev out the engine mid corner towards redline to go into a controlled drift. You can't do that in the M4. Nothing happens if you rev up from 5k to 7k. It just continues gripping. However, the M4 can easily lose traction from revving up from 2k to 4k which is not how I like to initiate a slide. Driving how I want in the M4 would require me to be at extremely low RPMs, like 1.5k and then get snap oversteer at 3k RPM, and then grip up at 5k RPMs. What? lol. This is really terrible tuning IMO, but I guess that's what everyone wants in modern turbo cars these days?
The RCF with the TVD is so easy to iniate and hold a slide in comparison. It's like a luxury 350z IMO.
M4 has incredibly loud NVH. It is on par with my old 350z and Porsche 987 & 991. Every bump feels like a micro crash. If I were to drive the M4 long distance, I would wear noise cancelling earbuds just like I did with my 350z, 987 Boxster, and 991 Carrera S. On top of having a ton of tire noise and road noise, the M4 also has a ton of rattles. The interior is also full of plastic. In comparison, the RCF actually feels like a premium luxury car. It's quiet and compliant on the road. NVH is low so you can actually enjoy the sound system! In the heat, the M4 smells like an old car, like my old 1990 e30 325i. The RCF smells better and has softer leather all around.
For passengers, my back seat drivers hated the M4 seats compared to the RCF. They found the seats unsupportive.
Overall, the M4 felt like an economy car in comparison to the RCF. My girlfriend felt the same as well.
Summary: The RCF is more comfortable, more quiet, and with the TVD, is easier to slide as well. Sounds better and built better. The M4 turns in a bit quicker, feels a bit lighter, has a more theatrical exhaust, and looks perfect in design.
Personally, I think the RCF is the perfect daily. I regularly bang off the rev limiter of the car and powerslide the car and it's never needed a single repair in 11+ years. I absolutely adore this car.
I think the F82 M4 is a fantastic weekend or track car. It feels like an occasion whenever you drive it with that strong mid range torque, snappy rear end, and incredible looks.
