BMW M3 and M4 Competition variants announced

BMW’s flagship 3 Series and 4 Series models are available in Competition form from mid-May, costing an extra $5000 over the regular M3 sedan and M4 coupe, or $4000 over the standard M4 convertible.

The $144,900 M3 Competition sedan, $154,900 M4 Competition coupe and $165,500 M4 Convertible Competition each feature a modified twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that increases power by 14kW to 331kW. Torque remains at 550Nm.

BMW now quotes a time of four seconds for the M3 and M4 to reach 100km/h from standstill – an improvement of 0.1 seconds. It allows the sedan to match the rival Mercedes-Benz C63 S, while the coupe closes the gap to the C63 S Coupe to a tenth of a second.

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The M4 Convertible also speeds up by a tenth, to 4.3 seconds.

A six-speed manual gearbox is available as a no-cost alternative to the seven-speed auto, though it’s 0.2 seconds slower in the same sprint.

BMW says it has matched mechanical changes to the performance enhancement.

The standard suspension with multi-mode shock absorbers is revised, the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes reconfigured, and the electronic differential that helps the M cars put their power to the ground via the rear wheels is recalibrated.

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The Competition models are also fitted with bigger, 20-inch wheels featuring forged, machine-polished alloy rims and asymmetrical tyres that are 2cm wider at the rear.

A black high-gloss finish is applied to areas of their exteriors, including the ‘kidney’ grille, side vents, window trim and four exhaust pipes.

Inside, the M3 and M4 Competition cabins feature a trim from BMW’s custom Individual range called Shadow Line, and also gain leather sports seats with electric adjustment.

BMW M3/M4 PRICING

BMW M3 sedan $139,900

BMW M3 Competition sedan $144,900

BMW M4 coupe $149,900

BMW M4 Competition coupe $154,900

BMW M4 Convertible $161,900

BMW M4 Convertible Competition $165,900