BMW M3/M4 Competition Pack pricing revealed

Faster and promising a sharper drive, the BMW M3/M4 Competition Pack arrives locally priced from $144,900 plus on-road costs.

There is a $10K jump from Competition Pack sedan to the $154,900 coupe and another $11K to the $165,900 convertible, each commanding a $5000 premium over the standard M3 sedan and M4 coupe/convertible models.

That surcharge buys an extra 14kW from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, which now produces 331kW (although 550Nm is unaltered) to deliver a claimed 4.0sec 0-100km/h, a tenth faster than the regular M3/M4.

Forgoing the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for a no-cost-option six-speed manual raises that claim to 4.2sec.

The Competition Pack also swaps out the standard 19-inch alloy wheels for machine-finished multi-spoke 20s, with 265/30 front and 285/30 rear rubber offering 10mm extra tread width, “to deliver improved handling characteristics”.

BMW further claims a new calibration for the active M differential “aids drivability and traction” while the adaptive suspension has been reconfigured in each of its three modes to match revisions to the three-step stability control.

Completing the package is a new sports exhaust system with gloss-black tips on all four pipes to match the kidney grille, side grille, door mirror and rear badgework finished in what BMW dubs Shadow Line trim.

Primary changes inside include new leather-trimmed electrically adjustable front buckets “that use distinctive cut-out elements to reduce weight” and M stripes stitched into the seatbelts.

The M3 and M4 Competition Pack is clearly designed to more closely challenge the Mercedes-AMG C63 S and the $162,400 coupe’s 3.9sec 0-100km/h.

However only two years into the F80 generation’s lifecycle, the extent of the chassis changes may prove that the M division has reacted quickly to dynamic criticism of its latest medium-sized sedan, coupe and convertible range.

Time will tell if the Competition Pack models can keep tough competition at bay.