Overview
The BMW M4 coupe is a fire-breathing dragon capable of high-flying acrobatics. It’s the two-door sedan analog of the M3 super sedan, similarly pumped up by the automaker’s M performance division for driving thrills. It borrows the M3’s ferocious 473-hp twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, and we applaud BMW for making a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-drive standard. The ultra-intense Competition trim bumps power to 503 horsepower and requires an eight-speed automatic; all-wheel drive is optional. The M4’s firm-riding suspension and sharp steering turn twisty roads into memorable encounters, but there’s also plenty of luxury on board in addition to a reasonably roomy cabin. We do have our reservations about the M4’s stiff ride, wispy steering feel, and overly complex configurable drive modes, though—important characteristics that we think are handled with more finesse in competitors like the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
What’s New for 2024?
For the 2024 model year, BMW has endowed the M4 with the same 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch displays seen in other BMW models. The sports coupe also gets the latest iDrive 8 software, which has updated graphics and menu structures and an upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant voice-command function.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
There are a number of good reasons to spend the extra coin on the M4 Competition, including the extra horsepower and torque as well as the availability of all-wheel drive. However, we’d choose the regular M4 for two really good ones: it’s the only M4 trim that offers a satisfying manual transmission, and it rides less harshly. We’d also opt for the lightweight and extra-supportive M Carbon bucket seats as well as the M Drive Professional package (onboard drift analyzer and lap timer) and the M Driver’s package, which unlocks a higher top speed and includes a one-day class for high-performance driving.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The M4 is motivated by a brilliant twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that comes in two potencies. The standard version makes 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. In our testing, this setup shot to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 12.0 ticks at 121 mph. With 503 horses and 479 pound-feet, the Competition model is even quicker, but the lone transmission choice is an eight-speed automatic. To offset the lack of a stick-shift option, only the M4 Competition can be equipped with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. So equipped, the all-wheel drive M4 Competition shaved a full second off the standard car’s 60-mph time at our test track with a blazing 2.8-second result. Every M4 comes with adaptive dampers, adjustable brake-pedal feel, and an electronically controlled exhaust system that gets louder in Sport and Sport Plus drive modes. The loudness can also be turned down at any time by pushing the M Sound button. BMW also provides an excessive amount of adjustable drive-mode settings that we think can dilute the driving experience that BMW’s engineers envisioned. Thankfully, our time behind the thick-rimmed wheel of the M4 Competition showcased its tenacious acceleration, incredible cornering grip, and resolute stability. The regular M4 rides on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inchers in the back while the M4 Competition rolls on a staggered set of 19s in front and 20s in back. The M4 features a carbon-fiber roof that reduces its center of gravity, and it can be equipped with a set of fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn’t rated the M4 for the 2024 model year, but it’s expected to retain its ratings of up to 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. During our 75-mph fuel-economy route the six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive M4 achieved 21 mpg, slightly under its EPA estimate. For more information about the M4’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Although the M4 has the same interior layout and passenger space as the regular 4-series coupe, it boasts a variety of unique materials and some race-inspired options. Its thick-rimmed steering wheel features a pair of red buttons for customizable M drive modes. The cabin can also be enhanced with liberal amounts of carbon-fiber trim pieces and lengthy paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. The standard M sport seats are substantially bolstered and have an illuminated logo, an integrated headrest, and can be had with ventilation. The optional carbon-fiber front seats not only look super cool, but they’re also lighter than the standard seats and can be lowered even more. The back seat obviously isn’t as roomy as in the M3 sedan, but the space is far from a torture chamber. Opting for the convertible body style unlocks unlimited headroom; simply lower the retractable fabric top.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every M4 is outfitted with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a slick-looking infotainment system that features a large 14.9-inch touchscreen. It has multiple control options that allow the user to adjust settings and navigate menus via voice commands, buttons on the steering wheel, and a large rotary controller and buttons on the center console. The M4’s system comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon audio system. Those who want even fancier features can choose from popular options such as gesture controls, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Despite driver engagement being its primary mission, the M4 has a roster of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the M4’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that is identical to alternatives from Audi and Mercedes-AMG. It also has better complimentary scheduled maintenance than both brands, but it’s not quite as good as what Jaguar provides.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 BMW M4
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED
$97,645 (base price: $72,795)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled inline-6, aluminum block and head
Displacement
183 in3, 2993 cm3
Power
473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque
406 lb-ft @ 2650 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.7-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/15.0-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★ R: 285/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.5 in
Length: 189.1 in
Width: 74.3 in
Height: 54.8 in
Passenger volume: 91 ft3
Trunk volume: 12 ft3
Curb weight: 3709 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.8 sec
100 mph: 8.3 sec
160 mph: 24.6 sec
1/4 mile: 12.0 sec @ 121 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 7.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.4 sec
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 146 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 291 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.03 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 17 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 19/16/23 mpg
2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear/all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $79,995/$101,995
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2993 cm3
Power: 503 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/15.0-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★
R: 295/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.5 in
Length: 189.1 in
Width: 74.3 in
Height: 54.9 in
Passenger Volume: 91 ft3
Trunk Volume: 12 ft3
Curb Weight: 3904 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 2.8 sec
100 mph: 6.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.0 sec @ 125 mph
130 mph: 12.0 sec
150 mph: 17.4 sec
170 mph: 26.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 150 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 302 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.02 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 450 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 18/16/22 mpg
