BMW M4 Competition: The Angry Businessman Who Forgot to Take His Meds
Let’s be real – most sports coupes try to balance performance with civility. The BMW M4 Competition looks at that idea, scoffs, and then sets your hair on fire. This isn’t just a fast coupe – it’s the automotive equivalent of that brilliant but slightly unhinged coworker who gets amazing results but terrifies everyone in meetings. If the Porsche 911 is the polished professional and the Audi RS5 is the tech whiz, the M4 is the prodigy who might just key your car if you look at him wrong.
From Bavarian Gentleman to Raging Bull: The M Story
BMW’s M division has been building “sleepers” since the 1970s, taking sensible German sedans and coupes and turning them into weapons. But while the Mercedes-AMG C63 was perfecting tire-shredding hooliganism and the Audi RS5 was nailing all-weather grip, BMW M decided to create something truly unhinged. The current M4 is what happens when German engineers stop being polite and start getting real… about making your palms sweat.
BMW M4 Competition Power & Specifications
| Specification | Details | What It Actually Means |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L Twin-Turbo Straight-6 | An angry beehive in a metal can |
| Horsepower | 503 hp | From “respectful” to “utterly terrifying” |
| Torque | 479 lb-ft | Enough twist to warp your perception of reality |
| 0-60 mph | 3.8 seconds | Your stomach arrives 0.5 seconds later |
| Top Speed | 155 mph (180 with package) | Because sometimes the track day is far away |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / 8-speed auto | Your choice: pure connection or lightning punishment |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (xDrive available) | For when you want to feel alive (or scared) |
| Weight | 3,850 lbs | Heavier than it looks, lighter than it feels |
Design & Presence: The Controversial Kid
Let’s address the elephant in the room: that grille. It’s massive. It’s aggressive. It looks like a beaver that’s seen things. My friend Carlos just leased one, and the first thing everyone says is “Whoa, the grille!” The second thing they say is “Wait, it’s actually growing on me.” By week two, you’re wondering why other cars have such tiny, pathetic grilles.
My “This Car is Insane” Moment:
“Carlos let me drive his M4 on a canyon road. In Comfort mode, it was civil, if firm. Then I found the M1 button he’d programmed – full attack mode. The exhaust went from polite to ‘apocalypse now,’ the suspension turned to concrete, and the throttle response felt like I’d plugged directly into the national grid. I came back shaking and giggling like I’d just robbed a bank.”
The Reality of M4 Competition Ownership
I spent a proper weekend with Carlos’s M4 to understand the hype. Here’s the raw truth:
The Highs:
The performance is absolutely savage. The straight-six pulls like a freight train from any RPM, and the sound (especially with the sports exhaust) is mechanical theater. The handling is razor-sharp – it turns in like it’s reading your mind. On a twisty road, it makes you feel like a driving god.
The Lows:
The ride is FIRM. Even in Comfort mode, you’ll feel every pebble, every crack, every disapproving look from the pavement. The fuel economy is dismal when you’re having fun (I saw 16 MPG). And everyone wants to race you – from kids in Civic Sis to guys in Mustang GTs who don’t realize what they’re dealing with.
BMW M4 Competition Pros & Cons: The Unfiltered Truth
PROS:
- Performance: Absolutely brutal acceleration and handling
- Engine: That straight-six is a masterpiece of violence
- Handling: Razor-sharp and incredibly responsive
- Brakes: Will stop faster than your brain can process “oh sh**”
- Customization: Endless settings to match your mood
- Theater: The drama is part of the experience
CONS:
- Ride Quality: Makes broken pavement feel like land mines
- Fuel Economy: Thirsty when you use all 503 horses
- Running Costs: Tires, brakes, and maintenance are expensive
- Polarizing Design: That grille isn’t for everyone
- Weight: You feel all 3,850 lbs in tight corners
- Attention: Cops notice you. Everyone notices you.
M4 vs The Competition: The Sports Coupe Thunderdome
vs Porsche 911 Carrera S:
“The Porsche 911 Carrera S is the refined surgeon – precise, capable, and endlessly competent. The M4 is the bar brawler – rougher, angrier, and more exciting. The Porsche is better; the M4 is more fun.”
vs Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe:
“The Mercedes-AMG C63 is the loud muscle car – V8 roar, tail-happy, pure theater. The M4 is the precision instrument – sharper, more focused, more clinical. One is a rock concert; the other is a symphony orchestra.”
vs Audi RS5:
“The Audi RS5 is the all-weather assassin – grippy, composed, and practical. The M4 is the rear-wheel drive purist – more playful, more demanding, more rewarding. One is safe; the other is dangerous in the best way.”
Ownership Reality: The Price of Admission
Financial Analysis:
New M4 Competitions start around $80,000 but easily reach $95,000+ with options. Leasing is popular because these depreciate faster than your enthusiasm after the first brake job. Maintenance will remind you it’s a German performance car – figure $1,200+ for annual service, $4,000 for brakes, $1,800 for tires.
Who Actually Buys This:
- Driving enthusiasts who want the ultimate sports coupe
- BMW loyalists who’ve graduated from the M340i
- People who think the M3 is too practical
- Those who appreciate engineering over comfort
- Anyone who thinks “daily driver” shouldn’t mean “compromise”
Real-World Verdict: The Ultimate Sports Coupe?
BUY THE M4 IF:
- You value driving excitement over comfort
- You appreciate sharp, demanding handling
- You want a car that feels special every time you drive it
- You’re okay with a firm ride and high running costs
- You think sports cars should be a little bit scary
CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE IF:
- Comfort is your top priority
- You do lots of highway driving
- Your budget can’t handle German maintenance costs
- You need practical rear seats (the M3 exists for a reason)
- You prefer understated styling
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the ride really that harsh?
A: Yes. Even in Comfort mode, it’s firm. If your roads are terrible, you’ll hate your life.
Q: How’s the real-world fuel economy?
A: Poor when you’re having fun (16-18 MPG). On highway trips, you might see 25 MPG if you behave.
Q: Manual or automatic?
A: The manual is more engaging, but the automatic is faster and better for daily driving. The manual is for purists; the automatic is for people who actually want to go fast.
Q: What’s maintenance really like?
A: Expensive but predictable. Brakes and tires are the big costs – this car eats them for breakfast.
Q: Is the xDrive all-wheel drive worth it?
A: If you live where it snows or want maximum grip, yes. If you want the pure rear-wheel drive experience, stick with RWD.
Q: How are the back seats?
A: Surprisingly usable for a coupe. Adults can survive short trips, kids will be fine.
Q: What options are must-haves?
A: The Carbon Package (for the looks), Executive Package (for the goodies), and the M Driver’s Package (for the higher top speed).
Q: How does it compare to the M3?
A: The BMW M3 is the practical one – four doors, more space. The M4 is the style choice – same performance, more dramatic looks.
Q: What’s the insurance like?
A: Expensive – figure $2,500-$3,500 annually for most owners.
Q: Would you daily drive one?
A: If my commute was mostly backroads and my spine could handle it, absolutely. For stop-and-go traffic, I’d rather have something softer.