Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M4 Competition 2023 review – a car well deserving of its M badge status

Don’t let the weight and choice of gearbox fool you, for this is an M car in the very best tradition

Evo rating
Price
from £82,520
  • Fantastically responsive; feels connected to the road
  • Heavy (but actually doesn’t feel it); those looks; rivals sound better

It’s hard not to make assumptions about the latest G82 BMW M4 Competition. When the details are first revealed you scan what you believe to be the salient points of the spec and build a mental picture of the sort of car it will be. A DIN weight of 1725kg doesn’t look great. A torque converter automatic gearbox instead of a DCT and no manual option (in the UK, at least) is worrying, too. Power and torque figures of 503bhp and 479lb ft look very healthy though.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But if I’ve learnt anything in my time as a motoring journalist, it’s that you shouldn’t judge a car by its spec sheet. Just as a 0-62mph time won’t tell you how quick a car will feel, so the fitment of a particular gearbox or a certain kerb weight or specific suspension arrangement won’t tell you how the car will drive.

Looks should be no clue as to how it will drive, either, but an awkward looking exterior can set you on edge, nonetheless. The old adage ‘if it looks right, it flies right’ can work both ways. And there is no denying that the large grilles on the front of the M4 (and a curious lack of blistering in the rear arches) don’t appeal to everyone.

Let’s just say that it was with some trepidation that I got behind the wheel of the M4 Competition for the first time. Thankfully, a few minutes later all my worries were being dispelled. The latest in a legendary line of M-cars is very much worthy of its iconic badge.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Under the bonnet is a 3-litre, twin-turbo, straight-six (just like its predecessor) with the engine code S58. It has closed-deck construction for extra strength and a forged lightweight crankshaft to help it rev. The core of the cylinder head has also been 3D printed, allowing forms that wouldn’t be possible with conventional techniques. Valvetronic variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing are also present and correct.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Although the 503bhp Competition is where the M4’s UK range starts, other markets are able to choose a lower-powered base version of the M4. It puts out 473bhp and a significantly reduced 406lb ft of torque, which increases the 0-62mph time from 3.9sec to 4.2sec, but comes with one major difference as it’s available exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. We've driven the manual version overseas, and it brings a closer connection to the engine and a welcome extra layer to the M4's character.

Since its debut in 2020, further M4 variants have been added to the range in the UK, with xDrive all-wheel drive now able to be optioned for an extra £2855, and the limited-run CSL arriving with even more power and focus. The trouble is, the CSL never quite feels comfortable in its own skin – it lacks the resolute control, intensity and characterful noise of previous hardcore M3s. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Under the surface of the standard M4 is a lot of extra bracing compared to cooking 4-series coupes. Open the bonnet and you will see some of it (sadly it’s rather uglier than the old carbonfibre horseshoe), but this then links down to an aluminium shear panel. There is more bracing in the centre and rear of the floor, while the new front subframe is aluminium and the rear subframe is rigidly mounted to the chassis.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The suspension has also received a thorough reworking, with new aluminium wishbones with ball joints at the front. Large castor and kingpin angles as well as a lowered roll centre are also highlighted. Wheels are 19 inches in diameter at the front, 20 inches at the rear. Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 S tyres come as standard, while Cup 2 rubber is an option.

Inside, there are a lot of buttons in addition to the central touchscreen. The Setup button allows you to configure the steering feel, brake pedal feel, chassis and powertrain. The M Mode button lets you swap between Road, Sport and Track settings. Meanwhile, the Sport setting reduces the dial count in the instrument binnacle from two to one and changes the look of the head-up display. And the Track setting turns off the central touchscreen as well as all the driver assistance systems, such as lane keep assist.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

If you want to build up to turning the Dynamic Stability Control all the way off then you also have plenty of options. M Dynamic Mode remains a very good halfway house, but with DSC off you can also choose how ‘off’ M Traction really is on a ten-stage scale. Zero is definitely off, by the way.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Once on the road the first thing that you notice is the rigidity of the M4’s structure. You can feel it from the first corner. The precision and response as you turn the wheel is tremendous, even with the chassis in its Comfort setting. There’s a sense of fantastic lateral stiffness that gives a real feeling of connection through both the steering and the seat. As a result of this the M4 is a car that builds confidence very quickly. It also, thankfully, means that the M4 doesn’t feel like a heavy car.

There is obviously a huge amount of grip, but the fact that the car seems to lean into its sidewalls almost the instant that you steer into a bend means that you can push the limits of the tyres and adjust the balance of the car easily. This feeling only increases as you dial the chassis up through Sport and Sport Plus, ramping up the responsiveness and alacrity of rotation on turn-in.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The engine is also a willing accomplice in helping to steer the car through a corner. The turbocharged straight-six is incredibly linear in its power delivery. Anyone fearful of the sort of boost-laden delivery of the early S55 engines needn’t worry. This S58 pulls incredibly smoothly all the way through its rev range right up to over 7000rpm. It doesn’t build to a crescendo like a naturally aspirated engine and it doesn’t sound as good as Mercedes’ turbocharged V8 and Alfa’s turbocharged V6, but it is extremely effective and incredibly responsive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

One of the big fears with the M4 Competition was that the automatic gearbox wouldn’t be responsive enough. Before we get to that, however, the first thing to say is that the steering wheel-mounted paddles feel rather good. The actual action could use a little more weight and crispness, but the length of the paddles isn’t apologetic like some, and BMW has paid attention to the bit that your fingers actually come into contact with. Dimples are the tactile greeting for your fingertips on the back of the downshift paddle and little raised dots on the upshift paddle.

Anyway, when the M4 was launched, the auto’s actual gear shifts were very smooth and quick enough, but weren’t a match for the best dual-clutch shifts like with Porsche’s PDK. However, subsequent software tweaks by BMW M have significantly upped the game. Where once the shifts were nothing more than a background operation, the latest updates have made the ’box feel more aggressive and more responsive, as while the actual shifts don’t feel much quicker overall, they come with much more bite, and more aural excitement along the way. The gap between torque converter and dual clutch has never been narrower.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

There are two settings for both steering and brakes and, although I’m usually a little sceptical of these sorts of options as one can often feel redundant, they do actually make sense on the M4. Comfort for everyday use and Sport for when you’re on a good piece of road and want more resistance and reassurance. Simple.

Talking of everyday, the M4 Competition does feel a bit more useable day in, day out than its predecessor. While road noise is quite high, and the ride not exactly plush, it is actually much more comfortable than you might first think. It rounds the edges incredibly well. There is also a suite of driver aids if you like to relinquish some control on the motorways.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the Sport Plus setting is actually useable on the road. Yes, it’s firm, but the suspension still copes over bumps. And even with everything dialled up to the max, there is still a lovely progression and polish to the way that it slips and slides. Turn off the DSC and it sits into slides with ease, the M Differential and linear power delivery then allowing you to extend slides smoothly. If you’re on track and you have the skills of John Barker then you will also be able to hold a drift long enough to garner a five-star rating from the Drift Analyser screen.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

In short, despite the misgivings the spec sheet might raise, the M4 Competition feels like a proper product of BMW’s Motorsport department. The way it reacts to your inputs is fantastically direct and intuitive and fun. Which is a relief.

Prices and rivals

Perhaps the M4 Competition’s biggest rival is… the M3 Competition. The Coupe costs from just over £82,520 while the more practical saloon costs from £81,195. Not a big price difference, but the M3 obviously has greater practicality, and after a brief drive I would say it’s just as good to drive. It also has more pronounced rear arches.

Both M4 and M3 come very well specced as standard, with a healthy choice of paint colours at no extra cost. However, not all are as eye-searing as this Sao Paulo Yellow. Inside, the carbon trim is standard, as are the head-up display and Harman Kardon stereo system.

One thing you might want to splash out on is the M Carbon pack which costs £7090 and adds the gorgeous and very supportive bucket seats. The pack also spruces up the exterior with carbon for the front intakes, wing mirrors, rear spoiler and diffuser. The carbon roof is standard.

Laser lights are £1575 and carbon-ceramic brakes are part of the £8395 M Pro Pack which also raises the top speed from 155mph to 180mph.

Rivals from other brands obviously include the Mercedes AMG C63 S E Performance and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio. The bombastic character of the C63 has been neutered by the introduction of a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain in place of the V8 in the previous model, but the Alfa is as competitive as ever thanks to a recent facelift. We'll need to get all three on the same piece of road on the same day to decide which flavour of fast, usable performance car is most appealing. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on M4 coupe

The BMW M4 Competition gets more power for 2024
2024 BMW M4 facelift
News

The BMW M4 Competition gets more power for 2024

As part of a mid-life facelift, BMW has given the G82 M4 more power and new interior tech for the 2024 model year
31 Jan 2024
BMW M4 manual 2023 review
BMW M4 manual
Reviews

BMW M4 manual 2023 review

In America and Germany you can still buy a BMW M4 with a manual gearbox, and it could just be one of the great modern M-cars
20 Apr 2023
BMW M4 CSL 2023 review
BMW M4 CSL
Reviews

BMW M4 CSL 2023 review

BMW M has dusted down the CSL badge once more and applied its lightweight philosophy to the M4
11 Jan 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement
New BMW 3.0 CSL revealed
New BMW 3 litre CSL
News

New BMW 3.0 CSL revealed

Modern day homage to the 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ packs 552bhp and a manual gearbox
24 Nov 2022
BMW M4 CSL revealed – M Division eyes the Porsche 911 GT3
BMW M4 CSL
News

BMW M4 CSL revealed – M Division eyes the Porsche 911 GT3

It’s 100kg lighter, is rear-wheel drive and a 542bhp power figure. Bring it on.
23 May 2022
AC Schnitzer BMW M4 unveiled with 602bhp
AC Schnitzer BMW M4
News

AC Schnitzer BMW M4 unveiled with 602bhp

German BMW tuner AC Schnitzer has worked its magic on the G8X BMW M4, tweaking performance and design
24 Feb 2022
AC Schnitzer launches upgrades for G82 BMW M4 
AC Schnitzer BMW M4
News

AC Schnitzer launches upgrades for G82 BMW M4 

The all-new BMW M4 has only just hit the road, but German tuner AC Schnitzer has already revealed a range of upgrades
28 May 2021
Limited-run BMW M4 Competition x Kith revealed
News

Limited-run BMW M4 Competition x Kith revealed

BMW has partnered with American fashion brand Kith to create a limited-run M4 Competition
27 Oct 2020
BMW M4 review
In-depth reviews

BMW M4 review

In the face of talented rivals, the M4 remains a solid, sophisticated option for keen drivers
7 Oct 2020
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW M Performance parts for M3 and M4 revealed
News

BMW M Performance parts for M3 and M4 revealed

Think the new M3 and M4 aren’t striking enough already? BMW’s M Performance parts will fix that
23 Sep 2020
Zanardi's hand-controlled M4 DTM
News

Zanardi's hand-controlled M4 DTM

Zanardi's latest BMW M4 DTM racer ditches the pedal box entirely
7 Aug 2018
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW M4 CS review - the best M4 money can buy?
BMW M4 CS – front
Reviews

BMW M4 CS review - the best M4 money can buy?

Not as extreme as the GTS but more focused than the standard car, the BMW M4 CS is the most amenable and exploitable M4 yet.
27 Feb 2018
BMW M4 Convertible Edition 30 Jahre revealed
BMW M4 Convertible Edition - front
News

BMW M4 Convertible Edition 30 Jahre revealed

The new BMW M4 Convertible Edition 30 Jahre gains a bespoke colour palette, but no extra power
20 Feb 2018
New BMW M4 CS revealed at Shanghai motor show
BMW M4 CS 2017
News

New BMW M4 CS revealed at Shanghai motor show

An engine tune, styling tweaks and altered suspension mean the CS sits between the standard M4 and the GTS
19 Apr 2017
2017 DTM preview
2017 Audi RS5 DTM – Team Abt Sportsline, Nico Müller
News

2017 DTM preview

More power, less downforce means the 2017 DTM cars could be tricky to drive, but great to watch
31 Mar 2017
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW M4 Competition Package review
Reviews

BMW M4 Competition Package review

The Competition Package is a significant improvement on the base model and it represents excellent value for money
11 Mar 2016
444bhp for BMW M3 and M4 Competition Package
News

444bhp for BMW M3 and M4 Competition Package

Engine, performance and visual tweaks for the M3, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible
14 Jan 2016
BMW Individual reveals Special 25th anniversary M4
News

BMW Individual reveals Special 25th anniversary M4

Added luxury for special edition car
23 Jun 2015
BMW M4 vs BMW M5 - evo Deadly Rivals
Features

BMW M4 vs BMW M5 - evo Deadly Rivals

Two German giants battle it out to find the true 'thrill of driving'
6 Mar 2015
Is this the best looking safety car ever?
News

Is this the best looking safety car ever?

Titanium exhaust, carbon spoiler and flashing lights. What more could you want?
13 Feb 2015
BMW M4 shows off laser headlights with CES concept
News

BMW M4 shows off laser headlights with CES concept

BMW's laser headlight technology, first seen in the i8, takes another step forward at CES
8 Jan 2015
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW M4 tuned by AC Schnitzer
News

BMW M4 tuned by AC Schnitzer

German tuner AC Schnitzer has released details of its 502bhp BMW M4 at the Essen motor show
28 Nov 2014
BMW M4 Champion Edition and 1-Series DTM Sport Edition
News

BMW M4 Champion Edition and 1-Series DTM Sport Edition

BMW has produced new M4 Champion Edition and 1-Series DTM Sport Edition packs to celebrate its DTM Championship wins
20 Oct 2014