2024 BMW M4
Starting at $77.995
Highs Ferocious power delivery, attacks corners like its angry at them, all-wheel drive Competition's supercar acceleration.
Lows Drive-mode settings can be overwhelming, lacks confidence-inspiring steering feedback, why no manual on the Competition model?
Verdict Despite its impressive performance, well-appointed interior, and sedan practicality the M4 is more brutish than it needs to be, something its more-polished top rivals have proven.
Overview
The BMW M4 coupe is a fire-breathing dragon capable of high-flying acrobatics. It's the two-door 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
Coupe: $77,995
Competition Coupe: $81,935
Competition Convertible: $92,935
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.
