Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2016 BMW M3 and M4 hit 444 hp with new Competition Package

$5,000 gets you more than just a tuned-up M

   BMW is making its already-potent BMW M3 and M4 even more track-day ready with a new Competition Package, available on M3 sedans, M4 coupes and M4 convertibles. Naturally, when a manufacturer wants to make a car a little faster, it adds more ponies, and while that is still the case with this package, it isn't where BMW stopped. Power from the 3.0-liter I6 jumps from 425 to 444 hp, but the really interesting changes happen underneath.

   In an effort to make the M3 and M4 into even better all-around performers, BMW adds the Adaptive M suspension, with new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars tuned for this trim, as well as the Active M Differential.
   A six-speed stick wrangles the hopped-up I6, but a seven-speed dual-clutch is available for those who don’t like banging gears. The 0-60 with the dual-clutch is a quick 4.0 seconds, down from 4.1 in the standard cars. BMW says the package also shaves a tenth off of the stick-shifted models.

   Competition Package M cars will sit on 20-inch multi-spoke wheels with a little rubber rake -- 265/30 in the front, and 285/30 out back. Matching the more aggressive wheel and tire combo is an active exhaust that should help this Bimmer sound nastier than the standard M3 or M4. On the inside, you’re met with lightweight bucket seats in the front, and M stripes stitched into the seat belts.

   Five grand on top of the already pricey M3 seems like a lot -- nearly $70,000 total before other options, but you'd probably spend quite a bit more getting similar performance through the aftermarket.

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