2021 BMW M3, M4 price and specs

BMW Australia has announced pricing and specifications for the all-new M3 and M4 high-performance twins, ahead of a local sales launch in the first quarter of 2021.

UPDATE, 10/03/21: Our review of the BMW M3 and M4 Competition is live, and you can check it out here

Down Under the line-up will consist of two trim levels for each model line, starting with a base rear-drive manual and a top-spec auto-only ‘Competition’ with rear-wheel drive.

Models with M xDrive all-wheel drive will arrive in local showrooms late in 2021.

Pricing

BMW M3

• M3: $144,900 (6MT, RWD)
• M3 Competition: $154,900 (8AT, RWD)

BMW M4

• M4: $149,900 (6MT, RWD)
• M4 Competition: $159,900 (8AT, RWD)

All prices exclude on-road costs

Engines

The new M3 and M4 are powered by a new-generation ‘S58’ 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six, available in two states of tune.

In the ‘base’ M3 and M4, outputs are rated at 353kW and 550Nm, with 0-100km/h taking a claimed 4.2 seconds.

A six-speed manual is standard on the base M3 and M4 driving the rear wheels – purists rejoice!

The higher-spec M3 Competition and M4 Competition bump figures up to 375kW and 650Nm, reducing the 0-100 sprint claim to just 3.9 seconds.

Like the standard M3 and M4, Competition variants drive the rear wheels, however the six-speed manual is swapped out for an eight-speed M Steptronic auto with torque converter.

As noted earlier, BMW Australia has confirmed M xDrive all-wheel drive versions of the M3 and M4 Competition models will be available late in 2021.

Fuel Economy

While local fuel consumption figures are yet to be confirmed, the global press release outlines the following data for the new M3 and M4.

The manual M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe claim to use 10.8L/100km on the combined cycle, with the automatic M3 Competition and M4 Competition quoting 10.2L/100km combined.

Dimensions

The M3 Sedan measures 4794mm long, 1903mm wide and 1433mm tall.

BMW quotes the sedan’s wheelbase at 2857mm.

Meanwhile, the M4 Coupe measures 4794mm long, 1887mm wide and 1393mm tall, with a 2857mm wheelbase.

Unladed, the M3 Sedan weighs 1705kg, with the M3 Competition Sedan upping that slightly to 1730kg.

The M4 Coupe tips the scales at 1700kg, with the M4 Competition Coupe weighing in at 1725kg.

In terms of luggage capacity, the M3 Sedan offers 480L of space, while the M4 Coupe quotes 440L.

Safety

The M3 and M4 are yet to be tested officially by either ANCAP or its Euro NCAP equivalent, though the standard 3 Series sedan wears a 2019-stamped five-star ANCAP safety rating.

While the rating doesn’t apply to all versions, 2.0-litre variants of the 3er scored 97 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupants, 87 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 77 per cent for safety assist.

Manual M3 and M4 variants come equipped with BMW Driving Assistant as standard, which includes requisite technologies like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning.

Driving Assistant Professional comes as standard on auto-equipped M3 Competition and M4 Competition models, which adds Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Emergency Stop Assistant, and a Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision detection.

Standard Equipment

M3 and M4 standard equipment highlights:

• 19-inch/20-inch M forged wheels with performance tyres
• M Carbon Fibre roof
• M Compound Brakes in Blue with M lettering
• M Drive Professional
• Active M Differential
• Tyre pressure indicator
• Tyre repair kit
• Adaptive M Suspension
• Alarm system
• Comfort Access system
• Automatic tailgate operation
• BMW Laserlight
• High beam assistant
• BMW Individual Lights Shadow Line
• Interior and exterior mirror package
• Through loading system
• Storage compartment package
• M Sport Seats
• Seat adjustment, electric with memory for driver’s seat
• Lumbar support for driver and front passenger
• Seat heating for driver and front passenger
• M Seat belts
• Interior trim finishers ‘Carbon Fibre’ with carbon inserts in steering wheel
• Galvanic embellishers for controls
• Ambient light
• Automatic air conditioning
• Driving Assistant
• Parking Assistant Plus
• BMW Head-Up Display
• Live Cockpit Professional
• Teleservices
• ConnectedDrive services
• Connected Package Professional including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ Digital Radio
• Harman/Kardon surround sound system
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Leather ‘Merino’ with extended contents
• Metallic paintwork

M3 Competition and M4 Competition add:

• Comfort Access including BMW Digital Key
• Driving Assistant Professional
• 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic
• Carbon gearshift paddles on steering wheel
• Full leather ‘Merino’ upholstery

A range of option packages will also be available for the M3 and M4:

• M Carbon ceramic brakes for high-level racetrack performance ($16,500)
• M Carbon exterior package, which includes carbon-fibre front bumper, mirror caps, rear spoiler and diffuser ($9500)
• Lightweight M Carbon bucket seats, which reduce weight by 9.6kg and feature integrated head restraints that can be dismantled for track driving ($7500)
• M Carbon Package, which combines M Carbon bucket seats, M Carbon exterior package and M Carbon ceramic brakes ($26,000)
• Track tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 or Pirelli P Zero Corsa ($2000)

As for individual options, BMW Individual paints, like Dravit Grey metalltic, Tanzanite Blue metallic and Oxide Grey metallic are available for $2500.

BMW Individual Frozen finishes such as Frozen Portimao Blue metallic, Frozen Black metallic, Frozen Dark Grey and Frozen Orange Grey metallic are $5000, while Frozen Brilliant White metallic is available for $7000.

Servicing

Like the wider BMW range, M3 and M4 models are controlled by Condition Based Servicing, which uses sensors and advanced algorithms to determine maintenance requirements.

As for warranty, BMW Australia offers a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for all new vehicles.