The BMW M3 and M4 range is about to get much, much bigger.
Having launched with two rear-wheel drive models in both M3 and M4 guises, the range will gain all-wheel drive and a convertible option.
UPDATE, 5/4/2022 – BMW has increased prices by $5600 across the M3 and M4 ranges. Updated pricing is listed below.
Unlike its predecessor, the M4 Convertible has a soft-top in place of a folding metal hard-top and is now available exclusively with all-wheel drive.
BMW claims the new M4 Convertible’s roof is 40 per cent lighter than that of the old car, while there’s now an additional 80L of boot space for a total of 300L or 385L with the roof up.
The roof is available in either black or Anthracite Silver and can be operated at speeds of up to 50km/h. With Comfort Access keyless entry optioned, it can also be controlled via the key fob.
The convertible will arrive alongside all-wheel drive xDrive variants of the M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe in the fourth quarter of 2021, while the M3 will finally gain a wagon option.
The M3 Touring has been locked in for Australia, though it isn’t expected to launch until 2022 at the earliest.
Pricing
BMW M3
- 2022 BMW M3: $150,500 (6MT, RWD)
- 2022 BMW M3 Competition: $160,500 (8AT, RWD)
- 2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive: $166,500 (8AT, AWD)
BMW M4
- 2022 BMW M4: $155,500 (6MT, RWD)
- 2022 BMW M4 Competition: $165,500 (8AT, RWD)
- 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive: $171,500 (8AT, AWD)
- 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive Convertible : $182,500 (8AT, AWD)
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The new M3 and M4 are powered by a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six (internal code S58, geeks) available in two states of tune.
In the base, manual M3 and M4, outputs are rated at 353kW and 550Nm, with the 0-100km/h sprint taking a claimed 4.2 seconds.
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.
That sprint time drops to just 3.5 seconds with xDrive all-wheel fitted.
The six-speed manual is subbed for an eight-speed torque converter in the M3 and M4 Competition.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 BMW M3 and M4 use a claimed 10.8L/100km on the combined cycle with the manual, and 10.2L/100km for the Competition with rear-wheel drive and an automatic.
Local data for the all-wheel drive Competition hasn’t been announced at this stage, nor has data for the Convertible.
Dimensions
The M3 Sedan measures 4794mm long, 1903mm wide and 1433mm tall, with a 2857mm wheelbase.
Meanwhile, the M4 Coupe measures 4794mm long, 1887mm wide and 1393mm tall, with the same wheelbase.
Unladen, the M3 Sedan weighs 1705kg, with the M3 Competition Sedan upping that slightly to 1730kg, and the xDrive topping out at 1810kg.
The M4 Coupe tips the scales at 1700kg. The M4 Competition Coupe ups that to 1725kg, and the M4 Competition xDrive Coupe tops out at 1805kg.
The M3 Sedan offers 480L of space, while the M4 Coupe quotes 440L. The drop-top has 300L with the roof down, and 385L with it raised.
Safety
The M3 and M4 are yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, although the standard 3 Series sedan wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2019.
2.0-litre variants of the 3 Series 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 and 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 (blind-spot assist).
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
The 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)
MORE: BMW M3 news, reviews, comparisons and videos
MORE: BMW M4 news, reviews, comparisons and videos
