The BMW M3. Does it even need any introduction? Isn't the name enough? Not only is the M3 one of the most complete performance cars available on the market today, but it’s also an all-time great—a legend in its own right, if you will. Performance, style, and ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ all go hand in hand with the BMW M3. Not just now, but through the different generations of the car over decades.
With such an iconic status, every new M3 that comes out instantly becomes a hot discussion topic among enthusiasts. It’s no different with the new G80 series as the M3 has once again become all the rage, albeit this time for all the wrong reasons, which is thanks to its controversial styling and a flared pair of nostrils.
As for the M4 Coupe, it’s basically the M3 Sedan minus two doors. Earlier, the two-door coupe was simply called the M3 Coupe. However, with the launch of the previous generation F80 M3 in 2013, BMW decided to complicate things a wee bit by introducing a new nomenclature for the range. M3 badges were strictly reserved for the sedan, while the swanky coupe derivative was christened the M4. So, with the latest G80 generation, BMW is obviously sticking with the same naming format.
If you’re in the market to buy the 2022 M3 or M4 Coupe, both of these models are already on sale in the U.S. And to help you out with the buying process, here’s everything that you need to know about these monsters.
BMW M3 And M4 Design: An Acquired Taste
The G80 is the sixth generation of the M3/M4 since the first version came out in 1986 in the shape of the BMW E30. The following generations—E36, E46, E90, and the outgoing F80—all have storied pasts. Keeping up with the tradition of being great can be hard, but usually, an M3 always surpasses expectations. This time, though, it’s a different story, especially in the looks department.
Although the new M3 is based on the seventh-gen G20 3 Series, its design isn’t as restrained as the regular car. Of course, being M cars, the M3/M4 Coupe has to look different. But then, with the new M3 and M4, it seems that the designers went totally berserk. They are a bit over the top, aren’t they?
Aesthetically, the new M3 and M4 are a bit of an acquired taste. Thanks to their big new kidney grille, the styling is loud, and the aggression is further heightened by those huge air-intakes and swollen wheel arches. But the proportions of both the sedan and coupe are spot on. However, there's no escaping the fact that the front end is a bit too gaudy. Sure, it may grow on you with time, but its face is a little too obnoxious.
Around the side and back, it’s tidy and quite similar to the regular 3 Series models. Although you can differentiate it courtesy of its boot lid spoiler, a chunky diffuser, and quad-exhaust pipes. Not to mention, the M3 and M4 come with M-design wheels (18-inch front, 19-inch rear) as standard. Bigger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels are available in the Competition versions.
BMW M3/M4: Performance And Drivetrain Options
The M3/M4 Coupe's design may not be to everyone’s liking, but nobody should have any complaints when it comes to engine. That’s because under the hood of the M3 and M4 sits a fire-breathing 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder gasoline motor that packs 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque in the standard versions of the sedan and coupe, and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft in the M3 Competition spec.
The standard M3 and M4 Coupe are offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox, whereas the Competition versions come with the 8-speed automatic transmission. The drive from the engine goes to the rear wheels in both variants. However, the Competition variants can be had with the xDrive AWD system. And if you think the AWD will kill the fun, here’s some good news—it comes with a ‘2WD’ mode that allows you to go sideways at will.
Acceleration-wise, the manual version will clock 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds with able hands behind the wheel. The M3 and M4 Competition are much quicker, as they do the same sprint in 3.8 seconds. If you opt for the xDrive AWD, it’ll go even quicker by 0.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph in all variants, but if you tick the M Performance Package, it’ll be increased to 180 mph.
As standard, all variants are equipped with an M-Sport differential, adaptive M Suspension, and M Drive Modes. The M3 and M4 models also come with two settings for the brake pedal feel: Comfort and Sport. Carbon-ceramic brakes are an optional extra, though.
Sporty Inside And Out
Since these are high-performance versions of the 3 Series and 4 Series Coupe, the cabin and dashboard design are familiar. But as you’d expect to see in an M car, there are a lot of sporty elements with M badges. The standard kit includes a 12.3-inch fully-digital driver display, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with iDrive 7 OS and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity options; Harman Kardon sound system, and more. Leather sport seats are standard, but if you want lightweight body-hugging M Carbon bucket seats, you can have those at an extra cost.
The M3 versions are obviously the more practical choice of the two. They can seat five people and have four doors. Although in terms of cargo capacity, the sedan and coupe are evenly matched with 13 cubic feet and 12 cubic feet of volume, respectively.
Price, Variants, And Options For The BMW M3/M4
At $69,900, the standard M3 is your entry ticket to the range, followed by the standard M4 Coupe at $71,800. The M3 Competition carries a price tag of $72,800, whereas the M4 Competition costs $74,700. The M3 and M4 Competition xDrive are priced at $76,900 and $78,800, respectively.
The list of optional extras is virtually endless. For example, the Carbon Bucket Seats add $3,800 to the final price, while the Carbon ceramic brakes are for a whopping $8,150. Similarly, the M Carbon Exterior Package is for $4,700.
The $1,800 worth Executive Package adds features like a head-up display, wireless phone charging, heated steering wheel, adaptive LED lights with Laserlight technology, gesture control, and more.
While Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Detection are standard safety features in all variants, the Competition version can also be equipped with Active Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assistant, Active Lane Keeping Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection, and more, for $1,700.