2021 BMW M4

I’m loving the new look BMW M3 and BMW M4 for 2021.  The M3 is now in its sixth generation, and the BMW M4 has joined up at the hip with the M3 model in more recent times.  2021 sees a bold new approach in the way BMW M3 and M4 do design; the biggest talking point, obviously, being the vast dual kidney grilles that cut right down the centre of both cars’ front fascia.  This is a great tack for BMW to take, as I think that it brings a fresh flavour to the glitzy Motorsport cars.  Recent generations were getting a bit predictable, so I’m one to really embrace the razor-sharp looks.

I totally get why you might be finding it hard to tell the difference between an M3 and M4, because they are very nearly identical.  But what does set them apart is that the M3 is a sedan and the M4 is a coupe.  It is as simple as that, really!  So, should you require the car with better family credentials, then the M3, with its four doors, would suit you better than the M4 coupe.  If you don’t have kids, then the new 2021 BMW M4 will suit your style a little bit better because it’s slightly edgier and more like a raw sports car with its coupe lines.

2021 BMW M4

Honestly, there isn’t much in it though.  Nearly everything is similar.  Both versions of the car have a chassis that is nearly identical (F80/F82).  They both cost similar money to buy.  Their interiors look similar, the components inside the cars are the same, the safety features the same, and even the mechanics.  Both the 2021 BMW M3 and BMW M4 have a carbon fibre roof, although you can get an optional moonroof at no additional cost.  The front and side-splitters that are M-specific are found on both models, and the wheels are the same.  Standard M3 and M4s get 18-inch at the front and 19-inch at the back.  The Competition models use 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the back.

There’s also an optional M Carbon package available on both models, which adds more lightweight stuff to the exterior, and a Shadowline option that dresses the exterior mirrors, rear spoiler and tailpipes in a darkened finish.

There is one little difference between the 2021 BMW M3 and the 2021 BMW M4, and this includes a hairline difference in the suspension settings with the M3 having an extra 23 kg to carry around.  Probably a more noticeable difference is that the BMW M4 Coupe is 80 mm wider than the sedan.  In terms of size, compared with their predecessors, the new M3 and M4 are both a bit bigger than their predecessors.  The M3 is 4.6 inches longer, 0.4-inch wider, and 0.1-inch higher, while the M4 is 4.6 inches longer, 0.7-inch wider, and 0.4-inch higher.

The 2021 BMW M3 and M4 use the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine.  Having reviewed the 2021 M3 in another recent review, let’s diverge and concentrate on the M4 for now.

There are two new RWD BMW M4 models that you can currently buy: The base M4 model, and the M4 Competition.  The Base model BMW M4 costs around $170k new and has its full 353 kW of power available at 6250 rpm.  Very close to where the peak power is found there is the full 550 Nm of torque on song at 6130 rpm.  This M4 works with a slick 6-speed manual gearbox and has RWD for putting down the power onto the road.

The other M4 version is only a bit more expensive at around $180k new, however the new RWD BMW M4 Competition has a bit more oomph to go with the higher price tag.  Putting out a maximum power of 375 kW and a peak torque figure of 650 Nm.  The main differences in the Competition model over the Base model is more power, an 8-speed sports automatic gearbox instead of the 6-speed manual, and a tighter race track suspension mode.  You’ll also find the Competition model has Lane Keeping – Active Assist, and Cross Traffic Alert – Front and Rear (Rear only on the Base M4).

Both versions have electronically limited top speeds of 155 mph (250 kmh) for the standard M4 or 180 mph (290 kmh) for the M4 Competition.

2021 BMW M4

Climb inside the M4 cabin, and the seats are excellent.  Comfortable and supportive is always preferred over the bum being sore in five minutes.  In the centre console, just to the left of the iDrive controller, is a new model-specific M Mode button where you can adjust things like the engine, suspension, and steering.  Drive mode options for the engine include Efficient, Sport, and Sport Plus, while drive mode options for the chassis are Comfort, Sport, or Sport Plus, and the M-specific power steering are selectable in both Comfort and Sport.  You can also play with the exhaust system to get that special vocal note you’ll quickly appreciate.  The M Sound button improves the note synthetically.

A 10.3-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard, boasting M-specific graphics.  The latest iDrive 7.0 operating system also carries over from the outgoing model, so the standard features like navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are all familiar – so too BMW’s personal voice assistant.  A head-up display is available on the 2021 BMW M4 cars, but only as an option.

The Active Driving Assistant package is standard on your 2021 BMW M4, and this includes lane departure warning, speed limit information, active blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear-automatic emergency braking.  The M4 Competition models get BMW’s more advanced Driving Assistance active safety suite as an option, which includes features like full-speed adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, active lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and high-speed automatic emergency braking.

The 2021 BMW M4 boasts a new exterior design with a brand-new face that has a huge vertical kidney grille at the front, and the awesome low-profile lines and sharp looking headlights all make up for a rather special looking M4.  BMW M3s and M4s have always been pretty good to look at, but the 2021 M4 has breath-taking looks which are a bit of a showstopper.

The twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six is a gem, and there will also be some AWD variants coming into the M4 and M3 line-up very soon.

2021 BMW M4

The 2021 BMW M4 Coupe models include the:

• BMW M4 Coupe
• BMW M4 Coupe Competition

For any more information on the new BMW M4 models or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!