First BMW owner at the cocktail party: “I love my new BMW 4 Series. Always wanted a performance car.”
Second: “Oh, a 4 Series? That’s impressive performance. But it’s nothing like my M4.”
Third: “Oh, an M4 is impressive. But you should drive my M4 Competition.”
[Fourth BMW owner approaches] “That may be true, but …”
OK, this is getting a little ridiculous. Today, BMW took the wraps off a 4 Series to beat the higher-performance edition of the high-performance edition of the already-pretty-high-performance 4 Series.
We’ll try to explain: BMW builds luxury cars known for their performance. The brand’s M division then builds high-performance versions of those. About a decade ago, BMW complicated that picture. The company started introducing an even more performance-oriented version of most M cars, called M Competition.
Later, they leveled that up with the M Competition Sport lineup. They then promised to cut the number of high-performance trims. But there was a little “lord grant me chastity … but not yet” in the promise.
Just one more.
If you’re familiar with the M3 Competition Sport, then the 2025 M4 Competition Sport won’t come as a shock. BMW says the CS “adds an edge to the M4 vehicle concept with advanced equipment and exclusive design features without sacrificing the 4-seat layout and everyday practicality.”
The 2025 BMW M4 Competition Sport carries an asking price of $124,675 (destination charge included).
543 Horsepower, All-Wheel Drive
It uses an uptuned version of the twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine found in the M4. In the M4, that mill produces 473 hp. Stepping up to the Competition nets you 503. The new CS squeezes 543 out of the same unit.
Power goes through an 8-speed automatic transmission to an all-wheel drive (AWD) system biased toward the rear wheels.
“Instantaneous power delivery and optimized traction enable acceleration from 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.2 seconds,” BMW says.
“The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector allows the driver to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics as desired: Level 1 is more comfort-oriented, Level 2 for sportier performance, and Level 3 optimized for high-performance driving situations.” But paddle shifters let the driver control shift points directly if they prefer that approach.
The steering and the suspension damping have been retuned for the CS, “geared to the specific demands of highly dynamic driving,” BMW says. M Dynamic Mode makes the stability control system intervene later, allowing drivers to test their limits without completely deactivating the systems that could protect them from an error.
Buyers can choose high-performance tires suitable for road use, track tires, or “ultra-track tires” at no additional cost.
Weight Savings Everywhere
More power isn’t the only thing that separates a Competition Sport model. Weight savings are part of the package, too.
BMW uses lightweight carbon fiber for the roof, hood, front splitter, front air ducts, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler.
Carbon fiber shows up inside, too, on the seatbacks, paddle shifters, and center console. Many manufacturers use a carbon-fiber-look trim inside, but BMW says the M4 Competition Sport uses the real stuff.
All told, it weighs 77 pounds less than the M4 Competition.
The only visual clues are a frameless grille, CS badges, and yellow elements in the headlights. It’s something more than an M4. But the CS will have one paint option that is not yet available on lower trim levels: Frozen Isle of Man Green.
Inside, “the M Carbon bucket seats in the BMW M4 CS are upholstered in Merino leather in a Black/Red color scheme with distinctive contrast stitching.” CS lettering on the center console and M4 CS door sill plates remind you which one you’re in.
You know, the M4 Competition Sport. Not the M4 Competition Sport Light. Oh, we didn’t mention the M4 CSL? There’s nothing official from BMW yet, but the brand sometimes makes one higher-level M4.
A fifth BMW owner approaches.
