2024 BMW M4 Review, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

The BMW M4 coupe is a fire-breathing dragon capable of high-flying acrobatics. It’s the two-door sedan counterpart to the M3 super sedan, which is similarly pumped up for driving excitement by the automaker’s M performance division. It borrows the M3’s ferocious 473-hp twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, and we applaud BMW for making a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive standard. The ultra-intense Competition trim bumps power to 503 horsepower and requires an eight-speed automatic; four-wheel drive is optional. The M4’s firm suspension and sharp steering turn twisty roads into memorable encounters, but there’s also plenty of luxury on board in addition to a reasonably spacious cabin. We do, however, have our reservations about the M4’s stiff ride, firm steering feel and overly complicated configurable drive modes – important traits that we think are handled with more finesse in rivals like the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio .

What’s new for 2024?

For the 2024 model year, BMW equipped the M4 with the same 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch screens seen in other BMW models. The sports coupe also gets the latest iDrive 8 software, which has updated graphics and menu structures and an upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant voice command function.

Prices and which one to buy

There are a number of good reasons to spend the extra coin on the M4 Competition, including the extra horsepower and torque as well as the availability of all-wheel drive. However, we’d choose the regular M4 for two very good things: it’s the only M4 trim that offers a satisfying manual transmission, and it drives less harshly. We’ll also opt for the lightweight and extra-supportive M Carbon bucket seats as well as the M Drive Professional package (onboard drift analyzer and lap timer) and the M Driver’s package, which unlocks a higher top speed and a one-day high performance management class.

Engine, transmission and performance

The M4 is motivated by a brilliant twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that comes in two powers. The standard version makes 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. In our test, this setup shot to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 12.0 ticks at 121 mph. With 503 horses and 479 pound-feet, the Competition model is even faster, but the lone transmission choice is an eight-speed automatic. To make up for the lack of a stick-shift option, only the M4 Competition can be equipped with a rear-biased all-wheel drive system. So equipped, the all-wheel drive M4 competition shaved off a full second the standard car’s 60 mph time on our test track with a blistering 2.8-second result. Every M4 comes with adaptive dampers, adjustable brake pedal feel and an electronically controlled exhaust system that gets louder in Sport and Sport Plus driving modes. The volume can also be turned off at any time by pressing the M Sound button. BMW also provides an inordinate amount of adjustable drive mode settings that we think can dilute the driving experience that BMW’s engineers intended. Happy, our time behind the thick frame wheel of the M4 competition showcased its tenacious acceleration, incredible cornering grip and determined stability. The regular M4 rides on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rears while the M4 Competition rolls on a staggered set of 19s in the front and 20s in the rear. The M4 features a carbon fiber roof that lowers its center of gravity, and it can be equipped with a set of fade-resistant carbon ceramic brakes.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA hasn’t rated the M4 for the 2024 model year, but it’s expected to keep its ratings of up to 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. While our 75 mph fuel economy route the six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive M4 achieved 21 mpg, slightly below its EPA estimate. For more information on the M4’s fuel consumption, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, comfort and cargo

Although the M4 has the same interior layout and passenger space as the regular 4 Series coupe, it boasts a variety of unique materials and a few race-inspired options. Its thick-rimmed steering wheel has a pair of red buttons for customizable M driving modes. The cabin can also be improved with liberal amounts of carbon fiber trim and long paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. The standard M sports seats are significantly bolstered and feature an illuminated logo, an integrated headrest, and can be had with ventilation. The optional carbon fiber front seats not only look super cool, but they’re also lighter than the standard seats and can be lowered even more. Of course, the back seat is not as spacious as in the M3 sedan, but the space is far from a torture chamber. Choosing the convertible body style unlocks unlimited headroom; simply lower the retractable fabric sheet.

Infotainment and connectivity

Every M4 is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a slick infotainment system that features a large 14.9-inch touchscreen. It has multiple control options that allow the user to adjust settings and navigate menus via voice commands, buttons on the steering wheel, and a large rotary controller and buttons on the center console. The M4’s system comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Harman Kardon sound system. Those who want even fancier features can choose from popular options like gesture controls, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Although driver involvement is its primary mission, the M4 has a grid of standard and optional driver assistance technology. For more information on the M4’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Standard lane departure warning and lane keeping assist
• Adaptive cruise control available

Warranty and Maintenance Cover

BMW offers a competitive limited and powertrain warranty identical to alternatives from Audi and Mercedes-AMG. It also has better complimentary scheduled maintenance than both brands, but it’s not quite as good as that Jaguar supply.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

More features and specifications