Name: BMW M4 Competition (2021 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW M4
Rating: 69

Summary

The BMW M4 Competition is a high-performance coupé and convertible model based on the regular 4 Series range. The current coupé model arrived in the UK in early 2021, with the convertible due to join it before the end of the year.

This is the second generation model to carry the M4 name – the first appeared in 2014 after BMW rebranded its 3 Series coupé and convertible models as the 4 Series. However, the M4 can trace its lineage right back to the original M3 coupé of the mid-1980s.

Here in the UK, we only get the top-spec M4 Competition model, which is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 510hp. It is also available with all-wheel drive on the coupé version, while the convertible is rear-wheel drive only.

Reviewers have lavished praise on the M4, though Car magazine dubs it “Munich’s most controversial sports coupe yet,” referring to the styling and particularly the enormous front grilles that dip below the registration plate. Top Gear adds, however, that BMW knows its customers, M4 buyers are “extroverts” and the elongated kidney grilles “don’t actually look too offensive in real life…”

The power impresses widely, but it is about more than rapid acceleration. “The flexibility of the engine is second-to-none, delivering impressive acceleration even in higher gears,” says Parkers.

Equally, testers highlight that the new M4 is not the animal its predecessor was. “The old M4 was a bit feral,” says Auto Express, “but this new version feels more mature and rounded, as if it’s been shipped off to finishing school.”

Evo praises the M4’s rigidity, which means excellent handling; “The precision and response as you turn the wheel is fantastic,” adding that the car builds confidence very quickly.

There are other, practical, factors, such as rear seats with reasonable space for adults and an adequate boot – but these will feature on the requirements of very few M4 buyers…

As of January 2024, the BMW M4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. Although it gets fantastic media reviews and has an excellent safety rating, its CO2 emissions and reliability data are only average, and its running costs are inevitably very high.

BMW M4 highlights

As distinctive as it is potent
Very rapid
Less violent to control than previous M cars
Practical rear cabin and big enough boot

BMW M4 lowlights

Enormous kidney grille is polarising
No manual gearbox option
Auto gearbox is not that slick
Expensive in standard spec
Very expensive once you start adding options

Key specifications

Body style: Coupé / convertible
Engines: petrol
Price: From £76,990 on-road

Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: Summer 2021
Next update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: CSL
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s a crazy car with an even crazier price, but in most respects, the BMW M4 CSL justifies its cost by simply being a brilliant driver’s car. One that’s not just faster and more focused than the M4 on which it’s based, but also much more rewarding to drive where it counts. The CSL is an instant legend, if ever there was one, even if its steering remains a touch ordinary.” (Steve Sutcliffe)
Read review

Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW M4’s design is the obvious talking point, but beneath its dramatic makeover lies a car with a broader breadth of ability than before. It’s easy to live with day to day and now delivers its thundering performance in a more user-friendly and manageable way.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW M4 Coupe offers distinctive looks, awesome performance and generous spec.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: CSL coupé
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW M has presented on this third application of its most fabled CSL badge is something even rarer than we might have first realised: an M car with a really stirring hardcore soul, but also a genuinely on-road capability; a car ready to be enjoyed in more ways, and on more days, than so many of its caged up rivals or antecedents.”
Read review

Score: 8 / 10
The M4 Competition is a performance coupé, not really smooth and forgiving enough to be a genuine grand tourer, yet not dynamically agile enough to be a true sports car.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW M4 Compeition manages to be both an accomplished all-rounder and a flawed yet brilliantly exciting sports coupe all at the same time. Its everyday on-road manners and luxuriously appointed cabin are almost beyond reproach.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“This latest M4 is unquestionably the best yet. Though some might reckon it’s not as raw as its predecessor, its greater everyday ability makes it a much better car to live with, while still being comfortable and practical, too.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The styling might divide opinion but there’s nothing polarising about the way the BMW M4 performs.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Carwow+

Score: 9 / 10
“The new BMW M4 is nothing short of sensational.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: CSL coupé
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW M4 CSL impresses at times but doesn’t seem to possess the pure magic of recent CS models. The crazy intensity of the M4 GTS is missing, too. Maybe a summer’s day and some sticky Cup 2Rs would help but, for now, the CSL doesn’t seem enough to celebrate the enormity of 50 years of M. Can we have an M2 CSL, please? Or another M4 GTS?” (Jethro Bovingdon)
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Model reviewed: Competition
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW’s long-awaited M4 Competition doesn’t hold back any punches. It’s fast, immensely capable, but also superb fun.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Fabulous driver’s car that really only struggles for comfort.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé and M3 saloon
Score: 10 / 10
“If you can get past the BMW M4’s divisive looks – or maybe even begin to like them – everything you’d want in a fast coupe is here. Power, noise, balance, control, grip… and did I mention power? There’s the practicality over a sports car, too.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“wild at heart and a tricky beast to tame.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: M4 Competition coupé
Score: 9 / 10
“This supreme all-rounder of an M4 is a triumph.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Competition
Score: 10 / 10
“Not only is the BMW M4 Competition staggeringly quick in a straight line, but it’s also one of the most visceral and engaging performance cars we’ve tested to date.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 93%
Safety assist: 72%

The BMW M4 Competition shares its safety rating with the mainstream BMW 4 Series Coupe range, which was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019 and awarded a five-star rating.

The test report offered no significant criticisms, highlighting the maximum scores in the side barrier and more severe side pole test, and the maximum points scored in city-driving tests by the autonomous emergency braking system.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the BMW M4 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW M4 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the M4, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	28 mpg	E	28 – 29 mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	225 g/km	D	223 – 230 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	42	D	42 – 50	D – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£698	D
Year 2	£1,559	D
Year 3	£2,418	D
Year 4	£2,655	D
Year 5	£3,431	D
Overall	£10,761	D

As you might expect, the BMW M4 is not exactly an economical choice, according to data exclusively provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.

Only available as a petrol, the M4 is very thirsty, and has high emissions. Insurance and servicing costs are also higher than the market average.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the BMW M4, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Most buyers will consider a BMW M4 for its performance and so potential alternatives are quite varied. Several testers believe the closest rival is also made by BMW, the similarly priced M3 Competition which, being a saloon, is more practical. The likes of the Audi RS 5, Lexus RC F, Mercedes-AMG C63 and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio also come into the reckoning.