All-wheel-drive BMW M3, M4 priced

BMW Group Australia has announced pricing for all-wheel-drive versions of the M3 Competition sedan and M4 Competition coupe, as well as the new M4 convertible that will top the range in exclusively AWD Competition spec.

Adding BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system – borrowed from the X3 M and X4 M SUVs – to the auto-only M3 Competition or M4 Competition coupe costs $6000, bringing the respective totals to $160,990 and $165,900 before on-road costs.

The M4 convertible’s new fabric roof commands an $11,000 premium over the coupe, at $176,900 before on-roads, a cool $32,000 north of the base manual M3 and $27,000 more than the standard M4 manual coupe.

Once these models arrive in the fourth quarter, the Australian M3 and M4 line-up will have grown to seven variants, in a market that has among the world’s largest per-capita appetite for M cars.

All share a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, the Competitions churning out 375kW at 6250rpm and 650Nm from 2750-5500rpm compared with the 353kW at 6250rpm and 550Nm between 2650-6130rpm of the manual-only entry variants.

The additional all-wheel-drive traction of M3 sedan and M4 coupe xDrive variants cuts the 0-100km/h sprint by 0.4 seconds, to 3.5s, while the heavier M4 convertible takes 3.7s.

An electronically limited top speed of 250km/h can be uncorked to 290km/h for the sedan and coupe or 280km/h for the convertible with the optional M Driver’s Package that also includes a BMW Driving Experience track voucher that can be used at Philip Island or, when COVID restrictions ease, international circuits including the Nürburgring.

In addition to AWD, the xDrive Competition variants have front suspension layout and geometry tweaks, steering recalibration and a revised lubrication system.

Standard equipment on xDrive M3 and M4 Competition models includes Merino leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable M Sport front seats with memory function, tri-zone climate control, Harman/Kardon premium audio, wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and keyless entry/start with BMW Digital Key.

Driver aids and active safety tech include steering and lane control assistant, adaptive cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane change warning, automated parking, surround view cameras, reversing assistant, speed-sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring and an M-specific head-up display. BMW’s ‘Laserlight’ headlight technology is also standard.

Cabin highlights include carbon-fibre trim inserts, M seat belts and ambient lighting. The M3 sedan and M4 coupe also have have a carbon-fibre roof. The carbon-fibre interior trim can be replaced with other finishes from the BMW Individual range at no cost.

On the sedan and coupe, upgrading from the standard ‘M Compound’ brakes to carbon-ceramics is $16,500 and a carbon-fibre package comprising front bumper, mirror caps, rear spoiler and diffuser is $9500. Carbon-fibre bucket seats – 9.6kg lighter than the standard items – are $7500.

Option packages and costs for the convertible will be divulged closer to launch.