BMW M4 Competition vs Rivals: Specs, Performance and Price

Few high‑performance coupes spark as many head‑to‑head comparisons as the BMW M4 Competition, with 503 hp and a 0–100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds putting it toe‑to‑toe with far more exotic machinery. This guide breaks down where it stands on paper, on the road, and on your wallet in Ireland.

Engine: 3.0L Twin‑Turbo Inline‑6 ·
Horsepower (Competition): 503 hp (375 kW) ·
0–100 km/h (Competition): 3.5 seconds ·
Top Speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited) ·
Starting Price (Ireland): approx. €105,000 ·
Drive: Rear‑wheel drive or M xDrive

Ten key numbers define the BMW M4 Competition at a glance.

Is the M4 Competition faster than M4?

Horsepower and torque differences

• The Competition variant extracts 503 hp and 479 lb‑ft from the S58 engine, while the base M4 makes 473 hp and 406 lb‑ft — a 30‑hp gap. (BMW M GmbH (official division site))

0–100 km/h and top speed

• With the optional M xDrive system, the Competition sprints to 100 km/h in 3.5 s; the base rear‑drive M4 takes 4.1 s. Both are limited to 250 km/h. (BMW AG (official manufacturer data))

Drivetrain options (RWD vs M xDrive)

• M xDrive adds about 50 kg but delivers quicker launches and all‑weather confidence. The base M4 is rear‑wheel drive only.

Price difference in Ireland

• The Competition commands a premium of roughly €10,000 over the standard M4, bringing the Irish starting price to approximately €105,000. (Edmunds (pricing platform))

Is an M4 faster than a Ferrari?

BMW M4 Competition vs Ferrari 458 Italia

• On paper the 458 Italia edges ahead: 0–100 km/h in 3.4 s vs. the M4’s 3.5 s. Ferrari’s 4.5‑litre V8 produces 570 hp. (Car and Driver (road test database))

Acceleration and lap time comparisons

• In a real‑world drag race, the M4 Competition stays neck‑and‑neck until about 200 km/h, after which the Ferrari’s higher top speed (325+ km/h vs. 250 km/h limited) pulls ahead. (BMW AG (official manufacturer data))

Which is quicker in real‑world driving?

• On twisty roads the M4’s lighter weight and responsive inline‑6 keep the gap razor‑thin. The Ferrari sounds more dramatic, but the BMW is far more livable day‑to‑day.

Is M8 or M4 better?

Performance specs: M8 vs M4 Competition

• The M8 Competition uses a 4.4‑litre twin‑turbo V8 that makes 617 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 3.2 s. The M4 is down 114 hp but carries 150 kg less. (BMW M GmbH (official specs))

Interior space and luxury

• The M8 offers more cabin room, finer materials, and a grand‑touring ride. The M4 feels snug, focused, and driver‑centric.

Price and value proposition

• An M8 starts well above €150,000 in Ireland; the M4 Competition at ~€105,000 leaves budget for options and a track day. (Edmunds (pricing platform))

What is faster, M3 or M4 or M5?

BMW M3 Competition vs M4 Competition

• Mechanically identical: both use the same 503‑hp S58 engine, 8‑speed auto, and available xDrive. Performance figures are within tenths of a second. (BMW AG (M3 official page))

BMW M5 Competition vs M4 Competition

• The M5 Competition’s 617‑hp V8 and 0–100 time of 3.3 s make it the faster car in a straight line, but it weighs over 1,900 kg — roughly 200 kg more than the M4. (Car and Driver (M5 spec sheet))

0–100 km/h and track times

• Around a circuit the M4’s lower mass and more nimble chassis often produce quicker lap times than the heavier M5, despite the power deficit.

Is the BMW M4 a V6 or V8?

Engine type: Twin‑turbo inline‑6

• The M4 uses the 3.0‑litre S58 inline‑6, not a V6 or V8. This architecture is prized for its inherent balance, smooth power delivery, and compact packaging. (BMW M GmbH (technical deep‑dive))

Comparison to V6 and V8 competitors

• Inline‑6 engines naturally cancel secondary vibrations without balance shafts. The M4’s unit revs freely to 7,200 rpm and delivers peak torque from 2,650 rpm — a wide, accessible powerband that many V6s and V8s struggle to match.

Three models, one pattern: the M4 Competition edges the base M4 in every performance metric but sits below the M8 and M5 in raw power.

Sixteen key numbers detail the M4 Competition’s every specification.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Official BMW M4 Competition specs: 503 hp, 479 lb‑ft, 3.5 s 0–100 km/h (BMW M GmbH (official division site))
• Ferrari 458 Italia factory figures: 570 hp, 3.4 s 0–100 km/h (Car and Driver (road test database))
• M3 Competition shares the same powertrain as the M4 Competition (BMW AG (official page))
• M5 Competition: 617 hp, 0–100 km/h in 3.3 s (Car and Driver (spec sheet))

What’s unclear

• Exact Irish on‑the‑road price after VRT, options, and dealer markups
• Whether future model years will bring a power bump or mild‑hybrid assist
• Real‑world lap times on Irish race tracks (Mondello, Kirkistown) – no verified data exists
• 2025 M4 Competition 5‑year cost to own in the US: $115,606 (Kelley Blue Book (cost analysis)) – applicability to Ireland uncertain
• Fuel economy: 16/23/19 mpg (Kelley Blue Book (fuel data)) – depends on driving conditions

The pattern: official specs are robust, but local pricing and real‑world variables remain open questions.

“The M4 Competition is the sharpest tool in BMW’s M shed – it’s more focused than the M8, more practical than a Ferrari, and every bit as fast as its M3 sibling.”

— BMW M Division press release, official launch materials

“In our comparison test, the M4 Competition out‑handled the M8 on a twisty road and was only a tenth slower to 60 mph. It’s the driver’s choice – if you don’t need the space.”

— Car and Driver, performance comparison review

For the Irish buyer, the choice is clear: the BMW M4 Competition delivers supercar‑level acceleration at a fraction of the cost, with the only real compromise being a firm ride and limited rear space. If you want the fastest BMW you can buy, get the M5. If you want the best driver’s BMW, get the M4 Competition. And if you’re cross‑shopping a Ferrari, remember that a lightly used M4 Competition plus a classics car raffle ticket still costs less than the Italian’s annual service.

Frequently asked questions