2021 BMW M3 and M4 pricing and specs detailed: Mercedes-AMG C63 and Audi RS5 rival undercuts competition as German performance car segment heats up

BMW Australia has gone official with its new-generation M3 and M4 pricing after leaks surfaced online yesterday, confirming a pricetag of $144,900 before on-road costs for the former and $149,900 for the latter.

The base grades are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, but buyers can opt for the more potent Competition versions for a $10,000 premium that also adds an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Both the unnamed base M3/M4, as well as the Competition grades, send drive to the rear wheels and are powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol inline six-cylinder engine, though the former outputs 354kW/550Nm whereas the latter ups the ante to 375kW/650Nm.

Of note, the new-generation M3/M4 are slightly up in pricing compared to its predecessors, with the 2018 M3 (the last model year it was offered in Australia) starting at $141,610, while the base manual M4 was $151,610.

2021 BMW M3 Competition sedan

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2021 BMW M3 Competition sedan

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2021 BMW M4 Competition coupe

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2021 BMW M4 Competition coupe

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2021 BMW M4 Competition coupe

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Compared to its rivals though, BMW’s new mid-size M car line-up is cheaper in base and Competition form than the 375kW/700Nm Mercedes-AMG C63 S sedan and coupe (priced at $165,835 and $171,035 respectively), but only undercuts the 331kW/600Nm Audi RS5 Sportback and coupe ($150,900 each) in entry-level guise.

Standard equipment on the M3 sedan and M4 coupe includes staggered 19- and 20-inch wheels, keyless entry, BMW’s Laserlight headlight system, head-up display, heated front seats, carbon-fibre cabin trim, ambient interior lighting, 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, wireless smartphone charger, digital radio, Harman/Karon sound system, metallic paint, and a wireless Apple CarPlay/wired Android Auto-compatible multimedia set-up.

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A smattering of M goodies is also included, such as a carbon-fibre roof, blue brake callipers, bi-modal exhaust system with quad tailpipes, active differential, adaptive suspension, sports seats and bespoke seat belts.

BMW’s Driving Assistant advanced safety suite is also standard, which bundles autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors.

Stepping up to the Competition versions not only drops the zero-to-100km/h sprint from 4.2 seconds to 3.9s, but also adds a full Merino leather interior, digital key and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, as well as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

As with most BMWs, the M3 and M4 will come with a bevy of options such as up-rated M Carbon ceramic brakes ($16,500), M Carbon exterior package ($9500) and lightweight M Carbon bucket seats ($7500), though the three can be had in the M Carbon Package that adds $26,000 to the asking price.

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Buyers can also choose to have track tyres fitted from the factory – either Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s or Pirelli P Zero Corsas – for an additional $2000.

Seven exterior colours are on offer – including the new Isle of Man Green metallic and Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic hero colours – but buyers can also option BMW Individual paint finishes, costing up to $7000.

As with all new BMW Australia vehicles, the M3/M4 and M3/M4 Competition comes with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, while servicing intervals are condition based and calculated depending on vehicle diagnostics.

Australian deliveries will begin in the first quarter of next year, but the xDrive all-wheel-drive versions will touch down in late 2021 with pricing and spec to be revealed closer to launch.

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2021 BMW M3/M4 pricing before on-road costs