If you’ve ever spec’d a BMW M car, chances are you clicked the Competition box. You weren’t alone — Munich says more than 80 percent of M3, M4, M5, M8, and M SUV buyers have done exactly the same. Now, BMW has decided it’s time to stop pretending there’s a choice.

Starting next year, the “standard” M models will effectively be the current Competition versions, both in power and equipment. In other words, the base M3 and M4 will pack the same punch as today’s Competition models, while the Competition badge itself may quietly disappear from the catalog.

Trimming the Fat, Keeping the Muscle

Frank van Meel, the head of BMW’s M division, put it bluntly: producing standard M cars no one buys doesn’t make sense. “If almost all customers go for the Competition, then that becomes the M,” he said recently. It’s a logical move that simplifies production, reduces confusion, and, frankly, gives buyers exactly what they want — maximum performance right out of the gate.

Under this new approach, the base M cars will deliver what used to be Competition-grade performance, while the lineup above will still cater to hardcore track enthusiasts with the return of CS and CSL models. These upper-tier variants will feature lighter weight, sharper handling, and even more power, optimized for closed circuits rather than the morning commute.

Numbers Don’t Lie

To put things in perspective, the current BMW M3 and M4 standard versions use a 3.0-liter inline-six biturbo that sends 480 horsepower to the rear wheels. Step up to the Competition version, and you gain an extra 50 horses plus xDrive all-wheel drive, allowing 0–100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds when equipped with the optional M Driver’s Package. Top speed? A healthy 290 km/h. The rear-drive variants are a shade slower — 3.9 seconds — but no less thrilling.

Now, imagine that level of performance as standard.

What It Means for the M Faithful

For purists, this change doesn’t dilute the M spirit — it reinforces it. BMW isn’t backing away from performance; it’s just cutting out the middle layer. The M badge will mean one thing again: the full-fat, no-compromise experience. Meanwhile, the CS and CSL labels will carry even more weight (or rather, less of it), offering truly track-honed weapons for those who think “standard” 530-horsepower M cars are too tame.

A Leaner, Meaner Future

If Munich delivers on its promise, BMW’s M lineup will be cleaner, clearer, and more potent than ever. The Competition badge might fade, but the competition itself — from Mercedes-AMG, Audi Sport, and even Porsche — should start paying attention.

Because when BMW’s “base” M3 has 530 horsepower and a 3.5-second sprint time, you can’t help but wonder: what on earth will the next CSL be capable of?

Source: BMW