BMW slashes M3 and M4 prices

JUST a fortnight after the launch of Mercedes-Benz’s all-new C63 S AMG in Australia, arch rival BMW has announced a massive $16,530 price cut and significant equipment upgrades for its iconic M3 sedan when the revised version arrives in Australia as part of the 3 Series mid-life facelift in the fourth quarter of this year.

The M4 Coupe and Convertible are also in for the same treatment, copping price haircuts of $17,000 and $14,530 respectively while receiving a similar specification increase that includes full leather trim, adaptive LED headlights, head-up display, tyre pressure monitoring, lane change warning and internet connectivity with a bunch of driving aids.

Formerly priced at $156,430, the M3 will hit the show rooms in about October for $139,900 – a 10 per cent price slash – while gaining extra gear worth thousands of dollars.

This price makes the six-cylinder M3 exactly $15,000 cheaper than Mercedes’ new V8 C63 S AMG sedan.

The M4 Coupe will land at $149,900 (formerly $166,900), while the M4 Convertible will come in at $161,900 (currently $176,430).

While acknowledging the “competitive market” environment that played a part in the M3/M4 moves, BMW Group Australia corporate communications general manager Lenore Fletcher said the price cuts and equipment upgrades were in line with similar moves on recent models released by BMW, including the 1 Series and X6.

She said that far from struggling with M-enhanced cars in Australia, the company had sold more M vehicles to date in 2015 as it did in all of 2014.

So far this year, the growth in M vehicles has been driven by the M4 which arrived in the second half of 2014.

Changes do not extend to the powertrain, with the 317kW/550Nm twin-turbo six-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission carrying over for all M3/M4 variants. This means the M3 sedan’s 0-100km/h sprint time remains at 4.1 seconds – just 0.1 seconds slower than the Mercedes C63 S AMG.

As always with a BMW “LCI” (Lifecycle Impulse) upgrade, the exterior changes to the M3 and M4 are relatively minor, mainly restricted to the front and rear lights that now include full-LED taillights, adaptive LED headlights twin round LED daytime running rights and what BMW describes as a light bar connecting the headlights to the kidney grille.

Inside, the M3 and M4 both get BMW’s “merino” leather upholstery as standard.

This even includes the instrument binnacle and glovebox covers.

Safety technologies new to M3/M4 as standard equipment include approach control warning, lane-departure warning, lane-change warning, pedestrian warning, light city braking, and tyre pressure monitor.

Head-up display is also now standard, along with the internet-connected ConnectedDrive Freedom that opens up a range of features such as real-time traffic information and concierge service (for directions to a restaurant, for example). To allow this, the car is equipped with a SIM card and comes with a one-year internet connection.

A remote services function allows the driver to use their smart phone to unlock the vehicle remotely, operate the ventilation, flash the headlights and search Google.

The M3 and M4 both get BMW’s highest level connectivity that can include in-car email and can automatically transmit any vehicle maintenance requirements to the owner’s BMW dealership.

BMW Group Australia head of product and market planning Shawn Ticehurst said the updated range would heighten the appeal of the BMW M3 and M4 range, merging premium ideals with an immersive driving experience.

“More value, more technology and more refinement,” he said. “That is what we are delivering with this update to the BMW M3 and BMW M4.

“The BMW M3 and BMW M4 are expressions of motorsport-inspired technology and innovation, and have attained iconic status. These changes will only broaden that appeal.

“The growth of the BMW M range has been a fantastic success story for our brand, particularly in 2015. And over the first seven months of this year, we have already surpassed our total sales result for 2014.”

BMW M3 and M4 Australian Pricing and additional standard features*:BMW M3 and M4 pricing*

Model	New Price	Old Price
M3 Sedan	$139,900	$156,900
M4 Coupe	$149,900	$166,900
M4 Convertible	$161,900	$178,430

*Excludes on-road costs