The Competition Package is familiar territory for BMW M fans now: a tad more power (most of the time) combined with some dynamic tweaks and a bit more visual aggression tend to make them pretty damn desirable. See the
V8 M3
M5 and M6 Competition
Now there's a Competition Package for the F80 M3 and, wouldn't you know, it follows much the same formula as previously. If it ain't broke and all that. Power is up by 19hp to a nice round 450hp, but then power was never something lacking from the new
M3 and M4 family
. For what it's worth, the boost takes a tenth from the 0-62 time, meaning a DCT-equipped saloon or coupe should do it in four seconds flat.
Of more interest than the power though are the chassis tweaks. The standard M3 is known for being a little, well, unruly when conditions don't suit, dampers struggling to control body movement and never filling the driver with much confidence.
The Competition Package promises to improve that. Well it sounds like it should. The M Adaptive Suspension has been "extensively tuned to the enhanced performance and handling", with new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. The driving modes have been reconfigured to exploit them better, with the M diff and DSC also configured differently. It all points to a more resolved dynamic performance, particularly with additional rubber on the road too; front tyres are now up to a 265-section, the rears a 285, both 10mm wider than the tyres fitted with the 19-inch wheel.
Ah yes, wheels. Standard for the Competition Pack are forged 20-inch items that are clearly inspired by the
M4 GTS
. It's not confirmed whether they are lighter than the 19-inch wheels - think of that unsprung mass - but the design could well prove a little divisive. Something that should achieve more widespread approval is the standard sports exhaust, a system which "brings added emotional resonance to the driving experience" according to BMW. Finally, don't forget to point out to those with 'just' normal M3s the "extended BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line exterior trim". They'll be deeply envious...
Taking an educated guess, the M3 and M4 Competition Package models will probably make their debut at Geneva in a few weeks. Prices aren't yet confirmed but, given a standard saloon costs £56,595, don't expect to pay less than £60K.