This summer the Bavarian Motoren Werke continues the relentless forward march in search of speed with its M3 and M4, adding four-wheel drive to its offering with the M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive and M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive models. I don’t know who this is for. When has a sports coupe ever really benefited from the addition of two extra driving wheels? In addition to being more complex, an AWD system hinders steering inputs, adds weight, and increases the price. This isn’t a rally car, it’s a low-track-oriented sports machine. It does not make any sense.
Despite competition being in the name, these cars aren’t really built for every class and don’t really compete anywhere. Sure, there is an M4 GT4 homologation race car, but it certainly doesn’t have four-wheel drive!
BMW states that the M xDrive system “allows the driver to experience an intoxicating interpretation of the signature M performance characteristics, which are reflected in even faster acceleration. That word salad boils down to the quintessentially German ism of “dynamism”, which is what it means does computer things you don’t understand to make you feel faster.
Speaking of dynamics, here’s something straight out of BMW’s press release that smacks of a ridiculous copy: “The improvements in traction, stability, agility and dynamics from the combination of M xDrive and Active M Differential also translate into superior sprint power.” What could that possibly mean? Okay, traction is easy, sure enough when the rear wheels are overpowered by the 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of turbocharged 3-liter torque inline six, the front wheels kick in and provide forward movement instead of tire smoke. By handling the stability I think the car is easier to judge where it’s going on the limit, as the front wheels can pull you through the corner if you’re experiencing oversteer. More manoeuvrable, despite the extra weight? I’d like to see them. And we’ve already talked about dynamics.
Either the M3 or M4 version of this new car slips off their shared track for 0.4 seconds 0-60 time, now needs 3.5 seconds instead of 3.9 seconds. The average driver would never notice the difference, and it doesn’t really matter, but that’s something.
G / O Media can receive a commission
The xDrive variants are visually indistinguishable from their rear-wheel drive counterparts and share the same 19/20 inch staggered wheel arrangement. There are three different selectable settings for the AWD system, allowing for normal AWD, a sportier AWD that is track-oriented, and 2WD, which disengages the front wheels if desired. Why you would buy the four-wheel drive car and choose to put it in 2WD mode doesn’t make sense to me. That is extra pointless.
This nonsensical car will cost you $ 77,895 for the M3 Competition Sedan with M xDrive, while the M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive will cost $ 79,795. In either case, the AWD system is an additional cost of $ 4,100 over the standard Competition models. Both will arrive at Bimmer dealers in August.
And then there is a Porsche 911 GT3 RS with track-oriented four-wheel drive? Lord, I hope not.