The market for high-performance coupes and sedans is getting crowded, and competition is more fierce than ever. The segment’s godfather, the BMW M3 (and M4 coupe version), is under attack from the Cadillac ATS-V, the Lexus RC F, and the Mercedes-AMG C63; in 2017, there also will be a new Audi RS5. Now BMW is fighting back. In true M fashion, BMW is adding a Competition package.
Priced at $5500 (it’s $500 less for the M4 convertible), it cranks up horsepower from 425 to 444. Zero to 60 mph takes 4.0 seconds with the manual-transmission and just 3.8 seconds with the heavier but quicker-shifting dual-clutch automatic, according to BMW. (The convertible takes 0.1-second longer.)

The Competition package comes with the same awesome forged 666M wheels that are found on the M4 GTS, but they’re painted silver here. The performance tires are sized 265/30ZR-20 up front and 285/30ZR-20 in the rear. A reprogrammed stability-control system and an active rear differential further improve cornering and dynamics.
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The Competition package also adds style: The kidney grille and the M3 or M4 logo are painted in black, and the four exhaust tips are executed in black chrome. They’re also louder. This is, after all, a crowded market; you have to make yourself heard....