BMW M4 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The second generation of the M4 was refreshed in 2024 and came with more power and an angrier look on its front fascia meant to scare its competition away.

After BMW split the 3 Series into two lines of products, the 3 and the 4 Series, respectively, there was no M3 coupe anymore. As a result, the new two-door superstar of the BMW family was the M4 and its subsequent derivatives, known as the M4 Competition and the M4 CSL. In 2020, the German automaker introduced the second generation of this nameplate, which it refreshed in 2024, along with the rest of the 4 Series Coupe and the 4 Series Convertible models. But, unlike its siblings that hardly gained any power over their initial versions, the 2024 M4 came well-prepared with 20 more ponies under the hood. But it was more than just some more power.

The 2024 M4, known as the G82 in the carmaker’s coding inventory, was the most potent version in the 4 Series and had to show it. Unlike its siblings, it came with a different front fascia. While it still sported the debatable-looking kidney grille, it featured standard horizontal slats. It was flanked by redesigned headlights, which, even though they kept the original shape, were fitted with standard LED lights, with an option for Adaptive LED lamps with anti-glare matrix. Lower, on the bumper, the M4 featured an apron designed with angular shapes that sported a broad center air intake and two slim side scoops that channeled air around the bodywork.

From its profile, the aggressive-looking M4 sported a set of vents on the front fenders behind the wheels. BMW also installed a new set of forged wheels with diameters of 18 inches at the front and 19 inches at the rear. As an option, customers could get a set fitted with 19-inch up front and 20-inch in the back. All versions of the 2024 M4 Coupe came with a carbon fiber roof that helped lower the gravity center. At the back, depending on the options, the car came with a carbon fiber lip spoiler or a regular one. Its taillights came with standard LEDs, which were available with laser diodes and glass fibers that created a 3-D effect.

Inside, the M4 came fitted with a flat-bottom steering wheel and a 12-o’ clock marker fitted as standard wrapped in leather or Alcantara, depending on the options. The sports seats with integrated headrests ensure customers that they’ll be held in place during high-speed cornering maneuvers. As an option, BMW installed a set of sports seats with a carbon-fiber structure. Part of the 2024 update was also the new curved display mounted atop the center stack, with an LCD for the instrument panel fronting the driver and a touchscreen above the center stack for the infotainment system. Along with this update, BMW installed its iDrive 8.5 OS.

Under the hood, the G82 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse, as BMW named its facelifts) came with the same S85 three-liter inline-six powerplant. A pair of turbochargers helped the engine deliver 480 PS (473 hp), 510 PS (503 hp), and 530 PS (523 hp), depending on the version. BMW offered the car with either a six-speed manual for the rear-wheel drive version, an eight-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic with xDrive (all-wheel drive), respectively.

BMW had a long history of producing lightweight vehicles based on its performance models, and the 2022 M4 CSL (Competition Sport Lightweight) came as a confirmation of that.

The new version came as a 2023 model year to celebrate the mighty E9 CSL that competed in 1973 in the European Touring Car Championship. This hard-core version was built with performance in mind, and it was fine-tuned on the Nurburgring race track in Germany. While the automaker used the CS letters for many vehicles, there were only two that sported all three letters: the aforementioned E9 and the 2004 M3 CSL. But in 2022, it added a third member to this exclusive club: the M4 CSL, which was produced in just 1000 units.

BMW managed to shed 240 lbs (110 kg) from the weight of the M4 Competition, and that was not an easy task. On the outside, it used a carbon-fiber hood adorned with black, unpainted vents. Its roof and trunk lid were made from CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic), and the bumpers also included many areas from the same material. Last but not least, the CSL also sported a ducktail on the rear deck.

Inside, the automaker installed manual carbon-fiber sport seats that were 53 lbs (24 kg) lighter than those installed in the regular M4. In addition, there were no rear seats or seatbelts. But, despite using thinner sound-deadening materials, it still featured an infotainment system with speakers so drivers could play their favorite music while thrashing the car around a track.

Under the hood, the M4 CSL received an improved inline-six, 3.0-liter turbocharged engine that sent its power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.

While the M3 was reserved for the four-door sedan version, the coupe was renamed as 4-Series. Thus, the M version was named M4.

Since the split between the coupe and the sedan/station-wagon version of the 3 Series, the 4-Series took the lead for the coupe versions. That's how the M4 appeared on the list.

The 4-Series was a shocking appearance when it was introduced in June 2020. The kidney-grille got bigger and now covered the middle side of the front fascia from the bottom of the apron to the hood. It was ginormous! On the sides of the front bumper, BMW installed a pair of vents to cool the brakes. The sculptured door panels and the raked C-pillars resembled the silhouette of the BMW 8-Series. Four exhausts were placed under the rear apron.

Inside, the car was fitted with sport-bucket seats as standard. The instrument cluster featured a TFT color display and, on the center stack, the infotainment system was installed. It featured connectivity via Apple CarPlay and it could support Android phones. If the car was fitted with the automatic gearbox, it was fitted with a pair of paddle-shifters as well.

Under the hood, the M4 surprised its customers with the introduction of the all-wheel-drive system. It was the first M4 that sent its power to all four wheels. The standard gearbox was a six-speed manual. For that, the power went exclusively to the rear wheels. The xDrive version was available only in conjunction with the 8-speed automatic.

Back in 1985, the BMW introduced the M3, a rather sports car that was successful in touring motorsport. Wondering what’s the connection to the M4? Well, the M4 was a coupe M3.

While the M4 was basically the same car as the M3, the difference was the shape of it. At the same time, the M4 brought some of the practicality of the 4 series.

The load capacity was more than enough for two big luggages, as well as the cabin being equipped with lots of storage spaces – not very big though. The reason why the storage space was limited was the carbon drive shaft that was located underneath the center.

While almost as practical as the 4 series, the M4 had a more aggressive design, with a big open grille to let the air in, as well as air vents on the sides of the bumper. The back mirrors had the iconic aerodynamic design we already know, the big brake discs were ventilated and made of ceramic carbon fiber.

Actually, carbon fiber was used both on the exterior and the interior to lower the car’s weight.

The back of the M4 added to the visual aggressiveness with the 4 exhaust pipes, as well as the rear spoiler integrated into the trunk lid.

The design might look a bit too friendly compared to what was under the hood. The 3.0-liter straight 6 developed 425 hp and rocketed the coupe to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds.

Definitely not a cheap car, its price started at $71.000. At the same time, I would say it was a decent price for what the M4 had to offer.