Improved software, a greater excitement factor and a negligible increase in price compared to the standard BMW M4 makes BMW’s M4 Competition the one to go for, writes Mike Duff.

WHAT IS IT? A slightly faster and more focussed version of the BMW M4, and maybe a half-price consolation prize to those who missed out on a chance to get the $295,000 M4 GTS. The M4 Competition isn’t a match for the stripped-and-whipped GTS and its clever water injection system, but it does get a mild power bump and sharpened chassis settings. Sold as a unique model, it adds $5000 to the price of an M3, an M4 or an M4 Cabriolet.

WHY WE’RE TESTING IT In the hope that this is the sweet spot in the M4 range, certainly for those without the riches necessary for the GTS (or who missed out on the limited allocation.) The M4 Competition adds a 14kW power boost as well as revised chassis settings that should make it both firmer and more exciting than the standard car.

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THE WHEELS VERDICT

While the standard M4 sometimes feels like it’s trying to cover too many bases the Competition benefits from greater clarity. It lacks the bandwidth of the regular car, but it feels more focussed and exciting because of its more specialised mission. If you’re considering an M4, this is the one to go for.

PLUS: Revised chassis settings; improved software for driving modes; bang-for-buck MINUS: Marginal increase in power; delivers peak torque low down

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Fortunately there are several other reasons why, if you’re in the market for an M4 you should go for the Competition. The most obvious one is the revised chassis settings that, despite small changes, make it feel impressively different. A fair amount of hardware has been changed compared to the standard M4, with springs that are 15 percent firmer, new dampers and stiffer anti-roll bars. 20-inch forged alloy wheels come as standard as well and there’s also a new sports exhaust that adds a bit of much-needed crackle to the M4’s sometimes droney bass-heavy soundtrack.

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The firmer Comfort mode isn’t an issue on the road, with the Competition’s dampers seeming to manage to defuse rougher surfaces better than the stock M4 does, which can get bouncey over certain frequencies of bumps. Sport and Sport Plus do firm things up noticeably, with the latter probably best reserved for use on track but also – as we discover on the Hungarian motorway – it works well at keeping iron body control at serious cruising speeds.

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Yet although the M4 is quicker everywhere than the old V8-powered E92 M3, it’s still hard not to feel that something has been lost. The turbocharged six delivers its peak torque low down, and with the abruptness of a police raid. Even a chassis with as much grip as the M4’s struggles to cope with it mid-corner. Left to its own devices the stability control does a good job of handling things without breaking a sweat. But if you want to drive in either Sport mode, or switch the whole system off – as you might, in such an ultimate driving machine – then you’ve got to be quick to respond to any rear-end slip, something the Competition doesn’t improve upon at all.

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SPECS Model: BMW M4 Competition Engine: 2979cc 6cyl, dohc, 24v, twin-turbo Max power: 331kW @ 5500-7300rpm Max torque: 550Nm @ 1850-5500rpm Transmission: 7-speed twin clutch/ six-speed manual Weight: 1520kg 0-100km/h: 4.0 sec (manufacturer) Fuel economy: 10.6 lit/100km (EUDC) Price: $154,900 On sale: Now