BMW M4

BMW is treating the three-model 4 Series family – Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe – to its midlife facelift, but while the regular group of models get a modest brush-up of their looks plus some under-the-skin amendments to the chassis dynamics, the M4 Coupe and Convertible range-toppers do not benefit from such mechanical upgrades.

So, the offering remains largely the same, with a manual M4 Coupe costing £58,365, while the M DCT dual-clutch gearbox is a £2,645 option. But, for another £3,000, the Competition Package is still available and this not only improves the M4’s rather spiky nature, it also adds 19hp to the mix.

Therefore, what we’ve driven here – the Coupe DCT Competition Package – is the most expensive hard-topped M4 of the lot at £64,010 basic… until the CS arrives later this year, that is. But, until that turns up, the big question is this: is the 2017 M4 Competition Package any good?

First impressions

The example we tested came finished in black with black alloys, plus the further £3,000 addition of a new option for the M4, the Exterior Carbon Pack comprising front and lower trims, the rear diffuser and the boot lip spoiler (it’s also £3,000 on the M3 Saloon, but just £2,500 on the M4 Convertible, as that doesn’t get the spoiler). The mirror caps in matching carbon, though, are not part of the bundle, relieving a buyer of another £400 in process. Nevertheless, to say this nightshade colour treatment renders the big BMW coupe as ‘mean-looking’ is an understa...