BMW M3 Competition

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Best New 4-Door Sporty Saloons ($50K–$100K USD)

Long gone are the days when the 2-door coupe had a monopoly on the best performance an automaker had on tap. In modern times, the 4-door saloon has become an increasingly popular platform for companies to showcase their greatest technologies, in a more utilitarian and family-friendly package to boot.

As a matter of fact, today’s market has demanded more versatility from products as consumers look to maximize the overall value of each and every purchase they make—automobiles are no exception.

This shift in philosophy has led to the creation of some incredible performance saloons over the years, and this now-very-competitive space has also fostered plenty of innovation as automakers dedicate significant resources towards the research, production and marketing of their sporty 4-door models.

Let’s also be clear that ‘sporty’ in this context doesn’t translate to some sort of watered-down or muted rendition of a company’s best offerings; rather, these cars are all contemporaries of their respective product line’s flagship models, if not already in that camp themselves.

Here are the Best New 4-Door Sporty Saloons you can purchase today, between $50K–$100K USD.

BMW M3 Competition

Price: $69,900 USD

BMW has refreshed the M3 sedan and M4 coupe for 2021, and the 6th-gen siblings remain as driver-focused as ever. By not caving in to conventional wisdom—and in doing so, honoring the wishes of its enthusiast fanbase—BMW is offering the base versions of the cars with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard.

By all important metrics, the M3/M4 are superior cars to their predecessors in every regard; a bump in power, a better chassis, fresh styling, and more luxuries all coming together in a very formidable looking and high-performing package.

The Competition version of the incoming generation is going to be my pick of the lot. Besides the notable increase in power and torque (503 hp and 479 lb-ft in total) over the regular M3/M4, the Competition models will exclusively have the option of adding xDrive all-wheel drive. BMW has promised that the rear-biased system will offer all of the traction benefits, without any drawbacks on the thrill-o-meter.

Inevitably, the potent power plant was decidedly a better match for the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. While this may not be the purists’ first choice, the Competition models are better equipped for those who find lap times to be the more pressing matter at hand.

Tesla Model 3 Performance

Price: $58,990 USD

The Tesla Model 3 itself is a pretty revolutionary car, offering a currently unrivaled combination of performance, utility, range, and price. While the sub-$50k range restricts us to the Rear-Wheel Drive model (which uses a single electric motor), upgrading to the Long Range ($50,990) and Performance ($58,990) models would only take you just over the $50K mark, so they are certainly worth mentioning as well.

Aside from their dual-motor electric drivetrains offering better performance, these cars offer better range as well. The Long Range and Performance models offer well over 300 miles of range, while the Rear-wheel Drive is good for around 272 miles.

The Performance model would obviously be our pick of the lot, with its 450 hp and all-wheel drive allowing the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in an impressive 3.1 seconds. It also benefits from a more sporty suspension, better better brakes, stickier tires, and a selectable Track Mode.

Kia Stinger GT2

Price: $50,390 USD

While the Kia Stinger hasn’t uprooted the market like some thought it would, it is still one of the most attractive buys in the luxury small car class. It looks impressive, performs well, and is priced about the same as most non-luxury brands’ comparable offerings.

It has been widely praised by the automotive press and generally receives high marks in all categories. That is what you would expect from luxury cars that command luxury prices, but you can get into a Kia Stinger for as low as $33,090.

That’ll get you the peppy 255 hp 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 GT-Line model, but stepping up to the GT, GT1 and GT2 trims will unlock the 3.3L twin-turbocharged V6 engine, which produces 365 hp. This transforms the Stinger from sporty 4-door to athletic sports sedan, with the performance-oriented models also benefiting from a more robust suspension and bigger brakes.

The range-topping GT2 would be our pick of the lot, and it also happens to be the only trim that crests into the $50K range before options.

Porsche Taycan (Base Models)

Price: $79,900 USD (Sedan), $90,900 USD (Cross Turismo)

Porsche’s first EV was the statement car of 2020, proving that a future with electrification can still embody the soul of a true sports car in the Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S.

Shortly after their release, Porsche added a slightly detuned version of the Taycan in a trim level known as the Taycan 4S. The company has since expanded the Taycan sports sedan lineup with even more versions, including a rear-wheel drive base model, with a GTS version just recently unveiled.

With the introduction of the new Cross Turismo range of Porsche Taycan models in 2021, we’ve now entered the second act of the company’s electrification strategy. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo carries over the EV-platform and performance from its sedan counterpart, then amalgamates them with the utilitarianism of a sporty crossover/estate.

What this means is that you can expect the same 800-volt battery architecture powering the car, with 93.4 kWh as the standard fare on all models (certain sedan trims could be had with a smaller 79.2 kWh pack).

Our focus for this list is on the base Taycan models. Our first choice is the RWD Sedan, which features the aforementioned smaller 79.2 kWh battery and is the only rear-wheel drive Taycan model in the range.

The second would be the sub-$100K Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, which costs more than the base Sedan, but does come standard with the 93.4 kWh battery and all-wheel drive (in addition to the crossover body-style).

Mercedes-AMG C 63 / C 63 S Sedan

Price: $68,600 USD (C 63), $76,200 USD (C 63 S)

The C 63-series cars are the first step into “true” AMG territory, being the lowest point of entry in order to get one of those highly-coveted handcrafted AMG engines. The C 63 is the beneficiary of a 4.0L biturbo V8 mated to paddle-shifted multiclutch 9-speed, outputting 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

Standard Adaptive AMG RIDE CONTROL and a limited-slip differential make it quick on its feet. An exquisitely detailed cabin completes that “total package” feeling, which the C 63 provides in spades.

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S is the top model in this range, equipped with the same handcrafted biturbo V8 as the C 63, but now unleashing 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque in this guise. Aggressive style envelops advanced new technologies, and from the cabin, drivers are immersed in innovation and superb build quality.

Both the C 63 and C 63 S are available in coupe, sedan and convertible configurations, meaning that buyers don’t need to fuss over how much (or how little) they can fit in their new AMG car.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Price: $75,250 USD

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s legitimate performance cred starts with its engine, which is upgraded to a 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 with over 500 hp.

It has the handling to match, with substantive upgrades, which allow the Quadrifoglio to negotiate turns on the racetrack or back country roads with aplomb. In fact, everything is turned up a few notches in the sportiness department, with aggressive styling and a fantastic sounding exhaust to boot.

There were several changes in 2020 that also carry over into 2021, including a new driver-focused cockpit and impressive technology including available Level 2 autonomy features and an 8.8 inch touchscreen.

BMW i4 M50 xDrive

Price: $66,895 USD

The BMW i4 M50 xDrive is one of a number of fully electric BMW vehicles set to debut in the short term. The M50 has the distinction of being the very first (and only, for now) BMW EV to part of the M family. With that said, you can be confident that this car will have all of the performance credentials required for it to be a contemporary within this distinguished group of automobiles.

BMW has also claimed range figures of around 250 miles, compared to 300 miles that the more tame and economical i4 eDrive40 (the platform on which the M50 is based) is capable of.

The BMW i4 M50 xDrive is not on public roads yet, but you can certainly order one today. The base price of the M50 is around $4,000 less than the entry-level M3–something to ponder, while we wait for deliveries to begin early in 2022.

December 1, 2021 / Comments Off

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Best of the Current BMW Model Lineup

BMW continues to be a globally trusted brand when it comes to consistently delivering exceptional luxury sports cars.

In their pursuit of being a leader in innovation and design, the Bavarian company is ever-present around the world with production facilities in 15 countries and a massive global sales network. This has enabled them to keep their finger on the pulse of the many markets they participate in, bolstering their commitments to continually improve their products.

Despite their ongoing evolution, the lineup of BMW vehicles remains familiar and recognizable – with the BMW M series of cars continuing to showcase the company’s high-performance offerings. Other cars, such as the BMW Z4 and BMW i8 offer more unique tastes from the brand; respectively bringing to life, the company’s philosophy in roadster and hybrid form.

For 2021, BMW has opted not to unsettle the status quo too much, with virtually all models remaining largely unchanged since 2020. This is with one key exception though, in that a newly designed M3/M4 (also available in Competition trim) has been released this year. The incoming products ushered in the 6th generation of BMW’s most popular performance model.

Like any of the other mainstream car manufacturers today, BMW is hunkering down on being innovative in order to stay relevant. The next generation of BMW vehicles is set to diversify the brand with a number of new performance and all-electric vehicle debutants – such cars are already available for pre-orders, so there will indeed be something for everyone.

Here are the best brand new BMW models you can purchase today.

BMW M3/M4 Competition

BMW has refreshed the M3 sedan and M4 coupe for 2021, and the 6th-gen siblings remain as driver-focused as ever. By not caving in to conventional wisdom – and in doing so, honoring the wishes of its enthusiast fanbase – BMW is offering the base versions of the cars with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. By all important metrics, the M3/M4 are superior cars to their predecessors in every regard; a bump in power, a better chassis, fresh styling, and more luxuries all coming together in a very formidable looking and high-performing package.

The Competition version of the incoming generation is going to be my pick of the lot. Besides the notable increase in power and torque over the regular M3/M4, the Competition models will exclusively have the option of adding xDrive all-wheel drive. BMW has promised that the rear-biased system will offer all of the traction benefits, without any drawbacks on the thrill-o-meter. Inevitably, the potent power plant was decidedly a better match for the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. While this may not be the purists’ first choice, the Competition models are better equipped for those who find lap times to be the more pressing matter at hand.

BMW M2 CS

The BMW M2 CS is the company’s interpretation of the ultimate sport compact car – and it’s a pretty damn good one at that. As a step above the already capable M2 Competition, the CS offers more power and improved performance. Oh, and a manual transmission too. Automotive purists, rejoice! The M2 CS also comes with slightly tweaked looks, and is the smallest super-fast sports car from BMW right now. The car features a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine that makes 444 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque – that’s a bump of 34 additional horsepower over the Competition model.

It looks to be the perfect car for track-junkies who are also purists; the M2 CS has all the attributes to be clipping apexes with aplomb, while providing those perpetually satisfying 3-pedal gear shifts that few cars being produced today are capable of. As a quintessential M car, the M2 Competition still comes with enough practicality to be a great daily driver, too.

BMW i4 M50 xDrive

In the introduction, we mentioned that electrification is the next step towards BMW’s vision for the future; it appears that this future is now upon us, and that this vision is now a reality. The BMW i4 M50 xDrive is one of a number of fully electric BMW vehicles set to debut in the short term. The M50 has the distinction of being the very first (and only, for now) BMW EV to part of the M family. With that said, you can be confident that this car will have all of the performance credentials required for it to be a contemporary within this distinguished group of automobiles.

The easiest comparison that can be made with the sporty sedan is that it offers M3-like performance with an all-electric drivetrain. An 84 kWh battery pack and two electric motors, through which 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque can be produced certainly backs up those claims, while putting it in direct competition with the Porsche Taycan 4S and Audi e-tron GT. BMW has also claimed range figures of around 250 miles, compared to 300 miles that the more tame and economical i4 eDrive40 (the platform on which the M50 is based) is capable of. The BMW i4 M50 xDrive is not on public roads yet, but you can certainly order one today. The base price of the M50 is around $4,000 less than the entry-level M3 – something to ponder, while we wait for deliveries to begin early in 2022.

BMW M5 CS

If you’re in the market for an M5, it’s really a no brainer – for us, anyway – to spend the wee-bit extra to step up to the M5 Competition. Just a touch more powerful, the M5 Competition comes with 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Where you really get your money’s worth is through the stiffer dampers, stiffer anti-roll bars, and a .28” lower ride height. All things considered the M5 Competition is a sharper, stiffer, and an even more performance-oriented version of the M5.

The Competition model gets a new full Merino leather color scheme, a new Track drive mode, and new shock absorbers. These dampers benefit from a recalibrated control system that BMW says should improve ride comfort, especially at high speeds. Still not enough? Well, there also happens to be a new range-topping CS model for the M5 which puts out an additional 10 hp, for a grand total of 627 hp. That’s nothing to write home about, but where the CS truly begins to differentiate itself is on the scales; it’s some 230 lbs less than the Competition model, thanks in large part to a strict diet of carbon fiber.

BMW X5/X6 M

More practical than the M5 sedan, the 2021 BMW X5 M is a beast that can easily handle any family-oriented duties you can throw at it. Ignore anyone that tells you these are “track capable” performance SUVs – even in the optional Competition trim – because nobody spending this kind of money is keen to take it to a track. What they are however, is serious performance, packaged in an luxury SUV body that has coupe-like agility. It might be more of a kid hauler than a weekend warrior, but it’s epic all the same.

Like the X5 M, the 2021 X6 M is available in both regular and Competition trims, and is mechanically identical to its sibling. Both the non-Competition models make 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. When in Competition trim, the SUVs crank out 617 horsepower and the same 553 lb-ft torque. Sound familiar? That’s because they’re equipped with the same engine used in the M5 Competition. Even more epic. Updates for 2021: Mechanically unchanged, with some new standard features such as Android Auto. Previously optional items such as roof rails, night vision, and rear-seat entertainment have been eliminated, however.

September 28, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Manhart MH3 600

It has been 35 years ago that BMW unveiled their M3, based on the E30 series at that time, the first M3 ever is still considered one of the best cars in the world, even today, and prices for this classic from Munich have gone through the roof … today we’re at the 7th M3 series, called the G80, and while the styling, especially at the front, hasn’t been received unanimously positive, the idea behind the car is still strong.

The BMW G80 M3 has become a high-power saloon, today the M3 isn’t a two-door anymore like on the E30, but it comes with four doors (if you want a similar car in a two-door configuration you’ll have to opt for the M4 strangely enough), and just in case a factory standard G80 M3 isn’t enough for you, BMW offers her in ‘Competition’ trim, the 3.0-Liter Biturbo in-line six-cylinder comes with 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque, which isn’t too bad I guess.

But we wouldn’t be taking a look at Manhart’s latest offering if we would take a factory original power output for granted … so by adding the MHtronik powerbox to the M3 Competition engine, the Manhart engine wizards increase the power to a massive 635 hp and no less than 780 Nm of torque … the Manhart MH3 600 will reach it’s electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h in less than 17 seconds, which is four seconds quicker than the factory original M3 Competition.

But with great power must come a great soundtrack, so Manhart fits their in-house stainless steel rear silencer, which retains the valve control system … the thundering sound comes through four 100mm exhaust tips, which depending on the choice of the client, are either ceramic coated or finished in carbon fiber … if you like living in the grey area of the law, you can fit Manhart Race downpipes that delete the catalytic converters or install the Manhart OPF-Delete pipes that have their own 200-cell HJS catalytic converters … but neither are street-legal strictly speaking.

To get that lower to the track look, Manhart has two options for their MH3 600, either a set of H&R lowering springs that bring the car down by 30 mm at the front, and 10 mm at the rear, or you go all-out for a KW Suspensions adjustable coil-over setup that has been specifically tuned for Manhart only by KW, and to complete the ‘lowered’ look you just need to add these amazing looking 21-inch wheels, called the Manhart Concave One, in either gold look or satin black with a gold outer rim, 9×21 inch for the front axle, 10.5×21 inch for the rear axle with 255/30ZR21 and 295/25ZR21 tires respectively.

As an option, you can have a very impressive carbon fiber aero package on the BMW M3 Competition straight from the factory, but Manhart adds a different rear diffuser, also made from clear carbon fiber, and it works perfectly with the larger, 100 mm diameter exhaust tips from the Manhart sport muffler, more Manhart Carbon fiber can be found on the interior where you’ll notice a carbon fiber shell against the back of the seat and the headrest … just to include the motorsport feeling on the inside too.

June 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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