If you’re reading this, and you own an M4 CSL, let me be the first to offer my condolences. Your car is about to take a deprecation hit the size of the titanic. There is now the new 2025 BMW M4 CS, and it’s probably better, since it has the same amount of horsepower, the LCI treatment, and offers a cheaper price.
What is the 2025 BMW M4 CS?
Just like the M3 CS, the M4 gets many nice upgrades over the standard M4, including:
- 543 horsepower, up 20 from the regular Competition model (which got a 20 hp bump on its own). Torque remains at 479.
- Unique engine mounts so you can break your spine with each shift.
- The beautiful carbon fiber hood and front lip we’ve seen
- New colors – Frozen Isle of Man Green and Rivera Blue
- 77 pounds lights than the Comp – whatever, hope you enjoy no armrest, suckers
- Titanium rear muffler and an exhaust system eight pounds lighter than a regular M4. You’ll change it anyway, as you should.
- Revised suspension settings and MDM programming
- Wheels get the typical bronze treatment. Carbon ceramics are not standard.
- Can get Michelin Cup R tires, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy replacing every 8 miles.
- MSRP: $124,675 – some $16k less than the CSL.
- Yellow DRLs
Unless I’m missing something, this car blows the CSL out of the water. But I’m sorry, I can’t see spending $135k on an M4.
Can I offer you three alternatives?
A regular BMW M4 Coupe
Yea, just hear me out, okay?
To get all these CS bits bolted to a regular M4 from BMW would cost you what a new CS would be anyway, so in that regard, the car is a decent enough deal. But once you drive it, you’ll be sad because you’re still in an M4, one that can be had for a base price of $79,100. Regardless, any M4 is too quiet, so you’ll at least be adding intakes and exhausts, and then you’ll want to lower it and before you know it…
BONUS: Consider an M2 – it’s the most fun G-based car, and it’s $70k cheaper.
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Right, the number one suspect. You’d be missing the all-wheel drive, but I simply think the car is more fun no matter how you slice it. A fully, fully, fully loaded one out the door is $131,000, and that’s with the automatic.
The car gets to 60 in the same time (pretty much), sounds better, and is more practical.
BONUS: A Corvette Z06. If you want a sports car, get a sports car. Naturally aspirated motors have more fun. But if you must have German…
The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
My problem with 911s not named Turbo or RS is that they sort of blend into traffic, right? You’re used to seeing them.
But with a price point similar to a BMW M4 CS, I can tell you which I’d rather have. Sometimes people use the M3 or M4 as their special weekend car, but I’m not sure I agree. It’s a comfy, roomy, useful sedan (or coupe) – why do you need a back seat for the weekend?
Instead, a 911 like this will give you the smiles you might be looking for, and since the M4 CS has no stick option, you won’t lament the lack of a manual on a 911. It’s all-wheel drive, again nearly as fast, and if not as special for everyone else, will be for you.
BONUS: A used 718 GT4. They stopped production, but grab one used for the most visceral sports car experience there is.
Having said all that, get the car you want once you reach this price point. Logic isn’t really part of the equation of love.
Want MWS to review your car?
If you live in the tri-state area and want me to check it out, send me an email!
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