BMW M3 vs M4
M3 or M4? Side-by-side specifications from the original factory data: engine, power, economy, dimensions and weight.
| Parameter | M3 | M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6-cyl · 3.0L · turbo · Premium Gasoline | 6-cyl · 3.0L · turbo · Premium Gasoline |
| Displacement, cc | 3000 | 3000 |
| Cylinders | 6 | 6 |
| Power, hp | 523 | 473 |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) | Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Parameter | M3 | M4 |
|---|---|---|
| MPG city | 16 | 16 |
| MPG highway | 23 | 23 |
| MPG combined | 19 | 19 |
| CO₂, g/mile | 470 | 472 |
| Parameter | M3 | M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Length, in | 188.6 | 188.6 |
| Width, in | 74.8 | 74.4 |
| Height, in | 56.7 | 54.7 |
| Wheelbase, in | 112.6 | 112.2 |
| Parameter | M3 | M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight, lb | — | 3748 |
Figures based on official manufacturer materials. Actual values may vary by configuration and market.
What the table shows
The two columns are a 2026 M3 and a 2026 M4, taken from the specification cards behind this site rather than from a manufacturer’s press release. The starting version of a shared model year is used on both sides, so the comparison is base against base.
- Power: the M3 is more powerful by 50 hp — 523 against 473, 11% more.
Identical on combined economy (19 mpg) and length (188.6 in) — which is worth as much as the differences when deciding between them.
Both use the same engine: the S58, a 3.0-litre turbocharged six. Whatever separates these two cars, it is not what is under the bonnet. Both drive the rear wheels.
Rows the table leaves blank are figures neither card carries. Torque, acceleration and top speed are not collected by any US government source and appear on this site only where an original factory brochure printed them, so they are missing more often on recent cars than on older ones.