BMW M3 Competition Package?
What Comes in the BMW M3’s Competition Package?
There’s little doubt that the 2018 BMW M3 is a top choice among compact sport sedans. Its handling provides the athleticism that enthusiasts crave, and it doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. The M3 is a pleasant companion in all situations, whether you’re crawling through stop-and-go traffic during weekday commutes or carving canyons on the weekends.
Costing $4,750, the M3’s available Competition package improves handling, adding a wealth of performance features that make this thrilling sport sedan even more exciting. Those attributes also carry over to used BMW M3 models that feature the Competition package.
Is the Competition package the right choice for your M3? To find out, we’ll start by taking a look at the performance features that come standard with the M3. Then we’ll examine what the Competition package brings to the table.
Standard M3 Performance Features
BMW’s standard M3 is built to provide rewarding handling. Base models come with the following amenities:
Responsive six-speed manual transmission. Many enthusiasts have a preference for manual transmissions, and the M3 comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.
For those who prefer the convenience of an automatic, the M3 offers an optional dual-clutch transmission that’s also pretty appealing. Referred to as the M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic, this seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox provides quick, track-inspired shifts.
Both transmissions send power to the rear wheels.
Muscular turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. The standard M3 comes with a feisty twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine good for 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. According to BMW, this engine gets the M3 from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds.
Adaptive suspension dampers. All M3 sedans come with BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension, which includes electronically controlled dampers. This setup allows the driver to customize the car’s suspension settings to suit different situations.
When it comes to damper control, three drive modes are offered: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. The Comfort setting is great for weekday commutes, and the Sport and Sport Plus modes firm up the suspension for more agile performance.
Stability control that’s easy to disable. The M3 comes standard with BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), which includes features such as brake fade compensation and brake drying.
Since some drivers may find that this active assistance feature diminishes the car’s performance in certain settings, BMW has made the M3’s DSC easy to disable. By pressing the DSC button and holding it for four seconds, the driver can completely shut off the stability control system for a raw, visceral driving experience.
Active differential. The M3’s standard M Active Differential compensates for the differing rotational speeds of the car’s rear wheels, and it considers more variables than a traditional locking differential. It’s designed to provide improved traction and agility.
Features Added by the M3’s Competition Package
The Competition package gives a big boost to the M3’s performance capabilities. It adds the following features:
Improved horsepower. The Competition package puts more muscle under the hood, bumping horsepower from 425 to 444. This represents an increase of 19 horsepower over that of the standard powerplant. According to BMW, this upgrade shaves one-tenth of a second from the M3’s zero-to-60-mph track time.
Revised settings for the adaptive suspension. With the Competition package, the M3’s Adaptive M Suspension gets new settings in all three drive modes. These settings reflect a keener focus on handling and driving dynamics.
More direct steering ratio. This optional package alters the M3’s steering ratio so it delivers improved responsiveness.
New settings for the car’s stability control and active differential. When optioned with the Competition package, the M3’s DSC and M Active Differential gain new settings for sharper performance.
Larger wheels. The M3’s standard 18-inch wheels are replaced with 20-inch alloy wheels when the Competition package is added.
Black exterior accents. The Competition package brings in high-gloss black exterior accents for the grille, side gill and rear fascia.
Upgraded seats. M Sport seats with unique seatbelts are included.
Bottom Line on the Competition Package
Even as a base model, the M3 sedan is a powerhouse when it comes to handling and performance, standing tall in a segment that includes strong picks such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes AMG C 4.
The Competition package raises the bar, and its addition creates an M3 that’s at the top of its game when it comes to driving dynamics. For those who prefer a coupe or convertible body style, this package also is offered with the BMW M4.
The M3’s list of available features doesn’t end with the Competition package. Standalone options include carbon-ceramic brakes and a heated steering wheel.
BMW’s Competition package is worth considering if you want an M3 that provides the best performance this model can offer. Visit BMW Greensboro
