BMW has recently announced that the M3 and M4 will be getting a Competition Package, much like the previous generation of M3. The big news with the Comp. Package is the power bump to 444 hp from the stock 425 hp. According to BMW, this allows the M3 and M4 to get from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, making them just one tenth faster than their standard counterparts. This might not sound like much, but the Competition Package offers more than just extra speed, in fact, speed isn’t even the true purpose of the Comp. Package.

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Like with the previous M3, the E90/E92 generation, the Competition Package offers quite a lot more than just added power. Actually the previous Comp. Pack didn’t even add power. This new package, on top of the power bump, offers new adjustable suspension with revised spring and damper rates, lightweight sport seats, larger anti-roll bars, a software refresh for the driving modes and the M Differential, machine-polished forged 20″ wheels and an M sports exhaust. That’s quite a lot of extra kit, especially considering the package’s $5,500 price tag. That’s not bad, considering all you get. So is it worth it?

Well, only time will tell. On paper, it seems like yes, it’s worth it, simply because you get so much stuff with it. But it might turn out that the Competition Package might not be all that great in practice. Former host of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, tested the E92 BMW M3 with its Competition Package and felt that it actually made the car worse. This is because it didn’t actually increase performance figures and that the standard car was just as good of a handler, it wasn’t worth the extra money. Plus, the stiffened suspension, slimmer lightweight seems and larger wheels actually made the ride much more uncomfortable during daily driving. And the whole point of a BMW M3/M4 is to be an excellent daily driver as well as having the capability to munch race tracks. So will this new Competition Package improve on where the previous one failed?

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Well, it does offer more for your money, being that just those wheels, seats and the exhaust are worth more than the $5,500 asking price. Throw in some more power and you’ve got a great deal. So as of right now, without having driven it, we can say that it seems like this new Competition Package is an improvement. The only way that it isn’t and isn’t worth the money is if its stiffer suspension and lighter seats send it too far over the hardcore edge. If it can remain civilized, then this package will be a must have, if only for those wheels and exhaust.