Used 2021 BMW M4 for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2021 BMW M4 Trims

The 2021 BMW M4 offers a blend of performance and luxury, with trims catering to both budget-conscious buyers and those seeking top-tier features.

• Starting at $65,487
• Best MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Most Popular: Competition RWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

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Trim Deep Dives

RWD — "Who It's For"

The RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a high-performance coupe without paying for the extra features of the Competition trim.

• Avg. market price: $65,487 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 28 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View RWD listings

Competition RWD — "Who It's For"

The Competition RWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate in luxury and performance without compromise. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $66,257 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 16 city / 23 hwy
• Inventory: 36 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Competition RWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Competition RWD

With 36 active listings, the Competition RWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Competition RWD listings

Best Budget Option — RWD

At $65,487 avg market price — below the lineup median of $65,872 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2021 BMW M4 a good car?

Yes — you rate it 5/5, and the expert rating is 7.5/10. The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

The 2021 BMW M4 is built for drivers who care as much about the experience as the destination. It is fun to drive, it offers a manual transmission, and it pairs that with a powerful engine, which makes it especially appealing if you want an engaging, rewarding coupe rather than a comfort-first daily driver.

The trade-offs are clear: poor ride quality and poor fuel economy. It also has a cramped back seat, so it is less convincing if you need broad everyday practicality.

With 33.9% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 BMW M4 reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2021 BMW M4 is presented as a focused performance car with strong engineering underpinnings, and the expert review emphasizes how well the twin-turbo straight-six and chassis hardware work together. The engine is described as smooth and eager, and the car’s performance hardware is built for hard use.

The review also notes that the manual transmission is easy to manage in traffic, which suggests the car is not overly demanding in normal driving. If you want a performance coupe that still feels manageable day to day, that matters.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that this kind of car may have been driven hard, so condition and maintenance history matter more than mileage alone.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW M4?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should start with a history report and then prioritize a thorough inspection of the brakes, suspension, steering, and any signs of aftermarket modification. Because this is a performance coupe, condition matters more than a quick glance at cosmetics.

Pay close attention to whether the car has the equipment you want, since some features depend on transmission choice and package selection. If you are shopping a used example, make sure the car’s configuration matches how you plan to use it.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes standard and Competition versions. The standard car comes with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, while the Competition adds an eight-speed automatic and extra power. The base car also lacks several driver-assist features that require the Competition’s automatic transmission.
• Powertrain: The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is the core attraction, with 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in standard form. Competition spec raises output to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft.
• Safety package: The Driving Assistance Professional Package on Competition models includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assistance, evasive-steering assistance, active blind-spot protection, and extended traffic-jam assistant technology. Manual-transmission cars lack several driver-assist features that require the automatic transmission.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, connected services, and a Harman Kardon premium surround-sound audio system. The Executive Package adds a WiFi hotspot, wireless smartphone charging, and gesture control.
• Fuel efficiency: The review says the car achieved 20.2 mpg in testing and exceeded the official estimate of 19 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2021 BMW M4 trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW M4 is offered in 2 trim levels: standard and Competition.

Here's the short version:

• Standard: This is the one to choose if you want the manual transmission and the purest enthusiast setup. It comes with rear-wheel drive, the six-speed manual, and the core M hardware that makes the car so engaging. It is the better fit if you value driver involvement over outright convenience.
• Competition: This is the better-value choice if you want more power and are willing to give up the manual for the eight-speed automatic. It adds extra output and unlocks more available driver-assistance technology, so it suits you best if you want the quickest and most feature-rich version.

The manual-transmission car lacks several driver-assist features that require the Competition’s automatic transmission.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW M4?

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, so you should shop carefully and move quickly when you find the right car.

• Deal availability: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 239 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 80.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $63,496.49, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 BMW M4 safe?

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The 2021 BMW M4 offers a useful set of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, speed-limit recognition, front and rear collision-preparation systems, and a post-collision braking system.

BMW also offers the Driving Assistance Professional Package on the Competition model. That package adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assistance, evasive-steering assistance, active blind-spot protection, and extended traffic-jam assistant technology for lower-speed highway commuting.

Crash-test ratings are unavailable for the latest 4 Series lineup, including the M4, so you should lean more heavily on the car’s standard safety equipment and the condition of the specific used example you are considering.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW M4 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers a manual-transmission, driver-focused experience with a powerful engine and standout performance.

Consider the 2022 if:

• The Competition gains xDrive all-wheel drive and a soft-top convertible joins the lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the most engaging version of this generation and value the manual transmission, the 2021 is the one to target. If you are willing to spend more for added traction and a convertible option, the 2022 is the better path; if price matters most, the 2021 remains the smarter buy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.