Is the 2021 BMW M4 a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from users and 7.5/10 from our experts. 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, and the data backs that up: it pairs a powerful engine with a manual transmission and a focus on engagement. That makes it especially appealing if you want a performance car that feels rewarding behind the wheel rather than merely quick.

The trade-offs are clear, though. The expert notes call out poor ride quality and poor fuel economy, and the back seat is cramped, so this is not the best choice if you want a relaxed daily driver or regular rear-seat use.

For shoppers who prioritize driving enjoyment over comfort and practicality, that mix makes the M4 a distinctive pick. Good and great deals account for 33.5% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW M4 reliable?

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

The 2021 BMW M4’s reliability story is tied to its focused engineering: the expert notes describe a twin-turbocharged inline-six that is smooth and eager, plus hardware such as structural bracing, track-ready cooling systems, an electrically controlled exhaust, and forged lightweight wheels. That kind of setup suggests a car built to handle hard use, not just casual commuting.

The performance writeup also points to a manual gearbox that is easy to manage in traffic and a chassis that remains composed in everyday driving, which supports the idea that the car can be enjoyable beyond weekend blasts. On the cost side, the expert notes emphasize keeping the price in check by sticking to the basics, which matters because a heavily optioned example can get expensive quickly.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that this is a high-performance coupe that 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 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been modified or driven aggressively. Focus on the brakes, suspension, steering, and overall wear, since performance cars like this can hide hard use better than ordinary coupes. Pay extra attention to how the car feels on the road, because ride quality and drivability are part of the ownership equation here.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The standard M4 comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, while the Competition adds an eight-speed automatic and extra power. The standard car is the more engaging choice if you want the manual, while the Competition is the better fit if you want more output and an automatic.
• Powertrain: The standard model uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Competition raises output to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft, and the engine is described as smooth, eager, and happy to rev.
• Safety package: The Driving Assistance Professional Package on the Competition includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assistance, evasive-steering assistance, active blind-spot protection, and extended traffic-jam assistant. The manual-transmission car lacks several driver-assist features that require the Competition’s automatic transmission.
• Infotainment: You get iDrive 7.0, 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, gesture control, and a head-up display.
• Fuel efficiency: The expert testing loop returned 20.2 mpg, versus an official EPA 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: M4 and M4 Competition.

Here's the short version:

• M4: This is the one to choose if you want the manual transmission and the most involved driving experience. It pairs the twin-turbo inline-six with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, and it keeps the car’s enthusiast-first character intact. If you value engagement over outright convenience, this is the best-value trim.
• M4 Competition: This trim adds more power and an eight-speed automatic, so it suits you if you want the quickest version and are willing to give up the manual. It also unlocks the available Driving Assistance Professional Package, which adds more advanced driver-assistance features.

When it comes to safety equipment, 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, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 233 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 81.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $63,522.07, 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 does not have crash-test ratings available for the latest 4 Series lineup, including the M4, so you should not expect a formal IIHS or NHTSA result for this model year. That makes the standard safety equipment especially important when you shop.

BMW offers the Driving Assistance Professional Package on the M4 Competition, and it 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. The standard M4 test car lacked those features, but it did include 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.

The main caveat is that the manual-transmission car lacks several driver-assist features that require the Competition’s automatic transmission, so safety equipment varies by trim.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers a manual-transmission, performance-first driving experience with a powerful twin-turbo inline-six.

Consider the 2022 if:

• The top-spec M4 Competition gains xDrive all-wheel drive and a soft-top convertible option.

The bottom line: If you want the most engaging version and value the manual transmission, the 2021 is the one to target. If you want the newer year’s added xDrive capability or convertible body style, the 2022 is the better path. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2021 still offers strong enthusiast appeal and a more selective shopping market.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.