Head to head: BMW M4 Competition and Alpina B4S
High-performance versions of executive BMWs have been popular with the white collar set for decades. While the ionic M3 – and its two-door M4 cousin – enjoy a strong following in Australia and beyond, the original M-Division machines were beaten to the punch by German tuning specialists Alpina. Recognised in its homeland as a bespoke manufacturer, Alpina started fine-tuning BMW machines in the 1960s before arriving locally with an official presence in 2016.
Value
BMW: The M4 Coupe comes in a few flavours, including the stripped-down M4 Pure, range-topping M4 CS and mid-level M4 Competition. Priced from $154,900 plus on-road costs, the latter arguably represents the sweet spot within its local range.
Standard kit for the M4 Competition includes 20-inch wheels with sports suspension, a carbon fibre roof, unique bodywork compared to the regular 4-Series, a driver assistance pack including 360 degree camera, lane departure warning and city emergency braking systems, front and rear parking sensors and more. BMW supports the M4 with a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and condition-based servicing which can be arranged when you buy the car.
Alpina: While the M4 is a separate model within the BMW range, the Alpina draws heavily from BMW’s 440i coupe – a fully-loaded luxury model positioned underneath the M4. As such, it features much of the same gear you will find in a top-end 4-Series, including leather trim, driver aids, sat nav and climate control, along with Alpina-specific extras such as 20-inch alloys and subtly reworked bumpers.
Not exactly cheap at $149,900 plus on-road costs, the Alpina’s main changes lie under the bonnet – but we’ll get to that in a moment. Unfortunately, the boosted engine brings a shorter-than-usual warranty limited to just two years.
Winner: BMW
Inside
BMW: The M4 feels thoroughly modern on the inside, where black Merino leather meets dark carbon fibre trim, a head up display system, sophisticated infotainment screen and 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. Sharp-looking sports seats for the competition variant feature cut-out sections to save weight, missing out on adjustable lumbar support as a trade-off.
The M4’s chubby steering wheel features three-tone stitching in the performance brand’s traditional colours, along with sharp-looking shift paddles and clever “M1” and “M2” buttons allowing access to customisable settings for the driveline, steering, suspension and stability control. BMW’s performance hero has a spot-on driving position allowing you to drop the driver’s seat deep within its body, adding to its sense of purpose when behind the wheel.
Alpina: The Alpina is a throwback to the 1980s by comparison, blending white leather and glossy wood veneers in place of the M4’s brooding, technical approach. Green and blue stitching divided into the steering wheel’s upper and lower hemispheres looks a little odd, though unique blue instrument gauges and an individual build plaque contribute to a sense of occasion.
More comfortable than the M4, the Alpina’s cabin features a conventional BMW transmission selector (as opposed to the M4’s compact alternative) while dropping shift paddles in favour of small rubber buttons behind the steering wheel spokes. Featuring much of the same technology as the M4 in a better-finished, retro-inspired cabin, the Alpina’s interior is a pleasant place to be.
Winner: Alpina
Under the bonnet
BMW: The M4 is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine capable of producing 331kW of power and 550Nm of torque. Driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, BMW claims its coupe can hit 100km/h in four seconds flat, offering 8.8L/100km fuel economy in regular running.
There’s a metallic rasp to the M4’s exhaust, which sounds focused and purposeful on the road. Edgy by nature, the heavy-hitting M4 lacks the linear power delivery of some rivals, which can make it an exciting proposition – for better and for worse. That sharpness carries through to the M4’s dual-clutch transmission, which is capable of much more rapid shifts than what you can elicit from the Alpina’s conventional eight-speed auto.
Alpina: The B4S’ luxury focus flows from the cabin to its powertrain, where a deliciously creamy engine resides. Alpina engineers reworked BMW’s lauded 3.0-litre single turbo inline six as found in the 440i and other models, introducing a unique block and sequential twin-turbo arrangement as well as beefed-up cooling hardware and reprogrammed software for the motor and smooth-shifting auto.
The result is a powerplant capable of hitting 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, using 7.1L/100km to produce 324kW of power and an enormous 660Nm of torque. If the M4 is a greyhound straining at the gates, the Alpina feels more like a wolf stalking its prey – less frantic, but just as deadly, particularly over long distances. The blue machine also sounds better thanks to a dedicated sports exhaust with a deeper, richer note backed by the occasional woof and whistle from hard-working turbochargers.
Winner: Alpina
On the road
BMW: If you’re getting a sense that the M4 is the sharper of this pair, you’re right. Firmer suspension, stiff bushings and what feels like more aggressive suspension geometry results in a machine imbued with real purpose. Crisp on turn-in, the M4 feels ready to take on racetracks and backroads with precision not found in its rebranded cousin.
Those “M” buttons on the steering wheel are brilliant, encouraging you to make the most of myriad settings for its hardware in an easily accessible form. No doubt the pick of this pair for red-blooded enthusiasts driven by thrills, the M4’s appeal softens on longer routes or within the chore of inner-city commuting.
Alpina: Relaxed and effortless by nature, the Alpina’s appeal does not lie in lap times or G-forces. Instead, this machine brings effortless punch in a refined package arguably truer to many of the classic M3 and M5 models offered by BMW’s M Division.
A more comfortable ride than the M4 combines with reduced noise and plush seats to make this the pick for road trips. Naturally, that less-focused approach results in compromise when pushing harder, and a little less composure if exploring the depths of its ability.
Winner: BMW
X-Factor
BMW: The Competition pack brings more power than the standard M4, along with firmer suspension, sports seats, 20-inch wheels in a star-spoke design, and blacked-out treatment for the badges, grilles and exhaust. Immediately recognisable as a distinct model thanks to its flared wheelarches and purposeful-looking bonnet, the M4 brings instant street cred and a feel-good factor aligned with a model boasting enviable performance lineage.
Alpina: The Alpina doesn’t benefit from widespread advertising campaigns to inform you of its place in the BMW family. Many people won’t know what it is, perhaps dismissing the intriguing coupe as a garden-variety BMW with big wheels and gaudy stickers.
But it’s so much more than that. Rarer and arguably more exotic than the M4, Alpina’s B4S should be recognised by discerning enthusiasts as a potent machine with enviable heritage.
Winner: Alpina
Conclusion: The $150,000 question is has an easy default answer – buy the M4 if you want the fastest, sharpest handling and toughest-looking BMW coupe for this money. But the Alpina’s gran turismo qualities should not be dismissed without consideration, as the coupe’s classic blend of comfort and seamless torque lend unique character.
Winner: BMW
2018 BMW M4 price and specifications
Price: From $154,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol
Power: 331kW at 7000rpm
Torque: 550Nm at 1850-5500rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 8.8L/100km
2018 Alpina B4S price and specifications
Price: From $149,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol
Power: 324kW at 5500-6250rpm
Torque: 660Nm at 3000-4500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 7.1L/100km
Photos: Lachlan Hinton