Manhart’s 611-HP M3 And M4 Are The Gold Standard

The new BMW M3 and M4 have attracted controversy thanks to their bold design direction. Aftermarket tuners are already offering alternative takes on the new M3 and M4 with more power and exterior modifications to try and make the body more fetching, but the results have been mixed. After recently building the ultimate M2 CS, German tuner Manhart has previewed a new tuning package for the M3 Competition and M4 Competition dubbed the MH3 600 and MH4 600 that will be available soon.

At the front, the modified M3 and M4 are fitted with a new front splitter that widens the fascia and a carbon fiber hood, while a rear diffuser and side skirts make the M3 and M4 look even more visually striking.

Both cars are painted in black with Manhart’s signature contrasting gold accents. Lowering springs bring the new M3 and M4 closer to the ground by a few inches. Both cars also ride on custom forged wheels measuring 9×21 inches at the front and 10.5×21-inch at the rear, wrapped in 265/30 and 305/25 rear tires, respectively. Two exhaust systems will also be available with carbon-fiber tailpipe covers.

Under the hood, the new M3 Competition and M4 Competition are powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine generating 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, but Manahrt has massaged the unit to pump out 611 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.

The regular M3 and M4 aren’t being neglected either, as the tuner has boosted the output from 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque to 582 hp. These modifications should improve the M3 and M4’s performance.

For reference, the standard cars will accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds, so the extra muscle should save a few tenths of a second off the sprint time. The best is yet to come, however. Manhart says it’s working on “phase 2” of its tuning program that will take the M3 and M4 “to the next level”, so watch this space. Considering the last Manhart M4 we wrote about was boosted to 708 hp, we’re sure there’s more to come here.