--- title: "Entry-Level BMW M Cars Will Now Be Competition Models, for Some Reason" date: "2023-09-25" modified: "2023-09-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/entry-level-bmw-m-cars-will-now-be-competition-models-for-some-reason" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "BMW" - "m3" - "sports car" --- # Entry-Level BMW M Cars Will Now Be Competition Models, for Some Reason ![]() *BMW* Even with [new trademark filings ]()hinting at tweaking its naming structure for the better, BMW is now making another odd naming decision with its sports car lineup. During a recent discussion at the i5 launch, [BMW]() M CEO Frank van Meel said that normal M cars are going to be phased out and M Competition cars will become the new normal. For the last decade or so, BMW M has had a similar launch schedule for almost all of its models. First, it'd launch the normal M car—M3, M4, M5, or whatever—and then a year or so later, the M Competition model. The Competition version would look slightly different, have a few extra horses, and maybe have some subtle handling tweaks, but nothing too drastic. Since BMW started regularly making Competition models, they've become far more popular with customers, so BMW is just going to lead with those from now on. BMW M is "not going to split any longer between M and M Competition, it will all be Competition in the future," said van Meel, per *[Car Throttle]()*. ![]() **BMW M3 Competition | BMW** Admittedly, this is just another way to say that M cars are going to get sharper and sportier from the jump. Perhaps some may think that standard M cars have long been too soft, lacking the edge that the brand was always known for. In recent years, you'd need to step up to the M Competition, or even spicier CS and [CSL](), models, to get that same edgy performance. So it's good that entry-level M cars will be sportier right out of the box. It isn't much of a surprise, though. Competition models have become so much more popular that BMW M already stopped selling regular versions of its M SUVs and the M8. The M3 Touring is Competition-only, too. So it's clear that customers aren't as interested in low-fat M cars and BMW is finally realizing it. Either way, van Meel's comments are somewhat confusing, essentially saying that BMW M will drop the normal vehicles and keep the Competition cars, which will become the new regular cars but keep the Competition badge. **Update**: *A BMW USA representative told The Drive that BMW M is forgoing the "Competition" name in future model series but the standard M models will keep the Competition sportiness. So the M Division's model hierarchy will be as follows: BMW M models, M CS models, and M CSL models. That hierarchy won't apply to every single M model but it will be the standard moving forward.* *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()