The M4 CSL is built without compromise to be as fast as it’s physically possible within production car limits, and even within those limits it takes things a bit too far compared to most cars. Missing rear seats, track ready suspension setup and rear wheel drive all do their job in making the CSL the second fastest BMW ever made, but they also make it more of a toy instead of a usable every day car. And the fact it’s a limited production model makes it unattainable to most buyers. But the 2025 M4 CS fixes all the CSL’s shortcomings while almost matching its performance. The list of similarities between the two is much longer than it is when compared to the standard M4 and it includes the engine, suspension setup, and styling among other things. And yet what it shares with the standard M4 is what makes it better and that’s a rear bench, plus a standard four wheel drive system which is what makes it just as fast as the CSL in the real world, if not faster. The only downside is that the CS is also more similar to the CSL in terms of pricing than the M4 Competition. Whether or not it’s worth it is what we will discover by the end of this review, but before that, check out the M4s currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The M4, being one of the most publicized BMW models, gets a few more iterations than any other M model. Even so, BMW models rarely have identity crises and the 2025 M4 CS is no different. Sitting at the bottom of the M4 tier list is the driver specification with rear wheel drive and a manual transmission, while the Competition package is the next level with extra power, four wheel drive and an automatic transmission. And while the CSL sits at the top, it’s not exactly a part of the regular models given it’s a limited production run. That’s where the M4 CS steps in as the flagship customers will be able to buy until the generation retires. In other words, it’s made to include every piece of technology BMW has to offer and be the best all rounder in the lineup instead of being built almost exclusively to shave milliseconds off lap times. As such, the CS combines all the best from the CSL and the Competition making it the superior choice overall.
The interior of the 2025 M4 CS is about as close as you can get to a DTM race car in a production car. The entire center console is made out of carbon fiber and just like the CSL, it’s missing the standard armrest with storage. Instead, a small padded patch conveniently positioned behind the shifter is where the driver will be resting his right arm, which would be great if it was a manual. But that’s about where the CS inconvenience ends. The CS gets the latest single screen infotainment setup which looks much more modern than those in the CSL and are much bigger as well, measuring just over 27” combined. That same update also brings fewer buttons on the dashboard giving it a cleaner look. We already mentioned that the rear seats are in their place, but the CS also gets a new bespoke steering wheel which looks like it’s pulled straight from a race car. It features a flat bottom, a position stripe and is finished in alcantara. Another bespoke detail are the carbon fiber shifter pedals and a model specific stitching pattern and graphics on the, now standard, bucket seats.
The 2025 M4 CS loses nothing to the CSL in terms when it comes to the exterior. Starting at the front, the CS gets the same CSL grille without a mesh styled after the M4 DTM. The front bumper is also virtually identical with bigger intakes and more of them, plus an aggressive front splitter. Even the racing stripes over the hood are in the same style with the main difference being found inside the headlights. The recent update brought new vertical daytime running lights which on the CS are yellow instead of white bringing us to the first bespoke exterior detail. Laser tail lights are another difference coming from the 2024 update and they look like nothing else on the market right now. Then of course, there is carbon fiber. The front splitter, side skirts, wing mirrors, rear diffuser and the trunk lip spoiler are all CF. Wheels are shared with the CSL only now they come with a bronze finish as standard while the calipers come in gold, red or blue. Color options are limited but two of them are bespoke to the CS and those are the Riviera Blue Gloss, Frozen Isle of Man Green, while the M Brooklyn Grey and Sapphire Black are available on other models as well.
With the same power output as the CSL and the same XDrive as the M4 Competition, the 2025 M4 CS becomes the fastest accelerating M4 ever. Power comes from the same twin turbocharged inline six as found in the CSL and it pushes 543 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. That’s good for a 0-60 time of just 3.4 seconds making it 0.3 seconds quicker than the CSL and 0.4 seconds quicker than the Competition. That said, a few independent journalists have managed sub three second 0-60 runs which is something a CSL will never even come close to regardless of the conditions. At the same time, the CS weighs 77 lbs less than the Competition at 3,850 lbs total. And while that also means it’s 250 lbs heavier than the CSL, the stiffer suspension and four wheel drive system puts it just four seconds behind it around the Nurburgring. But considering how long the Nurburgring is, we suspect it could be false information so that the CS doesn’t outshine the flagship CSL. That said, the CS does fall short of the CSL’s 191 mph top speed, some 3 mph short.
While the M4 Competition starts at $80,000, putting it just $2,000 above the standard model, the CS entails quite a bigger premium. With a starting price of $124,000, it’s much closer to the CSL than the Competition so there is no denying that the CSL will likely remain almost as exclusive as the CSL. Even so, the CS does bring a ton of improvements over the Competition, but in almost all regards, the CSL subtracts from the CS despite the higher price tag. That makes the 2025 CS the sweet spot for those who want a special M4 and much more reasonable choice compared to the CSL. And since it’s not limited to 1,000 examples, it should depreciate much faster than the CSL so if you are looking to get one, keep an eye out for those that will pop up at Exotic Car Trader in the future.
With all things considered, the 2025 BMW M4 CS isn’t just a watered down CSL or a slightly improved Competition. Essentially, it’s what you would get if you were to strip the CSL of its running gear and put it into the gym. The result is a slightly bulkier car that may not be as nimble, but one that puts all of the engine’s power to the ground, all of the time. That makes it not only faster in real world conditions, but also significantly easier to drive. Add to that the extra seats in the back, the latest update, plus a lower price tag, and the CS becomes much more attractive to most buyers. Lastly, if you are looking to get into a used M4 or any other sports car, consider buying it through Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection, Exotic Car Trader makes the process as safe and as convenient as it gets. The same goes if you sell a car with Exotic Car Trader only in that case you also get a professional photographer at your door.
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