We shall leave any subjective comments on the appearance of the new BMW M3 and M4 Coupe to the review pages, but whatever you think of their new big-grille styling, BMW is now offering you the chance to enhance with a selection of new M Performance parts and accessories.
Noisier exhaust
The 510hp Coupe and saloon can now access the full catalogue of BMW M GmbH add-ons, and they start with the M Performance exhaust silencer. The lightweight exhaust system with flap control, developed specifically for M models and based on experience gained from motor racing, weighs around 5kg less than the mass-produced component and also generates a more raucous sound. To finish it off there are four titanium, ceramic-coated tailpipe trims provided.
There's also M Performance sports suspension? Regular M3 or M4 not slammed enough for you? Then allow M Performance to provide you with new springs and dampers than can be adjusted to between 5mm and 20mm lower than standard (10mm is recommended). BMW says that, thus equipped, "the driver benefits from a lower centre of gravity, reduced rolling movement and even higher cornering speeds."
Or you can have M Performance long-distance brake pads. These have been developed, again from motor racing experience, for shorter braking distances and higher heat resistance. They're especially recommended if you're taking your M car on track-days.
Aero flicks and winglets
You can also choose from a whole host of M Performance carbon styling add-ons, from a front splitter, to aero 'flicks' on the front wings, to carbon air breather vents, side skirts, and a rear wing and winglets.
All this is topped by the M Performance carbon rear diffuser combined with the M Performance titanium silencer system and the M Performance titanium tailpipe trim module with ceramic coating and black matt finish.
There's also a 'decor set' - which means stickers, to you and me - that, using adhesive foils for each side in the three BMW M colours blue, red and purple, gives you the full-on Touring Car look.
Option wheels
Then there are optional M Performance wheels. Entry level is the M Performance Y-spoke forged wheel 963M in Frozen Gunmetal Grey with M Performance lettering and mixed tyres, 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. It convinces with its unique geometry and guarantees a high degree of stiffness and low weight as well as reduced air resistance particularly at high speeds. Highlight of the wheel range for the summer is the BMW M Performance cross-spoke forged wheel 1000M in Gold Bronze matt or Jet-Black matt with M Performance lettering. The wheels are available exclusively from M Performance Parts in the sizes 20-inch at the front and 21-inch at the rear.
Those are both summer-spec wheels. If you happen to live somewhere frosty, and need wheels compatible with chains, then you can spec snow chain-capable, 19-inch double spoke complete winter wheel 829M for safe driving on snow and ice. The rim, which is finished in black matt, "is ideal for coping with winter conditions and is particularly easy to clean."
Inside, you can basically go nuts with carbon-fibre and Alcantara suede parts. Door-sill inserts, floor-mats, trim panels, you name it, BMW M Performance can coat it in open-pored matt carbon, or cover it with fake suede.
There's an M Performance steering wheel with an Alcantara rim, for better grip and, says BMW, steering feel, plus a blue centre-marker at the 12-o'clock position. There's also hand-stitched M seam finished in M colours, and the option of carbon shift paddles covered with an open-pored carbon fabric instead of the standard chrome surface.
There are M Performance puddle lamp projectors, an M Performance wallet for the car's key, and even an M Performance indoor car cover. That last one "fits snugly to the car body and emphasises various design features such as the double kidney grille." As we said on the way in, you may have feelings about that...