For years, BMW enthusiasts have had a choice when buying an M car: the standard M model or the more powerful Competition variant. However, the luxury automaker is quietly eliminating the Competition trim across its lineup. This shift isn’t just cosmetic—it reflects a significant change in BMW’s strategy, driven by customer preferences and a desire to simplify its performance lineup.
A Shift in Customer Preference
The decision to phase out the Competition trim isn’t arbitrary. BMW M CEO Frank van Meel recently confirmed that the Competition model is becoming obsolete. In an interview with BMW Blog, van Meel explained that customer demand was the driving force behind this change:
“More than 80 percent of our customers went straight for the Competition. So we said, let’s just make that the standard one. You could say that every M model today is a Competition.”
This statement highlights a fundamental shift: what was once an optional upgrade is now the baseline for performance. Buyers no longer need to check a box for the extra power—they get it standard across most M models.
Simplification of the M Lineup
Beyond customer demand, van Meel emphasized that this move would streamline BMW’s M lineup. Moving forward, buyers will have three main options:
- The Base M Model: Standard performance, now including features previously reserved for the Competition, such as enhanced power.
- The CS Trim: Aimed at enthusiasts who want a lighter, track-focused version of the M model.
- The CSL Trim: The pinnacle of the lineup, offering the highest performance and track capabilities.
This simplification allows BMW to focus its resources on refining these three tiers rather than maintaining multiple variants.
Which Models Are Affected?
While the Competition trim is being phased out across most models, it remains available for certain 2026 M cars, including the M3 and M4. For example:
- The M3 Competition (xDrive) boosts horsepower from 473 to 503, while retaining rear-wheel drive.
- The M4 Competition xDrive delivers 523 horsepower.
- The X5 M Competition offers an impressive 617 horsepower.
However, newer models like the M2 and upcoming M5 will not offer a Competition variant for the 2026 model year. This change is expected to extend throughout the entire M lineup in the near future.
Why Does This Matter?
For car enthusiasts, this shift represents a significant change in how performance trims are structured. Gone are the days when buyers needed to pay a premium for Competition models—now, the extra performance is included as standard. This move may also reflect a broader industry trend toward simplifying vehicle options, reducing complexity for consumers.
Conclusion
BMW’s decision to eliminate the Competition trim reflects a deeper understanding of its customers’ preferences. By making the higher-performance version standard and simplifying its lineup, BMW is not only meeting demand but also streamlining its product development. As the automotive landscape evolves, this approach may set a new standard for how manufacturers structure their performance models
