Customer Car Feature - Tom Patterson’s BMW M4 Competition LCI 2017
Are you a car enthusiast looking for inspiration for your own build? Look no further. Tom Patterson's modified M4 is a prime example of what can be achieved with careful planning and expert execution. Discover the secrets behind his success in this customer car interview.
In a world filled with cookie-cutter performance cars, Tom Patterson's BMW M4 Competition LCI is a sight to behold that stands out from the crowd.
What started as a stock performance car has been meticulously transformed into a high-performance masterpiece. With a careful eye for detail and a passion for performance, Tom has transformed this already impressive vehicle into a true powerhouse.
We sat down with Tom to delve deeper into his build, the challenges he faced, the car’s current spec, and his future plans…
Can you describe what inspired you to choose the M4 Competition LCI?
I purchased the M4 back at the start of August 2023, I previously owned a 2018 BMW M140i which I heavily modified to produce just over 500bhp.
After upgrading a long list of parts on the car, I reached a point where the money needed to push it further was more than the benefits I would get from the new parts. When I reached this point I knew that I wanted to go up to the next level of car in the BMW lineup so I set my eyes on getting either an F82 M4 or an F80 M3.
I knew that with the right modifications the handling of the M platform with the potential of the S55 engine would give me the next level of car I was looking for.
Your M4 Competition LCI boasts some impressive modifications. Can you walk us through the key changes you’ve made to the engine and handling, and why you chose those specific upgrades?
The car has had every known point of failure either replaced or upgraded to avoid any issues running over 700bhp, the most crucial of these parts is the crank hub. The S55 has notoriously had an issue since its release where the crank hub can fail resulting in major engine damage. A solution for this is to replace the multi-piece part with a one solid piece part.
The car is fitted with high flow cats and an equal length mid pipe to help the turbos with back pressure and to remove the usual BMW rasp that’s produced by a lot of BMW’s.
The car is fitted with Pure Stage 2+ High Flow turbos, the stock turbos are common to failure at as low as 30,000 miles so the added reliability and power made these a great alternative.
To allow more air into the engine, the car features Project Gamma front mount intakes. These are positioned at the front of the car to draw in as much cold air as possible which is crucial for creating more power.
The car is lowered on a KW HAS kit which allows the ride height to be adjusted (as with a coilover setup) while keeping all the functionality from the OEM shocks. The car has also had the front brakes replaced with those from a G80 M3 to aid with the stopping power needed for a build running this kind of horsepower.
You've made some striking visual enhancements to your M4. Can you tell us about the exterior modifications you've chosen and the overall look you were aiming for?
The car's front lights have been upgraded from the Ikon V1 headlights to the Ikon V2’s - the upgrade really modernises the front profile of the car.
The car also features tints on the rear and on the windscreen. I've done this mainly due to doing the same on my previous car - and I strongly believe it suits the car.
Additionally, the M4 features a number of carbon fibre exterior parts including side skirts, diffuser and spoiler, these produce a more aggressive look compared to the standard car.
I’ve also got a GTS style carbon bonnet currently on order, which should really bring the car together.
Can you talk about the interior upgrades you've made and how they enhance the driving experience?
The car is fitted with an LED steering wheel which can display a large amount of information, most importantly the real time oil and coolant temperatures.
All of the interior trims are factory BMW carbon fibre which I feel really sets the interior apart from a standard M4.
The car is also fitted with a hidden dash-cam which cannot be seen from inside the vehicle but replaced the shroud which surrounds the rear view mirror to provide a perfectly centred viewing angle.
How has modifying your M4 transformed the driving experience compared to the stock car? Can you elaborate on the differences in handling and performance?
The handling of the car is much better now that the car has a lower profile as it features less body roll. The only downside to living in Cornwall is that there are a large amount of speed bumps and potholes which can sometimes be an issue.
The performance of the car is drastically improved with the updated turbos. You can easily shut the valve in the exhaust and cruise around the local town, and when you get to an open track you can really hear the car and enjoy the power it produces with a quick flick of a button.
I am a strong believer that manufacturers really limit their cars to appeal to a wider market, so carrying out modifications like those present on my M4 really help the car to reach a point where it should have been without these limits.
Modifying a car can be challenging. What were some of the obstacles you encountered during your build process, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced myself with the modifications on this car was the front mount intakes. In order to be placed at the front of the car they require a large amount of trimming and manoeuvring through incredibly tight sections of the engine bay.
Building a modified car like yours often involves a mix of DIY work and professional expertise. Can you tell us about the balance between the two in your build process?
The car has both been built with the help of garages and with my own DIY instals.
Parts like the turbos and crank hub were fitted by a BMW specialist.
You've clearly invested in high-quality components for your M4 build. Can you tell us about the brands and parts you’ve chosen, and why you believe they are essential for achieving your desired performance goals?
In my opinion quality over quantity is definitely true, if you want to get the most out of your car you need to fit quality parts.
That is why the car features parts from companies like Pure, KW, OHC; and was tuned by arguably the best BMW tuner in the UK - Tom Wrigley Performance.
You've already made significant modifications to your M4, but it sounds like there's still more to come. Can you share your future plans for the car and what you hope to achieve with the upcoming upgrades?
As mentioned previously - a carbon bonnet is currently being made for the car.
I will also be changing the wheel setup to allow the fitment of larger tyres to aid with grip and handling.
A potential future modification is to fit an OEM GTS rear spoiler/wing - however, this mod is not currently a priority.
To wrap up, can you share your overall experience building and owning a modified M4? What advice would you give to someone looking to embark on a similar project?
I’ve always enjoyed cars from a young age and seeing modified cars for the first time opened my eyes to the possibilities that surround a lot of cars you see on the road every day.
I showcase my car and the modifications I carry out my instagram: @thxmasjp.
Along with the help of friends and the businesses I work with - I’ll be able to push this car even further than my previous builds!
Finally I would like to say thank you to Safely Insured as recently insurance prices have been a big worry for M car owners in the UK including myself but the price for my policy including all these modifications was an incredibly pleasant surprise.
