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I owned an M4cs for three years after owning a regular M4 for four years before that. I was 2.5 seconds faster at my local track with my M4cs than I was with my previous M4 on the same tires. So yes, I can appreciate the improved performance the CS brings over the regular model.
However, just look at the performance stats and track times, the M3cs simply cannot keep up with a TT, let alone a TT-S. The difference is quite substantial. One is a purposefully built sports car while the other is a souped up mainstream sedan. That being said, the M3cs performance is very impressive for what it is, but it is no 911 turbo. They offer different compromises: practicality and cost vs increased performance and driving dynamics.
Here are the Car & Driver lap times at VIR. They're in various years, not sure of the tires, and not pro drivers, but they give some indication of how the cars compare.
M3 CS with PZ4 tires is about the same lap time as the 991.1 GT3, so it should be faster with a tire like Cup 2. M4 CSL is somewhat faster, and pretty close the 991.2 GT3 and 991.2 TTS, and M3 C2 should be similar lap time with a tire like Cup 2.
992 TTS (probably a regular summer tire) is almost as fast the 991.2 3RS and 992 GT3 (probably Cup 2R for both), so on equal tires the 992 TTS should be faster.
So yes, on track the 992 TTS will be much faster than the M3 CS on equal tires, though on the road I suspect that they'll both feel comparably fast and 'too fast' for the road.
Here are the Car & Driver lap times at VIR. They're in various years, not sure of the tires, and not pro drivers, but they give some indication of how the cars compare.
M3 CS with PZ4 tires is about the same lap time as the 991.1 GT3, so it should be faster with a tire like Cup 2. M4 CSL is somewhat faster, and pretty close the 991.2 GT3 and 991.2 TTS, and M3 C2 should be similar lap time with a tire like Cup 2.
992 TTS (probably a regular summer tire) is almost as fast the 991.2 3RS and 992 GT3 (probably Cup 2R for both), so on equal tires the 992 TTS should be faster.
So yes, on track the 992 TTS will be much faster than the M3 CS on equal tires, though on the road I suspect that they'll both feel comparably fast and 'too fast' for the road.
C&D Lighting Laps, as interesting as they are, are not a good point of comparisons.
They are taken on different days, with different weather and ambient conditions, and more importantly different drivers.
More importantly, even ignoring all those variables, a 3 second difference (M3 CS v. 991.2 GT3) is a lifetime on a track like VIR.
C&D Lighting Laps, as interesting as they are, are not a good point of comparisons.
They are taken on different days, with different weather and ambient conditions, and more importantly different drivers.
More importantly, even ignoring all those variables, a 3 second difference (M3 CS v. 991.2 GT3) is a lifetime on a track like VIR.
3 secs isn't a 'lifetime' on a lap of almost 3 minutes. The M3 was on the PZ4 tire (similar to 4S), whereas the 991.2 GT3 was on Cup 2. If you equalize the tires, the difference in lap times would be small. That's impressive for M3 CS, given that it's a sedan and much heavier.
And you have both of these cars and track them I believe I have seen you say?
Good to know, this was my thought too.
Yes, but I got them last year and have limited track experience with them so far. About 1.5 days in the TTS, and about 4 days in the GT3. Tracked both with Cup 2, and while I didn't get any lap times in the TTS, I'm pretty sure it was faster.
Imagine if they tested a Sport Classic vs a GT3 and it came close but was slower, then you added 100hp, AWD, PDK, RWS and charged $100k less........who would be so crazy????
Imagine if they tested a Sport Classic vs a GT3 and it came close but was slower, then you added 100hp, AWD, PDK, RWS and charged $100k less........who would be so crazy????
You and I of are the same opinion on the SC. I kind of chuckle every time I read about it on the GT forum. Guys will do anything for manual I guess?
There is a SC sitting at my local dealer, it looks like one of the managers or someone bought it, drove 500km and now they're trying to sell it for double MSRP, I think about $700k Cdn. I laugh every time I see it sitting there, who would buy that thing??
I'm a big fan of the M3 CS but even more impressed with the M4 CSL...I was hoping they would do a M3 CSL ...I like my M cars RWD . Since the 90's I've always had an M car or at least a BMW next to my Porsche , I find they compliment each other in utility . Had an e36 M3, e46 M3 , E28 M5, E34 M5, E90 M3, F82 M4 and as of last November my G80 M3 Competition RWD.
My first HPDE day with the M3 is this May so looking forward to seeing how I fair with it compared to my 911.1 GT3. Getting a set of Cup2's for the M3 as it needs it but so far it's overall competence is astounding ! 3rd gear is stupendous , so I can only imagine what the M3 CS is capable of.
Years ago , BMW did the E90 M3 CRT which was a lightweight study that went into limited production ....would love to see that in G80 form with the CSL badge. Perhaps with wider F+ R tires .
It seems that there are some engineers out there calling the M3's S58 engine the modern 2Jz due to it's robustness and amazing similarity in architecture , labels the previous gen S55 did not enjoy.
To the OP, if you are thinking of the CS...now is the time to grab one .
Here's my M3 Comp in Brooklyn Grey, Kyalami interior w/ M carbon buckets, which IMHO are superior to the LWBS that were in my Cayman GT4 .
My main issue with the BMW line was seeing the stuff that was underdesigned and underspec'd when I was tracking a LTW E36 (S52 intake, Schrick cams, euro 6 spd and LSD rear end) - rear shock mounts cracking, guibo disintegrating, VANOS solenoid failures, control arm bushing frailty, water pump and coolant neck catastrophic failures - cars marketed as hard core that just would not stand up to track abuse (not as frail as corvettes, mustang and ferraris lol) but just not engineered for extended aggressive driving. Hopefully that's a thing of the past
03-25-2024, 02:50 PM
