Randy Pobst hot laps the 2016 BMW M4 GTS for Motor Trend Best Driver's Car 2016

[Bashful]

I already know two track rats upgrading their GTS's to 305/285 from 285/265 and I'm contemplating doing the same for next season....

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Bashful

I already know two track rats upgrading their GTS's to 305/285 from 285/265 and I'm contemplating doing the same for next season....

please do, and report back! seems like many base model M3/M4 owners are also going with those size tires as well as full coilovers so it will be nice to get a better read on the aero, more hp and other chassis adjustments that were made to the GTS

[adc]

Originally Posted by Bashful

I already know two track rats upgrading their GTS's to 305/285 from 285/265 and I'm contemplating doing the same for next season....

Do it.

I'm running 285/305 Nitto NT01 on my M3 and absolutely love them. Big improvement over stock, to the point where I can see how a little extra power might be fun.

Out of curiosity, what wheels and tires are you considering in those sizes?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Anderw

I agree but also have to note the GTS is on cup 2s compared to Pilot super sports , not to take anything away from super sports are great but the tire may have an important role in the lap time improvement

BIG difference in those two tires. Probably 95% of the difference in lap times right there.

[3s-a-charm]

Those up shifts on the GTS sounded great!

[Captain Unknown GT4]

I recal that many of us M3 CSL owners at the time down on Nurburgring went 265 front tire on CSL. Pic of my CSL on rear CSL rims front on 265 cup.

Not to forget is the trade off in vmax when on bigger tires/rims on them fast highspeed tracks. But more importent the mantainance intervall will need more and closer attention. Due to overal enhanced grip levels (wheelbearings and steering relaterade parts will need to keep eye on. In my CSL I blew 2 steering wheel servo pumps(dont know name in english, but the hoose exploded due to to much pressure. Hence car was as we know it not developed with 265 tire up front. Just a thought to consider.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by Anderw

Really? I kind of like the GTS sound , not the best sounding M engine not by a long shot but definitely improved on the s55s regular exhaust note, you have to admit Its very Raw

Lols, ironically, that is one of the places I've heard it(Bimmerfest). It does sound raw and aggressive but for what it represents it just doesn't sound good to me. A GT3 for example produces aural bliss and they are comparable as is the GT350R.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Props to the mustang. Ford is seriously killing it.

[SeanWRT]

Who are we kidding? GT350R is the clear winner from this group, probably the BDC this year.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Who are we kidding? GT350R is the clear winner from this group, probably the BDC this year.

It's the one I'd pick as the winner. GTS is just more desired for it's rarity.

[Bucki14]

I see a lot of people trying to justify a defeat....GT350R and c7 gs are better track cars than this GTS. I'm waiting for the next gen chassis. Also, why do they under tire this bad boy..

[CirrusSR22]

Here's the Camaro SS 1LE going just .12 seconds slower than the M4 GTS. Despite having less power, more weight, a manual transmission, Goodyear tires (they might be excellent?) and costing less than a base 440i. And this isn't even the "fast" Camaro. There's two more of those to come....

[vladberca]

My guess is that untill the release of Z5 M we'll not see a very very fast track bimmer.
The platform for the M4 GTS is too heavy. He can't be that much better with only some "tricks" like tyres, suspension and a little power boost. The price is also in the sky. 😕

[Bashful]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Here's the Camaro SS 1LE going just .12 seconds slower than the M4 GTS. Despite having less power, more weight, a manual transmission, Goodyear tires (they might be excellent?) and costing less than a base 440i. And this isn't even the "fast" Camaro. There's two more of those to come....

For the record, the 1LE went 2 seconds a lap slower at VIR with Car and driver....and the V10 audi was way slower on that test....

But anyways...still irrelevant.... I don't know why anyone here drives a regular M4? you guys need base chevy camaro SS's or mustang GT's don't you know that?

The M4 has been universally shit on by Motor trend for years...suddenly people are piling on the this...yeah I thought it would put down a better lap time...but it did better at VIR and maybe on a different day it will go faster....or slower, who knows? Its definitely in the mix, and the car is sensational....truly special.

Travis Okulski from Road and Track posted on his personal social media a couple days ago:

'The M4 GTS is the tits. A very special thing. It's not easy to drive fast, you have to learn it. And when you get it right, it's So rewarding. Love it'

Combined with 5 stars and monumental praise from EVO, CAR magazine and Liebermans own personal driving impressions.... I'll take the lump of not the greatest lap time on this test... The Car still seems to be regarded as the best bmw built to date.

[CirrusSR22]

^ The Audi R8 V10 destroyed the GT350R, M4 GTS, 1LE around Leguna Seca when driven by Randy Pobst, as it should have.

Car and Driver uses their writing staff to set times and they vary wildly in skill level. Their Audi R8 lap time made no sense.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by vladberca

My guess is that untill the release of Z5 M we'll not see a very very fast track bimmer.
The platform for the M4 GTS is too heavy. He can't be that much better with only some "tricks" like tyres, suspension and a little power boost. The price is also in the sky. ��

Have you checked the weights of the Camaro and Mustang ? Even the Corvette is barely 100lb lighter than the GTS

You picked the wrong excuse

[ilikebmxbikes]

Different tracks will favor certain cars differently in lap times.

Funny that people are making excuses to why the mustang was quicker. The truth is the GTS is double the price of the mustang - no excuses allowed. The GTS is a great car and so is the Mustang, which is a much better deal based on price/performance. Ford and Chevy have really upped their games and are producing some great cars at fair prices.

[The long haul]

Originally Posted by Anderw

True but in terms of these magazines lap times and car of the year debates , as it comes from the factory is what is compared , modifying the package goes both ways , you can modify the gt350r too

I wouldn't doubt m4 gts would over the course of a number of laps or different drivers will out pace the gt350r

If you honestly believe the GTS would out pace the GT350R, I want whatever you're smoking. The denial is strong. The GTS is overrated and that's all there is to it.

[The long haul]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Have you checked the weights of the Camaro and Mustang ? Even the Corvette is barely 100lb lighter than the GTS

You picked the wrong excuse

You keep it real, and I love that.
The GT350R is far heavier yet it gapped the GTS. I'm not a GTS hater whatsoever, I just think the GTS isn't what it could have been. It's WAYYYYY overpriced for the marginal improvement, and the much cheaper corvette and 350R prove that the GTS kool-aid ain't that great.
There's no argument to be had, the proof is clearly right in front of you. All the delusional excuses you can formulate ain't changing shit guys.

[Anderw]

Originally Posted by The long haul

If you honestly believe the GTS would out pace the GT350R, I want whatever you're smoking. The denial is strong. The GTS is overrated and that's all there is to it.

Lol look at the Nurburgring lap time, the GTS out paces the gt350R by over 5 seconds. That's a longer track by about 6 times but it's relative. I wouldn't be surprised lap after lap if the gts ends up on top.

I'm not fanboy in denial , my $135k+ would be spent on a Porsche, or if you want to spend half that a corvette grand sport which is like 99% of the performance you get from a GT3 for less then a loaded cayman

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by The long haul

You keep it real, and I love that.
The GT350R is far heavier yet it gapped the GTS. I'm not a GTS hater whatsoever, I just think the GTS isn't what it could have been. It's WAYYYYY overpriced for the marginal improvement, and the much cheaper corvette and 350R prove that the GTS kool-aid ain't that great.
There's no argument to be had, the proof is clearly right in front of you. All the delusional excuses you can formulate ain't changing shit guys.

But it's not a Mustang or a Corvette, that is enough for many of us. You cannot just compare speed/performance and then call it a day. Fit and finish matter to the folks buying the BMW over the Ford or Chevy.

Having sat in the other two cars that are SOOOO much better, I can tell you that I couldn't live with either of them. The cheap plastic bits, the shitty leather, the Mustang feels 50% cheaper.

And remember, it's like comparing a $40 bottle of wine to an $80 bottle, it's not going to be double as good, of course not. Incremental improvements carry exponential costs in most things. Unless you're just going to use this as a track car, the Mustang and GTS are in different categories and people don't cross shop them.

[BarryB]

The threads on this topic are so entertaining. Can't believe all the hating or "opinions", as they're being called on lap times and cost etc. How many of us could pull those times off in any of the cars tested anyway? My '95 e36 M3 goes faster around MRLS than I could make my M5's go at a fraction of the cost. Does it make it a better car, better deal etc? Or your hot looking GF who is useless in bed or whose taste you can't afford etc. So nothing in life is one dimensional. It's more a personal preference than "mine's bigger than yours". Buy and drive what makes YOU happy then enjoy this entrainment for what it is worth.
Hopefully my car will show up soon so I can spend more time driving/enjoying it than being entertained online.