BMW M4 GTS Car and Driver Lightning Lap Video and Review

[Jason]

Class: LL4
Lap time: 2:52.9
Base price: $134,200
As-tested price: $134,200
493 hp • 3538 lb • 7.2 lb/hp
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
F: 265/35ZR-19 (98Y), R: 285/30ZR-20 (99Y)


BMW sent factory driver Bill Auberlen with us to VIR to “make sure” that the M4 GTS was performing as it should, which in reality meant shredding a set of Michelins. When Auberlen said, “Don’t be afraid of the car,” we couldn’t help wondering why. Should we be nervous? Is the M4 GTS’s water-injected 493-hp inline-six simply too much stink for the Cup 2 tires? Or are the tires undersized for the aerodynamic weight gain of the adjustable wing and splitter? Are the car’s three-way adjustable dampers just too stiff, making the car sketchy over the curbing?

We’re guessing he was attempting to ease any concern we might have for wadding up this bit of BMW unobtainium, only 300 of which are in the U.S., because the answer to each of our above questions is unequivocally “no.” The GTS’s neutral balance flirts with oversteer at high speeds and attempts to fight off understeer in slow ones, which is totally fine because it communicates these behaviors with the kind of clarity audiophiles hope for in their equipment.

Where the base M4’s steering feedback is mostly vague, the GTS’s wheel transmits five-by-five. Sure, we fought to get it turned in on slow corners, and overcooking Hog Pen resulted in us drifting out of the long right-hander with a slip angle that made corner workers duck. But if we kept the GTS under the opposite-lock threshold, it proved to be nearly eight seconds a lap quicker than the car on which it is based, carrying greater speed everywhere in the lap and hitting 151.2 mph on the front straight. We did, however, expect more from the sticky Michelins than 1.03 g’s in Turn 1.

Aside from being faster just about everywhere on the track, the GTS outshines the M4 with far superior stability, averaging nearly 9 mph more in the Climbing Esses than the M4 and 3.1 mph more through the infield section of sector four. The scariest thing about this car is how far down the leader board it falls, but that is less a reflection of the GTS’s performance than of how fierce its competition is this year.

Source: http://www.caranddriver.com/features...p-2016-feature

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

What was the GT3s time?

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by AKRAPOVICOWNS

What was the GT3s time?

2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS was timed at 2:47.0.

Other times:
2016 BMW M2 timed at 3:01.9
2017 Audi R8 V-10 Plus timed at 2:56.1
2017 Chevrolet Camara SS1LE timed at 2:54.8
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 timed at 2:54.0
2016 Shelby Ford Mustang timed at 2:51.8
2017 Acura NSX timed at 2:50.2
2016 McLaren 570S timed at 2:47.4
2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport timed at 2:47.1
2016 Ferrari 488GTB timed at 2:45.1
2016 Dodge Viper ACR timed at 2:44.2

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by AKRAPOVICOWNS

What was the GT3s time?

2:47.

Makes the Shelby GT350S time more impressive at half the price tag same with the Corvette Grand Sport being up there with the GT3.

[Wolverine M3 CS]

Kudos for the mustang impressive competition, BMW has to be wondering how to get back on top. I love my car and I know its way better than the other 2 american companies but, that performance at that price is getting way to sexy

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by wolverine M4

I love my car and I know its way better than the other 2 american companies but, that performance at that price is getting way to sexy

That's what I was thinking. I don't want to start a post war but how do you justify the price/performance? We're talking about two American cars with creature comforts that can be used as a DD vs. a track-spec car at double the price. The primary objective of the M4 GTS is to be a track weapon. I'm not saying it isn't but you have two other cars at half the price closely match or exceeds the lap time of the M4 GTS.

In no way am I criticizing any owners, I'm just curious to what people's opinions/thoughts are that is not "I just love BMW/M4 GTS". I love the GTS for what it is too but compared to other cars, it's hard to really justify the price/performance of the GTS.

[Wolverine M3 CS]

I just saw the video of the Camaro and on the strait he only reached the low 120's maybe its just the amount of rubber, but it can bring speed to those corners.

[SYT_Shadow]

Very impressive times from the Grand Sport, faster than a GT3 and the same time as a GT3 RS!!
Still, you read about them mistaken 3rd for 5th easily so how exactly can this be a track car? You have to get the manual because the auto is a piece of crap, so hello money shifting!!

What makes the GTS so 'track spec' is the markerting. It has a nav, comfortable seats... it isn't that far off a Grand Sport in terms of comfort/DDability

[Nkc]

That's gotta be a big blow to BMW. Your most track capable car (at an extremely premium price tag) posting up mediocre track times. Grow some balls and build something that competes. This is a big embarrassment.

[Wolverine M3 CS]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

That's what I was thinking. I don't want to start a post war but how do you justify the price/performance? We're talking about two American cars with creature comforts that can be used as a DD vs. a track-spec car at double the price. The primary objective of the M4 GTS is to be a track weapon. I'm not saying it isn't but you have two other cars at half the price closely match or exceeds the lap time of the M4 GTS.

In no way am I criticizing any owners, I'm just curious to what people's opinions/thoughts are that is not "I just love BMW/M4 GTS". I love the GTS for what it is too but compared to other cars, it's hard to really justify the price/performance of the GTS.

Hey at least we both did not bought the M4 GTS, I would not be feeling well, I will probably would like my money back, hopefully this competition brings new M's with proper performance....

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Also interesting to note, that the 488GTB it's already below the GT3 RS. Imagine what the speciale or whatever will be called the track version of the GTB will be capable of.

And also on the GTS, how come the M2 get so close, while costing almost 1/3 of the GTS.

As others have pointed out, can't see how the cost/performance of the GTS can be worth at all.

But I do give kudos to BMW M to be able to build a car with that respectable times, based on a mediocre model such as the 4-series. Most other models in that list were born as sportscars to begin with.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by wolverine M4

Hey at least we both did not bought the M4 GTS, I would not be feeling well, I will probably would like my money back, hopefully this competition brings new M's with proper performance....

There's nothing wrong with buying one. Heck, if I had the money I'd probably buy one too despite its mediocre track time because I'm a BMW guy through and through. I just can't explain it from a price/performance perspective. It's not like the GT350R and Grand Sport aren't any fun to drive as per reviews.

[F32Fleet]

I'd like to see times covering 5 laps. I

[quattr0]

M4 steering is mostly vague? Its not like the M4 has "steer-by-wire" from the Infiniti. Oh you mean i dont have to steer the wheels using both hands? What eva C&D. Glad i didnt renew.

[Bashful]

Originally Posted by wolverine M4

Hey at least we both did not bought the M4 GTS, I would not be feeling well, I will probably would like my money back, hopefully this competition brings new M's with proper performance....

What a joke....

Look historically, a car like the corvette in any iteration throughout time puts up numbers that challenge or exceed the very top exotic cars, or the GTR also exceeds most.....

This is irrelevant.....we are not unaware of cars like vetted, Z28's 1LE's, or shelby 350's...they are immaterial to the purchase of the GTS.

Were you not made aware of all the cars that are 'better' than the regular m4 (that it looks like you drive) at a lower price according to a keyboard warrior who thinks they know what they are talking about?

-See what I'm getting at? hint...hint....

The M4 GTS is truly special car that is an absolute livewire to drive, BMW has absolutely not lost its way...the car is exceptional.... unfortunately most people won't get the chance to find out. Some tenths here or there on a given day is irrelevant..... otherwise we should only be buying ACR's at this point...

b/c that car is freaking amazing and faster than everything at this point.

[Billj747]

Is the ACR amazing just because its fast? If so, then the GT350R should be more amazing than the M4 GTS.

[6ixSpd]

Lmao all that crazy technology and it couldn't even trump a simple NA mustang or a Chevy competitor. Wake up, BMW.

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by Nkc

That's gotta be a big blow to BMW. Your most track capable car (at an extremely premium price tag) posting up mediocre track times. Grow some balls and build something that competes. This is a big embarrassment.

Amen! BMW M's glory days are definitely behind them.

[VCP]

Originally Posted by Bashful

What a joke....

Look historically, a car like the corvette in any iteration throughout time puts up numbers that challenge or exceed the very top exotic cars, or the GTR also exceeds most.....

This is irrelevant.....we are not unaware of cars like vetted, Z28's 1LE's, or shelby 350's...they are immaterial to the purchase of the GTS.

Were you not made aware of all the cars that are 'better' than the regular m4 (that it looks like you drive) at a lower price according to a keyboard warrior who thinks they know what they are talking about?

-See what I'm getting at? hint...hint....

The M4 GTS is truly special car that is an absolute livewire to drive, BMW has absolutely not lost its way...the car is exceptional.... unfortunately most people won't get the chance to find out. Some tenths here or there on a given day is irrelevant..... otherwise we should only be buying ACR's at this point...

b/c that car is freaking amazing and faster than everything at this point.

[AW335TT]

488 was only 2 seconds a lap slower than the 918 spyder. Not bad at all considering its not the Scuderia\Speciale of the 488. it was also just over 4 seconds faster than the GTR Nismo.

[Wolverine M3 CS]

Originally Posted by Bashful

What a joke....

Look historically, a car like the corvette in any iteration throughout time puts up numbers that challenge or exceed the very top exotic cars, or the GTR also exceeds most.....

This is irrelevant.....we are not unaware of cars like vetted, Z28's 1LE's, or shelby 350's...they are immaterial to the purchase of the GTS.

Were you not made aware of all the cars that are 'better' than the regular m4 (that it looks like you drive) at a lower price according to a keyboard warrior who thinks they know what they are talking about?

-See what I'm getting at? hint...hint....

The M4 GTS is truly special car that is an absolute livewire to drive, BMW has absolutely not lost its way...the car is exceptional.... unfortunately most people won't get the chance to find out. Some tenths here or there on a given day is irrelevant..... otherwise we should only be buying ACR's at this point...

b/c that car is freaking amazing and faster than everything at this point.

wow man, come down if you can justify spending that much amount of money on what BMW brings as the best out there go for it, I love my M4 with the comp pkg, my point was that if BMW does a GTS product, at least it should keep progression above the benchmark like the other German competitors. Hey we all have our own opinion and spend our money or own way don't hate..

[Ghostriderf80]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

That's what I was thinking. I don't want to start a post war but how do you justify the price/performance? We're talking about two American cars with creature comforts that can be used as a DD vs. a track-spec car at double the price. The primary objective of the M4 GTS is to be a track weapon. I'm not saying it isn't but you have two other cars at half the price closely match or exceeds the lap time of the M4 GTS.

In no way am I criticizing any owners, I'm just curious to what people's opinions/thoughts are that is not "I just love BMW/M4 GTS". I love the GTS for what it is too but compared to other cars, it's hard to really justify the price/performance of the GTS.

Well due to the the price would you just not be better off getting a 911 Turbo?? GT4 is an enthusiast car and a pretty awesome at that. For the money you can get an M4/M3, modified w Ohlins, better wheels and aero and still get the same or better time for far less.

If you are talking a car of $ - 911 Turbo S. Faster, more toque and not much diff then the GT3 RS. You want aero get big wings front and rear.

Just my two cents worth of comments.