Sport Auto review of the M3 and M4

[M3guy3]

Originally Posted by SlowSaloonM3

agree...i've asked before what these types of comments really mean?

can't they just say, "there is turbo lag" ?

because once a M badge goes on a engine. all things normal goes out the window.

you know BMW markets this car with a no lag engine.

[gmd2003]

Originally Posted by Boss330

The M5 did a 8:05 Supertest time.

I have not read that BMW claimed a 7:55 time anywhere? Do you have a link or source for that claim?

BMW usually don't go public with Nrburgring lap time...

Several M employees mentioned 7:55 was their testing "target" during the early release days , even Berman himself did in one interview . Then the story that a factory driver did do a 7:55 came out in multiple magazines .

[eMvy]

Originally Posted by //M sa

ofcourse, didnt know they were paid by BMW to give it such a good review? e90x m is the king baby and nothing will ever touch it

lol indeed.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by gmd2003

Several M employees mentioned 7:55 was their testing "target" during the early release days , even Berman himself did in one interview . Then the story that a factory driver did do a 7:55 came out in multiple magazines .

I'll try and Google to find more info. Thanks

Sport Auto does two laps of the Nürburgring to set their Supertest time. BMW does hundreds of laps... I wouldn't expect the times to necessarily be the same. Also remember that the Nürburgring Nordschleife has at least three configurations with different lengths, making comparing different lap times somewhat difficult at times. That's the beauty of the Sport Auto times, they are all set on the same piece of the track, same driver and known car spec.

[aajami]

Cool review. I'll be very interested to see what BMW does with the ZCP option after the LCI is introduced for these cars. Pulling these out of my ass based on press reviews of the launch models so far (and what BMW has changed as part of ZCP options in recent M cars):

• Lower and stiffer suspension
• Wider wheels w/ (slightly) more aggressive offset
• Modest power bump w/ improvements to throttle response
• Improvements to steering
• Less intrusive traction control
• Revisions to the exhaust (including getting ready of Active Sound?)
• Edit: Updated telemetry in iDrive including boost?

In addition to the subtle styling cues that the LCI might be bring (LED rear signals, please). It'd also be nice to see further weight reduction, but that's probably going to be reserved for any kind of CSL/GTS/CRT equivalent that BMW introduces for the F8x after the LCI.

[FogCityM3]

Boss 330 thx for the translation! If history is any guide SportAuto time is usually a few seconds slower than factory times. Otherwise, pretty glowing review of the F80.

[1stm3f80]

I don't care if it takes the M3 an hour and 45 minute to make it around the track I'm buying it.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Why should they? Every turbo engine has lag in some sort. Just saying it has lag would be like saying the manual transmission version has a clutch pedal

but the way they word it is something similar to "this manual transmission essentially has no clutch"......what's that supposed to mean?

i'd rather it be more detailed, say, "clutch travel is so short", which is different from "it has a clutch but its basically a DCT"

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by 1stm3f80

I don't care if it takes the M3 an hour and 45 minute to make it around the track I'm buying it.

:

TRUE.

[Powaup]

Originally Posted by BlackCobra08

So the iDrive system tells HP and TP but not boost? That's a bummer, so are most people going to get an aftermarket gauge and mount it somewhere? That's what I had to do on my STi, always made me uncomfortable that the vacuum line has to be cut into.

Would it be impossible to get it coded onto the iDrive?

[4er_Meister]

The coupe is so hot!!!! I want to pay mine off then I'll dive in for another one! Lol ///M4!

[nick3753]

Originally Posted by SlowSaloonM3

:

TRUE.

Limp mode.

[tooch]

That was a refreshing read

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Powaup

Would it be impossible to get it coded onto the iDrive?

No. You can only 'code' what is already a dealer/manufacturer option. All the coding does is unlock the regionally inaccessible features.

[stevehifi]

when is someone going to dyno this car? Also quarter mile would be nice too!

[turbo8765]

Originally Posted by Boss330

The M5 did a 8:05 Supertest time.

I have not read that BMW claimed a 7:55 time anywhere? Do you have a link or source for that claim?

BMW usually don't go public with Nürburgring lap time...

It was mentioned during a press event at the time of release. That is the sole source.

The number then spread like wildfire through all the usual publications. When BMW were asked to confirm the 7:55 they responded that they don't quote Nurburgring times. So we'll never know...

[oneginee]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I believe the E92 M3 GTS achieved a time of 7:48 on PS2 (or perhaps PSS, not sure), right?

That GTS time is lacking. A barely modified E92 M3 can lap 7:36 BTG. Even if you added the 1.5 km from the straight finish which is the fastest part of the track it would still be under 7:50. Bottom line 7:50 is disappointing for an 2014 M car.
And if you asked marketing to write that article they couldn't better sell half truths and sugarcoated compromises. M cars are never bought by the "layman who cannot tell a difference between a V8, V10 and an I6 turbo sound". That is utter nonsense and gives away the agenda of this publication...
And to be serious about NBR times they should compare a used 2011-2012 GT-R which costs about the same as an M4 and ends up way ahead.
That's the current reference, not an M3 CSL time.


BMW M3 E92 - BTG 7:36
The car:
BMW M3 E92 (2010)
KW Clubsport
Michelin Sport Cup 265 on all four wheels
Recaro Profi SPG XL
Custom Exhaust
(No turbocharger, No supercharger, No stroker engine just the OEM E92 M3 S65)

[turbo8765]

Originally Posted by Carl L

CSL was running Cup tires. "CRT" is wrong, the tires were PSS NOT Cup tires for the F80. It's in the article

The cup tires that were on the CSL 12 years ago are likely no faster than the current PSS. I wouldn't be surprised if the latest PSS is actually faster. The LATEST PSS.

Tires have come a long way in the last 12 years.

[turbo8765]

Originally Posted by oneginee

Bottom line 7:50 is disappointing for an 2014 M car.

Agreed… The M5/6 get a pass because they're so damn fast in a straight line. But this is supposed to be the one that handles well.

Seems to me as though it should be at least as fast as this hunk of american iron…

The M3 in mineral gray from Spa was BEAUTIFUL though...

[Never Convicted]

Originally Posted by turbo8765

Agreed… The M5/6 get a pass because they're so damn fast in a straight line. But this is supposed to be the one that handles well.

Seems to me as though it should be at least as fast as this hunk of american iron…

The M3 in mineral gray from Spa was BEAUTIFUL though...

Great point. By the way, how did the E92 do against the C6? Probably killed it, because it's LEGENDARY! Lol

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by oneginee

That GTS time is lacking. A barely modified E92 M3 can lap 7:36 BTG. Even if you added the 1.5 km from the straight finish which is the fastest part of the track it would still be under 7:50. Bottom line 7:50 is disappointing for an 2014 M car.
And if you asked marketing to write that article they couldn't better sell half truths and sugarcoated compromises. M cars are never bought by the "layman who cannot tell a difference between a V8, V10 and an I6 turbo sound". That is utter nonsense and gives away the agenda of this publication...
And to be serious about NBR times they should compare a used 2011-2012 GT-R which costs about the same as an M4 and ends up way ahead.
That's the current reference, not an M3 CSL time.


BMW M3 E92 - BTG 7:36
The car:
BMW M3 E92 (2010)
KW Clubsport
Michelin Sport Cup 265 on all four wheels
Recaro Profi SPG XL
Custom Exhaust
(No turbocharger, No supercharger, No stroker engine just the OEM E92 M3 S65)

BTG to Full lap difference is usually in the 20sec range. This means a ~7:56 full lap for the car you quoted.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by oneginee

That GTS time is lacking. A barely modified E92 M3 can lap 7:36 BTG. Even if you added the 1.5 km from the straight finish which is the fastest part of the track it would still be under 7:50. Bottom line 7:50 is disappointing for an 2014 M car.
And if you asked marketing to write that article they couldn't better sell half truths and sugarcoated compromises. M cars are never bought by the "layman who cannot tell a difference between a V8, V10 and an I6 turbo sound". That is utter nonsense and gives away the agenda of this publication...
And to be serious about NBR times they should compare a used 2011-2012 GT-R which costs about the same as an M4 and ends up way ahead.
That's the current reference, not an M3 CSL time.


BMW M3 E92 - BTG 7:36
The car:
BMW M3 E92 (2010)
KW Clubsport
Michelin Sport Cup 265 on all four wheels
Recaro Profi SPG XL
Custom Exhaust
(No turbocharger, No supercharger, No stroker engine just the OEM E92 M3 S65)

Just so you know…the difference between the Sport Auto lap and the BTG lap is generally 20-25 seconds more. So that 7:36 is really a 7:56-8:01 for the same lap Sport Auto does.

BTG is 19.1 km and Sport Auto lap is 20.6 km.

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Boss 330 thx for the translation! If history is any guide SportAuto time is usually a few seconds slower than factory times. Otherwise, pretty glowing review of the F80.

Sport Auto will likely be 7:55-7:58. So a decent time…would have expected more given the underrated 430 hp and 406 tq.

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

BTG to Full lap difference is usually in the 20sec range. This means a ~7:56 full lap for the car you quoted.

Agreed…20-25 second as BTG is 1.5 km shorter than the sport auto lap.