BMW M4 GTS - what are you willing to give up? 3 colors, no rear seat, 100kg reduction

[Longbow64]

BMW will sell thousands of these to all those guys who posted in the pre-production F8x threads saying they wish they could just order a stripper track focused M4. Wait, no they won't and that's a good thing. Those guys are still holding out for the next best thing.

Will the GTS have the LCI cup holder cover. If not, I'm out.

[04RC51]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

Will the GTS have the LCI cup holder cover. If not, I'm out.

Haha! I can't wait to see what everyone bitches about on the GTS when they get them. It will be my new favorite pasttime reading about all the design flaws on yet another new car.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

If they achieve that

Even if they can, will we get it?

Don't forget Scott's comment

will you be ok with US GTS models forgoing something that will be available on European models but not on USA models due to legislation?

[tallshortguy]

Originally Posted by 8600RPM

I wonder if the north American gts will get full engine upgrade? Maybe we won't get that due to emissions crap

Aren't european emissions regulations much tougher than US emissions (including CA).

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Even if they can, will we get it?

Don't forget Scott's comment

When I read that, I figured Laser headlights and maybe roll cage. Nothing that would impact that 220lb weight reduction.

Regardless, a GTS is not for me. I want a 4 seat practical daily driver that I can also track. The standard M4 fits the bill very well while the GTS would be a little too hardcore.

But it would still be fun if they would bring it this side of the Atlantic .

[solstice]

I think roll cage is illegal on street cars in the US out of risk for passengers to hit inflexible objects. Same goes for the GT3, no roll cage in the US. So it's definately not going to be on the US version of the GTS. Could be the same with the bucket seats if they are of an extreme type as Ringmeister listed. In the US they need sensors for airbags etc.

[gearboxtrouble]

Interesting. I'm guessing rear seats, CFRP body panels, chassis elements and really thin glass make up some of the loss. The rest would be "luxury" items like leather, infotainment, radio etc. A 100 kg weight loss would take it to ~3300 lbs. That's very impressive for a 500 hp car. With Pilot Sport Cup tires and large wings, performance should be blistering. Its nice to have this as BMW's halo car. Its not for me (no way I'd dd something like that) but I can see the attraction. Car magazine test drove the MotoGP pace car and they seem to like it. There are a lot of other details including UK pricing and numbers (nearly 100k GBP and 750 worldwide).

Link

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

When I read that, I figured Laser headlights and maybe roll cage. Nothing that would impact that 220lb weight reduction.

Regardless, a GTS is not for me. I want a 4 seat practical daily driver that I can also track. The standard M4 fits the bill very well while the GTS would be a little too hardcore.

But it would still be fun if they would bring it this side of the Atlantic .

I was thinking some fixed back racing shells with no side airbags, thinner glass and lighter bumper reinforcements might not make the trip over too

Agreed, not for me either, I don't have the $ for a $100k car to be my track beater

but would like to see the lightweight parts be widely available to retrofit onto M3/M4

[aajami]

SCOTT26 Can you let us know if BMW is planning on developing an F80 M3 CRT?

[tlp]

Since the current M3/M4 does nothing for me in its present state I would more than welcome a track focused variant that echoes the e36 M3 GT, e46 M3 CSL and the E92M3 GTS in the states for the first time. I hope they don't take a page from the Porsche playbook by charging more for less. The promise of an outstanding M4 GTS or M2 is the only thing thing that could keep me from buying a GT3 or GT4 these days.

[N & M]

For the sort of premium that will be asked, there is far too much compromised.

Today I can have all the speed this car would potentially give without taking out the basic items it deletes and be able to specify it with a choice o colors and do with out the suspended bar counter on hinges on truck lid.

I love BMWs and Ms most, but sometimes I feel they have lost the plot.

This car needs to be super extreme to justify its existence because for the money it will like ask for, there are some great choices with all the toys and colors the heart desires.

[fuddman]

Here is a review of the car: hope it's not a repost
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev...r-2015-review/

From another source, (http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/06/01/ru...and-roll-cage/) the roll cage is available to the European car but not the car going to the US. From the same source, total of 750 to be made and (for rough estimate in US dollars) will cost 100,000 British pounds. Supposedly the car is back into the US dealer ordering system - sans prices.

[Tyrolean]

Originally Posted by aajami

SCOTT26 Can you let us know if BMW is planning on developing an F80 M3 CRT?

Nope, they dont, there is already enough Carbon on the standard model and they focus on their GTS version (sadly they dont name it CSL)...

[Warranty P]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Neah, too timid.

How about all of the above, plus:
- no AC (saves weight)
- no sound deadening of any kind (saves weight)
- no interior trim of any kind, other than LCD racing instrument cluster (saves weight)
- no extraneous seats other driver CF shell, fully bolted to the roll cage (saves weight)
- oh, make the roll cage a stiffening part of the chassis, tied into all four strut towers (more rigidity)
- yes, integrated HANS and 5-point harness
- no ABS (for sissies)
-

Neither myself, nor anyone else on this board will buy the above car, but I sure sound bad ass asking for one !



a

Exactly this, people here are asking for these off the wall things that almost no car maker offers...and in the end there will be maybe one or two owners of this car on the board here. It will be just too expensive for what it is just like E92 GTS version.

For me it kind of defeats the dual purpose of the car. If I wanted a dedicated track toy I would simply look at Cayman GT4 or C7 ZO6.

[acey81]

Don't think I would give up my Cayman GT4 for it at the moment, but let's wait and see!

[Falafel Combo]

1. I most likely can not afford this car

2. It's not practical for my everyday needs

3. I hate coupes

4. I have never loved my M3 as much as I do now! The M4 GTS is such a nice reminder of how the f80 M3 is such an AMAZING balance of everyday practicality and balls out performance!


The M4 GTS will be phenomenal but it's just not for me, in the same way most purpose-built track cars are not!


BUT I STILL CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT THIS AUGUST!!!

[///MTUNED]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

You can have your beverage in three flavours as long as you don't mind them "Frozen". Any additional flavours I am afraid you will have to "Let it go..."

Send them over to us in Frozen Red, White and Blue... GOD Bless America AND NO PLACE ELSE!!!

[marcva]

One compromise might be a rollbar with optional cage extensions. I know many people that put bars in the back of their street cars to allow them to use harnesses on track days. It provides a track car that is legal to drive to the track

Remove creature comforts, but consider leaving AC available for reasons listed above. people that drive their cars to the track want to be comfortable getting there, and much of the US is fairly uncomfortable in the summer. There is a weight penalty, but there is a segment of track driving owner that doesn't own a full trailer to get their car to the track.

Other than that, minimize creature comforts...fixed back, lightweight seats. Whatever you need to do to get the weight down. Stereo omit, though it might be interesting to include spaces for users to supply bluetooth speakers for those drives to track and wanting something to listen to en route. Wouldn't add any weight to the car. possibly a low draw power lead.

I'd think very few basic colors, though owners that want special can paint their cars for a fee.

OLED tail lights? seriously? Maybe laser headlights for enduro racers that might run at night. but I suspect most of these cars will be daytime driven only.

[icenbp]

Personally I am very interested in this car. I am just hoping it is worth the build up.

[Brosef]

there isn't enough to get excited about with the GTS. it betrays the M philosophy of making everyday cars fast and fun to drive and will be trying to compete with a GT3, which will be a bloodbath just like the last one. it will be a great car, but not for its price point and competitive set.

I'm more interested in the competition package or even a few extra decent colors.

[marcva]

I'm sure BMW has market data for the number of drivers school participants versus club racers vs SCCA racers up through the pro ranks. Those will drive different segment sizes that will have their own requirements. Size those segments, then question those participants about their wants. Also go to representative events and observe the current level of car specialization.

As a long time BMWCCA instructor, I see a typical level of track preparation across the ~170 cars that come to a typical school weekend. Others who race see different levels of prep in the cars in the paddock on those days.

Finally consider what Porsche has done with the GT3 in terms of balancing streetability with track focus. I bet they've done some market research on their own and plagariz...er, fast following on the feature sets isn't a bad place to start.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by Diver

Three colors is enough. You can only use one at a time.

Maybe. Then again, maybe not