2016 C&D Lightning Lap Results (M4 GTS and M2 included)

[bradleyland]

I really can't understand why anyone would be surprised that the GT350R is such a strong performer. It's got a 5.2L flat-plane V8 that produces over 500 HP, a fully independent suspension at all corners, and some pretty tricked out kit like carbon-fiber wheels, which reduce unsprung mass. To top it off, the engineers who built it had pretty much free reign to tune it for track use, because Ford didn't need to worry about selling them to boulevard cruisers. It's not like Ford lacks motorsport engineering talent. The GT350 is competing very well in PWC and in IMSA's Continental Tire series in what is basically GT4 trim.

None of this means that anyone should buy one! Buy the car you want. If the style or build quality of the GT350 aren't your bag, then go get yourself an M4. Cars are not single-dimensional, and few cars short of a quarter million can claim top tier performance, build quality, and comfort. That's why we have so many choices, and by do we have choices! Isn't it great?

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

I wonder if the test drivers primed the water tank for the water injection system.
I hear it fills itself up by condensing water from the exhaust, but is it filled from the factory?
Or has that M4 GTS been driving a lot already?

[Leaveit2bevo]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

LOLZ seriously not sure why everyone gets bent out of shape about this stuff, theres always going to be a faster car.... except for the Grand Sport holy shit

[raysspl]

Not bad, not bad

[JoosyJoos]

Does it specify the test date?

VIR was repaved approximately 1 month ago. That will definitely affect the year-over-year comparisons. It was also repaved 2 years ago if I recall but recent accounts have the new pavement as being less grippy. There are a few interviews from the IMSA race mentioning it.

Just food for thought.

Ignoring those inconsistencies:

2016 M4 GTS - 2:52.9
2015 M4 - 3:00.7

2016 M2 - 3:01.9
2014 M235i - 3:07.2

2011 1M - 3:06.6
2008 135i coupe - 3:13.7

2007 Z4 M coupe - 3:11.7

I think the comparisons of similar chassis is the most interesting part. Good news is, they're clearly improving. Also interesting that the non-M to M jump seems to be good for about 5-6 seconds with both the 1 series to 1M and 2 series to M2.

I just wish they ran the full course instead of the grand course so I could compare it to my BMWCCA Club Racing IP car.

[IS+1]

I've been following Lightning Lap for years, and was hoping perhaps unrealistically that the M2 might be the first BMW to crack the 3:00 mark. Then the M4 GTS comes along and crushes the 3:00 mark... ah well

But the fact that the M2 was able to finish within about a second of the regular M4 on such a long track is no small feat. Well done!

[vladberca]

C7 is such a win for Corvette!
Anyone knows the lap time of AMG GT S? Curious about the numbers vs M4 GTS and Ford 350R...

[Powerslide]

Originally Posted by minn19

Different tracks, different driver, conditions etc. The fact that the 1LE Camaro is even in the neighbourhood of the "fastest BMW road car ever" is impressive.

I agree it is a very impressive time for the Camaro - but I still will continue to doubt that it will consistently tie the GTS until I see magazines other than Motor Trend getting ties (so - I'm definitely not taking anything away from the SS 1LE - my comment was instead a dig against Motor Trend - just to be clear).

[admranger]

Thanks for posting this. Any numbers on the E9xM3? Would like to think it is somewhere around the M2 time, but fear it is behind it...thus ending my will to live.

Was the Porsche GT3 on Pilot Sport Cups? When Chris Harris ran the GT3 v the McLaren the McLaren killed it on street tires while the GT3 was on cups! Much tighter circuit than VIR though iirc.

[M3 Adjuster]

[QUOTE=minn19]

Originally Posted by Cruz28/40

GT350 and Camaro SS 1LE are great track cars. Good motors and suspension. Don't look at the price tag because the way the mfg save money is on quality of materials. GT350 owners are already complaining about there being a gap created between the bumper and taillights because the supports are not strong enough. As a previous Mustang GT owner I can tell you the motors are great but build quality and materials is not.

As a current GT350 owner I agree with this. I don't have the bumper issue though and gaps are good so far. It has been easier to overlook because the driving experience is so good. [/qoute]

[RMB]

I am surprised that the Cayman GT4 with only 385 hp can even be close to a M4 GTS - Dual clutch, adjustable suspension, 500 hp. I love BMW and had an M4 and an E92 M3, but I thought the M4 would beat a 911 GT3 RS. I sold the M4 for the GT4, but the GT4 doesn't even have the power of my previous M4. It just seems odd.

[JoosyJoos]

Originally Posted by admranger

Thanks for posting this. Any numbers on the E9xM3? Would like to think it is somewhere around the M2 time, but fear it is behind it...thus ending my will to live.

Was the Porsche GT3 on Pilot Sport Cups? When Chris Harris ran the GT3 v the McLaren the McLaren killed it on street tires while the GT3 was on cups! Much tighter circuit than VIR though iirc.

2009 M3 - 3:05.4

Here's the link:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-more-feature

[Captain Unknown GT4]

Its ca. 6 seconds gap GTS vs GT4 same sport auto driver on long Nurburgring.

Short hockenheim same driver 0.5 sec Gts faster vs gt4(2.6km track)

Factory laps on Nur GTS is 12 seconds faster than GT4 factory. So, its clearly much faster.

Also weight is a factor. My gt4 is 1430kg full fuel no driver, as well full water. My M4 GTS, its 1610kg full fuel no driver(the 2 cars stand on same scale)
My GTS got head up display and softweare extras(you could not load these cars with much, all same more or less, except HUD and conected drive, consiglier service, internet etc)

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by RMB

I am surprised that the Cayman GT4 with only 385 hp can even be close to a M4 GTS - Dual clutch, adjustable suspension, 500 hp. I love BMW and had an M4 and an E92 M3, but I thought the M4 would beat a 911 GT3 RS. I sold the M4 for the GT4, but the GT4 doesn't even have the power of my previous M4. It just seems odd.

It's not all about power.

[RMB]

The above post makes sense about everything not being about power. My goal for driving enjoyment was to go with a GT4 for an analog experience and I will be replacing my daily driver S3 with a TT RS. This will allow for a small, turbocharged 5 cylinder with DSG & AWD for year round daily driver (good traction). The GT4 and the TTRS won't compare to the M4 GTS or the Corvette Grand Sport, but they will be fun to drive and polar opposites in terms of approach to performance. Which as with anyone, buy what you want and most importantly makes you happy. I would love a M4 GTS!!!!

[e92_m3]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

This is THE test I look forward to every year. I still have the last two issues of the Lightning Lap. This is the full VIR course, so it's a very long lap indeed.
Some interesting points:

The Z06 is only 0.4 seconds slower than the Viper and it’s still quicker than the 488GTB! I know that the Dodge test drivers say that most mortals can't get the most out of the car because they don't fully utilize the aero.

Camaro 1LE is VERY close to GT4 for half the price. The M4GTS is definitely quicker than the 1LE due to the long lap (1.9 seconds) for 3X the price! The GT350R is quicker than the M4GTS (1.1 seconds) for half the price.

What bargains the 1LE and GT350R are.

The NSX is a MAJOR letdown in every way. The original NSX was a bare bones drivers car. The new one is overly complex for the sake of being overly complex and it doesn’t result in a car that is very fast around the track.

The old Z/28 is quicker than the M4 GTS and just as quick as the NSX and it is “archaic” in that it has no AWD, no torque vectoring, no electric motors/batteries and has a manual transmission. For the same price, the 570S spanks the NSX. For less than half the price, the Grand Sport spanks it. What is the new Z/28 or ZL1 going to do to the NSX or M4GTS?

Nice to see a Ford Focus RS with HALF the HP of the Hellcat is essentially just as quick LOL! Only thing is, I'm sure the Focus would be able to repeat the lap time over more laps than the Hellcat. Stopping 4500lbs worth of car will get the brakes a bit hot I'm sure.

Loved reading this! It's like a summary and a fun fact segment of the thread.

My next car will be a gt350 for sure. Pre-owned pls... Such bargain supercar!

[GMe90]

Killed by the Mustang. The Americans are currently surpassing the Europeans.

[e92_m3]

Originally Posted by Cruz28/40

GT350 owners are already complaining about there being a gap created between the bumper and taillights because the supports are not strong enough.

Hmm, I missed reading your post. Care to elaborate on this?

Originally Posted by RMB

I am surprised that the Cayman GT4 with only 385 hp can even be close to a M4 GTS - Dual clutch, adjustable suspension, 500 hp. I love BMW and had an M4 and an E92 M3, but I thought the M4 would beat a 911 GT3 RS. I sold the M4 for the GT4, but the GT4 doesn't even have the power of my previous M4. It just seems odd.

That's what you call power to weight ratio my friend...

[SeanWRT]

Was the m2 tested with manual or DCT?

[chris719]

I feel like GM cars always fare better on this test or track than expected and in other tests.

I wish the C7 didn't have so many quality problems.

I am not terribly surprised about the M4 GTS. The previous GTS was not competitive either.

[mzdial]

Originally Posted by JoosyJoos

Does it specify the test date?

I know they were there testing May 30-June 1..

[Jay-K]

that gt350r tho..
...