BMW M4 - Sport Auto test ride and interview with Albert Biermann

[tareemaa]

Originally Posted by mpower3330

Anybody else annoyed about the S55 being assembled on the regular production line in Steyr instead of the special engine factory?

I am actually very disappointed by that

[Oliver1]

On the engine:
The S55 will be assembled on the regular production line in Steyr, not in the special engine factory in Munich.

What is to become of the factory in Munich? Will it be used for the engine in the M2?

[IND-Distribution]

I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on one of these cars.

[Judah]

Originally Posted by Boss330

On brakes:
Standard front brakes will be 4 piston callipers and the CF brakes will have a 6 piston calliper.

So does this mean the car will be another, (approx) 40lbs lighter if you opt for the CC brakes ?

3306 - 40 = 3266lbs
OR
176 + 40 = 216lbs lighter than a comparable E92 M3

[///Madness]

Originally Posted by Brosef

it's not so much the redline people are concerned with as it is the torque curve falling off. we know it does fall off (probably starting somewhere around 6,000 RPMs). we know this both from the cartoonish dyno charts BMW provided as well as the torque figure (as an example, if the engine made its claimed peak torque figure, ~370 lb-ft., at 7,000 RPM, the engine would be making 493 hp) .

Yes, but who is to say it isn't making that hp? I remember reading when the current model M5s came out, people were dynoing them out of the box very close to claimed crank hp, which means BMW were probably underrating the hp numbers. It could very well be the case.

[///Madness]

Originally Posted by Thurman Murch

(Snipped)

I have a feeling this car will eat oil and tires too and if driven properly will not see that great of improvement gas mileage. Be absolutley sure you want to get rid of your S65 before doing so.

Or just keep them both

[///Madness]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

And M engine were build until now by the M-GmbH in the Special-Engine-Plant like the BMW racing engines and not on the mass production BMW AG engine plant in Steyr ... perfect analogy to Ferrari vs. Fiat.

As of the watches ... the Breitling watches were made by Breitling on their production plant and not on an mass production plant like ETA - so the analogy seem a very good one!

And as I said before the real M spirit comes from the credo "Rennsporttechnik für die Straße" and the easiest point to show this is the racing inspired engine like S14, S52, S62, S54, S85 and S65. This is gone ... now its an mass produced engine with no racing spirit and produced on the same engine plant like all other regular AG engines.
If you read the SPORTAUTO article between the lines and together with the the follow on E92/S65 article you know that the authors of ths great sportcars may feel the same ... the new M3/M4 would be an great car and "the best M3 ever" but in spite of the engine and not because of the engine... the engine is an real disappointment for many M fans.

And I am of the opinion that an M3/M4 with an lightly modfied S65 would have minimum the same performance like with the S55, but with much more M emotions and M spirit!


Because carbon-ceramic brakes are simply more sensitive, such as when stones fall into the brake ... quickly what is happening on / off the track ... therefore change many Porsche drivers, who are often on track back to steel brakes

Greetings BMW M3 CRT

All history aside: if it handles like a M, accelerates like a M, and generally gives you that same fizzy sensation in your nether regions.. Why care?

I'm sure BMW know what they are doing. Besides, I remember when they decided on a V8 for the E9X M3.. And now look at 'em!

[S65V8]

Can't wait, this car will be epic.

Yea...would I have liked a NA V8 instead? Yes, however, the whole package of how this car performs is more important to me at the end of the day...and if the weight savings + other refinements + power/tq/hp add up to a better M car - isn't that the point?

The big problem (some say) with the new M5, was it became a less communicative M car, softer, heavier by 200kg...Fact is, the new M3/M4 is pointing towards a lighter/more powerful/more communicative car with the driver in every way - how the hell can that be bad? Detractors should re-evaluate how they're judging this car at this point in time. I think the risk of this car being a slouch / disappointment is a long shot.

[gmd2003]

Can't believe they are using taller ratios in DCT on the M3/4 vs the 5/6 .

[scott135i]

Car will be a game changer. The ultimate m3/4. As Always.

[StealYourFace]

I LOVE that he's driving one with a stick.

[Glina]

So the new M4 has 423.9 hp. Not 430

[Mavus]

Can't wait to see pricing and compare it to C7. So far C7 appears to be an amazing value. Z07 is coming ...

[Jockey]

The Corvette has always been an amazing value. I really like the way the C7 looks. I just don't want a Corvette. But it's an amazing car.

Can't wait for the unveiling in January.

[pkimM3r]

damn they even saved weight on the exhaust hangars

[basscadet]

Originally Posted by Jockey

The Corvette has always been an amazing value. I really like the way the C7 looks. I just don't want a Corvette. But it's an amazing car.

Can't wait for the unveiling in January.

If the Corvette had two small seats in the back like the 911 and GT-R I'd be all over it.

Can't put a kid seat in the front!

[Kayani_1]

+1

So one thing that makes a driver more connected to the car and brings confidence on track or off track during hard driving is taken off in a high performance car in name of 3kg saving.

So he is justifying 3kg on car that is loaded with tons of things that are frivolous enough to not only add weight but make you wonder why??

Sir, how about leaving that 3 Kg on the car so we can actually enjoy driving our high performance cars. Do not make an M car into a PS4 simulator in name of the mass of two grocery bags.

If you were that concerned about 3 kg then you guys should have used CF hood, CF trunk, CF bumpers front and rear.

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

the power steering comments are idiotic. please do not insult our intelligence by claiming that a 3kg weight loss is relevant in deciding to go electric over hydraulic. everyone knows it is for fuel economy purposes, and cost saving since its already on the standard 3 series. it is what it is, we will see if they can dial it in effectively


thanks for posting.

[Savory]

2 things bother me. The longer gear ratios compared to the M5/M6 DCT, which are already pretty long, and the fact that the S55 isn't built under M's control. Is M cost cutting, or do they not feel the motor is up to par with their standards? Other than that, reviews could not come any sooner. Let's release these things!

[hyperboost]

It will be one amazing car for sure. Some posters want this car to be 100% perfect, you got to ask yourself, are you willing to pay a lot extra for it ? Probably not

[solstice]

It's an M3, perfection is expected and more assumed. BMW has spoilt us with M3s.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by Savory

2 things bother me. The longer gear ratios compared to the M5/M6 DCT, which are already pretty long, and the fact that the S55 isn't built under M's control. Is M cost cutting, or do they not feel the motor is up to par with their standards? Other than that, reviews could not come any sooner. Let's release these things!

With the S55 having a lot more torque & broader power delivery the longer gear ratios are needed.I had a BMW 850 V12 built for a client many years ago and one of the things we did was to shorten the final drive ratio by about 30% to help wake it up(as if it was needed)and it was a way too much gear as you could not shift it fast enough to keep up with the power delivery.We put the stock diff back in and the car was a delight to drive.The car was much quicker without all the shifting and with having 4000 rpm of usable power delivery it was the proper way to go.I expect the F8x M will work the same as this 850 did and every other modern high performance turbo that I have driven.A 997 TT has tall gearing and works just fine!

[positiveions]

Sounds promising.