Why do reviewers take issue with the M3/M4 CS MSRP?

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by cntzl

Why are we adding parts on top of a $86K build? It's ridiculous lol. If I'll already get the tune, wheels etc later on to match CS, why should I waste money on Comp Package? Most people want the power and other software related changes of CS such as diff, DSC, EDC etc. Power can be obtained for $600 and all other coding can be done for free as they are pretty straight forward. And no, you don't need a $86k car to achieve the end goal. A base $69k (with DCT) will do it just fine. Also, maybe most importantly, there no incentives available for CS and most dealer's aren't offering any discounts either. However, you can easily buy a base M3 below invoice before any incentives (and there are $4K worth of incentive available now). In other words, the price difference between a base M3 and a CS is in fact much more than it's on paper.

I'm not saying the CS isn't "worth it", but, I totally agree with you.

Many of us don't want all that fluff and thus would not have ordered our cars that way in the first place.

My ZCP is almost a perfect car out of the box. Honestly the only thing I would change, if I could, is to have a little less WOT lag and a little more rip near redline, aka: the CS powerband. Give me that on my otherwise stock ZCP and it would be perfect. It needs zero changes/improvements in the handling department. The thing is an animal on canyon runs.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

I was dropping my car off this morning for its 1200 mile run in service and they an M3CS (this was frozen blue).

I gotta say that a ZCP with the tinted 666s is a much more dramatic/striking vehicle, and, the M3CS' hood is not flattering to the lines of the car. It's very tall and bulky and gives the car a nose-heavy look, taking away from its natural elegance. Also, while the CS wheels are obviously the better performance option, they simply fade away in real life.

My entire post is purely superficial, I admit, but to me, the ZCP w/tinted 666s is by a country mile the most "striking" looking package. The CS looks the business but is less dramatic in the flesh. The frozen blue paint was hideous but that's not the CS' fault.

Edit - both CS' has PS4S tires, for reference. My ZCP came with PSS'.

That is why it is great to have so many options. As I still can't stand the look (or weight) of the 666 no matter the color. We've talked about it before, but I love the hood and think it gives the car more character/presence. The 763s do disappear depending on the color (especially mine black/black), but it is one of my all time favorite designs. Last, I love frozen colors of any kind, but I'll never get one unless it is a wrap.

It is good to have variety and choices.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by minn19

That is why it is great to have so many options. As I still can't stand the look (or weight) of the 666 no matter the color. We've talked about it before, but I love the hood and think it gives the car more character/presence. The 763s do disappear depending on the color (especially mine black/black), but it is one of my all time favorite designs. Last, I love frozen colors of any kind, but I'll never get one unless it is a wrap.

It is good to have variety and choices.

Oh, don't get me wrong, the 763s are very good looking wheels. Very svelte and athletic. They just need to be full gloss black or better yet, a bright titanium to really see them.

Haha, yeah, I've never like the "primer" looking frozen colors. Looks like the car is getting prepped for the paint booth.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

Oh, don't get me wrong, the 763s are very good looking wheels. Very svelte and athletic. They just need to be full gloss black or better yet, a bright titanium to really see them.

Haha, yeah, I've never like the "primer" looking frozen colors. Looks like the car is getting prepped for the paint booth.

Next year I'm thinking of getting my 763s sprayed a different color. Leading candidate is satin bronze to go with the BSM, but I really like the dark tinted brushed clear look with it as well.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by minn19

Next year I'm thinking of getting my 763s sprayed a different color. Leading candidate is satin bronze to go with the BSM, but I really like the dark tinted brushed clear look with it as well.

The third option sounds lovely. Understated but with some "high end pop". This is exactly what the tinted 666s are - a clear coated, dark tinted face with gloss black low lights. Unbelievably gorgeous finish in the flesh (putting the wheel design aside). The two-tone look would be tough on the 763s since very dainty spokes, but the tinted clear/titanium look would be TITS. Then I might like the hood, haha.

The first sounds very 'yesterday'. I think satin anything is an outdated trend. Car parts should be shiny save for certain trim pieces. You spent a 100k on that thing.... give it some pop!

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Throttleblip

Related video/review from someone who owns an M2 and has driven the civic and ZCP M3's. And, this M4CS being reviewed doesn't have the cup2 tires.

His comments especially from min 13:50 to the end of the video are most revealing.

Much much better than the previous review (except for blasting through residential areas and it could’ve been edited shorter). But, definitely more substance and he definitely knew his BMWs.

[Throttleblip]

Originally Posted by minn19

Much much better than the previous review (except for blasting through residential areas and it could’ve been edited shorter). But, definitely more substance and he definitely knew his BMWs.

Yeah the last one was not great although any video of the CS helps me with the waiting game haha

[EricSMG]

Yep, killer video. Most comments are centered around the motor, which sounds great to me as the I feel that the motor has the most room for improvement. It sounds responsive and in your face = awesome. The base/ZCP tune can be laggy and surge-y at times.

Now the question is can I add the CS tune with 91 octane?

[Racer20]

Originally Posted by mpizutti

I just do not understand why people keep saying just get a base M3 for 65,000 and you can build the CS. (this is in the US) If you build your car on the BMW website as close to the CS spec your are at about 86,000 so now lets add some parts. these prices are give or take a few dollars..but you can do your homework by just searching so websites

Hood with paint $5600
Rear spoiler $1100
Rear Diffuser $1100
Front Spliter $1200
Steering wheel $950
BMW Console $3200
Rims (no tires) $4000
custom paint $5000

so about $17,000 with out paint total $103,000

add paint $108,000

And this does not include new ECU tune..Diff Tune..Suspension up grades

Just my thoughts

Because most people don't value all of those parts. For example, I could care less about the interior and body changes, so to me, building a CS means getting the suspension parts, coding the CS EDC and using BM3 to flash the OEM CS engine tune. $3200 for a center console? I mean technically that's part of "building a CS" but really, who cares about that? You absolutely can get 80% of the CA driving experience for less than 5k.

[mpizutti]

Originally Posted by Racer20

Because most people don't value all of those parts. For example, I could care less about the interior and body changes, so to me, building a CS means getting the suspension parts, coding the CS EDC and using BM3 to flash the OEM CS engine tune. $3200 for a center console? I mean technically that's part of "building a CS" but really, who cares about that? You absolutely can get 80% of the CA driving experience for less than 5k.

I get it...but then you are not building a CS..you are just making mods to an M3.
I am not trying to justify the price..just saying that I think people think it's over priced..but really it's not that bad with everything added..just like adding the comp pack on the base M3 for 5000..

[Colinv6]

Originally Posted by Racer20

Because most people don't value all of those parts. For example, I could care less about the interior and body changes, so to me, building a CS means getting the suspension parts, coding the CS EDC and using BM3 to flash the OEM CS engine tune. $3200 for a center console? I mean technically that's part of "building a CS" but really, who cares about that? You absolutely can get 80% of the CA driving experience for less than 5k.

By “most people” I assume you mean “you” as for me personally, the CS is a package, you pay a premium and the details such as closing the door with a strap add to the occasion over the normal F8x, it’s something different, details make the package, anyone can alter suspension but as someone else said, it’s just a modified M3.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Colinv6

By “most people” I assume you mean “you” as for me personally, the CS is a package, you pay a premium and the details such as closing the door with a strap add to the occasion over the normal F8x, it’s something different, details make the package, anyone can alter suspension but as someone else said, it’s just a modified M3.

I'm of the same point of view as racer20.

I'd take the modded m3 without cosmetic parts as well

[Ak31rr]

Originally Posted by minn19

I don't want to keep this back and forth going and I do see your point, but a couple of things.

My car's MSRP (18 M3 ZCP) was just over 91k and has everthing, but full leather and DCT for options. But, it did come with a bunch of M Performance packages etc.

It came with the M Performance spoiler so instead of getting that one could just get the CS one. Front CF/CFRP splitter/insets instead of the CF one. Mine also came with the 763/Cup 2 set and I negotiated them throwing in the 437 19 inch set for them taking the 666 set for a $1000 credit. A different story there if anybody is interested. My car also has MPE with CF tips.

Just for understanding sake. I got my car for just over 78k with a lot of goodies and an extra set of wheels/tires. This is from somebody like my perspective and only my opinion/not knocking the CS.

My breakdown is as follows.

Console/steering wheel, individual color (but, there are some available for $0 at the end of the M3 run) I don't care for the CS ones so $0. I don't like alcantara so that is the reason for not caring for the steering wheel/interior. It was one of the first mods I did on my GT350 was to get rid of the thing alcantara steering wheel.

Switch splitter/insert assemblies for the CS one. Pretty close to a wash so again $0.

CS spoiler is about $500 more.

The hood is absolutely cool and $5600 sounds right.

The power bump would be nice, but it isn't that big of a deal to me.

So a quick summary, I got my car the way I want with MPE/CF tips, some other CF goodies and both 763/Cup 2 set plus the 437 19s for a bit over 78k.
If I add the CS hood and spoiler I'm at 84ish. That leaves me with around 20k for the suspension and power mods (if one wanted to) while keeping the interior and MT that I like. Technically more since the CS doesn't come with the set of wheels and MPE/CF tips.

Any way, it is very hard to gauge an apples to apples discussion on this and the CS probably has some intangibles that a modded CP wouldn't plus warranty if you mod it for more power. Also, I have no idea how good of a deal one can get on the CS for a more accurate comparison either. How much one is willing to pay for the intangibles/specialness is up to them.

You guys forgot the $9k OLED Tail lights....

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Ak31rr

You guys forgot the $9k OLED Tail lights....

[IB M]

Originally Posted by minn19

M4 CS only. M3 CS no bueno

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Ak31rr

You guys forgot the $9k OLED Tail lights....

While they look cool, I could have gotten without. And I certainly do not consider them to be worth $9k.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I'll be able to do a straight up lap time comparison of a '15 civic M4 with springs, camber plates, track pads and 275/305 NT01 and the M4CS with springs, camber plates, track pads and 275/305 NT01 very shortly .

Done.

The CS is 1.5 seconds faster over a ~2 minute lap without me even trying that hard, so there's more to be had. I was actually quite susprised it was that much faster. I did not expect that:

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=168

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SherM4n

What is this disc? It does between the wheel hub and the rotor? What coefficient of friction is it increasing?

I can now confirm it is fitted between the brake rotor and the wheel.