SportAuto M4 CS against Mustang Shelby GT350

[Phatcat]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Quick summary:

- M4 CS has minimum HP increase over the standard M4, power alone does not justify the expense over the M4.

- Weight reduction, though it has CF rear diffuser and the CF bonnet, the CS was just 6Kg lighter than the standard M4 SA tested previously.

- However, the CS conceals its weight very well, the tuning of the chassis such as differential lock and the ABS have been specially adapted to the CS, as the result, the CS will lap the Hockenheim course at 1.11.0 in hot conditions, with a lower temperature, it could have be in the 1.10s.

- M4 CS is the most rounded M4 so far in SA's opinion, not so focused like the M4 GTS, but noticeably better than the standard M4, it has a chance to become a future classic.

[AlexZTuned]

Has North American pricing been released for the CS yet?

Odd that they would test the CS against the GT350 and not the GT350R. Seems like the M4 CP would be a more appropriate match against a non-R.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by AlexZTuned

Odd that they would test the CS against the GT350 and not the GT350R. Seems like the M4 CP would be a more appropriate match against a non-R.

How is it odd? The GT350R already smokes the M4 GTS on the track. M4 CS would be no competition performance-wise.

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by AlexZTuned

Has North American pricing been released for the CS yet?

Odd that they would test the CS against the GT350 and not the GT350R. Seems like the M4 CP would be a more appropriate match against a non-R.

Yeah the article did said the GT350 was not a good match for the CS. Their original thinking was the GT350 is close to the price of a basic M4 but with power to overcome the CS, at least on paper. SA thinks the high temperature during the test day hurt the Mustang more than the M4.

[stevehifi]

cup 2 tires on the CS probably give it the edge over the stang. otherwise probably dead even on same PSS.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

How is it odd? The GT350R already smokes the M4 GTS on the track. M4 CS would be no competition performance-wise.

Except the fact that the M4 CS was faster around the track by more than 2 seconds

there's a huge price gap so I am not really sure what's the point of the comparo (auto bild likes to do these kinda pointless tests quite a lot)

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by swagon

Except the fact that the M4 CS was faster around the track by more than 2 seconds

there's a huge price gap so I am not really sure what's the point of the comparo (auto bild likes to do these kinda pointless tests quite a lot)

Faster than the GT350, yes. The statement I was replying to was, "Odd that they would test the CS against the GT350 and not the GT350R."

The GT350R is more akin to the M4 GTS, and that comparison has already been done.

[ixse]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

cup 2 tires on the CS probably give it the edge over the stang. otherwise probably dead even on same PSS.

Ditto. Cup2 is generally 15% quicker than pss. Ive ran my gt350 during 104degree weather, and it didnt overheat (came close), its just pss doesnt put down power on corner exit.

[vladberca]

I would have hoped for a comparison against the GT 350 R.
GT 350 is not a match even for the Competition Pack

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by vladberca

I would have hoped for a comparison against the GT 350 R.
GT 350 is not a match even for the Competition Pack

Again, the M4 GTS and 350R have already been compared, and the 350R is typically faster around any track . . . so what chance would the CS have?

[nicknaz]

Wow, that 0-160kph time has a bigger gap than I expected. Something seems off with the gt350 time, or is that really it's pace in a straightline?

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Wow, that 0-160kph time has a bigger gap than I expected. Something seems off with the gt350 time, or is that really it's pace in a straightline?

It is really high. Other publications have gotten right around the 9 sec. mark. 0-100 is really slow too (5.1? Please. The GT is faster than that).

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Wow, that 0-160kph time has a bigger gap than I expected. Something seems off with the gt350 time, or is that really it's pace in a straightline?

Like I mentioned above, SA thinks the hot weather robbed the Mustang more power compared to the CS.

[CanAutM3]

I gathered info on the last M4 test I could find by SA/AMS (a CP with DCT). I also added the M4 GTS data as tested by SA/AMS for comparison sake:

Data: M4 CP / M4 CS / M4 GTS
Weight: 1638kg / 1609kg / 1601kg
0-100: 4.4 / 4.1 / 3.9
0-160: 9.1 / 8.4 / 8.0
0-200: 14.2 / 13.3 / 12.3
Slalom: 71.4 / 72.2 / 72.8
Lap: 1.11.9 / 1.11.0 / 1:09.6
Temp: 24degC / 35degC / 16degC

Originally Posted by Phatcat

- M4 CS has minimum HP increase over the standard M4, power alone does not justify the expense over the M4.

The CS seems significantly faster in a straight line (0.4s to 100km/h, 0.7s to 160km/h and 1.1s to 200km/h faster than the CP is nothing to scuff at). It must likely have a decent power-to-weight advantage...

Originally Posted by Phatcat

- Weight reduction, though it has CF rear diffuser and the CF bonnet, the CS was just 6Kg lighter than the standard M4 SA tested previously.

I see here more like 29kg. Pretty close to the 30kg quoted by BMW...

Originally Posted by Phatcat

- However, the CS conceals its weight very well, the tuning of the chassis such as differential lock and the ABS have been specially adapted to the CS, as the result, the CS will lap the Hockenheim course at 1.11.0 in hot conditions, with a lower temperature, it could have be in the 1.10s.

I wonder how much of that is attributable to the sticky r-comps...

Originally Posted by Phatcat

- M4 CS is the most rounded M4 so far in SA's opinion, not so focused like the M4 GTS, but noticeably better than the standard M4, it has a chance to become a future classic.

Seems they finally have done a great job with the factory chassis tuning this time around...

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I gathered info on the last M4 test I could find by SA/AMS (a CP with DCT). I also added the M4 GTS data as tested by SA/AMS for comparison sake:

Data: M4 CP / M4 CS / M4 GTS
Weight: 1638kg / 1609kg / 1601kg
0-100: 4.4 / 4.1 / 3.9
0-160: 9.1 / 8.4 / 8.0
0-200: 14.2 / 13.3 / 12.3
Slalom: 71.4 / 72.2 / 72.8
Lap: 1.11.9 / 1.11.0 / 1:09.6
Temp: 24degC / 35degC / 16degC

The CS seems significantly faster in a straight line (0.4s to 100km/h, 0.7s to 160km/h and 1.1s to 200km/h faster than the CP is nothing to scuff at). It must likely have a decent power-to-weight advantage...

I see here more like 29kg. Pretty close to the 30kg quoted by BMW...

I wonder how much of that is attributable to the sticky r-comps...

Seems they finally have done a great job with the factory chassis tuning this time around...

This was the M4 SA was referring to, 1615 Kg, 0-200km/h 13.7. Looks like CP gained weight.

[Phatcat]

Full comparison.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Phatcat

This was the M4 SA was referring to, 1615 Kg, 0-200km/h 13.7. Looks like CP gained weight.

Many folks have commented (myself included) that more recent F8X production (2016,and up) felt "more tightly built" with less rattles and squeaks. I wonder if they added additional sound insulation.

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Many folks have commented (myself included) that more recent F8X production (2016,and up) felt "more tightly built" with less rattles and squeaks. I wonder if they added additional sound insulation.

Very possible.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Phatcat

Like I mentioned above, SA thinks the hot weather robbed the Mustang more power compared to the CS.

That sucks for the GT350 but is good information, since it gets to 100F ambient at the tracks here in CA in the summer.

Power loss in the heat is the kind of thing that would be so hard to swallow if discovered as a new owner at a DE, so thanks for posting this article.

Nice reminder of the amazing cooling systems on the M3/M4

[Tflong24]

Plus, by the what appears to be the lack of the track pack rear wing (not the R wing)that is a non track pack 2016 GT350. No Mag Shocks, no diff or trans coolers.

[gmd2003]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

That sucks for the GT350 but is good information, since it gets to 100F ambient at the tracks here in CA in the summer.

Power loss in the heat is the kind of thing that would be so hard to swallow if discovered as a new owner at a DE, so thanks for posting this article.

Nice reminder of the amazing cooling systems on the M3/M4

They picked a base 350 with no track package( Ford from the beginning even says must have this to track ) to compare to the more track oriented M4 CS on a hot day where the various oil coolers would be necessary. Talk about stacking the deck to get a desired outcome lol . How about compare the M4CS to a GT350R which would still be 40,000 cheaper oh wait it would lose badly so can't do that ( 350R beats the M4GTS handily on every track ) .Heck they could have at least gotten one with the track package , and not had a worthless test .

[ixse]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

That sucks for the GT350 but is good information, since it gets to 100F ambient at the tracks here in CA in the summer.

Power loss in the heat is the kind of thing that would be so hard to swallow if discovered as a new owner at a DE, so thanks for posting this article.

Nice reminder of the amazing cooling systems on the M3/M4

As i stated above, my bone stock 350 w track pkg doesnt over heat even during 104 degree sunmer weather in socal. Had 5 hard sessions at auto club speedway w zero issues w engine or brakes. Try taking stock m3/4 w stock brakes and see how it goes after a session.