M3 GTS info! (lightweight performance edition M3)

[Mighty M]

Originally Posted by Stankia

Not BMW's fault. Write some complaint letters to the government for making such stupid laws in this country.

No, the complaint letters should go to BMW. They could have made a more track oriented car for sale in the US if they wanted to.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by savage.ulm1

Hello to all you guys....I am still here sorry

The car should have not less than 460 hp. Why to increase by 400 cc the engine for a so poor increase ?(only 30 hp?) Non a big sense to me.

Thanks to all the people that understood the sense of my Thread also if I made some mistakes .

You maybe right about the horsepower number, my info is two months old. I still believe the number will be lower than 460, but we shall see very soon.

The primary reason the M engineers increased the displacement to 4.4 lilters, was to shore up the bottom end TORQUE. (from the factory output of 295lb/ft.)

This bump in displacement also allows the engine to create additional power without rasing the rev limiter to 9000 rpms which would reduce the lifespan of the power plant.

I was told in August, that the estimated torque output goal was 330 lb/ft., which is slightly more than the new 997 GT3. (the M divisions primary target)

The weight reduction comes from: the removal of sound deadening materials, lightweight doors, lightweight exhaust system, radio delete, lightweight tires and wheels, rear seat delete, lightweight front racing seats, lightweight suspension components, lightweight battery, and a few exterior body panels.(

I did not get the details on which body panels were changed, or what materials they used to reduce the weight.

[BarryC]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

You maybe right about the horsepower number, my info is two months old. I still believe the number will be lower than 460, but we shall see very soon.

The primary reason the M engineers increased the displacement to 4.4 lilters, was to shore up the bottom end TORQUE. (from the factory output of 295lb/ft.)

This bump in displacement also allows the engine to create additional power without rasing the rev limiter to 9000 rpms which would reduce the lifespan of the power plant.

I was told in August, that the estimated torque output goal was 330 lb/ft., which is slightly more than the new 997 GT3. (the M divisions primary target)

The weight reduction comes from: the removal of sound deadening materials, lightweight doors, lightweight exhaust system, radio delete, lightweight tires and wheels, rear seat delete, lightweight front racing seats, lightweight suspension components, lightweight battery, and a few exterior body panels.(

I did not get the details on which body panels were changed, or what materials they used to reduce the weight.

I'd dump my car in a heartbeat for a car like this.... Sucks that we can't get something like this but the Porsche folks get the GT3RS....

BC

[foosh]

Originally Posted by swamp2

And you must realize that prices in different countries do not scale by exchange rates as was already pointed out. For cars it is not even close to this type of calculation.

So if this car was offered in the US the price would likely be something like 1.2 x 110k or ~ $130k USD. Based on a more realistic price of $75k with aftermarket parts as outlined above that makes even $130k a serious, serious rip off.

Swamp, and you need to read what I said, which was factoring in that the car will not be sold in the US. The point is if you want one, you will pay the price in Euros, and try to find a way to get it back to the US.

I am fully aware that different markets get different pricing schemes, and cars in the US market tend to be pretty cheap compared to Europe and Asia.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Stankia

Not BMW's fault. Write some complaint letters to the government for making such stupid laws in this country.

It has nothing to do with the laws in the US, which are no more restrictive than they are in the EU. It has to do with the fact it makes no sense to create US and EU (or Asian) versions with only 25 cars a year produced.

If the tables were turned, and it were a US-only version offered, then it wouldn't make sense to create an EU version. The cost of complying with US vs. EU requirements are not fundamentally different, but each has different requirements for certification.

[foosh]

QUESTION: With only 25 units/year, would this car even qualify as a "production vehicle" for the purposes of competition sanctioning? I confess that I am not up to date, but in previous times, there were homologation rules that required at least a 100 or more cars to be produced to qualify as a production vehicle.

[Epacy2]

Need pics!!!

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by Epacy2

Need pics!!!

+1

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by Mighty M

No, the complaint letters should go to BMW. They could have made a more track oriented car for sale in the US if they wanted to.

Are you one of those people that's in the market for a $100k M3? If you are, then great. If you aren't, then this goes back to the last big CSL discussion we had on these boards. Everyone complaining that BMW won't make a CSL when 99% of them have no intention or ability to buy it.

If most people won't or can't buy it, then we would they sell it? And granted there will always be some people that buy everything, but that is besides the general irony of someone who has no intention of buying something complaining that it isn't available. No offense towards you, just the argument is flawed.

[MachineDriver]

Alot of excitement for nothing. Thanks BMW. Go back to F1.

[FStop7]

Lame for two reasons:

1. not coming to the USA

2. even if it were, at that price point you can get a GT3.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

You maybe right about the horsepower number, my info is two months old. I still believe the number will be lower than 460, but we shall see very soon.

The primary reason the M engineers increased the displacement to 4.4 lilters, was to shore up the bottom end TORQUE. (from the factory output of 295lb/ft.)

This bump in displacement also allows the engine to create additional power without rasing the rev limiter to 9000 rpms which would reduce the lifespan of the power plant.

I was told in August, that the estimated torque output goal was 330 lb/ft., which is slightly more than the new 997 GT3. (the M divisions primary target)

The weight reduction comes from: the removal of sound deadening materials, lightweight doors, lightweight exhaust system, radio delete, lightweight tires and wheels, rear seat delete, lightweight front racing seats, lightweight suspension components, lightweight battery, and a few exterior body panels.(

I did not get the details on which body panels were changed, or what materials they used to reduce the weight.

Thanks, I added the torque figure to the OP.


Best regards,
south

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by FStop7

Lame for two reasons:

1. not coming to the USA

2. even if it were, at that price point you can get a GT3.

Difficult choice for me but I think I would have to park the GT3 next to the M3 in the garage.

Going with the GT3 and already having an e93 M3, you get the best of both worlds.

However, I hope that the new M3 GT will bring a host of BMW performance parts to the market. I wouldn't mind buying a few BMW performance parts for my M3 (i.e., brakes, intake, exhaust, etc...).

-SZ

[Bammered]

Originally Posted by savage.ulm1

What a pitty to see some poor reactions. Now I know it was a mistake. But sure some of you know how much I was active in the past and some of you will remember pics taken at the Motorsport factory when for all of you the M3 was only a dream or something to wait for months.I don't pretend you remember the past, but I pretend the respect!
That's all guys, sorry to have taken your time. I don't think will be a big job for you to avoid this thread, right? do it...and to Jason, pls ban this poor Italian!!
I forgot to be into an "American" Forum. Sorry
Cazzo che roba..

Don't leave us... I for one thank you for taking the time to share this information with us! Can't wait to see the official specs!

[BMW269]

OK. Now we know that there will be a street version of the M3 GT4. But to me it seems more than that, as the M3 GT4 race version is just a stock M3 ripped off. To me this M3 GT or GT4 seems to be a real M3 CSL. But then why don't they call it CSL?
Then, why is it so difficult for BMW to build CSL's and a supercar? Mercedes AMG does so many Black Series, SLK, CLK, SL, and they yet plan an E-Coupé BS and an SLS BS? Is it because no one will buy it? Can anyone explain me why nobody will buy an ///M1 but people buy an R8 V10?

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by Levi

OK. Now we know that there will be a street version of the M3 GT4. But to me it seems more than that, as the M3 GT4 race version is just a stock M3 ripped off. To me this M3 GT or GT4 seems to be a real M3 CSL. But then why don't they call it CSL?
Then, why is it so difficult for BMW to build CSL's and a supercar? Mercedes AMG does so many Black Series, SLK, CLK, SL, and they yet plan an E-Coupé BS and an SLS BS? Is it because no one will buy it? Can anyone explain me why nobody will buy an ///M1 but people buy an R8 V10?

I 100% agree with you.
If I knew that an M car was coming out to compete with the likes of the R8 V10. I would sell my M3 now and start saving!

[rzm3]

Guys, please realize that everything is just HEARSAY so far. There are quite a few specs including the price that does not make sense. Lets wait for the official press release before you start flaming BMW!

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Guys, please realize that everything is just HEARSAY so far. There are quite a few specs including the price that does not make sense. Lets wait for the official press release before you start flaming BMW!

+1

[FStop7]

If BMW made a mid engine V8 or V10 sports car I would be all over it.

I like my M3 and all, but to be completely honest, the S65 is going to waste in a regular passenger car.

Anyone notice the current headline on Bimmerpost? BMW Q3 income down over 70%. Building a sport version of the M3, charging over $100k for it, and then not selling it in the US isn't exactly a formula for improving those numbers.

[Serious]

Mercedes has the balls to sell the clk63 black here.
Porsche has the balls to sell the gt3/gt3rs here.
Ferrari has the balls to sell the Scuderia/CS here.
Aston has the balls to sell the DBS here.

The management at BMW needs to get their heads out of their asses and quit excluding their biggest market; The US buys more sports car then anyone else in the world.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by FStop7

If BMW made a mid engine V8 or V10 sports car I would be all over it.

I like my M3 and all, but to be completely honest, the S65 is going to waste in a regular passenger car.

Anyone notice the current headline on Bimmerpost? BMW Q3 income down over 70%. Building a sport version of the M3, charging over $100k for it, and then not selling it in the US isn't exactly a formula for improving those numbers.

Let's not turn this into a discussion on BMW's strategy in general. They'd love to sell such cars in the US, but nobody would pay the price BMW considers to be appropriate.


Best regards,
south

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by southlight

Let's not turn this into a discussion on BMW's strategy in general. They'd love to sell such cars in the US, but nobody would pay the price BMW considers to be appropriate.


Best regards,
south

We pay it for GT3's & Rs's,so why would we not pay it for a truly special BMW M3?