Sport Auto: M3 GTS Nurburgring and Hockenheim Times Are In

[Jason]

SportAuto M3 GTS Supertest Full Review (with Photos/Video) ==> http://www.sportauto-online.de/super...e-2206288.html




Nurburgring - 7:48

The September issue of the german publication Sport Auto has hit the stands today and contains several tests of the M3 GTS, including laps on the Nurburgring and Hockenheim tracks. The best time they were able to achieve with the M3 GTS was 7:48 on the Nurburgring.

Although this is a good time, most were probably expecting an even better lap time. This lap time is only 2 seconds faster than the E46 M3 CSL, showing just how good the CSL was in its time.

Other comparison times:
7:46 - Lamborgini Gallardo Superleggera
7:47 - Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
7:49 - Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06
7:50 - Porsche 911 Carrera S (PCCB, PDK, Sport Chrono Plus, Michelin Cup tires)


Hockenheim - 1:12.5

The M3 GTS fared better at Hockenheim's shorter track as Sport Auto was able to run the M3 GTS in 1:12.5 minutes. For comparison, the standard M3 (Cup+) runs Hockenheim in 1:14.3 and the M3 Competition ZCP (PS2) does it in 1:14.2.

The E46 M3 CSL was good for 1:13.5 at Hockenheim.

Other comparison times:
1:12.0 - Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
1:12.2 - Lamborghini Gallardo SE
1:12.2 - Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series
1:12.7 - Ferrari F430
1:12.7 - Audi R8
1:12.7 - Audi R8 V10 Spyder
1:13.5 - BMW M3 CSL (E46)
1:14.0 - MW M3 (E92) DKG
1:14.3 - BMW M3 (E92)

[ddigangi]

pretty disappointed in the GTS

[HebrewhaM3r]

Thanks for sharing!

[marcel b]

A few important coments:

the CSL time is doubted by a lot of people (who know what they are talking about). The the speeds it achieved where just not possible with the power it has, in several areas of the track it was even faster then a 996 GT3RS! which is doubtfull with the HP the CSL should have. So a "standard" CSL would not be able to drive a 07:50.

Compare the following:

Speed comparison between CSL and GTS:

Schwedenkreuz 245Km/h - 250km/h
Aremberg 101Km/h - 98km/h
Fuchsröhre 232Km/h - 237km/h
Metzgesfeld 162Km/h - 154km/h
Bergwerk 106Km/h - 96km/h
Kesselchen 222Km/h - 226km/h
Klostertal 1 167Km/h - 163km/h
Klostertal 2 90Km/h - 91km/h
Pflanzgarten 190Km/h - 186km/h
Galgenkopf 138Km/h - 134km/h
Döttinger Höhe 255Km/h - 261km/h

Please note that the GTS has a better aerodyamics (Cw value) then the CSL (even with the backwing)!

Second, the GTS is on UHP tires, not on semi slicks (Michelin Cups which eg the CSL had), which makes a big difference.

[Kyoshi71]

ZCP was only worth a tenth at Hockenheim?
Pretty unimpressed with the GTS also. The GT3 RS, another track-dedicated street-legal car did it in 1:11.11 (FastestLaps.com)

So it seems:
ZCP = Hype/$
GTS = More Hype/$$$$

[Nine]

Crickey, you'd think the GTS with the v8 and tuned would destroy the track....

[marcel b]

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

ZCP was only worth a tenth at Hockenheim?

No! the first time was driven on Michelin Pilot Sport Cups (track tires which at that time could be ordered from the factory), the new time is with normal street tires. So that shows that the ZCP is really impressive.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

ZCP was only worth a tenth at Hockenheim?
Pretty unimpressed with the GTS also. The GT3 RS, another track-dedicated street-legal car did it in 1:11.11 (FastestLaps.com)

So it seems:
ZCP = Hype/$
GTS = More Hype/$$$$

ZCP and DCT was worth a tenth at Hockenheim over 6MT and Michelin Cup+. Hence, the ZCP time is pretty impressive.


Best regards,
south

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by southlight

ZCP and DCT was worth a tenth at Hockenheim over 6MT and Michelin Cup+. Hence, the ZCP time is pretty impressive.


Best regards,
south

Now that's a little different!! Thanks Bro

[datbimmerdoe]

regardless of all these numbers, facts, opinions, he said she said, and what not. I WANT ONE!
call me a fan-boi all you want, i mean what car is this site dedicated to?

[marcel b]

I would take it in a heartbeat too!!!!

[flyga3]

Weight, weight, weight!

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by the infamous...

regardless of all these numbers, facts, opinions, he said she said, and what not. I WANT ONE!
call me a fan-boi all you want, i mean what car is this site dedicated to?

As we say on the NYSE..Sold to You for $173,000

Be smart and spend $132,000 on a faster GT3 RS with $40k left over.

[rzm3]

Pretty pathetic, even slower than a turner's M3 with some bolt-on mods.

M3 Lap Times from Hockenheim Race Track

• a-workx M3: 1:12.4 (DCT, KW CS, Akrapovic Evo, PSCup) 2009/10
  
• M3 GTS: 1:12.5 (DCT, KW CS (M Version), Ti Exhaust, 4.4L, Aero, BBK) 2010/9
• AC Schnitzer ACS3: 1:12.7 (6MT, ACS Suspension & Exhaust, PSCup, BBK) 2008/11
• 2011 M3: 1:14.2 (DCT, ZCP, PS2) 2010/7
• 2008 M3: 1:14.3 (6MT, Cup+) 2007/12
• Hamann M3: 1:15.0 (6MT, PS2 w/ 305R, Coil Over, Engine Tune, BBK, Exhaust, Aero) 2008/4
• 2008 M3 Sedan: 1:15.2 (6MT, PS2) 2008/4

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by shift@red

+1

Or you could buy a ~4 year old 2007 997.1 'base' GT3 and still be faster.

According to Sport Auto, 997.1 GT3 ran 7:48.

[duk]

needs to be faster

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by marcel b

No! the first time was driven on Michelin Pilot Sport Cups (track tires which at that time could be ordered from the factory), the new time is with normal street tires. So that shows that the ZCP and M-DCT is really impressive.

Fixed.

[mkoesel]

One wonders how much it would cost to make a standard M3 as fast. For example, I wonder how much the mods on the a-worx car mentioned above were.

[Uli_HH]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

One wonders how much it would cost to make a standard M3 as fast. For example, I wonder how much the mods on the a-worx car mentioned above were.

I guess with € 20.000,-- you are on the right way ... rather less !

[jworms]

that is really disappointing. i expected a lot more from this car.

[graider]

seems like it match the time of the 997.1 gt3/rs on the ring. pretty impress for the power/weight ratio.

but i was hoping much more. this car weights too much for a track car. weight needs to be at 3000lbs like the csl to be effective.

[skierman64]

Do they make any compensation for the weather, specifically temperature which effects power output and tire grip? I would think that temp could effect the lap times at the ring by a few seconds either way unless all the cars were tested on the same day at near the same time.