AutoBild M3 GTS vs Carerra 911 GT3-RS 3.8 Story

[Dackelone]

In this week’s issue of AutoBild they have an interesting article comparing the new M3 GTS vs the Carerra GT3 RS - on the track. Long story short they picked the Porsche.

What struck me was how much faster the Porsche was in off the line acceleration. 0-100 (3.7 seconds) & 0-200 kph. And also in stopping distances with its ceramic brakes. The Porsche won all of these. BUT… when it came to in gear (60 -100 kph & 80 – 120 kph) acceleration the M3 won those. The BMW's suspension and chassis impressed the reviewers, who described it as peaceful, neutral, with precise steering.

* But overall, M3 scored only 5 points less than the GTS, out of 300 points total.

Enjoy,
Dackel

Autobild: http://translate.google.com/translat...mg&sl=de&tl=en


Cover…

[Dartanium]

all i understood is one you can buy in the US one you cannot lol. I've also heard Euro-spec gt3RS is more hardcore than the US version, not sure on the details but perhaps one with the roll cage one without, and the lexan vs glass I believe.

[e1000]

325>285's.

[sehrgut]

THANKS! Been looking for this, where did you find these, any hi res? Can barely read the first part.

[amgthis]

the 0-100 for the GTS seems pretty slow. Both are really expensive GT3-RS is still my dream car though

[bavarian19]

as expected

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by e1000

325>285's.

+1. Rear engine also does a lot to help traction off the line.

[nlpamg]

Originally Posted by Brosef

+1. Rear engine also does a lot to help traction off the line.

and being 138lbs lighter.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by sehrgut

THANKS! Been looking for this, where did you find these, any hires? Can barely read the first part.

You can find AutoBild everywhere in Germany. I buy mine at the grocery store or the gas station every Friday when they come out.

Here are some clear-er shots of the text for you krauts out there.

[Dackelone]

And BTW...

BMW factory acel figures for a EU spec M3 are: 6MT (DCT)

0-100 kph 4.8 (4.6) secs
0-200 kph 15.8 (14.9) secs
80 - 120 kph in 5th gear 4.9 (4.2) secs

The AutoBild mag tests show:

0-100 kph na (4.6) secs
0-200 kph na (14.3) secs
80 - 120 kph in 5th gear na (4.3) secs

So... the M3 GTS is only slower than a stock M3 in the 80-120 5th gear test. ie: in the "real world race". Probably due to the higher lift cams.

[sehrgut]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

You can find AutoBild everywhere in Germany. I buy mine at the grocery store or the gas station every Friday when they come out.

Here are some clear-er shots of the text for you krauts out there.

Not in Germany at the moment. THANKS for the clearpics!

[ProdigyM]

looks like a nice article.....wish i could translate...

[rzm3]

5 points less (out of 300) vs. an arguably THE best handling road-legal track car ain't bad at all.

[BMW269]

M3 GTS is really a wrothy competitior of the 911 GT3 RS, but I would still compare it to 911 GT3. 911 GT3 RS rival should be the M3 GTS-R. And still think about this: 911 is a pure sports car, M3 just a 3 Series.
These are simply the best street legal track cars in the world. My personal preference:
1. Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2. Porsche 911 GT3 (RS)
3. BMW M3 GTS(-R)

But I would take the M3 because I am not a good driver, and because I am biased, the fact that the M3 is rare, it will still be enough respected on track.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Levi

...

These are simply the best street legal track cars in the world. My personal preference:
1. Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2. Porsche 911 GT3 (RS)
3. BMW M3 GTS(-R)

...

Levi... have you seen the latest Top Gear? Where they drive the new 458 Italia! Pure Clarkson at his BEST!!!

[u2b]<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vFatyz8w6s4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vFatyz8w6s4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/u2b]

Now... IF Ferrari could only fix the minor problem of the 458 bursting into flames it would be the perfect sports car!

[Evice]

I love bmws but Stuttgart is superior in this high performance category. M3 is just too heavy, 138kgs is big!

[graider]

i think bmw intention is gts vs gt3. i have a feeling the gts will match the gt3 ring time.

the 997.2 rs is a full 10 secs faster than the 997.2 gt3. different league IMO.

[datbimmerdoe]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

5 points less (out of 300) vs. an arguably THE best handling road-legal track car ain't bad at all.

+1

[FStop7]

LOL @ all the fanbois who rambled about the GTS being faster than a GT3.

[footie]

One reason why the M3 was quicker 'in-gear' than the Porsche............it's a 7sp instead of a 6sp like in the GT3.

It will be interesting to see if these times are typical of the GTS because at the moment I am struggling to understand how something with an extra 30hp+30ft lbs and weighs 75kgs less with stickier rubber is proving to be so much slower than what Car & Driver achieved from a stock M3 with Comp pack? Even allowing for the 0.3s adjustment on using the 1ft rollout it does put in to question the results from that and most other of their tests.

[marcel b]

don't forget that the GTS is not on track tires. There is a big difference in grip between Michelin Cup tires, especially the ones on the GT3, and the Pirelli P Zero Corsa! Put the Michelin Cups on the GTS and it difference to the GT3 (RS) will be even smaller (acceleration, but especially braking and cornering)

[karussell]

Thanks for posting. I'll have to run down to the market and pick one up.

differences between RoW RS and US spec
1. US spec does not get rear bolt-in clubsport cage.
2. US has shaved rear window glass versus lexan.
3. US car only comes with standard 60L gas tank. RoW has option for 90L.
4. US spec has 5mph bumperettes for rear of all 911's.
5. US spec has Amber side indicator lights instead of clear on front.
6. US spec car has standard CF sport bucket seats (folding) with integrated airbag finished in alcantara and leather. RoW has same seats standard but in perlon (fire retardant cloth) with RS script. RoW cars have option of fixed back bucket seats. US cars do not have this option as no integrated side airbags.

The shaved rear glass is a whopping 3 lbs heavier than lexan and includes rear defogger.
The US car is actually lighter since it doesn't have the rear half-cage. Most US owners put in the cage anyways for safety.

The RS tested most likely has A/C, but its an option (US and RoW) to have it deleted. The stereo is also standard and an option to delete.

That being said, the GT3 RS has always been an in-your-face type of machine. its loud and proud. I liked that the E46 CSL was stealthy in silver grey and black but it was a wolf in lesser wolf's clothing. I wish the GTS would be offered in a more unassuming color. Orange is a classic BMW motorsport color so it has pedigree, but this would be the car to have painted in Frozen Grey or Black. It just says M3 on the back which is a nice touch.

The 60-100 and 80-120 times are funny for both cars. i don't know why they would start in 4th while going 38mph. i need to check what rpm's the engine is at. I would never be that low speed in 4th.