Does anyone on the forums own a real GTS?

[Merlin_83]

Are there any people on Bimmerpost that actually own a BMW E92 GTS - actual factory OEM?

Was it even possible to buy one? And if so how much were they?

I'm asking because when I look through the newTIS.info website I can find all sorts of links to

maintenance items here: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...earch?q=m3+gts

[tdott]

In Europe yes. They weren't sold in NA.

[Helmsman]

Merlin apparently this is the only one sold in Sweden, has been advertised for ages, import..?

https://www.blocket.se/halland/BMW_M...38201.htm?aw=1

[amrazM]

A guy recently posted his GTS and e46 m3 csl

[chocstraw]

A guy on instagram under the name of "Swiss__Chris" ( two underscores) used to own one, used to own an M4 GTS, and currently owns an F90 M5 and a Cayman GT4. I DM'd him a while back about it, his thoughts were that:
- He misses the M3 GTS but not the M4, says that the E92 was his favorite generation of M3 as a casual racer and enthusiast.
- There are FAR more upgrades to the car than you would think, many smaller parts and components were tweaked and improved, complete list of these upgrades hasn't really been assembled.


I think I originally asked him what he thought about Chris Harris' retrospective about the E92 vs F82. Harris basically said that he found the E92 detrimentally low on torque, seating too high, steering lacking in feel (Steering is great, but yes, feel is lacking), steering ratio too quick (It is somewhat easy to steer beyond the point of grip on track), etc. Harris is a big fan of the F82 but not the GTS, says it doesn't make sense and is too twitchy. I asked him, as an owner of the F82 and E92 GTSs if he agreed, and he didn't. You'd be surprised who will respond if you reach out over the internet.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

A guy on instagram under the name of "Swiss__Chris" ( two underscores) used to own one, used to own an M4 GTS, and currently owns an F90 M5 and a Cayman GT4. I DM'd him a while back about it, his thoughts were that:
- He misses the M3 GTS but not the M4, says that the E92 was his favorite generation of M3 as a casual racer and enthusiast.
- There are FAR more upgrades to the car than you would think, many smaller parts and components were tweaked and improved, complete list of these upgrades hasn't really been assembled.


I think I originally asked him what he thought about Chris Harris' retrospective about the E92 vs F82. Harris basically said that he found the E92 detrimentally low on torque, seating too high, steering lacking in feel (Steering is great, but yes, feel is lacking), steering ratio too quick (It is somewhat easy to steer beyond the point of grip on track), etc. Harris is a big fan of the F82 but not the GTS, says it doesn't make sense and is too twitchy. I asked him, as an owner of the F82 and E92 GTSs if he agreed, and he didn't. You'd be surprised who will respond if you reach out over the internet.

Good post, thanks. Where did you read the Chris Harris retrospective?

[chocstraw]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Good post, thanks. Where did you read the Chris Harris retrospective?

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/th...on-the-bmw-m3/

He's not wrong about steering feel IMO, he mentions it right around 2:15. E92 M3 is really lacking on feel, say even compared to the E92 335i. I could feel paint lines on asphalt through the 335i. Having said that, the M3 steering is excellent on turn in, and after releasing the wheel. It is very linear and you don't have to "load it up". When on track, if you steer just a bit too much, you will steer beyond the car's grip, which makes me understand why Porsche picked 15.x:1 for the GT3 whereas the M3 is 12.5:1.

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/th...on-the-bmw-m3/

He's not wrong about steering feel IMO, he mentions it right around 2:15. E92 M3 is really lacking on feel, say even compared to the E92 335i. I could feel paint lines on asphalt through the 335i. Having said that, the M3 steering is excellent on turn in, and after releasing the wheel. It is very linear and you don't have to "load it up". When on track, if you steer just a bit too much, you will steer beyond the car's grip, which makes me understand why Porsche picked 15.x:1 for the GT3 whereas the M3 is 12.5:1.

I like Chris Harris a lot but I think the one area it's harder to critiscise the E9x is steering. I have found the steering precision improved a lot with monoball FTAB, it removed a lot of the on center 'gloopiness' and added a little more texture. I find the steering ratio pretty spot on for the circuit, you can get quite a good slip angle going whilst keeping your hands at 9 and 3 to apply enough opposite lock. I can feel a definite connection between the wheel and front axle which is lost in some electric racks. Best electric rack I have driven was in a 991.1 C2S. I have very little seat time in an F80 to compare though, although I plan to buy and F80 when I see the right one for sale.

This is a nice comparison between the GTS, AMG and GT3

[Grip Addict]

I bet 1000x more sets of GTS wheels were sold than GTS's.

[chocstraw]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I have found the steering precision improved a lot with monoball FTAB, it removed a lot of the on center 'gloopiness' and added a little more texture.

I've heard this from two separate people who've put monoballs into the front now, very interested in how such good turn in can get better. Perhaps I'll do solid rear subframe, Monoball Thrust arm bushings, then KW Clubsports.

Porsche definitely has the best EPS, but I wonder why no manufacturer has been able to get the wheel return to feel organic? AMG, Porsche, BMW, etc. Release the wheel and it just doesn't feel right.

[Bartledoo]

Man, I love the steering rack ratio on this car. So perfect on track.

[GeorgeA]

I don’t understand how Harris loves the 1M for being so “naughty” but uses the same characteristics to ding the M3. Not to mention how he doesn’t appreciate the N/A high revving engine. The e92 is so raw when pushed, specially after a few modifications.

[crypticc]

Originally Posted by Merlin_83

Are there any people on Bimmerpost that actually own a BMW E92 GTS - actual factory OEM?

Was it even possible to buy one? And if so how much were they?

I'm asking because when I look through the newTIS.info website I can find all sorts of links to

maintenance items here: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...earch?q=m3+gts

The tech lead of the e92 m still had his that he bought himself when I spoke to him last year. If you want a reference as to how good he thinks they are say no more.

[crypticc]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/th...on-the-bmw-m3/

He's not wrong about steering feel IMO, he mentions it right around 2:15. E92 M3 is really lacking on feel, say even compared to the E92 335i. I could feel paint lines on asphalt through the 335i. Having said that, the M3 steering is excellent on turn in, and after releasing the wheel. It is very linear and you don't have to "load it up". When on track, if you steer just a bit too much, you will steer beyond the car's grip, which makes me understand why Porsche picked 15.x:1 for the GT3 whereas the M3 is 12.5:1.

Did you get those runflats removed? It may have been that stiffer sidewall helping.
I know on my 335 when I got the birds suspension and non runflats I lost a smidge of feel - but I'd say it was too much and the better suspension and softer rubber and dampers revealed the true capabilities even as reading that pant thickness diibishes)

[Eku]

There was in the Forum guy called / nic checkcaptain and I think he part one 😳

Maybe he had two I dont know. Now he has M4 GTS and building a replica...

It is easy to build complete replica when you have car. If tou dont have car BMW dont sell GTS parts....

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Montaver

I like Chris Harris a lot but I think the one area it's harder to critiscise the E9x is steering. I have found the steering precision improved a lot with monoball FTAB, it removed a lot of the on center 'gloopiness' and added a little more texture. I find the steering ratio pretty spot on for the circuit, you can get quite a good slip angle going whilst keeping your hands at 9 and 3 to apply enough opposite lock. I can feel a definite connection between the wheel and front axle which is lost in some electric racks. Best electric rack I have driven was in a 991.1 C2S. I have very little seat time in an F80 to compare though, although I plan to buy and F80 when I see the right one for sale.

I agree that it's hard to criticize the E92's steering. Compared to what?
I have extensive track time in a M4 GTS and have also tracked the Cayman GT4, 997.2 GT3 and driven the 991.2 GT3.

The E92's steering is significantly better than any of its successors including Porsche. Electric steering systems simply feel like crap whether they are the allegedly better systems in the GT4 or the 991 GT3 or the M4 GTS.

So we can discuss whether the E92's M3 steering is X or Y, but whatever it is, it is way better than the EPS systems that came after it. It is not even close.

As far as Chris Harris is concerned, I also like him. I also am waiting for the day he does a comparison of a BMW vs a Porsche that is not completely asinine.
The E92 GTS was compared against the 997.2 4.0 or the 997.2 GT3 RS. Why?
BMW GTS cars cost what a Porsche GTS costs. That's what they should be compared against. Comparing to cars that cost an extra $50k is bullshit.

[Real]

I've seen one in person near Marysville WA.

[03BeastCharmer]

I saw two on the Ring when I was doing Euro delivery back in 2012. Swiss guy with his friend who had an M Coupe.