[Mani59]

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The team from AutoTopNL take the M4 CSL for a top speed run and review on the Autobahn.

[Hit_Apex]

He's a handsy gent. Good review fully broken in. Reinforces how much of a drivers car this is. Can't wait to get mine on the local canyons and tracks.

[reNT]

Originally Posted by Mani59

The team from AutoTopNL take the M4 CSL for a top speed run and review on the Autobahn.

My key takeaways from that vid is that it is less refined with the sound deadening stripped away, struggles to put the power down unless those racing tyres are fully warmed up which I am sure takes quite a bit of drive time to do, and is more bouncy at higher speeds over road imperfections, the inverse of what most car reviewers praised about the standard G80.

Figures bmw limiting the production of this to only 1k units as it would be a tough sell to anyone who isn't a die-hard car collector.

[prei1978]

There is another group of people that this car is targetted for: track day enthusiasts: it is built to slice tracks, not public roads. Lighter, stiffer, more powerful, yes, please.

If I could afford one (markups in my area were $50K) I'd buy one and keep it forever as a track day toy while I drove something like a 330e daily.

[reNT]

Originally Posted by prei1978

There is another group of people that this car is targetted for: track day enthusiasts: it is built to slice tracks, not public roads. Lighter, stiffer, more powerful, yes, please.

If I could afford one (markups in my area were $50K) I'd buy one and keep it forever as a track day toy while I drove something like a 330e daily.

Maybe for those who only drive bmws and nothing else, yes. But, for those who don't care about the badge, porsche cayman gt4 would be a far more suited track-day toy than a G80 platform ever could.

The whole point of a G80 is that it's a complete package of comfort, practicality, and it has a good amount of performance (acceleration and handling). Once you start stripping away the comfort and practicality from the package, and then tack on a significant price premium on top of that, it immediately stops making sense. If comfort or practicality don't matter so much, then it'd be a p-car for the trackdays all day long.

Just my two cents.

[HudsonHornett]

Originally Posted by reNT

Maybe for those who only drive bmws and nothing else, yes. But, for those who don't care about the badge, porsche cayman gt4 would be a far more suited track-day toy than a G80 platform ever could.

The whole point of a G80 is that it's a complete package of comfort, practicality, and it has a good amount of performance (acceleration and handling). Once you start stripping away the comfort and practicality from the package, and then tack on a significant price premium on top of that, it immediately stops making sense. If comfort or practicality don't matter so much, then it'd be a p-car for the trackdays all day long.

Just my two cents.

I love Porsches - had a GT3, Cayman R and 911 GTS but in the UK you can't get one of the GT cars for love nor money unless you have a very "special" relationship with the dealer principal. So your options are to buy a used one for a massive premium or buy an older model (which is still expensive). The M4 CSL is a great option for those who want a road car that can absolutely be exploited on track and this car should smash that brief. You can still get it as a new car and feel like you're driving something a bit special, which for me is a huge part of the appeal. This car will be a lot rarer than any GT4 or GT3 and still be epic to drive.

[ptgltw]

Looks like she likes to play. This is what BMW does so well and Porsche doesn't really get.

[themnmd]

Nice review. Wow that is a fast car! Impressive suspension changes. 190 on a 2 lane road , a bit scary 😨. The ride may be a little stiff for every day

[phoenixbmwlife]

BMW: Makes a sports car.

Everyone: It's not comfortable enough, needs more room and needs more tech.

BMW: Makes a sports car that's comfortable with more legroom and tech (Which makes it heavier)

Everyone: It's too heavy, and we need a more track version with more power and stiffer handling.

BMW: Makes a limited production. CS/CSL lightweight that you can have more fun at the track

Everyone: This CS/CSL is less refined and with all the sound deadening removed it's too noisy. Suspension too stiff for driving on public roads. Good thing it's limited production cause they won't sell much of these if it wasn't. Oh and I rather buy a Porsche GT3

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by ptgltw

Looks like she likes to play. This is what BMW does so well and Porsche doesn't really get.

Sounds like another M home run.

[Draper]

Can we bring German lane discipline to America, please?

[TheBingoBalls]

EVO Car of the Year back-to-back…to-back?

[prei1978]

Originally Posted by ptgltw

Looks like she likes to play. This is what BMW does so well and Porsche doesn't really get.

That's the thing. Porsche has a philosophy that is followed well in each of its products: its cars are very clinical and precise. Also from my experience, they are very flattering.

Back in 2006 I bought a Z4MC. When I was considering it, I considered also the Cayman, which I saw as a similar car. My Porsche dealer back in London offered me a track test drive in Chobham and while I drove the cars (Cayman and Boxter) all he kept talking about and demonstrating was how effective the electronics were at keeping me on the road. The BMW on the other hand was an edgy car that felt ready to do a 180 out of a wet corner on the slightest of provocations. I liked that. It was never a relaxing car to drive, but every mile in it felt like an event.

The M4 CSL is not a practical daily car. It has no rear seats, it has reduced creature comforts, and it will be very expensive to run and maintain. Yet for me, it is an extremely appealing car.

That plus the fact that if I walk into any Porsche dealership today and ask if they will sell me a GT car they will laugh me out of their shop mercilesly. At least I had a CSL offered to me. It was out of my price range with a $50K markup, but it was offered.

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

EVO Car of the Year back-to-back…to-back?

Starting to look that way.

[PLF69]

The part about feeling more from everything that's going on, road, tires, suspension, steering etc. Is key here.

I just sold my 718 GTS and even if I was just as fast as my friends in there GT4s it's just not the same. It's the small details all added up together.

It's all these changes made in a cohesive way and delivered in factory OEM quality package.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by PLF69

The part about feeling more from everything that's going on, road, tires, suspension, steering etc. Is key here.

I just sold my 718 GTS and even if I was just as fast as my friends in there GT4s it's just not the same. It's the small details all added up together.

This translates to even the non-M BMW's as well and I think a lot of people don't understand, choose to ignore or just often overlook these small things. BMW will always be a sum-of-it's-parts car that add to the driving experience and still does it better than Audi and Mercedes even if you consider BMW being watered down today.

[HudsonHornett]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

EVO Car of the Year back-to-back…to-back?

I hope so! Really looking forward to that test although GT4RS came out this year too, which will be stiff competition!

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by HudsonHornett

I hope so! Really looking forward to that test although GT4RS came out this year too, which will be stiff competition!

It's still clear it's a "Car of the year" quality car based on this review. It's not "a tune and a suspension kit"

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by Draper

Can we bring German lane discipline to America, please?

Not going to happen. You can't even get people to stop crashing into houses and landing in swimming pools.

[BMWFanatic2008]

Great review. It's interesting that they decided to go with RWD for CSL since AWD Comp. variant is faster. I wonder what was their reasoning: AWD CSL would be too close to M5 in performance or RWD is just more raw/fun?

[Purekoryo]

Wish he would've commented on steering feedback. That would be the icing on the cake.

Also, can't wait for the M3CS. With AWD to put all that power down, solid ball joints, sound deadening removed AND bucket back seats that can seat adults? C'mon… does Porsche offer this?

[Chicane_]

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

Great review. It's interesting that they decided to go with RWD for CSL since AWD Comp. variant is faster. I wonder what was their reasoning: AWD CSL would be too close to M5 in performance or RWD is just more raw/fun?

L = Light(er)weight. AWD isn't lighter.