[irablumberg]

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2024/

Now we have to wait a year to see how fast it really might be.

[geko29]

Would have been nice if they had repeated the test with the Cup 2Rs that BMW sent as replacements, but not changed the final time. They could have included something like:

"our unofficial lap with the not-factory-equipment front tires was 2.1 seconds quicker than our official time. We expect a re-test with regular Cup 2 tires to fall somewhere in between these results."

[SwankPeRFection]

This is what happens when BMW doesn’t have their shit together when they send stuff out and the same goes for C&D. You’re telling me not one single idiot looked at the tires to make sure they had what they were supposed to on hand or on the shipment when they received the car? Come on…

[irablumberg]

Originally Posted by geko29

Would have been nice if they had repeated the test with the Cup 2Rs that BMW sent as replacements, but not changed the final time. They could have included something like:

"our unofficial lap with the not-factory-equipment front tires was 2.1 seconds quicker than our official time. We expect a re-test with regular Cup 2 tires to fall somewhere in between these results."

Was not clear from the brief C&D text, but it sounded like they had 2 regular Cup 2 tires for the rear and got a pair of Cup 2 R tires for the front. Probably not an optimal set up.

[Jalloor]

There is video out now. The M3 CS did very well IMO except that it is sooooooo expensive.
What is more disappointing is the slower Laptimes of the M2 compared to the Nismo Z.

[geko29]

Originally Posted by irablumberg

Was not clear from the brief C&D text, but it sounded like they had 2 regular Cup 2 tires for the rear and got a pair of Cup 2 R tires for the front. Probably not an optimal set up.

Yeah that's how I read it as well. Maybe they actually did try it and it drove like shit so they didn't even record the time internally.

[CarbonFoot]

So it shaved ~3.5 seconds off of the M3 comp xdrive. No easy task, but I really want to see what it can do on Cup 2s.

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by Jalloor

There is video out now. The M3 CS did very well IMO except that it is sooooooo expensive.
What is more disappointing is the slower Laptimes of the M2 compared to the Nismo Z.

People forget the M2 is like the slowest non-Comp M4 out there. Nothing a flash can’t fix, but it won’t do much with a base power calibration from BMW. Put even the CSL map on that thing and see.

[See5]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

People forget the M2 is like the slowest non-Comp M4 out there. Nothing a flash can’t fix, but it won’t do much with a base power calibration from BMW. Put even the CSL map on that thing and see.

A flash isn't going to help the rear traction issues they had with the car.

[BlueBeamer]

How does a factory team not prepare for these situations is crazy. I raced world challenge and trans am for over a decade and we had way less resources and multiple sets of tires always ready.
That being said 3.5 seconds is a massive improvement with wrong tires

[McLaren720s]

Disappointing to see the new Z edge out the M2. I’ve not heard many other reviewers complain about the M2 being such a handful to drive.

I’m also eyeballing that DarkHorse lap time on Trofeo RS tires and thinking the M3/4 should be able to beat it on same tire especially when they said last year BMW fucked up the tires again and only sent them one set of PS4S and M3 could have gone faster with a second fresh set, let alone some nice Cup 2s.

[SwankPeRFection]

Chris Harris sure as hell didn’t have a problem driving the M2. 🙄

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by BlueBeamer

How does a factory team not prepare for these situations is crazy. I raced world challenge and trans am for over a decade and we had way less resources and multiple sets of tires always ready.
That being said 3.5 seconds is a massive improvement with wrong tires

not every car in this test is sent with a factory team. Most are just given to Car and Driver for testing and left alone while they do their thing.

Ferrari started this inane process a few decades ago. They won't let any cars participate in group tests and send minders to watch you test to make sure you're not "doing it wrong". I have to say, though, given their sales and stock price....the are onto something. LOL.

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Chris Harris sure as hell didn’t have a problem driving the M2. 🙄

Chris Harris isn't going for fast lap times.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

not every car in this test is sent with a factory team. Most are just given to Car and Driver for testing and left alone while they do their thing.

Ferrari started this inane process a few decades ago. They won't let any cars participate in group tests and send minders to watch you test to make sure you're not "doing it wrong". I have to say, though, given their sales and stock price....the are onto something. LOL.



Chris Harris isn't going for fast lap times.

All respect to Mr. Harris, but half of what he loved about the M2C was what made it a difficult car to daily. Reviewer perspective rarely matches the experience of living with a car for years.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by irablumberg

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2024/

Now we have to wait a year to see how fast it really might be.

I was so mad when I saw the video…this is the second year in a row with issues…inexcusable.

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Chris Harris isn't going for fast lap times.

Do you honestly believe he couldn’t? You can’t be serious… 😂

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Do you honestly believe he couldn’t? You can’t be serious… 😂

No, of course he absolutely could. I guess I didn't understand your original point since I haven't seen him trying to set a lap time in the car....

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by ChrisM4

I was so mad when I saw the video…this is the second year in a row with issues…inexcusable.

Add on the Camisa/Probst Z06, GT3, CSL circle jerk at Willow Springs last year. It's beyond bad luck at this point, BMWUSA either doesn't care or have the wrong people in charge of press relations.

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

No, of course he absolutely could. I guess I didn't understand your original point since I haven't seen him trying to set a lap time in the car....

The original point was that the test driver didn’t go a good job. Additionally, if he was having to fight for grip in the back and incapable of setting a quicker lap due to his skill on throttling out, then he misconfigured the car a bit. Running the traction control at level 3 may have been too low. If the tech is there, use it… bump it up until just below where it’s managing the power itself and where you feel it kinda wanna cut it back. You want a smooth power transition and unless you’re really good, the tech stands a much better chance of controlling it than you do.

[willyp]

Originally Posted by geko29

Would have been nice if they had repeated the test with the Cup 2Rs that BMW sent as replacements, but not changed the final time. They could have included something like:

"our unofficial lap with the not-factory-equipment front tires was 2.1 seconds quicker than our official time. We expect a re-test with regular Cup 2 tires to fall somewhere in between these results."

Agreed on the same Cup 2R there is no way this car isnt quicker than the M4CSL.

Even with the street tires it was quicker than the M5CS which kinda surprised me tbh. I wonder what the difference would be on the same tires between those two???

Bad look for BMW though IMO... I wonder why they havent let them try the XM, pretty impressive lap from the X5M. Maybe its slower than that lol

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by willyp

Agreed on the same Cup 2R there is no way this car isnt quicker than the M4CSL

It's not - recall the CSL is over 300lbs lighter. The CSL time last year was not on Cup2Rs - they stated they had a puncture and couldn't get a replacement. What they don't say is what tires they replaced the Rs with. Asterisks everywhere with testing BMWs.

[willyp]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

It's not - recall the CSL is over 300lbs lighter. The CSL time last year was not on Cup2Rs - they stated they had a puncture and couldn't get a replacement. What they don't say is what tires they replaced the Rs with. Asterisks everywhere with testing BMWs.

Yeah but RWD versus AWD which personally I think makes up for more than 300lb. I was at the PCD yesterday for some private coaching and had lunch with Matt Mullins and he mentioned the lightning lap and he said with the exact same tires theres no way the CSL is faster than the CS simply due to the X-Drive.

Personally I think they are VERY close, a half second at most. I just want to see a true fair comparison which unfortunately we have yet to see...

The M4CSL might be a touch quicker but also is a lot more to manage IMO and putting down that lap consistently is going to be a lot harder to do requires way more skill set.

Heres what the article said last year about the CSL, keep in mind they also didnt have time to adjust the seat correctly. I would like to see some comparisons from someone like Jorg who has had plenty of time on the track with both models.

"Corralling all those ponies requires getting comfortable with the machine. You want a worn-in-Levi's feel, not that of a fresh pair of Wranglers. We never fully settled in, but that's not entirely the car's fault. A bolt punctured a rear tire before we started lapping, and we lost half a day of familiarization. The CSL is so new that finding a replacement BMW-spec Michelin Pilot Cup 2 R tire proved impossible, leaving us with three new tires and one slightly worn one for the final morning."