Yep! M3 CRT all day :notworthy:

If that is the case, it seems strange that BMW didn't want the comparison with the CSL - if the lap time setter was better than normal CSLs, they would have no reason to preclude a normal CSL from attending the GTS launch :).

I think that would be very unlikely to have been the case (other than the factory upgrade pads), as the egg on face if it was found out would be highly embarrassing and something BMW would not be able to risk.

I'm no Ring expert, but I could easily do a sub 8 minute lap BTG in my own car (with no traffic), so Horst Von Saumer's time of 7.50 is not unbelievable. I'm sure it has been said that someone off here has done a 7.50 BTG, which is around 8.10 to 8.15 for a full lap - not too far off the original time to doubt it IMO.

Their is a nice review of the gts if you Google Chris Harris on cars.

Not heard of anyone doing a 7:25 BTG in a completely standard car even with the proper flying start, 25 seconds over a lap is a lifetime, even on a long track. Most of the guys doing 7:40ish BTG laps have dampers, brakes, weight removed, wider front wheels etc.

Anyway, my point stands, over multiple laps a standard GTS would leave a standard CSL for dead IMO, modified further still.

E92 has much more potential than e46, just expensive to unlock it.

http://www.frozenspeed.com/gallery_e...c/rm1_m311.jpg

Standard engine, 7:22 full lap...

Seeing and hearing one coming down sideways through Brünnchen was fairly impressive I have to say

But I'd prefer an Alpina B3 GT3 myself I think

The Schirmer M3 always sounds and looks good at the Nordschleife. I am not sure how different it is from the GTS but I would have that over the bright orange behemoth.

I think the picture above is a Schirmer M3 and not the GTS.

Pip

It is, imagine that with a 4.4 engine :)

Schirmer M3
Alpina B3 GT3
M3 GTS

All highly focused cars and all aimed at a slightly different audience. In years to come, which one will be most highly regarded?

The CSL is a very tough act to follow, and will be even more highly regarded in the future, regardless of whether the newer cars are faster i.e. M4

GTS will come to be seen in same or better light than csl, remember the reviews when the csl came out saying not worth the money, couple of years later they all changed their minds...

Are you surprised they only managed 30 more bhp over the 4.0 E92 M3?