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Old 03-25-2024, 01:52 AM
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Manifold
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Default M3 CS

Any of you guys considering buying an M3 CS?

The reviews are good, seems fun to drive and very fast. It’s similar to the 992 TTS with respect to having AWD, twin turbo 6-cyl engine, usable as a daily driver, somewhat stealth, and capable as a track car. At half the price of the TTS, seems like a lot better value than the TTS.
Old 03-25-2024, 03:27 AM
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Spatia
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Not a fan of the BMW styling since e46, and in all the BMWs I’ve ever owned - 4 of them - none were reliable. It’s a hard pass for me.
Old 03-25-2024, 03:44 AM
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Mydxb
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I had G82 M4 with the same powertrain and 4WD of M3 CS (with slightly less power than CS). I tuned it with catless downpipes (ended up with more power than M3 CS). it was fun, much cheaper than a 911even with the cost of tune and downpipes. handles well but feels a bit heavy when you push it in corners but very fun and stable car.
Old 03-25-2024, 09:01 AM
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Almost a Hard Pass. Had M5/M3/M6 going back as far as 15-20 years. BMW advantage over our cars is the initial turn in with front engine which is just superb and you almost never run out of grip on the front on the newer cars. The rear is almost always unstable and although that behavior was tamed to some extent with the newer cars, it is still a handful/ unsettling pushed hard and you just don't have the same confidence compared to 911 and it's not a knock on the car since the BMW is 1/2 the price. I would not consider it a serious track car unless you add serious suspension modification and is it really the same car at that point?

911 performance is ready out of the box for track, daily, cruise everything but at double the price should be ready right and that is where the price difference shows. Daily yes, the BMW is good, short canyon runs, off-ramp or curvy local roads where you can really lean into the front end but the old behavior is still there if you push too hard. Would have it as a fun car 3rd car just be aware there are limits and the effortless speed and performance of the 911 it does not have.
Old 03-25-2024, 09:04 AM
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CanAutM3
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I switched to Porsche after 20 years of owning M3/4 because I did not like what BMW did to the G8X. So no, I am not considering it.

That being said, the TT/TT-S are on another realm of performance vs the G80 M3cs, there is no comparison. The M3cs does offer a fair bit more practicality though.
Old 03-25-2024, 09:46 AM
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Manifold
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Originally Posted by CanAutM3
I switched to Porsche after 20 years of owning M3/4 because I did not like what BMW did to the G8X. So no, I am not considering it.

That being said, the TT/TT-S are on another realm of performance vs the G80 M3cs, there is no comparison. The M3cs does offer a fair bit more practicality though.
Are you sure there’s no comparison? Have you driven the CS?

The reviews suggest that the dynamics are a step up from the regular M3, and car appears to be crazy fast, with very strong acceleration, excellent and stable turn in, and strong powering out of corners without understeer.
Old 03-25-2024, 10:19 AM
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pitt911
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have not driven the CS
but owned 2024 G80 M3 and driven multiple times the M4 CSL which has the same power like M3 CS but RWD vs AWD
CSL is crazy fast , it felt faster than my 992 TTS on highways
my only complaint about M3, it is too good and getting close to boring
Old 03-25-2024, 10:47 AM
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Steve 96C4S
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Totally depends on what you are going to use it for and how. Some cars, if used to run errands, meet up w/friend, go on long day trips or overnight trips aren't ultra comfortable driving them for hours and hours. My 992 Turbo S is so comfortable for long drives. Her BMW M5 is too, but is the M3 CS? I don't know. There's so much involved in getting a car. Is it the image you want to be seen in and makes you smile every time you see it? If so, just get it. It matters not what negative responses you'll get here. On the M3 forum practically everyone would most likely tell you to GET IT.

For us, we just wanted a bigger car than the M3, with this particular styling (below). Everyone's taste is so different and reasons for getting a car, so different (we don't track our cars or drive crazy fast) so I'm not sure any of the responses here would actually help you. Once you test drive one for 30 min, if you can find one to do so, you will have your answer. Good luck.


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Old 03-25-2024, 11:05 AM
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Manifold
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One issue I have with the 992 TTS with Sport PASM is that the ride quality isn't good on rougher roads. With this suspension, the car doesn't have the full range of going from comfortable cruiser to track weapon. It doesn't cruise as comfortably as a 991 TTS. As a track weapon, the 992 TTS is tremendous, but it uses up the brake pads very rapidly, so 992 TT with regular brakes is probably a better choice as a track car.
Old 03-25-2024, 12:06 PM
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ipse dixit
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Not sure too many people are cross-shopping these two cars.

Four dour v. coupe

One is ~2x the MSRP of the other.

Dual clutch v. auto

Interesting comparison, for sure.
Old 03-25-2024, 12:26 PM
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Angryinch
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G80 is a monster in the aftermarket world... One just did 8.5 with stock engine and a 1.3 60ft. They launch like crazy!

I have heavily considered selling the TTS and going full out on a G80, but I just love driving the 911 too much.
Old 03-25-2024, 01:13 PM
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eclou
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I haven't looked at BMW after the E36 and E39 salad days. They keep getting fatter and uglier
Old 03-25-2024, 01:36 PM
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Manifold
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My BMW dealer tells me that they didn't get any allocations for the M3 CS, and that BMW isn't releasing any more. This is for a 2024 car. Seems that Porsche GT cars are easy to get, compared to the M3 CS.
Old 03-25-2024, 01:52 PM
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Angryinch
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Only 1700 made... Will be all sold out already, likely one 1 or 2 per dealer, if that.
Old 03-25-2024, 02:20 PM
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CanAutM3
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Originally Posted by Manifold
Are you sure there’s no comparison? Have you driven the CS?

The reviews suggest that the dynamics are a step up from the regular M3, and car appears to be crazy fast, with very strong acceleration, excellent and stable turn in, and strong powering out of corners without understeer.
I owned an M4cs for three years after owning a regular M4 for four years before that. I was 2.5 seconds faster at my local track with my M4cs than I was with my previous M4 on the same tires. So yes, I can appreciate the improved performance the CS brings over the regular model.

However, just look at the performance stats and track times, the M3cs simply cannot keep up with a TT, let alone a TT-S. The difference is quite substantial. One is a purposefully built sports car while the other is a souped up mainstream sedan. That being said, the M3cs performance is very impressive for what it is, but it is no 911 turbo. They offer different compromises: practicality and cost vs increased performance and driving dynamics.


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