Fast. Exclusive. Might still have a COPO warranty.
Have you met the BMW M4 GTS?
First, some might ask, what’s an M4? Let’s call it an updated name for an old favorite. BMW has periodically offered its M3 in both two- and four-door guise, but for the 2014 model year, the carmaker split the line: The four-door version retained the M3 designation, while it branded the two-door coupe as the M4. (And yes, that does seem a bit backward.)
Either way, this version of the M3 and M4 received a twin-turbo inline-six good for some 425 horsepower. Buyers could choose from a six-speed manual or seven-speed, two-pedal M-DCT setup.
For 2016 only, BMW turned up the wick and offered the street-legal, track-ready M4 GTS. Instead of a rear seat, the M4 GTS received a factory-installed roll bar. In addition to the M4’s standard carbon-fiber roof, the GTS also had its hood, trunk lid, rear diffuser, adjustable front splitter and adjustable rear wing made of the same lightweight material. KW coil-overs, sticky Michelins and a titanium exhaust came standard, too.
Under the hood, a water injection system allowed the engine to make 493 horsepower. BMW claimed a 7:28 lap of the Nürburgring, making it faster than a Lamborghini Huracán.
BMW announced plans to build only about 700 copies–final number might have just topped 800–while earmarking about 300 for the U.S. market. The retail price? About $135,000–plus, according to internet chatter, some six-figure dealer markups. Today, however, we’re seeing cars trade for close to half of MSRP, but for how much longer?
5 Reasons Why You Want One
• With only about 300 copies of the M4 GTS released to the American market, can we call it more exclusive than a 427 Cobra?
• It’s not just fast in a straight line but, as intended by its designers, around the track, too.
• Unlike most modern supercars, the M4 GTS is rather civilized, meaning you can easily get in and out of it. Plus, it has a real trunk.
• The last M4 chassis before the giant nostrils became standard. For a newer BMW, it bears a closer resemblance to a 25-year-old E46.
• Buy on the dip? The limited Evo editions of the original M3 have crossed the $250,000 threshold. Will this one follow suit?
Shopping Advice
Phil Wurz
Operations manager,
BimmerWorld
If you don’t want to heavily modify a car, the BMW M4 GTS is a super capable track machine. Just take it from the dealer, go right on the track, and it will perform at a really high level.
When you get in the car, you’ll notice a difference immediately from a standard M4. The door panels are stripped down. It doesn’t have the same center console stuff. When you get in this car, you know it means business and it’s built for performance.
Despite that, they have good street manners. The suspension is still a bit harsher than on standard M4s, but it’s a very reasonable car to drive on the street.
They made about 800 of them worldwide. However, we’ve worked on three of them here, with one in the shop now.
It has the typical weak points of any of the other F82 M4s. Watch out for the plastic bits, such as the charge pipes. If it’s a higher-mileage car, the plastic has probably seen some heat cycles.
A GTS-specific item is the front spindle knuckle. An initial version was known to crack. BMW revised this with an improved shape to reduce stress concentration in certain areas.
There was also a revision to the engine’s water injection system, which was unique to the GTS. Look for corrosion there, too, as you must use distilled water. There’s also a filter that needs to be replaced regularly.
Intercoolers can internally fail, usually due to not using the correct water.
The differential bushing that came from the factory was rubber. If you hear a differential clunk, that’s likely the issue.
The crank timing gear didn’t use a keyed system, so it’s a friction washer that holds the timing together. If you turn up the power on the cars, it may slip. There are aftermarket solutions out there that solve this problem.
Do a pre-purchase inspection with a shop that knows BMWs. They’ll be familiar with the issues mentioned, unlike more general shops.
The BMW M4 GTS is a bargain right now. You can find them for around $70,000 and with fairly low mileage. For what it is, especially being a potential collector’s car, values are only going to increase.
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Comments
I've only ever seen one out in the wild–when I was walking to grab lunch after an autocross at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
If you didn't know what you were looking at, you'd probably think it was just an M4 with some aftermarket goodies tacked on.
M4GTSAZ
New Reader
11/5/24 12:38 p.m.
The value of the old M3 Evo is amazing. This car is much more exciting and long term more rare and valuable. the article is spot on. I am enjoying mine and not worrying about the miles.
In reply to M4GTSAZ :
That's great to hear, glad you are enjoying it!
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By David S. Wallens
