BMW M4 GTS...or M3 CSL

[superpippo]

Hello guys,

I'm looking for my next weekend car....I already have a Ferrari CS, Ferrari 328 GTS and an Alfa Romeo SZ.
Ideally I'd like to buy a 430 Scuderia, but I can't find none at my price point, so I have turned my attention to BMW, precisely to the M3 CSL or the M4 GTS.

What do you guys think about these two cars, M3 CSL and the M4 GTS ? I'm more into Ferraris and not so know knowledgeable with these cars... I'd like something a bit modern but on the other hand I'm not too sure what the general consensus is over the M4 GTS.

Would love to hear from anyone who is more in the know with these cars....

Thanks in advance.

[FTW]

I personally think the M4 GTS is a good buy.

Fully adjustable suspension
Bespoke front suspension knuckles
Adjustable aero
Carbon panels
Titanium exhaust
Roll cage

You could easily mistake it for a Porsche GT product from that spec sheet.

I think they were poorly set up for UK roads hence the mixed reviews at launch.

The DTM Championship Edition is an odd one as you don’t get the aero but they seem to be worth more?

[superpippo]

That's right...I also noticed the DTM run but not sure about it...at the end of the day they are the same car...except the aero as you say (mostly the front lip and a different rear spoiler).

Curious as to the values...are they holding well ?

[FTW]

When I was looking 12 months ago the cheapest approved used GTS was £79k, when I last looked none were for sale yet there are DTMs for circa £100k. Very odd.

A white GTS would be my preference. Some came with an incredibly rare carbon fibre wheel option.

[superpippo]

Interesting - was not aware of the carbon fiber wheels. The few cars I have seen don't have it...must be uber rare...can just imagine the cost of that option

[breadvan]

I'm a big fan of the GTS. I think it's more bespoke than many realise - with special touches everywhere.

Out of the 30 in the UK there's usually around half SORN so they're very rare to see out and about - I've certainly not seen another.

Interesting comparison with the DTM - they are 99% the same car. I don't think they're more valuable/desirable than a GTS personally. Both cars have a huge spread on the market - anywhere between £85k - £105k depending on the day, so I don't think either model is worth more. You do see more DTMs for sale though.......

[st33ly]

Just my input as I was contemplating going down the GTS route. Absolutely incredible car. And from my research I have found the following. The bespoke front knuckles can crack, the titanium exhaust is only applicable to the box not the entire system and the carbon wheels are I think non existent in the UK. And personally I would have a GTs over a DTM any day. The DTM to me is a marketing exercise made up of spare GTS bits however it is strange that they seam more however I feel it’s dealers / traders that have well over paid for them and stuck with them as for over a year they have been the same price. A guy up this way bought the white 800mile GTS from BMW for £81k last year. Tracks it and loves it. Don’t know what it’s back road manners will be like though.

[st33ly]

Oh and the only GTS up for sale currently in frozen grey looks superb. Low miles, warranty and PPF are all big plus points to me. Offer £85k and see if he / she bites.

[superpippo]

Looks like Chris Harris really didn't like this car...that's a shame...but anyway...not many cars always reach total consensus...just like the Challenge Stradale also gets negative reviews, still love mine...so that may not be all that bad.

[Tommie38]

I think the CSL is a landmark whereas the GTS is just another special edition. The GTS had nowhere near the same impact on the motoring world.

I do appreciate most people here are more interested in the newer cars. Totally fine - just my opinion.

[MDL111]

The GTS seems to have gone up over the last c 12-18 months. I looked at getting a RHD one at the time and the cheapest one was c 74k from memory and the cheapest DTM somewhere in the low 80s. I think they are quite rare / lower build numbers than the CSL from memory.
I have a Scuderia and can highly recommend it, one of the best gearboxes I have ever driven.

[superpippo]

Thanks for your feedback.

I was also looking at Scuds, and going to see a 599 GTB HTGE on saturday. The GTS (or DTM) still tickles me though.
How would you compare the GTS to the Scud ? I mean it's obviously a different type of car, but still curious on how you find the GTS.

Thanks.

[MDL111]

superpippo said:

Thanks for your feedback.

I was also looking at Scuds, and going to see a 599 GTB HTGE on saturday. The GTS (or DTM) still tickles me though.
How would you compare the GTS to the Scud ? I mean it's obviously a different type of car, but still curious on how you find the GTS.

Thanks.

Never bought one (or even driven one), so unfortunately can’t compare the cars. Currently no money for another car, so will not buy one anytime soon I suspect (also so many cars on my ever changing “want to own” list .... )

[superpippo]

Sorry, read your message again...yes now I get it.

[superpippo]

So I found a beautiful Ferrari 599 HGTC and as I was about to sign the papers, it got sold :-(
I have however found most probably my next car.....should be buying tomorrow a new to me Lotus 430 Cup...my first Lotus...

Hope I won't regret, but looks and sounds epic.

[J-P]

superpippo said:

So I found a beautiful Ferrari 599 HGTC and as I was about to sign the papers, it got sold :-(
I have however found most probably my next car.....should be buying tomorrow a new to me Lotus 430 Cup...my first Lotus...

Hope I won't regret, but looks and sounds epic.

Good choice - lovely motor that!

[Juno]

superpippo said:

So I found a beautiful Ferrari 599 HGTC and as I was about to sign the papers, it got sold :-(
I have however found most probably my next car.....should be buying tomorrow a new to me Lotus 430 Cup...my first Lotus...

Hope I won't regret, but looks and sounds epic.

Lotus is epic fun at the money

[superpippo]

Indeed - I ended up buying a 2018 7k km Exige 430 Cup. Loving it. Shame it's snowing and cannot use it these days....

[CRB1]

In mid 2019 I looked at one of the last dealer owned DTM's, in Tamworth, and then travelled down the M5 to look at a low mileage GTS in Worcester on a busy Saturday lunchtime. A lady was viewing the nice shiny BMW alongside the GTS. The white GTS looked fabulous as the sales guy apologised to the said lady for the noise that he was about to make, starting up the GTS. OMG!
But I bought neither. I could not reconcile myself to the DTM. The stripes. Even though I regarded the two options as virtually identical. But I kept my eye on the market, and....

In July 2021 bought the DTM from Hexagon Classics. I now love the stripes. Sitting low and looking along the bonnet as these three colours stretch away from you. It has quite an effect. And today in my local filling station I was accosted. "I love your car mate, what is it?" I spent a couple of minutes explaining the DTM and the GTS. That's nice.

My one regret....
Selling the CSL in 2011. What an idiot. Not for the loss of future value gain. Nope. What a pair I would now have.
To answer your question.....I've thought about it a lot, despite the time lag of 10 years. One day I may go back and get a CSL.
The CSL is the only car I regret selling. I prefer the DTM, just. Most of that reasoning is the fact that it is 14 years younger.

[superpippo]

Thanks for your reply. I did consider a CSL but the only one for sale I was considering was way overpriced.

I ended up getting an Exige as I mentioned below. I'll buy maybe the GTS (or the DTM) maybe in a couple of years, if they will still be affordable :-) In the meantime I'm enjoying my new Lotus!