Back when BMW launched the M4 GTS, it created quite a stir. Not just because it landed wearing half-orange wheels and a fixed wing worthy of an aftermarket catalogue, but because it cost twice the price of a regular M4. £120k was (and still is) a lot of money for a BMW, let alone one in the mid-sized two-door segment. But as we quickly found out, the GTS is a lot more than just a modified M4. It’s practically a whole new thing, one engineered to fight with GT3s and GT-Rs on track, all day long. It’s a compelling package.
Ask a ‘normal’ F82 M4 to do what the GTS can and you’d quickly run out of rear tyres. In standard trim, the old coupe was never able to shake off the foibles of the M3, and while there were moments of brilliance, many agreed that the M4 didn’t inspire enough confidence on the limit. The competition was getting hot back in 2016, too; Mercedes-AMG’s C63 coupe was inspiring in the corners as well as monstrous on the straights, and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio was now there to throw a Latin spanner in the works.
BMW therefore had its work cut out proving the M4 could cut the hardcore mustard - so the GTS, with its fancy new bits, went all-in to achieve that. The wheels are 19-inch 9.5 and 20-inch 10.5J, making them half an inch wider than those on the standard M4, and they come wearing Cup 2s. Engineers used bespoke asymmetric pivot bearings for the steering and revised front geometry, while the rack itself got a new torque curve for the power assistance. It also lost an ‘elastic’ damper for improved response from the helm. Specced up, cars got a half roll cage and harnesses, too. All very good stuff.
Coupled with 500hp from its enhanced turbocharged straight-six, which came fitted with a water injection system that allowed for the raising of boost, and the GTS was far more than just an enhanced M4. The base car’s traction issues weren’t just fixed, the rear axle’s capability became a key component for the GTS’s character. The engine was explosive and happy to rev, sounded menacing thanks to new pipework and worked in tandem – rather than against – an athletic chassis seemingly capable of handling whatever request you threw at it. Oh, and the GTS was properly fast.
That was enough to convince many of the M4 GTS’s greatness, but plenty more still couldn’t quite get their heads around the price. This was fair enough; when you weren’t wringing its neck, this was still fundamentally a BMW 4 Series. Albeit one with fixed back seats and functional aerodynamic addenda to signal its intent, and rarity – BMW built just 30 right-hand drive cars for Britain – to emphasise its specialness. Those after a tricked-up M4 were catered to later on with models like the brilliant and much cheaper CS; the GTS was to remain the choice of a wealthy few, who’d hopefully have their car regularly on track.
Today’s Spotted is no such example. With only 1,465 miles covered, it’s barely run-in. That seems like a crying shame - if ever there was a BMW built for driving, it’s this one. On the upside, the next buyer is getting it in immaculate condition. Better still, the highly-specced car’s lack of use hasn’t prevented it from losing a sizeable proportion of its value; you’re essentially looking at a new GTS with nearly £40k (excluding options) off its original purchase price. Someone, please let it out of the starting blocks.
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