BMW made some headway in 2023 when they sealed a multi-year contract with WRT. One of the most successful teams in modern racing history would say goodbye to Audi and switch to the BMW M4 GT3 from 2023 onwards.
It was a slight surprise, but one that was building up to be reality. Audi had already shown its hand by committing to Formula 1 for 2026. It's not uncommon for manufacturers to focus on multiple racing branches, but it seems that Audi has chosen to focus mainly on F1, leaving its sports car R8 for dead. Literally, as the R8 will be discontinued with the last R8 GT version as its swan song.
So, in 2022, it became obvious that WRT would have to look elsewhere to continue their success. And BMW was just around the corner with a brand new M4 ready to pick up the opportunities Audi had forsaken. So too, the signing of Valentino Rossi himself. BMW even promoted the 9-time world champion to BMW factory driver status.
Performance ⅘
Being a newer generation car, the BMW M4 GT3 is a capable contender on most race tracks. The 3L twin-turbo straight 6 delivers ample performance and keeps up nicely with the likes of Ferraris and McLarens.
Out of the gate, the M4 GT3 feels well put together and is able to put its power down fairly nicely.
Handling ⅘
Being a front-engined car, the BMW M4 GT3 'suffers' from similar characteristics as its predecessor (the M6 GT3) and other cars that share the engine mounting at the front. It's not the sharpest front end under braking, and getting it exactly where you want mid-corner can be a struggle.
However, just like the Aston Martin Vantage GT3, the M4 GT3 makes up for a weaker front end with its rear. The car has some great mid-corner steering abilities that help you navigate around apexes and look for those fast exits. It's not perfect, but if you're able to get your head around it and apex early, you'll find it more than capable.
What stood out most to me was its forgiving nature over curbs and good driver's perspective. Cars like the Ferrari and McLaren feel very low down, while the M4 GT3 is a noticeably different platform. The driving position gives you a good overview of corners to come, which helps in picking out your next visual target. In many ways, the overall platform feels more similar to the Bentley Continental GT3 than the exotics. It's even larger in dimensions, and that's noticeable under driving.
One thing to note is aggressive power output. As several other non-naturally aspirated cars, the BMW M4 GT3 seems to struggle with traction at some unpredictable times. At times, you feel like it hooked up, encouraging you to apply more throttle, only for it to spin out seconds later. Patience and good throttle control are vital for this to become 'your' car.
How to make the BMW M4 GT3 faster in ACC:
- There's no TC2, so finding the right TC level is important. If you're able to heat up your tires and firm up the rear suspension, you can run pretty low TC levels.
- The M4 GT3 benefits from a firm setup. Stiffen the anti-roll bars for high-speed directions.
- Increasing downforce doesn't affect top speed as much as other cars. Try playing around with the rear wing.
- Utilize bump stops effectively to build or reduce rotation depending on your aero settings.
- Pay attention the gears you're using as the M4 GT3 has very high gear ratios.
Conclusion
BMW knocked it out of the park with the M4 GT3. From the first green light, it has been a competitor at the front of the grid. It's no surprise that you see so many M4 GT3's in online races, and the car is fairly accessible and has a very decent aggressive default setting. Would I consider spending more time in? Sure! At plenty of mid to high-speed tracks, the M4 GT3's great aero and performance will make it a contender to be recognized.
That being said, you'll need to put in some time to learn the car's nature. Practice makes perfect and so it does with mastering the edges of the M4 GT3. However, I'm convinced that if you do, you'll reap the benefits!
