Quote:
Originally Posted by N & M
Quote:
Originally Posted by SleepingBMW
GT cars are designed to be confortable on long trips. Usually means soft suspension and a big engine.
Sports cars are designed to go fast around a track and that means tight suspension to reduce weight transfer.
The 8 series was designed to win Le Mans and then converted to a road car. It's big true, but that makes it very stable and easy to drive at the limit compared to a 911.
The fact is the M8 has adaptive suspension so it will be comfortable on the highway. But it's not going to be S class or 7 series comfortable.
It's a sports car from the start.
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I used to get caught up in these type of arguments but soon realised that whatever we think or feel or even know nothing will really change so long as BMW sells and makes money.
More to the point, I care less about the ultimate ideal of a car that I want them to make and focus more on enjoying a car or cars they already produce.
My F90 M5 has lived up to all my expectations and even exceeded a few. Driving it back to back with Ferrari 812, I didn't feel it lacking in speed or thrill. Sure, it was't as agile as the Fezzer but normal roads it delivered. I look forward to comparing the M8 coupe in the same manner and suspect it will go a long way to fill in the gaps and if it doesn't? Well who cares if it is the right choice for me?
My point? You want a 911 or a Ferrari (if you can afford one) then get one. You want a car that you can get so much out of everyday and still get a thrill on fast road or track then enjoy the M8 as was intended. No point in wishing an orange taste like an apple is there?
Now cue the hateful answers. |
Well I don't know that it's hateful but the 'm' does stand for Motorsport. BMW has the Alpina relationship to make the GT cars.
No question GT driving dynamics are way more popular these days than 2001. Just look at BMWs recent 3 series.
But agility has everything to do with weight transfer. If you turn the wheel the weight transfers to the outside of the way to turn the car. It lifts weight off your inside tires. Less weight on the tire means less contact patch and less grip. Less grip is less speed in the turn.
Your M5 In sport+ is going to be really close to a 911 or Ferrari in terms of agility. It's designed not to shift its weight around at the expense of a bumpier ride. M5 weighs 4K lbs but it's not relevant to agility of the weight doesn't shift. It's only relevant to braking. An M5 brakes in 99 ft and a 911 in 89 from 60mph.
Meanwhile a 911 turbo, i8, and Ferrari California are GT cars by design. They have soft suspension and are not agile at all because they lose too much grip in the corner and can't go as fast. The i8 weighs 800 lbs less than an M5, but it doesn't keep its weight centered on a track. The plus side being soft rides at speed.
M5 is really comfy at 100 mph; no doubt. But you haven't driven an Alpina in comfort+ to compare.