BMW M4 CSL vs Porsche 911 GT3 Touring (4K)

#BMWM4CSL #Porsche #911GT3
Find out how BMW’s M4 CSL gets on against the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring. Can the ultimate M4 topple one of Porsche’s finest ever GT3s or is the lure of the 911 too strong? Ben Barry is your guide…
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:48 - M4 CSL walkaround
4:38 - M4 CSL Driving
11:36 - 911 GT3 Driving
20:17 - Verdict
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CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[@CARmagazineTV]

BMW M4 CSL or Porsche 911 GT3 Touring... Which car gets your vote? Let us know in the comments below!

[@AB-fr2ei]

i dont think anyone would choose the BMW

[@marcelooofenwonken4251]

I would take the CSL any day off the week Porsche is great, no doubt at all. BMW M4 CSL, is going to be a wild horse, not a tamed equestrian pony

[@LilBunny6077]

@@AB-fr2ei seems your thoughts were wrong

[@napalmhotdog4365]

@@LilBunny6077 he wasn’t wrong. He just didn’t account for the mental

[@napalmhotdog4365]

@@LilBunny6077 he wasn’t wrong. He just didn’t account for the mental

[@AndersChanTidemann]

GT3 for me as well - I can’t really think of any car I want more than that one.

[@odinikita4821]

I agree but I also wouldn't mind the Cayman GT4 RS

[@jordanjoestar8839]

The CSL is a cool project. Odd, quirky, goofy looking but purposeful. A school project from BMW. The GT3 is a literal art piece that instills awe and emotion. Timeless as ever. Crafted woefully by the all time masters.

[@user-sh2lz8lc3o]

I’m a BMW guy, but since the BMW redesign nightmare, the Porsche wins even if it didn’t have a motor, lol.

[@VanShiversMMCent]

I feel bad for bmw with this comment 😂😂😂😂😂

[@lambolife2908]

Porsche - most boring looking car ever designed.

[@iluvcakes19]

The GT3 is ugly & probably not timeless because every generation has them. 997 GT3 RS 4.0, now that is timeless. 992 GT3 IMO really isn't anything special among Porsche and GT3s.

[@_Ambition124]

Gt3 all day everyday, don't even have to think twice about choosing between the 2

[@1seipai]

I couldn't agree more. For driver involvement, purity, and a fantastic engine there's no comparison - GT3 all the way. The e46 CSL was different as it had a fantastic NA engine.

[@nathanb2100]

I'd go for the GT3 Touring 😄, although it's great to see the CSL name back on a BMW :)

[@bokiNYC]

Agree 100%! 👍

[@byhsu6140]

Their slogan says it all. Porsche, there is NO substitute !!!

[@Overitall805]

I'm so fascinated by the socio/psychological bug that crawled in our ears and made "too loud" and "over indulgent"....bad things. Enjoying our lives is as valuable as anything else we do ...as it makes for life worth living . It's art, passion, love and beauty ...and THIS...is what these cars are all about...Life Worth Living For.

[@mohamedhossam5195]

It's a strange world. If it's quiet then they'll say it's too quite and lack character and now it's too loud lol. They just have to find something to criticize to prove that they're doing their job.

[@philippebeinaerts]

Absolutely correct

[@mohamedhossam5195]

There's no way you can get a GT3 touring for the same money as a CSL. On paper maybe but in real life impossible. Also the price of the GT3 is without any options- add 20-30k- where as the CSL is fully loaded. Like someone said here a GTS with the lightweight pack is more comparable.

[@TheHoosiers2008]

Correct, but this is also correct “no way you can get a CSL for MSRP”

[@mohamedhossam5195]

@@TheHoosiers2008 GT3 here in the US is close to $200k with options without markup. Then add the crazy GT3 markups of up to $100k. CSL is $145k with all options. Max markup I've heard is $50k. Not even close.

[@bri1042]

Pricing spread between Porsche and BMW is a bit different in the UK vs the US (making an assumption on locations, apologies if the assumption is incorrect). The vast MSRP spread in the US is less in the UK. But it's all academic. Almost no one can actually buy a GT3, even if they have the money...and the CSL is nearly as hard to come by. Might as well have a discussion about which planet you want to own.

[@CanyonsCarver]

It is a BMW, doesn't have the same pedigree

[@lordmaster5522]

Forget the GT3 the , I would just get the cheaper GT4-RS with 10hp less and save tons of money over both of these.

[@VK6AB-]

Its a no brainer, 992 GT3 easy choice. The M4 CSL is probably 200kg heavier than the GT3, GT3 has NA 500HP engine that revs to 9000 rpm - it isn't really a contest. The M4 CSL weighs nearly 3,600 lbs - that is not light weight at least my book. Good review.

[@nezabytes]

Facts!!!

[@ab185]

One can be purchased easily. The other costs $100K over MSRP. No contest indeed.

[@minigiant8998]

yeah but the m4 can hold more stuff...

[@iluvcakes19]

Both are ugly. But at least the BMW is ugly AND cool looking.

[@VK6AB-]

@@iluvcakes19 Looks like a Hyundai

[@jamesj97370]

Before I've even watched the video you'd have the GT3 🤣

[@tahag2107]

This is fast becoming a channel you can confidently hit the like button before even watching the video. Great work

[@CARmagazineTV]

Thank you!

[@kahmed7328]

I’ll take the GT3.

[@zzhughesd]

Agreed. CSL tasty as. For an M Product. But. How could you give it 5 seconds thought over GT product Porker???? It’s like McDonalds over full on Italian restaurant San Carlo style. I’m probably wrong. For that I love all the BM fans.

[@dobremihai8183]

Amen

[@hottub2249]

😂👆🏾. Concur though!

[@verde629]

I’ll take a used G80 comp because that’s the only one I can afford atm lol

[@Carrera-gp9od]

I’m sure the new one is a magnificent machine but holy shit it looks like a dogs dinner next to the e46 !

[@bsteamer10]

What a blessing to be able to drive both of these cars. 100% my dreams cars, GT3 RS though.

[@CARmagazineTV]

It really was a blessing! 😌

[@philippebeinaerts]

Good to see CAR do in video what it does so well in print.

[@asmrrelaxationtv8673]

Great Content. Thank You for sharing. have a nice day!❤👍

[@napalmhotdog4365]

How could this even be a comparison?

[@wezob4569]

Similar pricing 🥴

[@thefallenvalley4340]

@@wezob4569 BMW is more of a collection car

[@jasonpmcqueen]

@@wezob4569 Maybe list price but IRL the GT3 is about 100k more

[@philamor5139]

great choices for comparison . honestly great pics

[@mariodiniz21]

Ben is up there with the best automotive journalists ever, so underrated unfortunately. Great review and video.

[@crimsonpirate1710]

Hes dull as a dead frog

[@mattbonnell7023]

Great review!

[@CARmagazineTV]

Glad you enjoyed it Matt, thanks!

[@cornishrider]

Thank you Ben a very comprehensive and enthusiastic review, the BMW is some bit of Kit but for me it has to be the Porsche in white, manual with blue interior!

[@stevebartlett5803]

More videos from Ben please!

[@FreshlySnipes]

CSL was just dyno’d @ 597hp. 👀

[@jcsquared1111]

What I wouldnt do to own that M4 its simply beautiful abd sounds amazing can only imagine how she pulls!! Great vid!!

[@andynorth426]

Porsche everyday without question but the csl is an excellent car

[@jennypenny7243]

CSL is my pick.

[@napalmhotdog4365]

Why?

[@sejtanskifazoni5752]

@@napalmhotdog4365 its his liking why he should explain it

[@TrueFilter]

@@sejtanskifazoni5752 more special, useable. The 911 just looks like another 911.

[@sejtanskifazoni5752]

@@TrueFilter I mean GT3 is really nice dream car to be honest but M4 CSL its just more special Beast of a car

[@jennypenny7243]

@@napalmhotdog4365 Its because it is a do all car. Practical enough for empty nesters, fun enough for the weekends, special enough to be loved.

[@jonathancooper7042]

Excellent review Ben, excellent. So much better than the 0-60, straight line YoofTubers. Keep up the analogue Car mag reviews, but pls post more vids. And yep, GT3 … altho as a Porsche owner (x1 , vs x7 BMWs) I dream of the day I get ‘invited’ to own one 😕

[@plife911]

Very nice video. Owned and reviewed both the g80 and 992 touring. These cars are not comparable. The touring is way more expensive and is built on a race car platform. The csl is built on a 3 series road car platform. Both are amazing in their own right, they just couldnt be more different and they are not really competing in the same segment. At least a pdk touring may have been a better comparison. I still dont think a better value for money car exists than the g80

[@Whiters8]

Ben's one of my favourites. There are loads of good presenters these days, with different qualities but Ben's USP for me is not being fussed about pure 'presenter polish'. Feels like you're in the car with a good mate talking with real enthusiasm. Great vid, cheers.

[@kindface]

Nice advertising.

[@carfan3762]

I agree with your conclusion, but the BMW CSL is also a masterpiece in its own wright. Two icons. Splendid !

[@bokiNYC]

Right 👍

[@pranavyalamanchili125]

I think you are forgetting the fact that one of the cars is hideous

[@CanyonsCarver]

A masterpiece? Tell me you are being a fanboy

[@993mike]

I’ve owned six M3’s, but there is absolutely no way I would own this giant ugly beast. GT3 all the way

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Completely different class of cars. As a former M3 owner and current 911 owner, even the “special” versions of the M3/4 still doesn’t beat a pedestrian 911S and especially the GTS (same tires, same track, same driver, same day). The GT3 product is in another league, then you have the GT3RS and then the GT2RS. So ya, the very pinnacle of BMW doesn’t touch the pinnacle of Porsche.

[@caribbeanseas]

I have an M4 comp Xdrive so I do have a preference for BMW but let’s be honest here….there really is no competition here between the GT3. The sound the capability the straight out pace on a track. It’s in another league.

[@mrnicktoyou]

I wonder if BMW stuck to the naturally aspirated six cylinder formula like Porsche did, and used a 4.0 litre inline six making 500bhp, if it would make their cars more special. I think it might.

[@SmoyKa]

CORRECTION: CSL stands for Competition Sport Lightweight

[@chrisduran3007]

It’s scary that I remember Ben’s e36 M3 from Max Power in the late 90s in my early teens! Seem to remember blue paint work and possibly a magnex exhaust?

[@massimilianozeni1848]

I d just add a fixed ducktail! It s just perfect

[@philmountain9290]

So this is a great review, the guy talks like a proper car guy.. really good Both great cars, I’d take the M4 though

[@davidbee9563]

Seems a repeat of the e46 CSL. It can go so far as a sports coupe but compromised by a shared platform with the sedan/touring models. Can't compete with the purer sports car platform of the 911/Cayman for the final 10%. Better traction and less torque makes the 911 more usable on the road. Torque of the M4 turbo makes it necessary to use traction control to dial it back to prevent the power from upsetting the chassis.

[@jameswillard1]

The truth is these cars aren’t really comparable in terms of anything except that they are the “highest performing drivers cars” in their respective lineups. Back 20 years ago when the E46 M3 CSL was out, both it and the 911 GT3 of the time were very similar in terms of weight …..now 2 decades later and there’s about 650-700lbs difference and that alone means the BMW has no shot at being a true drivers car like this GT3 Touring is. Porsche should be commended for keeping the GT3 mythos so close to (or better in many cases) the original, it revs higher, is still a manual transmission, sounds as good as ever, and has a ton of Motorsport character intact

[@STRmw2]

here we go again reminds me of top gears m4 gts vs gt3

[@slytherben]

Really enjoyed this! I feel so sorry for BMW enthusiasts. I'm so sorry BMW has forsaken all of you. I hope Porsche never changes. But with the IPO, who knows...

[@workspilot.]

That fly on 2:26 understands the elegance of the CSL!

[@dougharlow6037]

Love this BMW M4 CSL, HATE the grill. Love the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring and love the grill. Thanks

[@timmietz]

Thank you for the video. It’s a good one! One thing I want to point out, is that the direct competition two and 40 SL is not GT three touring, it is a PDK GTS with Carbon ceramic brakes and bucket seats. That way, you are comparing apples to apples. You are comparing 2 six cylinder 3 L turbo engines, and cars that cost roughly about the same amount of money. Apples to apples, here in the US, fully loaded GTS is going to be about $30,000 more than the M4 CSL, but it is close enough. Market value of a GT three touring is $100,000 more here in the US than it is of the M4 CSL, So, frankly, it’s just not a fair comparison.

[@CARmagazineTV]

In the UK, the M4 CSL is £129k and the 911 GT3 is about £136k, so there’s very little in it.

[@enigmatwist6548]

@@CARmagazineTV That’s the “recommended list price” the price you pay is usually considerably more and often entails having to buy other Porsches. I agree with other posts, a suitably specked GTS would have been a better choice for comparison.

[@willr8768]

@@CARmagazineTV good luck buying a GT3 in the UK unless you've bought multiple other Porsches in the past. In the US both are marked up heavily by dealers, the CSL is a $200k car and the GT3 a $300k car (give or take). Run that against the current exchange rate!

[@naa6256]

I like both their looks

[@ccarr1286]

That sound at 12:04 🔥

[@CARmagazineTV]

If only you were there to hear it Chris! 😊 It's harmonious isn't it!

[@AllIsWell_22]

Great video! I hope you can do a review of the Camaro ZL1/1LE (Manual). It's the best iteration of the Alpha chassis and it would nice to have some American representation on this channel.

[@CARmagazineTV]

Noted, we’ll try and get some more American cars in!

[@omarvasquez3855]

GT3 for me. The only other car I can think of I may want more is an AMG GTR, just for the engine note.

[@napalmhotdog4365]

Have driven both. 992 gt3 (with wing) and AMG GTR. The amg hardly makes a sound compared to the Porsche, trust me

[@m3drivr]

I like M Power, this if you gave me a choice, GT3. The CSL doesn’t even come close to attracting me especially with the design and overall strategy BMW is on nowadays.

[@ZenJuddhism]

hats off to BMW for their steadfast refusal to make a good looking car for the last 20 years, 6 series gran coupe apart.

[@GarryMcGovern]

I'll take my GT3 in black with the PDK. I have enough old cars with manuals and I've been driving them since the 80's, so the novelty of some extra perceived 'involvement' in a manual just seems weird to me. There is just way too much potential to exploit (or at least TRY to exploit!) in the GT3 and the average human will never get close to it on the road. The car was engineered as a PDK (the manual thrown in for investors, Americans, and Millennials brought up on GranTurismo), so I want my hands on the wheel, fingers dancing with the paddle shifters, and full on focus on hitting that apex as fast as possible. Ahhhhh, divine!

[@reaver9]

I had a good laugh reading it, I'm in a manual camp but indeed the legendary involvement at this stage is largely a marketing fluff.

[@oemj7147]

@@reaver9 You're not in any manual camp. I am, and I wouldn't touch any automatic car no matter how good.

[@pfan12000]

What happens to carbon fiber roof panels during a rollover? Does it shatter and the occupants get decapitated by the sharp edges?

[@CARmagazineTV]

Interesting thought process you have there.

[@ChandrinKatuwawala]

THat Porsche is the most beautiful thing I have seen.

[@thejonathandoan]

The BMW could be made of gold, I still wouldn't care; I would take the Porsche all day every day. Yes, it's subjective, but I'd take a 911 over almost any car on earth.

[@garyjohnson3751]

I’ve had my gt3 for just over a month & it’s the best! Machine I’ve ever owned especially with the 6 speed manual

[@samieb155]

I'd have the GT3 Touring with a PDK. As good as the new CSL is, the E46 CSL is a much better car. Just wish I still had mine. I'd stick with an M2 comp as everyday car and the weekends with the GT3 T, the best of both worlds tbh.

[@yatty1673]

Porsche all day long however if it was my money i'd buy the CSL purely because its low in production numbers (only 100 coming to the UK) & so has the potential to hold and even help you profit on the initial investment.

[@manfromwuhan714]

Dolomite silver looks so good

[@gurgenmakaryan4428]

GT 3, pure pleasure, smart investment, outstanding driving impressions!

[@Dontevista4]

No one in their right mind would pick an M4 over a GT3 if money wasn’t the question. I’d would rather have a Carrera 4S than a CSL any day !

[@byhsu6140]

My favorite 911. This comparison is a little like the beauty and the beast.

[@mspeed2441]

Great test. I'm a little embittered because the M4 CSL is just so much cheaper that the GT3. In fact, the CSL is the same price as a base 911 Carrera buld: $140,000USD. That's kind of stupid. Did you hear that Porsche is changing their model name to Ferrari? Porsche Ferrari GT3? They decided that the only way to make their cars even more expensive was to add Ferrari to the name. Seriously, I just built a "normal" GT3: $220,000USD. Not even the RS. No wonder why Audi is considering an F1 team.

[@milootje007]

I'll have the touring please, thank you very much.

[@user-xg9jn4my1u]

1:41 G82 may looks ugly alone but incomparison to f82 side by side, its massive improvement...wow very impressive. F82 looks so archaic even more than e46 m3.

[@security_threat]

🙅‍♂️GT3 Touring vs m3 CSL is a BAD Comparison! If you want to compare a Porsche 911 to the M3 CSL then compare the 911 GTS to the CSL. Thats a fair comparison! Both boosted 3L turbos RWD cars!!!! 🌀💨🏎

[@sabastiantaylor7209]

I have a 2012 gtr rs4.0. I’m very curious to see how much more they got out of the new one.

[@kingdomfunding]

these two are not comparable in any way. Cool cars, great cinematics, got the concept wrong though.

[@Jestes304]

Whatever you choose is win win

[@johnm5131]

cool car, the CSL. But hard to see the point: design a very heavy car, then charge the customer insane money to try make it as light as its competition, and still failing? Meanwhile the GT3 is a pure design that needs none of the trickery. Even worse, how does this CSL compare to lower 911s? A would suggest even the 911 GTS would make the CSL seem non-sensical.

[@houssamalucad753]

The gt3 looks great and futuristic but that BMW is 🔥🔥🔥 They somehow made an incredible design out of that weird grill

[@iluvcakes19]

GT3 couldn't be uglier.

[@buildindian8169]

There is nothing calm and subtle about my DCT F80…it kicks you in the butt

[@pereldh5741]

Club Sport Leicht isn’t it…?

[@mohamedashry3337]

Both performance car and respect..I lv m4 interior with race seat in sky colour with lemon acid colour interior...but always remember porsche mean durability

[@nmnnmtoto]

the bug at 2:25 💀dude wants the car too

[@HanLi1984]

Both are so amazing. Should I sell my 911 C2S and get the CSL?

[@MRAWES0ME510]

No.

[@richardconway6425]

What??!! I have aspired to own a 911 all my life. Many people do. Because they are special, in ways that can be defined, and in ways that cannot. If you sold your C2S for a BMW, I don't think it would be long before you regretted it. Is it because the csl has more power? More torque? Yes, it has a lot more mid range torque, which is nice, but it comes with strings attached. 200 of them. Which is not nice. Weight is the enemy of a sports car. If you want a more powerful, faster car, then upgrade to a 'better' porsche, but frankly, I find it a little difficult to understand how a C2S is not all of these things already.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

Both of these cars are beyond comical next to GMs C8 lineup.

[@leighandrews8863]

M4 CSL far more special than the GT3 which is now a regular model in the Porsche line up for each iteration.

[@schallrauch1187]

You are right, BMW CSL is more exclusiv special than Porsche GT3 in their Regiulars...different to the higher Prices from Porsche.

[@carterlegendary3487]

The BMW isn't a bad car but I prefer the Porsche. Great review Ben!

[@quintongrand]

i wonder how this GT3 Touring compares to the 911 R 🤔 seems dope

[@peterh225]

The E46 is the M3 Csl to buy…😊

[@mugammadbehardien6139]

Over the years with BMW vs Porsche comparisons the Porsche always wins as it is a thoroughbred sports car from get go whereas the BM M's are based on road going passenger cars. I will always pick the BM though.

[@thegrimmer]

The lightweighting people chose quad exhaust tips over any protection for the radiator? A literal billiard ball could take you out.

[@woodypwx]

GT3 Touring, anytime!

[@SteYoung]

Nice to add the M4 CSL to this Porsche GT3 Touring review.You wouldve thought the GT3 was a groundup built sports car who's sole goal was ultimate performance. Oh wait........#Chalkandcheese

[@GeordieAmanda]

I thought BMW dropped the manual gearbox because it couldn't handle the high torque of the new engine in Comp (and CSL) guise?

[@designed4yous]

Incredible reviews and cinematography, but again, another strange CAR mag editor choice when it comes to cars to compare. Might as well have thrown in a McLaren “GT” or a Nissan “GTR”

[@ADIG01]

M4 CSL😍🚀

[@stevosd60]

Porsche v BMW is like lotus Cortina v GT Cortina .. both seem similar at first glance but there is always the same winner I own a BMW but would prefer a Porsche any day. It's only the price and practical ability that holds me back

[@Designcaj123]

Porsche is in a completely different league.

[@Luke-cb3ly]

for me Porsche's and Corvette's are above the rest. but the CSL is pretty impressive

[@cayman9815]

GT3 PDK please

[@juanduque3224]

What type of comparison is this?

[@ertugrulbae46]

Porsche is a different class of cars than BMW family cars. Porsche is sports/track car first - everything else later. BMW M4CSL was described as "Road car first" and track car second.

[@GarryMcGovern]

Kryste guys, could you please put up a 'warning' notice on the opening screen shot before you post a picture of an M4? I nearly threw up my coffee opening the video, and being confronted with the front of that godawful abomination just staring back at me!! I mean, I know it's coming...... but maybe start off with a rear-view shot to ease us into the fact the image of that M4 nose is coming?

[@xorbitman]

I guarantee that if you dyno this car, it will produce a lot more than the "official" HP and TQ. Excellent review with all the bits and bobs we love to hear about. Still though, I'm not a fan of that grill and I'm sure I'm not alone. I/m willing to bet that the new M2 CSL is a better handling sports car.

[@chrisg4rr377]

But have you seen what the new m2 looks like? Its minging

[@ilmelangolo]

Porsche hasn't got turbo on the GT3 because... it has with the turbo and the GT2! BWM should have maybe done the same: keep developing the majestic S54B32 aspirated engine and then creating a parallel line with the turbo. But probably that would have been too much for them.

[@elcapitan711]

Lol, some would say they‘re not in the same league. I say it‘s not even the same sport😂

[@blackdot1128]

And I’m buying red pumas. Bravo

[@miraclemiler71]

GT3 all day, every day, and six ways from Sunday. Although would prefer it in 6MT.

[@willr8768]

Hard to compare these cars with engines at different ends, one built ground up as a sports car, the other a pared down/tuned up family car. Also, in the US, both are marked up massively by dealers and the GT3 is in a whole other category at about 50% more in the real World. On the road with dealer premiums the CSL is a near $200k car and the GT3 a near $300k car. The Porsche should "win" every time.