BMW rumour for Le Mans 2017

[kvenom]

Way to go out on a complete whimper BMW. Thanks for the memes though.

[S griffin]

Not the best way for then to go out, but at least we will have the privateer BeeEms next season

[Juntos]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Not the best way for then to go out, but at least we will have the privateer BeeEms next season

Will we? With who?

[bentley speed 8]

Honestly, who would want to run those M8s when you can get hold of a 488 GTE, 911 RSR or even a Ford GT?
Also did BMW ever say anything about customer cars?

[S griffin]

I think I may have got confused with Ford there.

Although it would be nice to have them back as a privateer for some variety

[bobec]

Originally Posted by kvenom

Way to go out on a complete whimper BMW. Thanks for the memes though.

Officially, BMW's unexpected exit from the series is by their own decision, but rumor has it they have been asked to leave because of their car's sheer size. And let's just say they aren't winning any appeals on that matter.

[Akrapovic]

I very much doubt the ACO is turning away any manufacturer, especially the size of BMW (pun not intended).

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by bentley speed 8

Honestly, who would want to run those M8s when you can get hold of a 488 GTE, 911 RSR or even a Ford GT?
Also did BMW ever say anything about customer cars?

This:

'[BMW] will still supply customer cars to sports car teams around the world, field the M8 GTE and its successor in the IMSA championship to appeal to the North American market, and field the BMW S 1000 RR in World SBK.'

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by bobec

Officially, BMW's unexpected exit from the series is by their own decision, but rumor has it they have been asked to leave because of their car's sheer size. And let's just say they aren't winning any appeals on that matter.

I've never seen the BMW but surely it can't be any bigger than the Bentley? (That always looks to me like a lowered double-decker bus!)

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I've never seen the BMW but surely it can't be any bigger than the Bentley? (That always looks to me like a lowered double-decker bus!)

The Bentley is big but the M8 GTE is properly huge.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by kvenom

Way to go out on a complete whimper BMW. Thanks for the memes though.

It's a personal thing, but I confess I'm sick to death of these silly photoshops......

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

This:

'[BMW] will still supply customer cars to sports car teams around the world, field the M8 GTE and its successor in the IMSA championship to appeal to the North American market, and field the BMW S 1000 RR in World SBK.'

They will supply GT4 M4s and GT3 M6s, but will they supply GTE M8s? Seems unlikely.

[chernaudi]

I wonder if the M8 will become a GT3 car? After all, the M6 coupe is supposed to be replaced by the M8 as a production car. The future 6 series are going to be 4 door fastback sedan "coupes".

[deggis]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

This:

'[BMW] will still supply customer cars to sports car teams around the world, field the M8 GTE and its successor in the IMSA championship to appeal to the North American market, and field the BMW S 1000 RR in World SBK.'

It doesn't explicitly say GTE customer cars and of course more likely means GT4 and GT3.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike E

They will supply GT4 M4s and GT3 M6s, but will they supply GTE M8s? Seems unlikely.

Agreed - unlikely, particularly if there is no interest from BMW to sell them to customers.

BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt:

“The IMSA series plays a central role for us in North America and is developing well. The USA is the most important market for BMW M cars, so it is very fitting to build a direct bridge to our production models there with the BMW M8 GTE. We will not compete in WEC going forward. Therefore, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June will be another highlight for us in drawing to a close [...] continuing our WEC involvement in the coming years does not fit with our direction. The global presence of BMW M Motorsport is safeguarded by customer racing and the DTM in Asia and Europe, as well as the IMSA series in North America, even without competing in a world championship.[...]
As part of the BMW M Motorsport Customer Racing Programme, privateer drivers and teams will continue to represent the BMW brand around the world in the future. We will provide them with a wide range of support – and competitive vehicles of course. The BMW M4 GT4 has proved to be a real winner since its debut in the 2018 season and the BMW M6 GT3 continues to celebrate regular victories all over the world. A successor for our successful GT3 model is already in the works.”

[TF110]

The Nissan GTR GT3 is just as big or bigger than the m8. The white paint doesn't help either. I think it's the height of the front end and the kidney grille that gives it the big look. It is only as tall as the 911 so the size is coming from something else.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by TF110

The Nissan GTR GT3 is just as big or bigger than the m8.

Model	Length(in)	Width(in)	Height(in)
M8GTE	196	88	48
GT-R Nismo GT3	188	80	47
911 RSR	179	81	41
Ford GTE	188	81	41
C7R GTE	177	81	45

[Adam43]

I wish the Ford was one inch lower

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I wish the Ford was one inch lower

[carbsmith]

Originally Posted by TF110

The Nissan GTR GT3 is just as big or bigger than the m8. The white paint doesn't help either. I think it's the height of the front end and the kidney grille that gives it the big look. It is only as tall as the 911 so the size is coming from something else.

The GT-R isn't even as big as the M6. It's roughly the same as an M4.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Great list. Do you have similar numbers for the Bentley and M6? I'm guessing similar to the Nissan GT3.

The M8 really is bigger in every way. There are some cars that come close in 1 or even 2 dimensions, but the BMW still wins every time lol.

[chernaudi]

The width of the M8 GTE according to BMW Motorsport is 2046mm (minus mirrors), or about 81 inches.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

The width of the M8 GTE according to BMW Motorsport is 2046mm (minus mirrors), or about 81 inches.

I've quoted the with mirrors figure, as that is regularly used elsewhere.

'TECHNICAL DETAILS.
Dimensions
Length without rear wing - 4,980 mm
Width without mirrors - 2,046 mm
Width with mirrors - 2,224 mm'

81 inches is still larger than a GT-R Nismo GT3 though.
For comparison - the C7R is 77.4 inches minus mirrors.

Could a C7R or GT-R Nismo GT3 fit through a gap 82 inches wide - yes.
Could an M8 GTE fit through the same gap - no.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Great list. Do you have similar numbers for the Bentley and M6? I'm guessing similar to the Nissan GT3.

Bentley and M6 (from manufacturer's specs) added

Model	Length(in)	Width(in)	Height(in)
M8GTE	196	88	48
911 RSR	179	81	41
Ford GTE	188	81	41
C7R GTE	177	81	45
M6 GT3	195	81	48
Continental GT3	191	80.5	53
GT-R Nismo GT3	188	80	47

The GT3 cars are typically taller and longer than a GTE. Both classes generally adopt a width of approximately 81 inches. The Nismo GT3 is amongst the smallest of GT3 cars.

[bobec]

Originally Posted by TF110

The Nissan GTR GT3 is just as big or bigger than the m8. The white paint doesn't help either. I think it's the height of the front end and the kidney grille that gives it the big look. It is only as tall as the 911 so the size is coming from something else.

I think you're wrong