This is my first time acting as a test driver for a FITT Challenge, so please forgive me if you aren't completely pleased with my time or my short comments. I'm not a super fast driver. I gave 100% effort and attention to each car, except one that I was still waiting for a tune to be posted. I will do that last car as soon as possible. If any tuner feels dissatisfied with my best lap time for their tune, please remember that we all have different driving styles and what may feel awesome for you might feel not so great for me.
Having said that, I really tried to give a thoughtful Drivers Choice score. There might be some tunes that had quicker times but lower DC scores and vice-versa. If I was able to rip 2 really fast, but uncomfortable laps and had 8 slow, out of control, totally uncomfortable laps that tune will end up with a lower DC than a tune that wasn't quite as quick but felt great to drive and easy to duplicate incredibly consistent lap times, lap after lap. I think all the tuners did a great job. Certainly a lot better than I could ever hope to do and that's why I don't tune!Unfortunately, not every tune is going to be a perfect fit and I mean no disrespect to anyone's tuning efforts. Again, it could certainly be a driving style clash, not being able to get the best out of your car.
On to the results (in order of Tuner #):
Tuner #1 - M3 Chrome Line
Lap Time: 2:09.206
DC: 8.75
Comments: I found the braking to be a little weak which made braking inconsistent for me. The Gearbox is fine. The suspension felt good. For some reason, when driving these Chrome Line M3's, I feel like my times will be better than they are.
Tuner #2 - M4 Coupe
Lap Time: 02:08.580
DC: 9.25
Comments: Great transmission for this track! Easy to read the limits of the car. Power delivery is incredible. Brakes are smooth and firm. Predictable - you always know what the car is always going to do and that makes consistent, quick laps easy to accomplish.
Tuner #3 - M3 GTR
Lap Time: 02:06.695
DC: 9.50
Comments: Excellent setup. A fast car that is just incredibly balanced. I really enjoyed the transmission for this track. I always felt like I was in the power band. I honestly couldn't find anything to seriously complain about. Occasionally I felt understeer, but I think it was because I was driving so damn fast. Probably my fault - not the car's.
Tuner #4 – M3 '07
Lap Time: 02:09.115
DC: 8.00
Comments: A fast car! But a little bit too dangerous for me. I felt like I was constantly on the edge and the slighest mistake would have me spinning off the track. There was lots of oversteer and flat out sliding on corner entry. I adjusted my braking points, to scrub speed sooner in more of a straight line and it helps keep the car planted, but hurts the lap time quite a bit.
Tuner #5 - 135i Coupe
Lap Time: 2:09.671
DC: 8.50
Comments: I was looking forward to this car and the Tuner did not disappoint. I believe the transmission could be improved, however, as I felt 3rd & 4th gear were too long. The braking could probably be a little more friendly, but once I got used to it, I was able to keep the back end planted firmly. My first few laps were wrought with oversteer. It really felt like if I ONLY concentrated on being smooth, rather than fast, my lap times would improve.
Tuner #6 – M3 '07
Lap Time: 2:09.248
DC: 8.00
Comments: The car felt a little uncontrolled to me at times. Perhaps the better drivers like that "driving on the edge of a knife" feel, but I don't. 3rd gear was too long, I believe. What it does have going for it is I can tell this would be a much faster car than my time indicates, if I were to spend a day or two with it.
Tuner #7 - M3 CSL
Lap Time: 2:08.165
DC: 8.00
Comments: This car was a little weird for me. The car felt/drove much heavier than it actually is. Also, the transmission just felt strange to me...gears too long perhaps. It's not slow by any means, but I was expecting it to be faster.
Tuner #8 – M3 Chrome Line
Lap Time: 2:09.866
DC: 8.50
Comments: The suspension felt really good, but the brakes could have used a little more bite. Another Chrome Line that feels faster than it was on the clock. Still, it's a fun car to drive because it's consistent. No surprises when I experienced a bit of oversteer. A very predictable drive, which I like.
Tuner #9 – M4 Performance Edition
Lap Time: WITHDREW
DC: WITHDREW
Comments: WITHDREW
Tuner #10 – M4 Coupe
Lap Time: 2:08.843
DC: 8.75
Comments: The only real flaw I found was the car would occasionally understeer at times that I would never have predicted. Overall grip was really good. This car is a real pleasure to drive. The handling is sharp and allows you to recover easily from tiny mistakes.
Tuner #11 - M3 CSL
Lap Time: 2:07.222
DC: 9.00
Comments: Almost flawless. It is very easy to drive this car fast. Balance is really good in this CSL. Brakes are great. The lack of weight allows you to just carry more speed into the turns.
Tuner #12 – M4 Performance Edition
Lap Time: 2:08.964
DC: 8.25
Comments: I like the way this car feels. I have a feeling most won't. It drives like a Replica Tune (that's what I drive 95% of the time). But, having said that, it's leaving a LOT of time out on the track. A bit too much understeer. Transmission is setup wrong for this track.
Tuner #13 - M3 Chrome Line
Lap Time: 2:08.878
DC: 9.00
Comments: Excellent setup. Very easy to drive hard into turns. Power gets down almost flawlessly. There is a hint of understeer at times, but easy enough to tell where the limit is.
Tuner #14 - M3 CSL
Lap Time: 2:06.705
DC: 9.00
Comments: Incredible tune. So easy to run consistent laps. Turn in is effortless. The transmission felt perfect - keeping me in the power band at all times. Suspension is stiff, but forgiving. I really like that. Excellent job!
Tuner #15 – M4 Performance
Lap Time: PENDING
DC: PENDING
Comments: PENDING
Tuner #16 – M4 Coupe
Lap Time: 2:08.920
DC: 7.75
Comments: I could not get comfortable with this car. I actually stopped my test session to double check brake settings. The entire car would slide like crazy when I was trying to trail brake. I did not like the transmission at all. There is speed in this car - but I couldn't control the car well enough to consistently find it.
Tuner #17 - M3 GTR
Lap Time: 02:09.519
DC: 9.00
Comments: I really enjoyed this car. I just felt the weight held me back from a low time. The transmission felt great. Car is well balanced in turns. It feels smooth and precise. The brakes weren't perfect, but the handling and power delivery made up for any braking mistake.
Tuner #18 – M3 GTR
Lap Time: 02:09.431
DC: 7.50
Comments: The car is quick enough, but I never felt comfortable and planted. There was a lot of bouncing around. I couldn't find a good rhythm with this transmission either. I felt stuck between gears several times. This car will oversteer too easily.
Good times and great feedback. Great to see some new blood, hope you stick around.
With regards to the other points being made, I still think it's all about the tune fitting the driver. Only I can drive the way I drive, so it stands to reason that I will be quickest in a tune that suits me, regardless of the lap time produced by the tuner.
The difference in wheel time vs DS3 time on GT5 was around 2 seconds (not counting aliens), for me, and I think it's roughly the same in GT6. Could this be the reason @Voodoovaj times are different.
