Abandoning the Germans

[stein_325i]

Congrats on the new Blackwing! They are a hell of a car, GM just nailed the tuning and engineering behind these cars, they manage to be both comfortable, yet extremely tactile and enjoyable, I've heard nothing but compliments as to how the Blackwings drive. Enjoy it

[MCM4]

Big congrats on the Blackwing. I spent last weekend at Spring Mountain rolling the #44.

I had my own CT4-V Blackwing last May, then an M4 Comp xD a few months after. I ran each for close to 2000 miles. When my CT5-V Blackwing finally got built, that is where the dust settled for me. Supercharged V8 with an incredible manual? Never getting rid of it.

Here is a shot of the Spring Mountain 4. Really nice car with incredible driving dynamics. I wish it pulled more like the S58, but otherwise, the driving experience is all smiles.

[zachdog]

Have fun! Any manual transmission car can be fun, especially with power. It doesn’t sound like you hold on to cars forever, so you might well end up back in an M2. Enjoy the ride.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by MCM4

Big congrats on the Blackwing. I spent last weekend at Spring Mountain rolling the #44.

I had my own CT4-V Blackwing last May, then an M4 Comp xD a few months after. I ran each for close to 2000 miles. When my CT5-V Blackwing finally got built, that is where the dust settled for me. Supercharged V8 with an incredible manual? Never getting rid of it.

Here is a shot of the Spring Mountain 4. Really nice car with incredible driving dynamics. I wish it pulled more like the S58, but otherwise, the driving experience is all smiles.

Awesome, I need to book my spring mountain trip soon.

And the CT5 BW is also very tempting, might be something I get down the road.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by zachdog

Have fun! Any manual transmission car can be fun, especially with power. It doesn’t sound like you hold on to cars forever, so you might well end up back in an M2. Enjoy the ride.

Thanks, and agreed on the not keeping cars long. Drives my wife nuts.

However I think my next car might take me back to Porsche. The pull is too strong, and doesn't help that many friends are Porsche guys. I'm thinking GT3, 991.2 manual hopefully in a fun color if I can find one.

[dizz81]

I REALLY love the look of these. I have the same "wants" as you, although I want to get back in to a V8. Having owned V8's for a majority of my previous cars, I miss the sound. The sound of a supercharged V8 is just intoxicating, and after having a built V8 and then my supercharged E92 I need to get back into one. After driving this series of M car and how horrible these engines sound, I just can't do it anymore.

[ASAP]

looks real cool and high quality, i am sure you will love it...

my only experience with Caddy was when the 2015-2016 ats v came out with absolute rave reviews how it would destroy the m3 and c63 etc... so naturally i went to test drive it

The steering and suspension felt phenomenal... however the engine sounded like a Dyson vacuum cleaner (i couldn't figure out why it was so bad) and the Auto tranny at the time was just horrid... then I pieced together with the god awful dash and told the salesman thank you but this isn't for me.

It looks like your car has all that resolved so i'd be interested myself in one.

question .... did you look at a base g80 m3? seems to have identical specs

[V1L3]

I have loved every Alpha Chassis performance car GM has produced. I had a 17 ZL1 up until just after the big Texas freeze of 2021. I sold all my muscle/pony cars after that... but the one I regret getting rid of the most was that ZL1. People don't know just how planted and fun Alpha Chassis cars are.

I cross shopped CT5 V Blackwings before ultimately deciding on a G82 because Blackwings are priced like M5 Comps with the markups and stupid shit. You got one hell of a car though. They got those things dialed the fuck in!

I think I will eventually grab a used ZL1 1LE for track purposes in a few years..... favorite car of all time after owning one.

[///d]

I do like the CT.-V line of Caddys. Even some of the newer line SUVs look great. Girlfriend wants a XT4 and we test drove one not long ago. Really nice and comfortable. I just have PTS from so many GM vehicles I have owned and others have owned that always had xmas tree lights on the dash all the time because sensors would just randomly go bad over and over. Never seemed to matter the model or trim level. But that was years ago.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by ASAP

question .... did you look at a base g80 m3? seems to have identical specs

good question, I did, but a few things pushed me away.

- The wait for a g80 base was nearly a year (wanted to dump my Taycan ASAP - and was also on the list for a g87)

- Wanted a manual and the Blackwing Tremac is worlds better than the G80's

- Mag ride suspension is more comfortable than the G80, my Taycan had air suspension so I got spoiled by a nice ride (car is my daily)

- Could not get a pre-2023 M3 anymore, so I would be stuck with the dash billboard screen and no physical buttons.

- Value of the BW is phenomenal, I got mine for $70k OTD, which was under sticker, after much negotiation on NYE (sticker had a $12k markup), the M3 I would have wanted would be $10k+ more than I paid. Not that money was a huge factor, but with the current economy, I am stacking cash to buy rental properties after a market correction.

- I'm not far away from the Spartanburg BMW factory, and I see a lot of M cars around me, I have yet to see another CT4 Blackwing.

Bonus: Caddy sends the original buyers of the Blackwing cars to Spring Mountain for a free 2-day track event ($3,500+ value)

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by V1L3

I have loved every Alpha Chassis performance car GM has produced. I had a 17 ZL1 up until just after the big Texas freeze of 2021. I sold all my muscle/pony cars after that... but the one I regret getting rid of the most was that ZL1. People don't know just how planted and fun Alpha Chassis cars are.

I cross shopped CT5 V Blackwings before ultimately deciding on a G82 because Blackwings are priced like M5 Comps with the markups and stupid shit. You got one hell of a car though. They got those things dialed the fuck in!

I think I will eventually grab a used ZL1 1LE for track purposes in a few years..... favorite car of all time after owning one.

Love the ZL1, almost bought one if it wasn't for the not great visibility and my need for 4 doors. The 1LE is an absolute weapon, even the SS1LE is one of the best performing track cars you can buy now under $50k. It's a shame more people don't know how good those cars are.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by ///d

I do like the CT.-V line of Caddys. Even some of the newer line SUVs look great. Girlfriend wants a XT4 and we test drove one not long ago. Really nice and comfortable. I just have PTS from so many GM vehicles I have owned and others have owned that always had xmas tree lights on the dash all the time because sensors would just randomly go bad over and over. Never seemed to matter the model or trim level. But that was years ago.

Understandable, but new Alpha platform cars have been rock solid, just in time for them to go full EV and lose the interest of every car enthusiast.

[dizz81]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

good question, I did, but a few things pushed me away.

- The wait for a g80 base was nearly a year (wanted to dump my Taycan ASAP - and was also on the list for a g87)

- Wanted a manual and the Blackwing Tremac is worlds better than the G80's

- Mag ride suspension is more comfortable than the G80, my Taycan had air suspension so I got spoiled by a nice ride (car is my daily)

- Could not get a pre-2023 M3 anymore, so I would be stuck with the dash billboard screen and no physical buttons.

- Value of the BW is phenomenal, I got mine for $70k OTD, which was under sticker, after much negotiation on NYE (sticker had a $12k markup), the M3 I would have wanted would be $10k+ more than I paid. Not that money was a huge factor, but with the current economy, I am stacking cash to buy rental properties after a market correction.

- I'm not far away from the Spartanburg BMW factory, and I see a lot of M cars around me, I have yet to see another CT4 Blackwing.

Bonus: Caddy sends the original buyers of the Blackwing cars to Spring Mountain for a free 2-day track event ($3,500+ value)

I always hear really good things about the Mag ride and how nice and comfortable it is. I'm moving to SD in a couple of months and I'll finally be able to take one for a spin and see what it's like behind the wheel.

Looking forward to a long term update once you get some time and miles on the car.

[MCM4]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

Awesome, I need to book my spring mountain trip soon.

And the CT5 BW is also very tempting, might be something I get down the road.

Definitely get yourself booked. I am a novice, but the class is well structured and I learned a ton.

It was fun to be back in a 4, but the 5 is a very different machine. It is much more my flavor. It has been too cold to roll it lately (mine is on summer tires) but I just went and fired it up in the garage. Damn, that will never get old. She sounded angrier than normal after not being started in 8 days!

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by MCM4

Definitely get yourself booked. I am a novice, but the class is well structured and I learned a ton.

It was fun to be back in a 4, but the 5 is a very different machine. It is much more my flavor. It has been too cold to roll it lately (mine is on summer tires) but I just went and fired it up in the garage. Damn, that will never get old. She sounded angrier than normal after not being started in 8 days!

Honestly looks great. Far better looking than a G80. Congrats.

[dizz81]

Originally Posted by MCM4

Definitely get yourself booked. I am a novice, but the class is well structured and I learned a ton.

It was fun to be back in a 4, but the 5 is a very different machine. It is much more my flavor. It has been too cold to roll it lately (mine is on summer tires) but I just went and fired it up in the garage. Damn, that will never get old. She sounded angrier than normal after not being started in 8 days!

Beautiful car.

I swear those wheels always look different depending on the angle you take a picture of them. They definitely look more bronze on the website builder.

I've been trying to figure out what the difference is between the "performance" and "high performance" seats are??

[MCM4]

Originally Posted by dizz81

Beautiful car.

I swear those wheels always look different depending on the angle you take a picture of them. They definitely look more bronze on the website builder.

I've been trying to figure out what the difference is between the "performance" and "high performance" seats are??

You're absolutely right, they look much more bronze / gold on the website. In person, they are not too colorful at all, and are almost like an anodized warm grey.

There are 3 different seat choices on CT5-V Blackwing (only 2 on a 4BW). I think the base seats are considered "performance". The mid level has the quilted pattern in the middle, adds the massaging function and are heated and cooled. The top tier seats are semi-aniline leather and add the carbon fiber backs. The are pricey, but the leather is nicer and I find the comfort better than the mid level (which I owned on a CT4-V BW for 2 months). In BMW terms, I would say the Cadillac top seats are somewhere between the M Sport seats and carbon buckets. I LOVED my Tartufo sport seats, and did not care for the optional carbon buckets. The Caddy seats are not quite as cushy as BMW sport seats, but definitely not as hardcore as the carbon buckets. I think they are a perfect choice for every day driving and easily hold you in place for track work.

[Socal_R8]

I love my two Germans....



but must admit, I want to sell the white one and get a Tesla

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

I love my two Germans....



but must admit, I want to sell the white one and get a Tesla

YOLO!

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

I love my two Germans....


but must admit, I want to sell the white one and get a Tesla

Graphite Blue Metallic, fantastic color.

[dizz81]

Originally Posted by MCM4

You're absolutely right, they look much more bronze / gold on the website. In person, they are not too colorful at all, and are almost like an anodized warm grey.

There are 3 different seat choices on CT5-V Blackwing (only 2 on a 4BW). I think the base seats are considered "performance". The mid level has the quilted pattern in the middle, adds the massaging function and are heated and cooled. The top tier seats are semi-aniline leather and add the carbon fiber backs. The are pricey, but the leather is nicer and I find the comfort better than the mid level (which I owned on a CT4-V BW for 2 months). In BMW terms, I would say the Cadillac top seats are somewhere between the M Sport seats and carbon buckets. I LOVED my Tartufo sport seats, and did not care for the optional carbon buckets. The Caddy seats are not quite as cushy as BMW sport seats, but definitely not as hardcore as the carbon buckets. I think they are a perfect choice for every day driving and easily hold you in place for track work.

Appreciate all the information. I honestly want to test drive one of these and see how they are.

Beautiful car and yeah the wheels look so different in your pics.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by dizz81

Appreciate all the information. I honestly want to test drive one of these and see how they are.

Beautiful car and yeah the wheels look so different in your pics.

Good luck in testing, they are hard to find but well worth the effort to find one.

I just got out of break in and they are definitely a lot more fun cars than my Taycan was. I still am getting used to all of the drive modes and stuff, and once the weather warms up a bit I'll be taking it into the NC/TN mountains with my Porsche buddies to see what it can do. I do already have an itch for a tune - thinking JB4 and an extra ~80whp for just under 500whp that would make this car perfect.