iRacing: How Realistic Does the BMW M2 CS Feel?

The thrill of racing—the sights, sounds, and sensations—comes alive both on the track and in simulations like iRacing. But how close does iRacing come to replicating the real-world experience?

In iRacing, the BMW M2 CS Racing stands out for its accessible (free) yet competitive nature. The developers have meticulously recreated its design, handling characteristics, and engine sounds.

But how well does it perform compared to the real car?

To address a few key questions, we enlisted the expertise of one of our professional drivers, who regularly races high-performance sports cars like the BMW M2 CS.

How does it feel in terms of handling and steering input?

Real Life:

One of the defining aspects of the BMW M2 CS Racing in real life is its precise handling. Drivers often describe it as intuitive, with steering feedback that provides a clear sense of what the car is doing. Oversteer is relatively easy to manage, and catching a slide is a matter of instinct and experience.

iRacing:

In iRacing, smooth inputs are essential. Sudden movements or overcorrection can easily result in a spin.

PD: “In real life, the car could go completely sideways, and I’d still just catch it. You could never do that in iRacing.”

How does it feel in terms of tire behavior?

Real Life:

The BMW M2 CS Racing’s tires in real life offer progressive grip, allowing drivers to push to the car’s limit with confidence. During slides, the tires provide enough feedback to make corrections without losing control. Even with traction control (TC) turned off, the car remains manageable for skilled drivers.

iRacing:

The tire model in iRacing has been a contentious topic. Many drivers complain about a sudden loss of grip when the car is pushed beyond its limits. This abrupt behavior makes it challenging to recover from oversteer. While updates to the tire model have improved this aspect, it remains an area where iRacing falls short compared to real life.

How does it feel in terms of traction control (TC) and stability?

Real Life:

Driving the BMW M2 CS Racing without TC in real life is an exhilarating experience. Torque delivery, especially in third gear, can cause the rear to slide, but the car’s balance allows drivers to control it with ease. Curbs and track irregularities are absorbed smoothly, adding to the car’s stability.

iRacing:

In iRacing, turning off TC can make the car incredibly difficult to handle. While some argue this adds to the challenge, others feel it’s an unrealistic depiction of the car’s behavior.

PD: “In real life, I always drove with TC off and never had issues. In iRacing, it’s way too easy to lose the car this way.”

How does it feel in terms of sense of speed and immersion?

Real Life:

Racing in the real world is a sensory overload. The combination of vibrations, g-forces, and peripheral vision creates an unparalleled sense of speed. The brain naturally filters out distractions, allowing the driver to focus entirely on the task at hand.

iRacing:

While iRacing excels in many areas, its sense of speed can feel diminished. Critics point out that this is partly due to field-of-view (FOV) settings and the lack of physical cues like vibrations. However, with the right setup—such as triple monitors or VR—the immersion can be significantly improved.

PD: “iRacing captures the overall feel of the car but falls short in specific areas like tire behavior and oversteer recovery.”

One common tip from experienced drivers is to adjust the audio settings in iRacing. Lowering the engine volume and increasing tire noise can provide better feedback, helping players react more effectively to the car’s behavior.

Here we have a short video to appreciate the similarities between the two onboards.

Do we have any readers who have also raced the BMW M2 CS? Share your feedback with us in the comments!

• Remember, you can join iRacing clicking here.

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See you on the track!