M3 or C6Z06

[Stormtroooper]

had the choice and went with the M3... do not regret my decision. If i had to do it again, i would chose the M3 again.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

Z06s are really really fast -- but that's about it

Nope. They are also quite economical out on the road.

Plus a huge trunk.

Originally Posted by Doctor J

-inferior fit and finish/workmanship (case in point steering wheel is from the Malibu)

You are sort of correct in regard to exterior body panels having wider gaps, but those gaps are necessary because of the body materials used. They expand and contract more with temperature changes than steel or aluminum.

Interior fit and finish/workmanship seems on par with the bimmer. Quality of materials, less so.

Originally Posted by Doctor J

-inferior interior esp the seats

Fully agree on the seats.

Originally Posted by Doctor J

-inferior dealer network

Wrong. You want a really good dealer network, go upmarket Japanese. Otherwise, you take your chances with both brands.

Originally Posted by Doctor J

-inferior driving experience (on a day to day basis as a DD)

On what basis? The M3 is quieter, while the Z06 is absolutely effortlessly fast from almost any engine speed. It's as if you're being flung down the road by God's own hand - and not just from the right-hand side of the tach. Mind you, I'm not just talking full throttle, either. Right from idle, the Vette is eager.

As to comfort, I find the Vette's seats are more comfortable on the long haul, because they don't restrict your movements as much.

Originally Posted by Doctor J

-inferior suspension (composite leaf springs in the rear... come on)

Those are actually transverse composite single leaf springs, front and rear, and on a purely theoretical basis, the Vette has a superior suspension with classic upper and lower control arms, while the M3 Macpherson struts are from a Ford design dating back around 60 years or so. At the time, the strut design came into being because Ford wanted to save on suspension costs.

The Vette's transverse leaf springs save on weight and package really, really well. They also don't suffer from the traditional leaf-spring bugaboo of interleaf friction, either, because there's only one leaf.

Arguably, the Vette's classic upper and lower control arms in front are better for handling, although in practice, both cars handle well. The single caveat is that the bimmer understeers too much when you're really hauling the mail. Admittedly, this shows up more on track than on the street.

At the rear, both cars are multi-link.

Originally Posted by Doctor J

I don't like the styling of the Vette personally nor the really low seating position

Fine. But would you also bitch about the low seating position in a Ferrari, Lambo or Ford GT?

As for styling, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so who cares what anybody thinks about it.

Bruce

[jeffnnj]

The average Corvette owner was born in 1943. Fact.

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Rshane

The M3 is also much more refined and comfortable over the long haul.

That I think makes the biggest difference. Interior quality is also no competition.

[saeedg48]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

no. i don't wear gold chains nor do i flaunt my chest hair

AHHAH

[TRY...M3]

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

Unpractical because it is a 2 seater or for another reason? Please explain.

Unpractical because you can't drive it in the snow, barely drives in the rain. Couldn't get in parking garage with a slight incline. And the INTERIOR SUCKS. I wouldn't get another corvette again.

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by TRY...M3

Unpractical because you can't drive it in the snow, barely drives in the rain. Couldn't get in parking garage with a slight incline. And the INTERIOR SUCKS. I wouldn't get another corvette again.

I bought mine in January at a snow covered parking lot Chevy dealer in Oklahoma and then proceeded to drive it home in the snow. I don't let whether it is raining or not determine if I am driving my Z06. I have never met an entrance I couldn't get up, and I have never scraped the lip just the plastic under the car used to direct air up to the radiator. The interior is no worse or better than the M3. I love the gauges and the HUD way more than the M3. The seats might not be as aggressive as the M3, but I'm not driving on the track I am driving on the street. If I am on the track I will be in my SpecE30 with racing bucket seats. I am glad you now own an M3 instead of a Corvette.

To the original poster, drive both of them and decide. I have owned and driven both. They each have positivies. I would say the major difference you will notice is in the way each car is geared. The M3 is geared very aggressively and hence has the gas guzzler tax while with the extra power and tons more torque the Z06 is geared very tall to try and help you get that powre and torque to the ground resulting in great gas mileage while cruising in 6th gear. I can tell you the first time you hit that throttle in 2nd gear and take it to red line only to realize you are nearing triple digit speeds you will be giddy. While the M3 is a luxury sporty car, the Z06 is a true sports car with near supercar levels of performance. I told myself I had to experience it, and I don't regret that.

[richardbb85]

Originally Posted by Brosef

different cars for different purposes. both are undeniable beasts that excel at what they're designed to do.

yea that

[NYCMCBM3]

Z06 is so sexy , but I would keep my M3

[NYCMCBM3]

[richardbb85]

last time i saw a Z06 with a plate "my prius", rofl

[NYCMCBM3]

^

[richardbb85]

i had a good laugh out of it too cuz the Z06 looked like heavily modded

[NYCMCBM3]

^You should of snaped a pic

[johnnyace]

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

Anybody ever regret not getting a c6z06 instead of their M3? If so why?

I was on the fence too. Chose the M3 only because of the back seat and possibly more desirable as a DD. I love the M3 on the street and track, but still wonder if I should have bought the Z06 (or 911).

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

Well I do both so should I go get a caddy instead.

Italians drive Caddy! CTS-V coupe would be a better comparison to M3 anyway.

[1984M3]

perhaps fast and furious could lend some wisdom

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

no. i don't wear gold chains nor do i flaunt my chest hair

Hahahahahaha

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

-inferior suspension (composite leaf springs in the rear... come on)

As said elsewhere, it has a monoleaf in rear AND front. In theory, that's not a fully independent suspension, but a semi-independent one, since both wheels are joined by the same leaf. Having said that, as a Vette ex-owner, the suspension works. Just like the engine design is archaic, dating back to the 50s, it also works. And yes, let's don't forget our car has freaking struts in front, as mentioned, so we can't really criticize the Vette . To be honest, now that I found a car I really like and can't justify keeping it after warranty, I wish it wasn't as complex as it is. I'm probably going to end up on a Vette after this car, so I can keep it after warranty without fear.

[BMWBoss]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

no. i don't wear gold chains nor do i flaunt my chest hair

LMAO

[King Tut]

Good explanation stingray. I fully agree having owned and appreciated both.

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by stingray23

Well, its my turn. I own BOTH a C6 Z06 and an M3. Granted that my M3 is a vert, its still a new M3 and still performs about 99% like the coupe and sedan on the street. To the fools talking shit and saying that the Z06 is inferior to an M3, HAHAHAHA. You're out of your fucking minds if you believe that shit. The Z06 is night and day a better performing car then an M3. No question. They shouldnt even be compared or cross shopped. Ones a high performance sports car, the other is sporty, luxury grand tourer. If you think the M3 is anything more you're only fooling yourself. The M3 is a great car, and I appreciate it for what it is, but I dont drink the Koolaid and dont think its Gods chariot.
I always wanted an M3 and a Corvette, and I have achieved that. I appreciate the smoothness, and responsiveness, the looks, sound and technology of the M3. Hell, I love BMW period. I believe that BMW is the BEST all around sport/luxury cars in the world. They just do it right. But lets not get ahead of ourselves by dissing the Z06. Especially if you've never driven one. I realize that its not for everyone, same goes for the M3. Shit, same goes for everything. The Z06 is another level car. I can take it to the track and out lap the best from the world, and get 28-30 MPG on my way home in a very comfortable ride. Its a very easy car to drive on the street, again, gets excellent MPG, has tons of storage space in the trunk, looks great, and is easy to maintain. The M3 to me is comfortable, but not as comfortable as the vette. Is more smoother riding then the vette(thats expected), does have a nicer interior(though not night and day as most of you believe), sounds great(vette sounds better to me), gets terrible MPG, and looks great. The Z06 is a more focused car. Its the better handler(by far)The more you push it, the more rewarding the handling is. The opposite is true of the M3. the more you push it, the more you feel the car plow(oversteer). The Z06 is also MUCH,MUCH faster. It is scary fast. If you are not used to lightweight, high horsepower cars with tons of torque, you can get yourself into a lot of trouble fast. Explosive is a good word. I also prefer the looks and sound of the Z06 to the M3.
I like the change of pace between the 2. The M3 is a nice cruising car that is pretty capable. The Z06 is the cut-throat all out sports car. It can be as docile as a commuter car and downright scary when you want it to be. I love both, but if I had to choose between the 2 tomorrow, the Z06 is staying. No question.

I agree that all of what you said is directionally correct, however, I would point out that I think you're over-selling the vette and under-selling the M3 in your comparison. A bit hyperbolic, if you ask me. I also think you meant 'understeer' above.

In any case, I would love to own both. If I had the garage space (and the $$), I'd also have a blacked out Z06 in my garage (cammed and with a full catless exhaust ).