M3 v. C5 Z06?

[spearfisher]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

Good point. However whoever would say that the Corvette would break down faster would be an idiot. Those cars can take a hell of a beating and with just regular maintenance which isn't much these cars can be blown, cammed... whatever and still run tip top 150k+ seen it many times. It may rattle, but who cares.

I agree, they can take an enormous beating, at the 1/4 mile and road course and drive home.

[ace996]

I've owned a 2002 Z06 and now an '08 M3... the Z will eat the M in all duties except toting around my kids and wife.
Besides the engine's differences (more torque to the Z), the weight differences (400lbs at minimum), and the tire differences (I ran 275s up front/ 315s in the rear with an ability to run 315/335s)...the Vette is much more agile. The weight is lower and the suspension is a better design, at least in the front.

No doubt, the M is an incredible machine but to compare it to one of the best true sports cars is pointless. There's a reason why CorvetteRacing has been spanking the best for years.

I wish I could have owned them both, but with two kids...the M won the garage spot.

Be good,
TomK

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by ace996

I've owned a 2002 Z06 and now an '08 M3... the Z will eat the M in all duties except toting around my kids and wife.
Besides the engine's differences (more torque to the Z), the weight differences (400lbs at minimum), and the tire differences (I ran 275s up front/ 315s in the rear with an ability to run 315/335s)...the Vette is much more agile. The weight is lower and the suspension is a better design, at least in the front.

No doubt, the M is an incredible machine but to compare it to one of the best true sports cars is pointless. There's a reason why CorvetteRacing has been spanking the best for years.

I wish I could have owned them both, but with two kids...the M won the garage spot.

Be good,
TomK

Hey, welcome to the responsibility of having kids, lol. I too, like you have had the C5 Z06, in fact I have had 4 of them, the 00' Hardtop (pre Z06), a 01' with 385hp (w/ oil consumption defective rings), a 03' 50th Anniversary Z and finally a 04' final C5 Z06.

The C5 Z06 was and is a AWESOME car. Low 4's all day long, 1.03 on the skid pad stock, and 3150 lbs.

But like you, I then had a baby, and the 2 seaters had to go out the window.

I tried my luck with an Audi S4, but it was SLOOOOW IMO. Then I went to the 335I which just got bought back by BMW for a continuous brake pad sensor issue, and I am going to pick up up my first M3 this weekend.

I am really looking forward to seeing what the M experience is all about, and to compare it to my 335I that had SSTT Sway Bars and KWV2 coilovers.

Just from the short test I got from the sales person and my limited time, I think it still felt a lot better than my modded 335I, I can't wait to confirm.

Anyways, back on subject, while the M3 is an awesome car, you have to give GM props for the C5 Z06, it was the track whore/king of its day, and STILL 8 years later on the short list of top track cars of all time.

If after 5K miles in my new M3 and break-in over with it is 95% or better than what the C5 Z06 is, I will be very pleased. C5 Z06 performance with the luxury of a BMW M is best of both worlds.

[Hans Delbruck]

I loved the torque and sound of my C5 Z06.... which is part of the reason I was drawn to the C63. Almost a year later and I'm still happy I made that choice.

[rush]

m3 all the way you all.

[Subw00er]

I own a '04 z06. You'd have lost.

[Irb Digital]

^^^ It'd be close, but for the most part, he's right. M3 puts down 10-20whp more and about 80 wtq less, and is spotting a Z06 about 500 lbs. It would be a drivers race early on, but at speed, the Z06 should be faster.

[CraZee M3]

I own both cars.. c5z can go low 12s to high 11s stock and trap 116-119. Hell of a car.
Id give it the edge but it takes more driver skill to achieve it than a new m3 with DCT tranny and LC.

[RRGOO7]

A C5 Z06 would eat an M3 up. I cant stand how people on this forum swear the M3 is fast as heck. Its a great driving machine but is far from a powerhouse that everyone claims it to be.

[matt beard]

Who cares, a c5 zo6 is butt ugly. The c6 zo6 on the other hand.....nice.

[knifegun]

Who cares who wins. They are both fun cars and there are so many factors that play into the equation.

[spearfisher]

Originally Posted by knifegun

Who cares who wins. They are both fun cars and there are so many factors that play into the equation.

well said a true car Enthusiast

[Subw00er]

After no owning both cars, you cant really compare them because they each excel in different areas. I like both equally!

I still think the z06 will win though.

[spearfisher]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

After no owning both cars, you cant really compare them because they each excel in different areas. I like both equally!

I still think the z06 will win though.

true statement, different cars

but yes if you can drive that Z well, it will beat the M3 everytime, on the track and 1/4 mile, but the Z is not as easy to drive as the M3.

[sayemthree]

depends on the driver- at my last track event I passed a ZO6 after about 5 laps the driver realized even tho he was faster on the straights he could not make it up on the4 corners and he let me by.

[mvagusta]

It depends on driver. On a roll in third I was ahead of him in third by a car, by fourth gear he was still stuck behind me by a car. It was a 50th anniversary Z.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by mvagusta

It depends on driver. On a roll in third I was ahead of him in third by a car, by fourth gear he was still stuck behind me by a car. It was a 50th anniversary Z.

FAIL!!

Sorry, I have owned 3 C5 Z06s, and now have an M3. The Z06 out accelerates, out handles the M3 in every gear (given equal gears) every time. Unless he was in 5th or 6th or he wasnt bothering with you.

The M3 is good in its own way, but it is still a compromise vehicle. The Z06 both C5 and C6 are purpose built supercars / sports cars.

[NoSubstitute]

The M3 is very reliable and very economical than the rest. Mine has been in the shop several times for electronic problems only but engine is reliable.

[mvagusta]

How do you know it is a stick and not a auto? Also I don't think a 60 mph roll to 90. The m3 is slow. The torque in low rpm's and at a start is where the vette has a advantage. On the roll in the rpm range of above 5k on a m3 is fast.

[John@BMW]

i didnt read the 4 pages but...

I raced a c5 z06 from 70mph, starting in 3rd gear and at 140mph, i was ahead by just over 1.5 car lengths. It was a pretty good race but I kept edging him out and had a slow but steady pull on him....

my rpi scoops must have given me an easy 1000 hp at those speeds.

i really thought i would lose that race.....

[mvagusta]

I'm telling you guy's try it on a roll 50 and up. He's not moving on you!

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by John@BMW

i didnt read the 4 pages but...

I raced a c5 z06 from 70mph, starting in 3rd gear and at 140mph, i was ahead by just over 1.5 car lengths. It was a pretty good race but I kept edging him out and had a slow but steady pull on him....

my rpi scoops must have given me an easy 1000 hp at those speeds.

i really thought i would lose that race.....

I'm sorry, but again, I don't think so. I know from personal experience from owning both. I don't doubt what you say, but I don't think he was really trying or he was in the wrong gear.

But assuming not everyone has driven both, you still just have to look at the numbers. The C5 Z06 weighs ~400 lighter, has 100 that is ONE HUNDRED MORE pounds feet of TQ and is behind by only 10 - 15 hp to the M3.