M3 v. C5 Z06?

[SS32]

I was out on a drive tonight getting closer to breaking in the engine and I was on a long, straight, 4 lane road. A C5 Z06 pulls up next to me and sits there for a second and then pulls away. It got me thinking, and I think it would have been pretty close. What do you think?

[Zervos4]

been real close race...think you would have edged him though

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Zervos4

been real close race...think you would have edged him though

Huhh? The 'Vette has 80 more hp & 175 more lb. ft. and 500 less lbs weight? You're dreaming.

[T Bone]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Huhh? The 'Vette has 80 more hp & 175 more lb. ft. and 500 less lbs weight? You're dreaming.

He is talking about the C5.

[Zervos4]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Huhh? The 'Vette has 80 more hp & 175 more lb. ft. and 500 less lbs weight? You're dreaming.

talkin bout c5 there bub

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by Zervos4

talkin bout c5 there bub

bub? U got it wrong. Bub was in the Vette!

[RandyB]

Yep, that would have been real interesting. That was a car I really wanted for a long time but just couldn't stomach the car itself as a whole for the money. Now I will have that type of performance in an overall package that I think is incredible. Good things come to those who wait.

[SS32]

One of my friends has one, I'll see if I can't arrange something after the break in is done.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

..... It got me thinking, and I think it would have been pretty close. What do you think?

Well, you should have done it, and given us a full report

We hope you miss the next opportuity again

[T Bone]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

bub? U got it wrong. Bub was in the Vette!

No....his real name is Bubba, not Bub...he hates it when you shorten his name.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

I was out on a drive tonight getting closer to breaking in the engine and I was on a long, straight, 4 lane road. A C5 Z06 pulls up next to me and sits there for a second and then pulls away. It got me thinking, and I think it would have been pretty close. What do you think?

Apparently I am the designated Corvette "defender" of the venue, in this case drawn in by the idiot remarks regarding Vette drivers, who seem to me to be just as knowledgeable and friendly as BMW drivers - at least those drivers of both marques who attend get togethers and indulge themselves in automotive sporting events.

All that said, the C5 Z06 was a very edgy car, sharing more in driving spirit with the original M3 than with the current E90/E92 model. It's also considered to be about as quick as the current 436 HP Z51 Vette, with low to mid twelve second quarter miles the norm, at about 116 mph. Anecdotally, I personally watched a friend of mine pilot his stock (except for aftermarket shifter) 405 HP C5 Z06 to an 11.99 second ET at just under 117 mph. Of course, that was a record as far as I know, and is not to be considered the norm.

OK, finally getting exactly on point, your M3 would have acquitted itself well against that C5, but he would pull on you slowly but surely. On a road course, he'd also post slightly better times, assuming equal driver skill. At the 'Ring, the C5 Z 06 went a 7:56, which is close to what the current Z51 car should do.

Bruce

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by T Bone

He is talking about the C5.

Never mind!

[!Xoible]

it 0-60s in 4.2, but 1/4 miles in 12.4... slippery as hell, aerodynamics ftw

[SS32]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

OK, finally getting exactly on point, your M3 would have acquitted itself well against that C5, but he would pull on you slowly but surely. On a road course, he'd also post slightly better times, assuming equal driver skill. At the 'Ring, the C5 Z 06 went a 7:56, which is close to what the current Z51 car should do.

Bruce

Yeah, I know on a road course I would probably have my ass handed to me, but in a straight line I think I would have had a better shot. The biggest factor would be the extra torque the vette has. But at the same time, I have a higher red line so I shouldn't have to shift as soon.

[spearfisher]

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

Yeah, I know on a road course I would probably have my ass handed to me, but in a straight line I think I would have had a better shot. The biggest factor would be the extra torque the vette has. But at the same time, I have a higher red line so I shouldn't have to shift as soon.

I think it would be a good race, providing the C5 is stock, it would be a good one for you and boil down to the better driver/shifter.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

Yeah, I know on a road course I would probably have my ass handed to me, but in a straight line I think I would have had a better shot. The biggest factor would be the extra torque the vette has. But at the same time, I have a higher red line so I shouldn't have to shift as soon.

None of that matters as long as both cars have reasonable gear spacing - which they do. It's power to weight that matters from those speeds. The superlative torque curve in your car can't make up for the weight difference. The Vette will come in at around 3150 pounds, as opposed to what, 3600 plus?

You have every right to be proud of your ride, and the race would be pretty close, from my point of view.

Bruce

[th3Stig]

^ +1. I want to see that race too.

[SS32]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

None of that matters as long as both cars have reasonable gear spacing - which they do. It's power to weight that matters from those speeds. The superlative torque curve in your car can't make up for the weight difference. The Vette will come in at around 3150 pounds, as opposed to what, 3600 plus?

You have every right to be proud of your ride, and the race would be pretty close, from my point of view.

Bruce

That's what I was getting at. I think it would be really close.

[sayemthree]

Nordschleife, Germany

ONLY 6 seconds faster? pretty close. I am sure someone can get the M3 closer to 8:00

40. Chevrolet Corvette C6 7:59 ´04 400 / 1470 Motortrend
41. Porsche 997 Carrera S 7:59:00 ´04 355 / 1420 Walter Roehrl, WHEELS 06/
42. Bugatti EB 110 SuperSport 8:01 ´92 650 / 1418
43. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 8:01.84 ´06 520 / 1720 Wolfgang Kaufmann
44. Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R 8:01:72 ´95 280 / 1530 Gansan (V-Spec model)
45. Mercedes CLK 63 Black Series 8:02 ´07 507 / 1760 autobild 07/07
46. Aston Martin V8 Vantage 8:03 ´05 380 / 1630 Sport Auto
47. Porsche 996 GT3 early 8:03 ´99 360 / 1350 Sport Auto
48. Lamborghini Diablo GT 8:04 ´99 570 / 1530 Sport Auto
49. Audi R8 8:04 ´06 420 / 1560 Sport Auto
50. RUF CTR Yellow Bird 8:05 ´87 469 / 1170
51. Ferrari 575 Maranello 8:05 ´02 540 / 1730 Sport Auto
52. BMW M3 (E92) 8:05 ´07 420 / 1619 Sport Auto

[sayemthree]

Autozeitung test track, Germany

10. BMW M3 Sedan (E90) 1:38.7 ´07 420 / 1680 Autozeitung
11. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 1:39.0 ´06 520 / 1720 Autozeitung
12. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 1:39.4 ´05 513 / 1420 Autozeitung

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by spearfisher

I think it would be a good race, providing the C5 is stock, it would be a good one for you and boil down to the better driver/shifter.

I used to have a C5 Z06. It's fast. And you're right, it would come down to whoever got the best launch...

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

OK, finally getting exactly on point, your M3 would have acquitted itself well against that C5, but he would pull on you slowly but surely.
Bruce

No, it would not pull on M3. C5 Z06 has slower time 0-150mph than E92 M3. It would very close with edge on M3. C5 Z06 is quick in 1/4 because it has excellent low-end and mid range torque.

C5 Z06 0-150mph 25.5 sec
E90 M3 0-150mph 24.9 sec

It's power to weight that matters from those speeds

It is also incorrect that power to weight matters from those speeds. It matters from a dig and becomes less of a factor as vehicle picks up momentum. At those speeds gearing and aerodynamics are everything. Power to weight will matter at high speeds if difference is significant.