M3 vs. C6 Corvette

JonnyM3 · 03-27-2011, 06:07 PM

Spent the weekend in a 2010 Avis Rental Corvette C6 in Palm Beach this weekend and figured I'd post up my impressions.

Corvette
Positives
-Great torque
-Brutal acceleration
-Amazing sound
-Surprisingly comfortable
-Great sound system
-Removable top was fun
-A lot of stares and thumbs up
-Cool heads up features
-Great MPG

Negatives
-Harder to drive at the limit (see below)
-Less fun (see below)
-Small, though did supply sufficient amount of room for 2 medium sized bags. One more and my girlfriend would not have been a happy camper.
-Transmission. Being a rental manual wasn't offered, and this tranny is nowhere near our DCT's.
-Clunky interior
-Cheap feeling materials
-Huge, and hard to judge front end

The Corvette was really nice and relaxing to have on our vacation. The M3 is definitely more involved feeling, which surprised me. The Corvette offered similar or better feedback from the front wheels, but the rear didn't talk to me. It stayed planted through turns, but I was just no where near as comfortable as I was with the M3, even on day one (M3 is my first RWD car and I was very quick to try and learn it's limits). The M3 feels lighter on its feet, and IMO dips into a turn better. Surprisingly the sound system sounded better than my BMW's 2k system which pissed me off, though the rest of the interior was nothing to brag about. The torque down low in the RPM range constantly made me smile, though I missed my 8300 rpm high strung engine. The sound is what I loved the most, and when the valves opened in the exhaust you knew you were driving a sports car. Fun wise, IMO the M3 is more fun. I can be a professional drifter in my car due to the rear diff, but with the Vette it became a tedious process trying to break the rear loose (not sure if it's the warm weather or the tires...have had my M3 only in colder weather so far so this may change). Overall the Vette was a joy to drive and definitely broadened my horizons on how I view American cars, and truthfully I wouldn't mind owning one. Would I give up my M3 now if given the chance? Absolutely no, but I will say I am very interested in driving a Z06 one of these days. Thanks for reading

BimmerM · 03-27-2011, 06:50 PM

You have to turn off traction control if you want to break the rear loose, just like the M3.

I had a C5 Z06 and a C6. Very fun cars.

The front end is definately hard to judge however I actually find the M3 harder since you can't see the fenders due to the way the hood is shaped.

My previous E46 M3 was way eaiser to judge.

Overall nice review.

JonnyM3 · 03-27-2011, 07:11 PM

Thanks haha, I had tc off..I really think it was the 90 degree weather, the car didn't even show signs of breaking loose at 3500 rpm in first up to redline

MVF4Rrider · 03-27-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudiS5

Spent the weekend in a 2010 Avis Rental Corvette C6 in Palm Beach this weekend and figured I'd post up my impressions.

Negatives
-Harder to drive at the limit (see below)

Your definition of limit must be very different than mine.

JonnyM3 · 03-27-2011, 09:01 PM

Perhaps I should have said I was less comfortable to bring the car to its limit when compared to the M3.

JonnyM3 · 03-27-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingray23

good, fair review. I think if you had a manual and alittle more time with the C6, you'd feel better about it. Especially if it were a Z06 or ZR1.

I feel great about it, C6 or not...it's a great car and a great bargain, and I'd love to have one if I didn't have an M3. As everyone says, the M3 is a great compromise of speed, handling, comfort and looks. Jack of all trades if you will.

King Tut · 03-28-2011, 09:34 AM

Seems like an honest review. Not sure how you have so much less grip with the M3 though. I know my M3 had tons more grip than my Z06 where I can never put the power down in first gear. It will also allow quite a bit of wheel spin before the traction control intervenes. Not sure about the huge front end either. I really like the front end of the Z06 and seeing the two fenders rise up on each side. Perhaps it was the seating position being different.

JonnyM3 · 03-28-2011, 11:15 AM

King Tut, keep in mind it was only a C6 not a Z06 and the weather was 90+. I haven't had the pleasure of really driving the M in warm weather and these Pirellis don't exactly agree with the 32 degrees it currently is in NY. I'm sure once I get some new rears and the weather warms up traction won't be an issue, until next winter.

half man half amazin · 04-01-2011, 12:44 PM

Yeah more time and 6mt make a huge difference, awesome car, and a joy to drive, but after owning one at this time in my life a prefer the M3. But I will probably be back for the C7 if it's done right.

Muffnbluff · 04-01-2011, 01:14 PM

Was thinking about test driving a C6 corvette this weekend, I can add my thoughts to this thread if I do.

JonnyM3 · 04-01-2011, 01:25 PM

The coupe with the removable top gave enough of a convertible like feel, to me at least. Just something to consider, I'm sure youll enjoy the test drive.

elh0102 · 04-01-2011, 01:25 PM

I’ve owned both C5 and C6 ZO6s, great cars. If I were still doing as much track stuff, I would probably still have one. Great, neutral handling, lots of power, good brakes. Not the most communicative suspension or steering around, but not bad after you get used to it. While it may not inspire confidence at first, you learn how to interpret what you feel, and the limits are much higher than most first-time drivers realize. There aren’t many 500 hp cars around that are as much fun, and will deliver 30 mpg on the highway!

03-27-2011, 06:07 PM	#1
JonnyM3 Captain 231 Rep 905 Posts Drives: Moderately Quick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	M3 vs. C6 Corvette Spent the weekend in a 2010 Avis Rental Corvette C6 in Palm Beach this weekend and figured I'd post up my impressions. Corvette Positives -Great torque -Brutal acceleration -Amazing sound -Surprisingly comfortable -Great sound system -Removable top was fun -A lot of stares and thumbs up -Cool heads up features -Great MPG Negatives -Harder to drive at the limit (see below) -Less fun (see below) -Small, though did supply sufficient amount of room for 2 medium sized bags. One more and my girlfriend would not have been a happy camper. -Transmission. Being a rental manual wasn't offered, and this tranny is nowhere near our DCT's. -Clunky interior -Cheap feeling materials -Huge, and hard to judge front end The Corvette was really nice and relaxing to have on our vacation. The M3 is definitely more involved feeling, which surprised me. The Corvette offered similar or better feedback from the front wheels, but the rear didn't talk to me. It stayed planted through turns, but I was just no where near as comfortable as I was with the M3, even on day one (M3 is my first RWD car and I was very quick to try and learn it's limits). The M3 feels lighter on its feet, and IMO dips into a turn better. Surprisingly the sound system sounded better than my BMW's 2k system which pissed me off, though the rest of the interior was nothing to brag about. The torque down low in the RPM range constantly made me smile, though I missed my 8300 rpm high strung engine. The sound is what I loved the most, and when the valves opened in the exhaust you knew you were driving a sports car. Fun wise, IMO the M3 is more fun. I can be a professional drifter in my car due to the rear diff, but with the Vette it became a tedious process trying to break the rear loose (not sure if it's the warm weather or the tires...have had my M3 only in colder weather so far so this may change). Overall the Vette was a joy to drive and definitely broadened my horizons on how I view American cars, and truthfully I wouldn't mind owning one. Would I give up my M3 now if given the chance? Absolutely no, but I will say I am very interested in driving a Z06 one of these days. Thanks for reading __________________ E90 ZCP Alpine White M3- Gone F82 Azurite Black M4- Gone 2021 Jaguar F Type R- Current Last edited by JonnyM3; 03-27-2011 at 06:18 PM..
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03-27-2011, 06:50 PM	#2
BimmerM Lieutenant 98 Rep 525 Posts Drives: '21 F95 X5 M C, '11.5 E92 M3 C Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X5 M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	You have to turn off traction control if you want to break the rear loose, just like the M3. I had a C5 Z06 and a C6. Very fun cars. The front end is definately hard to judge however I actually find the M3 harder since you can't see the fenders due to the way the hood is shaped. My previous E46 M3 was way eaiser to judge. Overall nice review. __________________ Drives: '11.5 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 Comp, '21 F95 X5 M Comp DIYs: Enable Rear Fog \| Easy Side Gill Replacement \| Front Grill Replacement
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03-27-2011, 07:11 PM	#3
JonnyM3 Captain 231 Rep 905 Posts Drives: Moderately Quick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Thanks haha, I had tc off..I really think it was the 90 degree weather, the car didn't even show signs of breaking loose at 3500 rpm in first up to redline __________________ E90 ZCP Alpine White M3- Gone F82 Azurite Black M4- Gone 2021 Jaguar F Type R- Current
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03-27-2011, 09:01 PM	#5
JonnyM3 Captain 231 Rep 905 Posts Drives: Moderately Quick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Perhaps I should have said I was less comfortable to bring the car to its limit when compared to the M3. __________________ E90 ZCP Alpine White M3- Gone F82 Azurite Black M4- Gone 2021 Jaguar F Type R- Current
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03-28-2011, 09:34 AM	#7
King Tut NASA SpecE30 Racer 82 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: 2006 Honda S2000 TT3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL iTrader: (2)	Seems like an honest review. Not sure how you have so much less grip with the M3 though. I know my M3 had tons more grip than my Z06 where I can never put the power down in first gear. It will also allow quite a bit of wheel spin before the traction control intervenes. Not sure about the huge front end either. I really like the front end of the Z06 and seeing the two fenders rise up on each side. Perhaps it was the seating position being different. __________________ King Tut 2012 BMW M3 Individual: Sold lsb.ridedomain.com 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30: spece30.ridedomain.com 2009 BMW M3 Coupe: Sold e92.ridedomain.com
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03-28-2011, 11:15 AM	#8
JonnyM3 Captain 231 Rep 905 Posts Drives: Moderately Quick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	King Tut, keep in mind it was only a C6 not a Z06 and the weather was 90+. I haven't had the pleasure of really driving the M in warm weather and these Pirellis don't exactly agree with the 32 degrees it currently is in NY. I'm sure once I get some new rears and the weather warms up traction won't be an issue, until next winter. __________________ E90 ZCP Alpine White M3- Gone F82 Azurite Black M4- Gone 2021 Jaguar F Type R- Current
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04-01-2011, 12:44 PM	#9
half man half amazin Lieutenant 26 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2017 430 Gran Coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Yeah more time and 6mt make a huge difference, awesome car, and a joy to drive, but after owning one at this time in my life a prefer the M3. But I will probably be back for the C7 if it's done right. __________________ Past: 2011 E92 //M3 SSII DCT Previous: 2012 F10 550i Carbon Black M Sport Present: 2017 430 Gran Coupe
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04-01-2011, 01:14 PM	#10
Muffnbluff Redline Addict 21 Rep 783 Posts Drives: '14 BMW 335 xdrive Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: STL iTrader: (0)	Was thinking about test driving a C6 corvette this weekend, I can add my thoughts to this thread if I do.
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04-01-2011, 01:25 PM	#11
JonnyM3 Captain 231 Rep 905 Posts Drives: Moderately Quick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	The coupe with the removable top gave enough of a convertible like feel, to me at least. Just something to consider, I'm sure youll enjoy the test drive. __________________ E90 ZCP Alpine White M3- Gone F82 Azurite Black M4- Gone 2021 Jaguar F Type R- Current
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04-01-2011, 01:25 PM	#12
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I’ve owned both C5 and C6 ZO6s, great cars. If I were still doing as much track stuff, I would probably still have one. Great, neutral handling, lots of power, good brakes. Not the most communicative suspension or steering around, but not bad after you get used to it. While it may not inspire confidence at first, you learn how to interpret what you feel, and the limits are much higher than most first-time drivers realize. There aren’t many 500 hp cars around that are as much fun, and will deliver 30 mpg on the highway!
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