Can the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Dethrone the BMW M3?

[arr0gant]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4333820.html

[M3V8Driver]

Uh, what? The cars are in two completely different categories.

[SlammedR8]

what a dumb test IMO.

why does the article keep saying M3 Sedan, meanwhile all the pictures are of M3 Coupe

[arr0gant]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Uh, what? The cars are in two completely different categories.

I disagree. M3's are pitted against 911's all the time. 911's are pitted against 'Vette's, all the time.

[Nawaaz]

Exciting comparison nevertheless.....

.....And the M3 wins!

[Doru in Romania]

never

[MJC///M3]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

what a dumb test IMO.

why does the article keep saying M3 Sedan, meanwhile all the pictures are of M3 Coupe

+1

[TLud]

Thanks for the link to the article, arr0gant, but no surprising revelations here.

I do appreciate that the article pointed out the slight understeer that the M3 has, which isn't obvious unless driving at 10/10ths or when compared back to back against cars like the Cayman S and Vette. Makes you wonder why so many on this forum upgrade to huge rubber in the back without significantly increasing wheel/tire width in the front.

[spearfisher]

oh yeah I want my click back

[TLud]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

what a dumb test IMO.

why does the article keep saying M3 Sedan, meanwhile all the pictures are of M3 Coupe

It may be a mistake on the part of PM, but sedan actually doesn't necessarily refer to a 4-door car. Technically, a sedan is a passenger car with two rows of seats (seating four or more people) with a roof that is full-height all the way back to the rear window. Most commonly, sedans come in a 4-door format, which is why the term has become synonymous with 4-door vehicles, but 2-door models can also fit in this definition.

[!Xoible]

if we're talking performance then the M3 in that "category" does not have a throne. and if we're talking performance then the vette has always "dethroned" the M3.

the person who wrote that article is absolutely on crack! it's good crack though, making his imagination go places

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by TLud

It may be a mistake on the part of PM, but sedan actually doesn't necessarily refer to a 4-door car. Technically, a sedan is a passenger car with two rows of seats (seating four or more people) with a roof that is full-height all the way back to the rear window. Most commonly, sedans come in a 4-door format, which is why the term has become synonymous with 4-door vehicles, but 2-door models can also fit in this definition.

That is VERY interesting. I didn't know that.

[urbo73]

Originally Posted by TLud

Thanks for the link to the article, arr0gant, but no surprising revelations here.

I do appreciate that the article pointed out the slight understeer that the M3 has, which isn't obvious unless driving at 10/10ths or when compared back to back against cars like the Cayman S and Vette. Makes you wonder why so many on this forum upgrade to huge rubber in the back without significantly increasing wheel/tire width in the front.

I love these silly articles. The editor had trouble finding the limit of the Vette on the street

Anyhow, I disagree r.e. the understeer. The M3 has plenty, as do most front-engined cars. Evident at much less than 10/10ths....The Cayman also has a lot of understeer...It's all dialed in to make these powerful vehicles "safe" for the street in untrained and eager hands. Can you blame them?

[TLud]

Originally Posted by urbo73

I love these silly articles. The editor had trouble finding the limit of the Vette on the street

Anyhow, I disagree r.e. the understeer. The M3 has plenty, as do most front-engined cars. Evident at much less than 10/10ths....The Cayman also has a lot of understeer...It's all dialed in to make these powerful vehicles "safe" for the street in untrained and eager hands. Can you blame them?

Good points on all counts. With a few simple changes, the Cayman becomes almost scarily neutral (at least to an untrained driver like myself). In considering new rubber for my M, I was somewhat torn. On one hand, I'd like a little more rubber in the rear (285) to help put power down, but that would require at least 265 up front so as to not worsen the understeer already present. On the other hand, terrible Houston roads require tires with an aspect ratio of at least .35, which would result in rubbing with 265 in front. I've decided to go with 255/35 and 275/35 f/r.

[FStop7]

Dethrone it as what? The regular C6 was already a faster car. Dumb test. Ban popular mechanics.

[ersin]

The article is dumb. If the throne is for an all around, hi-performance, luxury and practicality, well the Vette never was and will never be that. But if the throne is for hi-performance alone, the M3 was never the king.

[Race_Doc11]

I'm thinking to go test drive the grand sport...I'm kind of getting fed up with lag that comes and goes even after the update...if they discount the Vette enough I might be trading the M...

[the///Mthree]

Originally Posted by TLud

Thanks for the link to the article, arr0gant, but no surprising revelations here.

I do appreciate that the article pointed out the slight understeer that the M3 has, which isn't obvious unless driving at 10/10ths or when compared back to back against cars like the Cayman S and Vette. Makes you wonder why so many on this forum upgrade to huge rubber in the back without significantly increasing wheel/tire width in the front.

Well I hope your not surprised when I tell you that most on this forum will never see the limit of their 245 fronts, but when they nail it from a light they do see the straight line limit of their 265s. BUT the M3 will benefit greatly from more power down grip when cornering

[URBAN LEGEND]

Smart test. A four seater against a two seater. That makes a lot of sense...

[TLud]

Originally Posted by the///Mthree

Well I hope your not surprised when I tell you that most on this forum will never see the limit of their 245 fronts, but when they nail it from a light they do see the straight line limit of their 265s. BUT the M3 will benefit greatly from more power down grip when cornering

No, not really surprised. Speaking from personal experience, I see the limits of the 245 fronts every weekday on a decreasing radius cloverleaf exit ramp. Admittedly, I also see the limits of the 265 rears powering out of the same exit.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by TLud

No, not really surprised. Speaking from personal experience, I see the limits of the 245 fronts every weekday on a decreasing radius cloverleaf exit ramp. Admittedly, I also see the limits of the 265 rears powering out of the same exit.

Even with the slight understeer, on the track the wider rears help put the power down on the road sooner. Although pushing in turns like that off ramp is a buzz kill.

[Subw00er]

Vette engines are simply amazing. I miss mine!