E46 M3 vs. Z06

[NRM 500]

i was woundering if anybody had driven both of them and tell me what the have in common and different. i am looking to buy a car and im tring to decide between them. and if anyone know anything about the corvette......is there a real big difference in the Z06 and the standard?? what is it...........thanks

[kEn]

Z06

+
pure sports car; CRAPLOAD of power and torque; probably able to beat 95% of the cars on the road; best bang for the buck

-
cargo space is sacrificed; 2 seater; interior parts/quality questionable


E46 M3

+
BMW pimp factor; luxury sports car (you get best of both worlds); fast car for its weight; many luxury options not available on the Z06; good cargo space

-
not quite as fast as the Z06 (about 1 sec discrepancy in the 1/4); engine detonation problem (?)


As for comparing a C5 to the Z06, they are best to be considered TOTALLY different cars. There is quite a difference in horsepower and torque levels in these cars. In terms of speed, the C5 and M3 would be a good matchup. But pitting a Z06 and an M3 together?
That shouldn't even be a question.

[toorbo]

Ken pretty much hit everything I was gonna say. As far as which one is faster, the Z06. But I don't like the interior at all, and it's not comfortable, but the car is all about performance. The torque and power of the car is amazing, and it handles very well, excellent actually.

I love the sound of the M3, and the gears are real nice. The feeling is not as rigid as the E36, but the car pulls really hard all the way to red line. You have 4 seats, luxury, and performance all in one.

It really depends what you're looking for and how you want to drive the car. It you want to drive it daily and go to work, school, wherever, I would go for the M3.

It you want all out performance period, go for the Z06. Now the question about differences between the Z06 and standard?

Come on man, you know this. As Ken stated, the Z06 will beat about 95% of the cars on the road, the C5 is one of them

Good Luck buddy. It all depends what you want from the car.

[tlaselva]

Went thought the exact same dilemma last spring when I was looking at a sports car.
Z06, or M3.
Tough decision.
Ken's accurate with his description.

One question you'll have to ask yourself is:

1. Would you ever want to track the car on a course or 1\4 mile?
IF so, go with the Z06, it'll excel in both over the M3, and able to take the abuse far better than an M3 can, and also be relatively cheaper and able to mod compared to an M3. People have modded these cars to 500+ HP/trq to the rear with 10 to 15 K.
Can't do that to an M3, and not cost you 100 + G's. Not to mention maintenance and repairs.

2. If your going to use the car as a daily driver car, &/or interior aesthetics matter to you, and your not going to track the car, go with the M3. Its much more functional, and defiantly has a much more classy appearance.

I went with the M3 earlier this year, because I just couldn't bear the interior of the Z06. Just looked to gaudy to me and cheap. Dash and buttons is same as you find in a Cavalier, and find that GM cars build quality is something left to be desired, especially evident after a few years. Still was a tough decision, the Z06’s raw performance will hand the M3 it’s a$$ in a plate in most categories.

[tlaselva]

Went thought the exact same dilemma last spring when I was looking at a sports car.
Z06, or M3.
Tough decision.
Ken's accurate with his description.

One question you'll have to ask yourself is:

1. Would you ever want to track the car on a course or 1\4 mile?
IF so, go with the Z06, it'll excel in both over the M3, and able to take the abuse far better than an M3 can, and also be relatively cheaper and able to mod compared to an M3. People have modded these cars to 500+ HP/trq to the rear with 10 to 15 K.
Can't do that to an M3, and not cost you 60 + G's. Not to mention maintenance and repairs.

2. If your going to use the car as a daily driver car, &/or interior aesthetics matter to you, and your not going to track the car, go with the M3. Its much more functional, and defiantly has a much more classy appearance.

I went with the M3 earlier this year, because I just couldn't bear the interior of the Z06. Just looked to gaudy to me and cheap. Dash and buttons is same as you find in a Cavalier, and find that GM cars build quality is something left to be desired, especially evident after a few years. Still was a tough decision, the Z06’s raw performance will hand the M3 it’s a$$ in a plate in most categories.