BMW E46 M3 vs C5 Corvette

[Kurtdg19]

Originally Posted by Jimster

I"ve never tested a Z51 Corvette, but I took a standard Corvette around a track and sorry, but I honestly can't imagine that thing taking out an M3.

Could somebody shed some light as to what the Z51 pack consists of??? (And anyone who says suspension gets banned, I want the specifics)

Like I said, this isn't just a performance test, it's an ownership proposition, if you care to re-read what the thread starter wrote up. So lets look at the Corvette as a practical car, shall we??

Firstly, it is wide, as a matter of fact, I can think of few wider cars, if you parked it in a European parking space, the Corvette would be loaded with parking dings, it'd have an easier time in a Seppo parking space, but fuck, it's still too wide to be practical IMHO.

The M3 has many a creature comfort as well, all enveloped in a masterpiece of interior build quality, the Corvette has Aircon and a Radio put into a dashboard made out of melted Jelly-babies, the ergonomics are also terrible. Space is no concern in either, but the M3 does have two useable seats in the back, in case you want to carry some more people, under 6 foot tall.

How do you know a Z51 will beat an M3 for sure, have you taken both around a race track???? I haven't, hence I don't make silly statements such as that.

A Z51 suspension package consist of.....damn I don't want to type all this. Here is a site with each Vette option (including Z06) and test results with standard vette tires and Z06 tires to get a better idea.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/spec.../suspcomp.html

And you are right, this is an ownership proposition meaning more than just "which is faster" talk. Thats why I would take the M3, its more practial. I find the 'Corvette being wide' comment hillarious cause its the honest truth LOL.

[Mr Payne]

Originally Posted by Jimster

I"ve never tested a Z51 Corvette, but I took a standard Corvette around a track and sorry, but I honestly can't imagine that thing taking out an M3.
Well, the imagination is a powerful thing.
Could somebody shed some light as to what the Z51 pack consists of??? (And anyone who says suspension gets banned, I want the specifics)
Stuff.
Like I said, this isn't just a performance test, it's an ownership proposition, if you care to re-read what the thread starter wrote up. So lets look at the Corvette as a practical car, shall we??
Well, if that's the case lets just compare a 35K used Z06.
Firstly, it is wide, as a matter of fact, I can think of few wider cars, if you parked it in a European parking space, the Corvette would be loaded with parking dings, it'd have an easier time in a Seppo parking space, but fuck, it's still too wide to be practical IMHO.
Umm, it's 3.6 inches more wide than an M3. You make it seem like it's a Hummer or something.
The M3 has many a creature comfort as well, all enveloped in a masterpiece of interior build quality, the Corvette has Aircon and a Radio put into a dashboard made out of melted Jelly-babies, the ergonomics are also terrible. Space is no concern in either, but the M3 does have two useable seats in the back, in case you want to carry some more people, under 6 foot tall.
Ergonomics on a Corvette are terrible? "Right."
How do you know a Z51 will beat an M3 for sure, have you taken both around a race track???? I haven't, hence I don't make silly statements such as that.
Actually, you did make a silly statement like that. You said the M3 rips the standard C5 apart in every possible category(which means the M3 rips a standard C5 apart on the track). It obviously doesn't.

...

[CrzyMR2T]

Originally Posted by Jimster

I"ve never tested a Z51 Corvette, but I took a standard Corvette around a track and sorry, but I honestly can't imagine that thing taking out an M3.

Could somebody shed some light as to what the Z51 pack consists of??? (And anyone who says suspension gets banned, I want the specifics)

Like I said, this isn't just a performance test, it's an ownership proposition, if you care to re-read what the thread starter wrote up. So lets look at the Corvette as a practical car, shall we??

Firstly, it is wide, as a matter of fact, I can think of few wider cars, if you parked it in a European parking space, the Corvette would be loaded with parking dings, it'd have an easier time in a Seppo parking space, but fuck, it's still too wide to be practical IMHO.

The M3 has many a creature comfort as well, all enveloped in a masterpiece of interior build quality, the Corvette has Aircon and a Radio put into a dashboard made out of melted Jelly-babies, the ergonomics are also terrible. Space is no concern in either, but the M3 does have two useable seats in the back, in case you want to carry some more people, under 6 foot tall.

How do you know a Z51 will beat an M3 for sure, have you taken both around a race track???? I haven't, hence I don't make silly statements such as that.

it might of seemed like that, but i meant that i think the z51 can beat it for sure, and it looks like your the one that says silly statements like that. another thing, im not trying to be mean to you, but from reading all your posts, you seem to be in my opinion, really biased.

[astrallionheart]

How about track performance? On Top Gear they test cars on their Lotus designed test track...here are some track times:

Zonda 1:23
Konenigsegg 1:24
M3 CSL 1:28
Mitsubishi Evo8 1:29
Lamborghini Murcielago 1:29
Alpina Z8 1:29
Aston Martin DB7 GT 1:30
E46 M3 1:31
Wrx Impreza Sti 1:31
Lotus Espirit 1:32
SL55 AMG 1:33
Ferarri 575 1:35
Aston Martin Vanquish 1:36

So how fast do you think the stig can drive a corvette on that track? =D

[Mr Payne]

Something about those times does not work. The Z06 can decimate a Z8, but struggles with a Murcielago. And those cars somehow got the same time? I'd guess 1:29 for the Z06 based on those times...and the relatively slow speed nature of that test track.

[Ssom]

Note the word Alpina in the front of Z8???

[Lamborsari_Merbini]

in this comparison i'd take the BMW for every day commuting and stuff, but the vette for when i wanted to have fun/show off a bit. as for the top gear times i have never taken them too seriously. I have a feeling stig had an offday with the Murcielago cause i figure it should be faster than the EVO. it is impossible for him to take every corner perfectly with every car so the numbers vary on how the conditions were/how well he actually drove. I remember that it was pretty slick with the Murcielago.

[CrzyMR2T]

well i know that the 350z track edition or whichever version it is, is a little faster than the e46 m3 on a track with lots of turns, i dont know if this helps any.

[astrallionheart]

The stig did both the Pagani Zonda (1:23) and the Murcielago (1:29) on the same day. They did mention that its hard to launch with the Murcielago coz of clutch slippage of you go full throttle from launch..

[Kurtdg19]

The Zonda ran a 1:23.8, and the Koenigsegg ran a 1:23.9, so techinically they should be both 1:24. I've always rounded by the five rule, not the 8 rule hehe. However; i do agree with Lamborsari in acknowledging the human error that can never be unexpected. Some cars were also tested in wet conditions (as I watched one comparing a S2000/Z4/Boxster).

Anyways, I cannot take those for gospel is pretty much what I'm relating to. I'm still going to stick with the C5 having the advantage over the E46 until furthermore.

[Ssom]

If the Stig had launched the Murcie- it's be almost as fast as the Zonda- but the danger to the transimission was probably too much for theStig (and the BBC) to risk

[astrallionheart]

by that measure anything on that list is almost as fast as the Zonda =P

1:23.8 to 1:29+ is over 5 seconds, you can't make that up from launch alone, coz 5 seconds at 80 or 90 miles per hour is like freakin 1/7 of a mile =P

[01vette]

well ill tell you what i know - the z51 vette is a c5 is a bit more heavy duty sway bar thats about it - the corvettes stock tires doo kinda suck witch is why i switched (lol) ok stock c5 vs m3 - iv seen them go at in a auto x ------- cones in a big parking lot they are pretty much the same i think both got the same time almost the m3 was like a second faster- but the track was in favor for the m3 -- the track was too small for the vette to get into its power band - were it really starts too pull- and in a straight line the vette wins i dont care if its a pro driver that car has no tq and is why i dont like it too much- i raced a one on the streets not even a week ago 50 to 100 pull about 2 cars on him and pulling harder on him till he stoped - has for the vette interior i like it i think its confy sure its not has fancy has teh m3's but the vette is a real sports car not a car to goo have a picnic in ---- and i donno i read a comment about how the c5 is too wide -- whats that all about? the c5 is fine i never had one promblem with that - i remmber it took a little getting used to when i frist got the car the hoods big and at first your kinda worried about it while you goign through traffic but you get used to it real fast -- the vette is the funnest car i have been in - all the power you want when you want you dont need to go to high rpm's like in the m3- - - and about modding! teh c5 wins that hands down its a chevy small block i mean come on what dont they have for it - adn if you wanna handle better get some sway bars adn you can run with z06's for about 500$ bpp has a good sway bar kit and if you care about speed well in auto put some good sticky tires a torqe converter some 3;73 gears and your in the low 12's for about 1 g - (car has to be auto of corse) add a 100 shot on top of that and you can kill almost anything on the road --- here its what some guy did to his wifes transam( same motor ) http://www.thunderracing.com/project...n=read&pgid=69 -- - has for the m3's modding its really price and you wont get too far

[drunken monkey]

don't revive year old threads.

see here.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=162405